Pittsburgh Review

Governor Tom Wolf (D-PA) commended the introductions of House Bill 2380, sponsored by Reps. Rob Matzie (D-Ambridge) and Kevin Boyle (D-Philadelphia) and Senate Bill 1176, sponsored by Sen. Lindsey Williams (D-Allegheny County), to set aside some $2 million to fund resettlement efforts of Ukrainian refugees in the state. 

According to a news release from the governor’s office, the proposal comes on the heels of Wolf’s call to the General Assembly to continue to take actions that cut all financial ties with Russia in the wake of its invasion of Ukraine. According to the news release, the commonwealth is home to more than 120,000 Ukrainians. 

“This is not some crisis affecting strangers on the nightly news,” Matzie said in the news release. “These are our neighbors’ families. This is local. This is real. This is touching our communities. It is time to again open our communities’ doors and hearts to welcome newcomers to our commonwealth.”

In the statement, Wolf noted that the proposed legislation would provide funding that would give the commonwealth the flexibility to direct funds to services for refugees and provide them a safe place to stay. 

Boyle noted in the release that he is proud to uphold Pennsylvania’s tradition of opening its arms to people by supporting a plan to help displaced Ukrainians. The proposed measure, according to the governor’s news release, would earmark $2 million for the Department of Human Services Refugee Resettlement Program’s contracted providers. 

Williams, meanwhile, noted in the release that the first Ukrainian refugees are already arriving in Pennsylvania and agencies must be prepared to offer assistance. She also noted that the New Neighbors Fund would provide financial aid to agencies to serve refugees and to meet their needs as they arrive in the commonwealth.