HARRISBURG – A bill to prevent Pennsylvania taxpayer dollars from supporting companies with ties to the governments of Russia and Belarus was approved by a unanimous, bipartisan vote in the House of Representatives today, according to the sponsor of the bill, Sen. Dave Argall (R-29).
“My constituents of Ukrainian descent have been loud and clear – we need to keep taxpayer dollars out of the hands of the war criminals who aim to conquer the home of their distant cousins,” said Argall.
Senate Bill 282 would ban companies from receiving Pennsylvania state contracts, grants, or tax credits it they are owned or controlled by the Russian government.
Since Russia’s invasion into Ukraine, hundreds of thousands have been killed including over 100,000 Ukrainian civilians. Ukrainian women and children have been subject to torture and rape while captured Ukrainian prisoners of war have been subject to torture and mutilation.
Earlier this year, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russian Commissioner for Children’s Rights Maria Lvova-Belova for the war crime of unlawful deportation and transfer of children from Ukraine to Russia.
According to the 2020 census, Cass Township, Schuylkill County, has the highest percentage of people with Ukrainian ancestry in the United States. The culture and heritage of Ukraine is celebrated by local organizations like the Ukrainian Homestead of CEC ODWU Inc. in Lehighton.
The bill now heads to the Governor’s desk for his signature, the final step before it is signed into law.
CONTACT: Jim Brugger, 717-787-2637