State Senator David G. Argall | Pennsylvania 29th District
State Senator David G. Argall | Pennsylvania 29th District
On February 26, 2024, a new law has taken effect in Pennsylvania that prohibits companies connected to the governments of Russia and Belarus from receiving state contracts, grants, or tax credits. Senator Dave Argall emphasized the importance of this law by stating, “My constituents of Ukrainian descent have been clear. They do not want their tax dollars supporting the war crimes committed by Russia.”
Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity also expressed her support for the law, mentioning, “After Vladamir Putin’s unjustified and illegal invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, I immediately ended the Pennsylvania Treasury Department’s investments in any Russian and Belarusian entities.”
The legislation, known as Act 57 of 2023, was introduced by Senator Argall at the beginning of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and received unanimous, bipartisan support in both chambers of the General Assembly. Governor Shapiro signed the bill into law on December 14, 2023.
Act 57 of 2023 prevents companies from receiving state funds if they are determined by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the United States Treasury Department to have connections to the Russian or Belarusian governments. The aim is to ensure that Pennsylvania taxpayers' money does not support entities involved in the conflict in Ukraine.
The impact of Russia’s invasion on Ukraine has been devastating, with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights reporting that thousands of Ukrainian civilians have been killed or injured since the start of the conflict. Military casualties on both sides are estimated to be significant.
In response to the atrocities committed during the conflict, 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.
For more information, individuals can contact Jim Brugger (Argall) at 717-787-2637 or Samantha Heckel, Press Secretary (Treasury) at 717-418-0206.
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