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In this Update:
Join Me for Coffee and Conversation
There’s still time to R.S.V.P. to join me at my upcoming Coffee and Conversation event on May 15 in Bloomsburg. Coffee and Conversation events are an opportunity for you to share your thoughts and ideas about state government in a casual setting with light refreshments. Bloomsburg Coffee and Conversation
Wednesday, May 15, 9-10 a.m. Look in future editions of this email newsletter and follow me on Facebook to learn about more upcoming events as we schedule them. Upcoming Satellite Office Hours
In an ongoing effort to make state government programs and services more accessible and convenient, my staff and I offer satellite office hours and locations in communities across our district. We are beginning this month offering new satellite office hours in Turbotville Borough. Turbotville Office Hours In addition to the new Turbotville satellite office hours, we also offer the following: Northern Columbia County Office Hours Herndon Office Hours Beaver Springs Office Hours My staff provides the same services at these satellite office hours that we provide at our traditional district office locations. Senate Approves Resolution Marking April 2024 as Pennsylvania Donate Life Month
The state Senate this week approved Senate Resolution 259, which I introduced to designate April 2024 as Pennsylvania Donate Life Month. I spoke in the Senate in favor of this resolution highlighting the importance of organ and tissue donation. I know first-hand the importance of this issue. I was blessed to receive a kidney donation from my sister which has enabled me to continue to serve our district. Most patients waiting on a transplant waiting list are not as lucky as I am. Learn more about the importance of giving the gift of life and a proposal I’m working on to provide a $10,000 tax deduction to living organ donors by reading more about this on my website. Senate Adopts Resolution Recognizing World Wish Day in Pennsylvania
The state Senate this week approved Senate Resolution 273, a measure I introduced to recognize April 29, 2024, as World Wish Day in Pennsylvania. The resolution honors the work of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, which grants life-changing wishes to children with critical illnesses. A wish can be anything from meeting with a celebrity to spending the day at a theme park. If a child can dream it, Make-A-Wish Foundation will make it a reality. The Make-A-Wish Foundation granted 761 wishes in Pennsylvania in 2023. I was honored to recognize this important organization and highlight the valuable work it performs to brighten the lives of sick children and their families. Learn more about this organization and my resolution by reading an article on my website.
Members of the Make-A-Wish Foundation visited me in Harrisburg on the day we voted to adopt the resolution recognizing World Wish Day in Pennsylvania. They presented me with a copy of “Chemo Dog,” a book written and illustrated by Troy, who is a Wish Kid. It seemed only fair for me to sign a copy of Senate Resolution 273 for Troy. Defending Our Constitutional Right to Bear Arms
I stood alongside some of my colleagues and concerned citizens this week to support and defend our constitutional right to bear arms during the annual Second Amendment rally held on the Capitol steps in Harrisburg. Senate Acts to Meet PA’s Power Needs
Acting to establish a sweeping, new energy framework for Pennsylvania, the Senate approved legislation this week creating the Independent Energy Office (IEO) and Pennsylvania’s Opportunity with Energy Reliability (POWER) Board. The bill moves to the House of Representatives for consideration. Under Senate Bill 832, the IEO will provide data-driven analysis and ensure lawmakers have the reliable information necessary to review and implement current energy strategies as well as be on the forefront of new innovative technologies. The POWER Board will be a public clearinghouse for energy development in Pennsylvania and allow residents to see public accountability on decisions that impact energy prices in Pennsylvania. The federal government has passed legislation to provide funding for states to grow solar, wind, hydro and nuclear capacities. Pennsylvania must apply for these funds and provide a framework to distribute funding throughout the state. The General Assembly has not yet established this framework, and statutory authority is needed. Bill to Improve Safety, Combat Illegal Street Racing Passes Senate
To address how the erratic driving of illegal street racers endangers the safety of other motorists and pedestrians, the Senate passed legislation that would increase street racing fines for first offenses to $500 and all additional infractions to $2,000. Senate Bill 998 also calls for impoundment orders for vehicles used in the offense and would hold event organizers accountable using fines, suspension of driving privileges, classification as habitual offenders, impoundment of vehicles and imprisonment. Additionally, the bill would impose penalties for drifting on highways or trafficways and for organizing street racing or drifting events. Drifting is a driving technique that involves steering a car to make a controlled skid sideways through a turn. Senate Bill 998 now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration. Senate Approves Bill to Get Pennsylvanians Off UC and Back to Work
Unemployed Pennsylvanians who engage in job dodging by sabotaging their own efforts to get hired would jeopardize their Unemployment Compensation benefits under a bill approved by the Senate. Job dodging is the process used by some Unemployment Compensation recipients to avoid obtaining a job and to continue to collect benefits. Job dodgers may skip a job interview or refuse employment or a referral for employment to continue receiving Unemployment Compensation benefits. Senate Bill 1109 is intended to prevent Unemployment Compensation recipients who apply for a job from unreasonably discouraging their own hiring. It would require the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry to create or update forms enabling employers to report Unemployment Compensation claimants who discourage their own hiring through job dodging. The bill moves to the House of Representatives for consideration. Celebrating Historic Breast Cancer Screening Law
One year ago, a first-of-its-kind in the nation comprehensive breast cancer screening bill was signed into law as Act 1 of 2023. This act eliminated out-of-pocket costs associated with BRCA-related genetic testing and counseling as well as supplemental screening such as breast MRI and ultrasound for women at high risk. High-risk conditions covered by the law include dense breast tissue, personal history of breast cancer, family history of breast cancer, genetic predisposition and prior radiation therapy. Act 1 covers individuals whose insurance is state-regulated, including plans purchased through the Pennie marketplace or employer-provided insurance. The law takes effect for many plans between 2024 and 2025. All state-regulated plans must be in place before the end of 2025. Learn more. Beware of Ticks and Lyme Disease
Pennsylvania leads the nation with the number of Lyme disease cases. While we are lucky to have access to the many outdoor recreational opportunities in the commonwealth, they come with the risks of tickborne diseases. National Lyme Disease Awareness Month is an opportunity to learn how to protect your family and pets against Lyme. Use insect repellent when spending time outdoors, treat your clothing and gear with permethrin and conduct a tick check when you come inside. There are three stages of Lyme disease with distinct signs and symptoms occurring in each stage, including a bullseye rash, headaches, nerve pain, heart palpitations and fever. If you discover a tick, safely remove it, put it in a plastic bag and mail it to the Pennsylvania Tick Research Lab for free testing. Within three business days, you will know if the tick carried Lyme disease and other diseases – valuable information for you and your health care provider.
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