|
|
In this Update:
Senate Backs Israel, Condemns Hamas
Following the murderous attacks of innocent people by the terrorist group Hamas, the Senate approved a resolution condemning Hamas’ Oct. 7 carnage. Senate Resolution 185 shows Pennsylvania’s support of the Jewish people as they defend against this terrorist threat. It says that we stand “firmly with the people of Israel and their right to defend themselves.” It labels the attacks by Hamas as “shocking, barbaric and evil,” further adding they “amount to war crimes of the worst kind.” The resolution further stipulates, “Israel has every right to defend itself with all due force” and noted Pennsylvania’s “special relationship” with Israel since the country declared independence in 1948. Senate Advances Critical Support for EMS, Hospitals and Nursing Homes
This week, the Senate approved legislation advancing critical public health components of the budget process. Passage of House Bill 1351 addresses the crucial public health needs for emergency medical services, hospitals and nursing homes and ensures Pennsylvanians continue to receive access to needed health care services. The bill:
Happening in Harrisburg this Week
Five busloads of Diocese of Greensburg parishioners joined thousands of pro-life Pennsylvanians in Harrisburg on Monday for the 3rd Annual PA March for Life. It was a blessing to be able to spend some time with them, along with my colleagues, on their pilgrimage to the capitol. Thank you to Bishop Larry Kulick, Father Carr, Rep. Eric Nelson and all who coordinated; and thank you to everyone who stood up for the lives of the unborn.
This week, Kalilah D’Angelo of Dunbar, and her classmates at the Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf visited Harrisburg to meet with legislators about the work their school does. As the state’s largest comprehensive center for deaf education, the school serves deaf and hard-of-hearing students from all across Pennsylvania. Pleasure to spend time with Kalilah and all of these bright students!
Pre-K for PA was planted down in the rotunda this week to advocate for the 87,000 children across PA who remain unserved. Staffing and making sure early education facilities have the resources they need is vital to, not only the future of each child, but to the growth of our entire commonwealth. Around the District
Headstart visits classroom: I had a wonderful time reading to Miss Susan and Miss Abby’s classrooms at Allegheny Lutheran Social Ministries! Thank you for having me.
Happy to see another new business blending into the downtown Brownsville community. Congratulations to Fresh Fuel Cafe who celebrated a ribbon cutting with the Fayette Chamber of Commerce last week!
Congratulations to Park Square Market! Last week, the locally-sourced market celebrated a ribbon cutting with the Somerset Chamber of Commerce. Visit them in Confluence for local produce, grocery items, and more.
Amazing turnout last weekend for the Ohiopyle Buckwheat Festival! It’s great to see so many neighbors and visitors supporting the Ohiopyle-Stewart Volunteer Fire Department and the borough business community. To me, the annual festival marks peak autumn time here in Fayette County. Multiple Projects Across the District Granted State Funding
Nearly $900,000 will be coming to the 32nd District to enhance the outdoor recreational opportunities for residents and everyone who comes to visit the area. From walking trails to pavilions to celebrate with loved ones, this funding from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources will go to great use. Bedford County: 🚲 The Southern Alleghenies Planning & Development Commission will receive $45,000 to prepare a trail study for the development of approximately 4.25 miles of trail in Saxton Borough. The work will include an electronic written report. Fayette County: 🌲 Dunbar Borough will receive $84,400 to further develop Dunbar Borough Park. The work will include the construction of a pedestrian walkway, pavilion, and parking area; ADA access, landscaping, project sign and other related site improvements. 🛶 Fayette County, PA will receive $200,000 to further develop Dunlap Creek Park in Menallen Township. The work will include the construction of an internal loop trail; ADA access, landscaping, project sign, and other related site improvements. 🌳 The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy will receive $382,600 for payment toward the acquisition of approximately 790 acres along Kennedy Hollow Lan in North Union Township for an addition to Forbes State Park. Somerset County: 🌿 Somerset County will receive $184,000 to further develop Somerset Lake Nature Park in Somerset Township. The work will include the construction of a pedestrian walkway, pedestrian bridge, pavilion, and parking area; ADA access, landscaping, project sign and other related site improvements.
Today, PA Infrastructure Investment Authority – PENNVEST approved funding for two major water and wastewater projects: 💧 Conemaugh Township Municipal Authority will receive a combined $15.1 million in a grant and a low-interest loan to replace approximately 50,000 feet of distribution line, 14,000 feet of service line, and 180 meters to address water loss and non-revenue water. Two aging pumps will also be rehabilitated to ensure continued operation. 💧 Hopewell Borough will receive a combined $1.6 million in a grant and a low-interest loan to improve the borough’s wastewater treatment process by replacing the existing plant with an extended aeration prepackaged plant. The new plant will be constructed adjacent to the existing control building, which will be decommissioned upon successful start-up and commissioning of the new plant. Clean, reliable water is crucial to public health so I am pleased to see both of these necessary projects receive proper funding. Read the releases for Conemaugh Township and Hopewell Borough here. Somerset County Veterans Appreciation Breakfast
Calling all Somerset Veterans: Rep. Carl Walker Metzgar and I will be hosting a free Veterans Appreciation Breakfast on Thursday, Nov. 9, from 8-10 a.m., at the Berlin American Legion Post 445. Reserve your spot by calling my district office 814-443-2053. Empowering Parents to Control Sexually Explicit Content for Their Children
The Senate Education Committee advanced a bill to provide parental control of student exposure to sexually explicit content, which Pennsylvanians over the age of 18 can view examples of here, in schools. Prior to the vote, the committee held a public hearing on the measure. Senate Bill 7 would require schools to:
Importantly, Senate Bill 7 would not ban any books from any Pennsylvania school curriculum or library, but rather empower parents to control only what their own children have access to in school. Empowering parents and families is a priority of the Pennsylvania Senate Republicans. Senate Votes to Increase Access to Addiction Treatment Programs
To combat prevalent opioid addiction, the Senate unanimously passed legislation increasing access to licensed addiction treatment programs for Pennsylvanians. Senate Bill 941 would provide regulatory flexibilities that can be used during an opioid epidemic to create real solutions to workforce shortages and directly help those in need of treatment get access quicker. Additionally, Senate Bill 941 would establish annual reporting requirements to the General Assembly regarding unnecessary barriers to workforce recruitment and access to treatment. Bill Enhancing School Bus Safety Receives Senate Support
The Senate passed a bill to improve school bus safety by increasing penalties for those refusing to follow the law. Senate Bill 897 would give judges the discretion to increase fines above the current $250 for refusing to stop for a school bus when red lights are flashing or a stop arm is extended. It would also require repeat offenders to complete a PennDOT Driving Improvement School. Additionally, it would establish a new penalty for individuals who fail to proceed with caution past a school bus with flashing amber lights. According to the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts, approximately 1,000 drivers annually are convicted of passing a stopped school bus with signals flashing. Many more citations are issued without resulting in a conviction. Grants Available to Ready PA for New Businesses
To attract and retain more businesses in the commonwealth, PA SITES (Pennsylvania Strategic Investments to Enhance Sites) will make $10 million in grant funding available to help locations become “shovel ready.” Eligible projects must be in Pennsylvania and support the development of competitive sites. These include undeveloped sites and sites that were previously utilized or underutilized – such as former industrial, commercial, military, school, or hospital sites or buildings. Municipalities, economic development organizations, redevelopment authorities, municipal authorities and industrial development agencies may apply for the funding here through Wednesday, Nov. 8. Last Chance to Register to Vote in the Nov. 7 Election
If you wish to vote on Election Day on Nov. 7, you must be registered to vote by Monday, Oct. 23. There are four ways to register to vote: online, by mail, in person at your county voter registration office and at PennDOT and some other government agencies. Find the details about each of these methods here. Recognizing National Cybersecurity Awareness Month
In October, we focus on staying safe online by taking steps to protect personal data. Simple steps you can take include using strong passwords, using multifactor authentication, recognizing and reporting phishing, and updating software. My colleagues and I are also working to put measures in place that will better shield you from online threats. Senate Bill 565 would protect students’ personal data from unauthorized or inappropriate disclosure. Other legislative measures would safeguard the state’s online assets. Senate Bill 563 would establish that commonwealth agencies have strong capabilities in place to discourage, combat and recover from ransomware attacks. Senate Bill 284 would establish a standalone Office of Information Technology (OIT) under the Office of Administration. The OIT would create a strategic plan for future IT projects across state government, as well as manage and maintain all future IT procurement within state agencies.
|
|
|
Want to change how you receive these emails? 2024 © Senate of Pennsylvania | https://www.senatorstefano.com | Privacy Policy |
