|
|||
|
In this Update:
Shapiro’s Overreach on New State Health Regulations
Gov. Josh Shapiro and the Pennsylvania Department of Health recently proposed broad new health regulations, which it appears would – among other things – give the state far more power to enter our homes, businesses, schools and doctor’s offices without a warrant. These latest proposed regulations are being pursued unilaterally by the governor outside of the legislative process – without input being sought from me or my colleagues. While we’re currently reviewing all the details, there are tremendous concerns – and we are not about to let 502 pages of regulations run people’s lives. You can read the immense regulatory proposal here. We cannot allow any actions like we saw taken by the executive branch during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic to be put in place. The draconian shutdowns and overly restrictive mandates that impeded the lives of every Pennsylvanian during COVID have no place in our state. The public comment period is open through Sept. 21, and I encourage you to join me and submit your comments to the Independent Regulatory Review Commission. Our health and safety can be protected without sacrificing our privacy and freedoms. Happy Labor Day
More than a day off, Labor Day is an opportunity to celebrate the contributions of workers who provide for their families and allow communities to thrive. I’m committed to helping these workers keep more of what they earn. In recognition of this holiday, my district and Harrisburg offices will be closed tomorrow, Sept. 7 and will reopen at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 8. I hope you are having a great holiday weekend. Help Us Fight Hunger This Month
September is Hunger Action Month, and I’m once again holding a food drive throughout the month to help support local families in need. From Sept. 1–30, my below district offices will be collecting unexpired, non-perishable food items. At the end of the month, all donations will be given to a local food bank.
Every donation can make a difference for a neighbor who may be struggling to put food on the table. I’m always heartened by the generosity of residents across the 47th Senate District, and I hope you’ll consider helping us fill our food bins again this year. Thank you for helping us support our neighbors and keep our local food banks stocked! Highlights in the 47th
Another year at the Hookstown Fair in the books! It’s always great to get out, catch up with friends and neighbors, and celebrate the hard work of our local farmers and families who makes the fair such a special tradition. A big congratulations to Sadie Johnson on being crowned the 2026 Hookstown Fair Queen! I wish Sadie and all of this year’s fair participants the very best. Thanks to everyone who helped make the Hookstown Fair a great one!
I had a great time at the Pirates Charities Miracle League Fantasy Camp at Graham Park in Cranberry Township! It was a pleasure to spend time with the athletes, families, coaches and volunteers and see firsthand the impact the Miracle League has on our community. Cranberry was Pirates Charities’ first Miracle League partnership, and it’s incredible to see how that partnership has grown over the years. Thank you to everyone who continues to make these opportunities possible and ensure that athletes of all abilities have the chance to play ball and be part of the game! Our Beaver County Senior Expo is Sept. 18!
Area seniors and their families are invited to our Beaver County Expo on Friday, Sept. 18, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Community College of Beaver County, 1 Campus Dr. in Monaca. Local and state organizations will be available to provide seniors and their families with important information on senior-focused services and programs being offered. Various health screening tests will also be offered for attendees to participate in. We look forward to seeing you there! For more information, please call my Rochester district office at 724-774-0444. Historic Settlement with Meta Includes Social Media Protections
Attorney General Dave Sunday announced Pennsylvania and a multistate coalition have reached a settlement with Meta, owner of Instagram and Facebook, assuring the social media giant will implement sweeping changes to age verification, limit children’s time on their platforms and cut kids’ access to harmful content. The settlement, which involves up to $17.1 billion in national remediation payments, is contingent on other major social media companies agreeing to the same changes. Pennsylvania is expected to receive more than $500 million. The attorney general also filed a lawsuit against the owners of Snapchat regarding its failures to warn users of platform addictiveness and protect children from compulsive use. Read more about the settlement with Meta here. In recent years, I’ve worked with my colleagues to strengthen Pennsylvania laws against malicious deepfakes and AI child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and created the Task Force on Child Protection in the Digital Age. The Senate passed bills to enhance mandatory reporting requirements for AI CSAM and protect children from dangerous AI chatbot interaction. Technology opens doors for children, and we must ensure it’s used safely. Help Available Finding a New Job
Pennsylvanians looking for work and employers can access the comprehensive career website PA CareerLink® for assistance. PA CareerLink® offers job search assistance, resume and interview workshops, access to more than 7,000 online training courses, classroom and on-the-job training, and many other programs and resources. All services are provided at no cost to participants. No appointment is necessary. It provides a wide range of resources for individual job seekers tailored for specific situations, such as mature workers, those re-entering the workforce, veterans, individuals with disabilities, young workers and more. Employers can use it to search for job candidates, learn about apprenticeships and other needs. Visit PA CareerLink® here. Medicare Questions Answered by PA MEDI
If you’re eligible for Medicare and have questions, PA MEDI has local, certified counselors to provide free and confidential assistance to help you navigate the system. PA MEDI (Pennsylvania Medicare Education and Decision Insight) is part of a nationwide network of state health insurance assistance programs. It provides unbiased help and information for those on Medicare, their families and caregivers. PA MEDI does not sell or recommend Medicare insurance products, insurance agents or brokers. The assistance covers the various Medicare plans, enrollment, rules, billing, appeals and more. Call 1-800-783-7067 or visit the PA MEDI webpage.
Please contact me to provide input on any state-related matter, or to receive help in dealing with a state agency. |
|||
|
|||
Want to change how you receive these emails? 2026 © Senate of Pennsylvania | https://www.senatoreldervogel.com | Privacy Policy |
