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In this Update:
Political Violence Has No Place in Our Society
No matter where we stand on the political spectrum or the differences in opinion we may have, there is no reason for anyone to lose their lives over words. What happened to Charlie Kirk is an atrocity and this act of political violence, or any violence for that matter, should never be tolerated. My condolences and prayers go to Charlie’s wife Erika, their two children, and his family. Our ability to freely share our thoughts without fear of retribution goes well beyond the right our Founding Fathers fought for and enshrined in our Constitution – it relies on we the people, not just the government, tolerating dissenting views. As we move forward, I hope we can speak from a place of understanding rather than a place of hate. Remembering 9/11
I was honored to attend Cranberry Township’s 9/11 Memorial at the Cranberry Township Volunteer Fire Company on Rt. 19. This memorial serves as a reminder that we will never forget those who lost their lives 24 years ago. Thank you to all our fire departments, law enforcement and EMS for all you do for our communities. Our Beaver County Senior Expo is One Week Away!
Seniors and their families can join us at our Senior Expo next Friday, Sept. 26, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Community College of Beaver County, 1 Campus Drive in Monaca! This is a great opportunity for seniors to meet face to face with representatives from local and state agencies focused on providing senior resources. We hope to see you there! If you have any questions or concerns, please call my Rochester district offices at 724-774-0444. Highlights in the 47th
I was pleased to participate in Forward Lawrence’s State of the County program last week and take part in some great discussions alongside my colleagues, Sen. Michele Brooks and Reps. Marla Brown and Aaron Bernstein.
Thank you to everyone who stopped by my table at the New Sewickley Township & First Responder Community Days! We had some beautiful weather and a great turn out this year.
Earlier this month, I visited the Wright Brother’s Farm Open House in Beaver Falls. Thank you to the Beaver County Conservation District for putting together this event. Events like this continue to show how important educating our communities on agriculture and conserving the land we use is for our future. Senate Votes to Help Relieve Long-Term Care Worker Shortage
The number of Pennsylvania residents ages 65 and over is expected to nearly double by 2040, but even now many nursing facilities are forced to take beds out of service because they can’t fill direct care positions. The Senate recently passed legislation to tackle this critical problem by making it easier for those seeking employment at long-term care centers while still ensuring employees are well-qualified. Senate Bill 114 would encourage more employees to join the long-term care workforce by expanding the availability of training courses for nurse aides and the eligibility for individuals to take the nurse aide competency exam. The bill was sent to the House of Representatives for consideration. Measure to Help Veteran-Owned Businesses Approved by Senate
Beyond serving our nation in the military, many veterans create jobs through their entrepreneurial spirit. We approved legislation to promote these veteran-owned businesses. Senate Bill 64 would authorize the creation of a special logo to promote veteran-owned businesses. To be eligible, a business must be registered with the Department of State and at least 51% of the ownership interest must be held by a veteran, reservist or member of the National Guard. To discourage the logo from being used fraudulently, anyone who falsely claims to be a veteran to obtain this designation would face a misdemeanor of the third degree. The bill was sent to the House of Representatives for consideration. Fire and EMS Funding Assistance Available
Our local fire and EMS companies are committed to saving lives and protecting property, so I’m pleased to announce they can apply now for assistance through the state Fire Company and Emergency Medical Services Grants program. The funding is available to volunteer or career fire, rescue and EMS organizations and can be used for facility improvements, equipment purchase and repair, debt reduction, training and certification, and more. The deadline to apply is Oct. 20. More information, important dates and the online application can be found here. Expanding Government Transparency with OpenBookPA
The Pennsylvania Treasury has launched an expanded portal for state government transparency, providing taxpayers with more tools to explore state finance details. OpenBookPA’s new features include:
Announced by Treasurer Stacy Garrity earlier this month, OpenBookPA also links to the Treasury Checkbook, which includes payments made by Treasury to vendors and the Contracts e-Library, which makes available state contracts, purchase orders and amendments valued at $5,000 or more for public review. Celebrating Our Precious U.S. Constitution
National Constitution Week runs through Sept. 23, commemorating the signing of the U.S. Constitution on September 17, 1787, nine years after the Pennsylvania Constitution. Our nation’s most important document, the U.S. Constitution has provided Americans throughout history the power to maintain their liberties, freedoms and inalienable rights. Its stature is evident in the fact that every Pennsylvania legislator takes a solemn oath to “support, obey and defend” both constitutions as a condition for holding public office. Happy Rosh Hashanah
Rosh Hashanah begins Monday at sundown. To everyone celebrating the Jewish New Year, I hope it brings thoughtful reflection, personal growth and renewed hope.
Please contact me to provide input on any state-related matter, or to receive help in dealing with a state agency. |
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