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In this Update:
Manor Township VFC Centennial Celebration
I was honored to attend a Centennial Celebration dinner for Manor Township Volunteer Fire Company. Congratulations to all members, past and present, for 100 years of dedicated service to Armstrong County communities! It was great to see many familiar faces – a special shoutout to my dear friends, Sam & Jane Schreckengost. Sam is the oldest and longest serving active member with 65 years of service, having joined in 1959. Jane is a member of Ladies Auxiliary. Volunteer firefighters deserve our gratitude and recognition every day for the time and effort they put forth to keep our local communities safe and protected. VFC members give up much of their personal time while on emergency calls, completing required training and fundraising for their department. Thank you for inviting me to participate in this special event! Independent Energy Office
Legislation establishing an Independent Energy Office (IEO) in Pennsylvania has been approved by the Senate. IEO would 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. This legislation is about checks and balances to ensure there is a clear way for the General Assembly to translate, understand and communicate energy policy in this commonwealth. You can watch the video of my floor remarks on Senate Bill 187 here. Budget Hearings Begin Next Week to Examine Shapiro’s Unrealistic Spending Plan
State spending would increase by $3.6 billion, or 7.5%, under Gov. Josh Shapiro’s new budget plan. During the next five years, using realistic spending and revenue estimates, Shapiro’s spending plans would leave a $27.3 billion hole in the state’s finances. The process of finding ways to rein in this spending includes three weeks of budget hearings held by the Senate Appropriations Committee. Hearings begin Tuesday with appearances by the Department of Revenue, Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency, State Police, Department of Health, Department of State and Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. I will share updates on this important process each week. The hearings will be used to review Shapiro’s spending plan and ask administration officials about the need for any proposed expenses. From there, a budget that more appropriately reflects the needs of taxpayers can be developed. Senate Votes to Strengthen Penalties for Harming PA Public Transit Operators
Legislation strengthening penalties for people who harm public transit operators was approved by the Senate and now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration. Senate Bill 210 would create a new offense for interfering with the operation of a public transit vehicle. Offenders causing serious bodily injury or death would face a felony of the first degree, while interference resulting in bodily injury, or the fear of imminent harm would be classified as a felony of the third degree. The legislation aims to protect transit workers, passengers and the general public. It sends a strong message that violence against public transit operators will not be tolerated, and those responsible for putting others’ safety at risk will face severe consequences. This is an important step in safeguarding the well-being of public transit operators who serve communities across Pennsylvania. State Funding Approved for Fire Companies and EMS
Fire companies and emergency medical service (EMS) providers throughout Pennsylvania, including those in the 41st Senatorial District, are receiving grants through the state’s Fire Company and Emergency Medical Service Grant Program (FCEMSGP). A full list of the grant recipients can be found here. The FCEMSGP is administered by the Office of State Fire Commissioner and makes annual grants available for volunteer and career fire companies, emergency medical services and rescue squads. We are grateful for the services offered by local fire companies and EMS teams, which help make our communities stronger and safer. These grants will assist with providing life-saving equipment and training to help support our dedicated emergency response personnel and allow them to perform their jobs safely and effectively. Bill Ensuring Great Care at State Veterans’ Homes Passes Senate
To ensure high-quality health care and well-being of veterans, the Senate unanimously passed legislation that would enhance oversight at Pennsylvania’s six state veterans’ homes. It now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration. With passage of Senate Bill 129, advisory councils would have 15 members, including a family member of a current or past resident. Nominees would be veterans from the surrounding communities. Advisory councils would make recommendations about resident care, management, operations and compliance of facilities to the state adjutant general. The bill would also require the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs to provide a subject matter expert for each of the advisory council’s meetings and an annual report to the General Assembly. To increase transparency, it would also stipulate that councils comply with open meeting requirements. Senate Passes Bill Providing Military Benefits to Korean Americans Who Served in Vietnam
Korean Americans who served in the Vietnam War with the Korean Armed Forces would receive the same state veterans benefits as their U.S. counterparts under legislation unanimously approved by the Senate. The bill now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration. Senate Bill 173 would grant the same rights, benefits and privileges of U.S. military veterans to Pennsylvania residents who are naturalized U.S. citizens and who served in the Vietnam War with the Korean Armed Forces. There are more than 3,000 naturalized Korean American citizens who served in the Vietnam War as a part of the Korean Armed Forces and hundreds now live in Pennsylvania. The bill would apply to any Pennsylvania resident who is an American citizen, was an active-duty member of the Republic of Korea Armed Forces in the Vietnam War between Jan. 9, 1962, and May 7, 1975, and received an honorable discharge or equivalent. Emergency Alerts Keep You Safe and Prepared
You can sign up to receive CodeRed alerts about severe weather and emergencies at your chosen locations, building alerts, health notifications and other timely updates from state and federal agencies. A CodeRed weather warning will automatically alert you if your address falls in the path of severe weather, as determined by the National Weather Service. Get alerts by phone, text or email and using your home address and/or work by signing up online. If you no longer wish to receive alerts, you may opt out of certain or all alerts from CodeRed at any time. Happy Presidents’ Day!
On Monday, Feb. 17, we recognize Presidents’ Day. The holiday initially honored the birth of President George Washington, who established many of the traditions and precedents of the presidency. Now, it gives us an opportunity to remember all United States presidents. Because of the holiday, my offices will be closed with normal business hours resuming on Tuesday, Feb. 18.
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