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In this Update:
Recognizing IUP’s 150th Anniversary in Harrisburg
I was pleased to join with Rep. Jim Struzzi to welcome students, faculty, and staff to the State Capitol in Harrisburg this week to celebrate the Indiana University of Pennsylvania’s (IUP) 150th Anniversary. The IUP delegation spent time in the Senate and House chambers and were recognized by both during official Session. You can watch my Senate Floor remarks offering a Senate Resolution on this historic occasion here. It is a distinct honor to represent IUP here in the State Senate, and to recognize everything the institution has stood for over the last 150 years, and what it will stand for in the years ahead. IUP is indeed the flagship of the PA State System of Higher Education. With the College of Osteopathic Medicine being established, IUP will indeed be a tremendous asset to the entire Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as we work to address rural healthcare needs. Senate Approves Tougher Penalties for Attempted Murder of Law Enforcement Officers
The Senate approved legislation closing a gap in state law and imposing tougher penalties on individuals who attempt to murder a law enforcement officer and cause serious bodily injury. Under current law, the penalty for attempted murder of a law enforcement officer could be as little as seven years in prison. Senate Bill 1284 establishes a 20-year mandatory minimum sentence and a maximum of up to life in prison. The measure was passed on Police Officers’ Memorial Day in Pennsylvania, which honors the brave men and women of law enforcement. It now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration. Read more about this legislation. Indiana County Welcome Center Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
I was thrilled to gather with nearly 200 community members, local officials and stakeholders for Indiana County Welcome Center’s grand opening celebration and ribbon-cutting ceremony. The Welcome Center is located at 600 Philadelphia Street and is the new home for Downtown Indiana, the Indiana County Tourist Bureau and the Indiana County Chamber of Commerce‘s main offices in the former First Commonwealth Bank building. Renovation of the historic limestone-clad building, donated by First Commonwealth Bank, was a years-long collaborative effort. Thomas R. Harley Architects designed the renovations for the historic building, and Indiana County Office of Planning & Development Executive Director Byron Stauffer, Jr. assisted with renovation designs, supervised the project, and organized contractors – and quite frankly put his heart & soul into bringing this project to life. This endeavor is a wonderful example of how well collaboration & partnership works in Indiana County with the numerous folks who came together to see this project come to fruition. My sincere thanks and congratulations to all of them – most notably, Dave Reed who proposed the concept to re-purpose the beautiful building for joint office space and a welcome center for Indiana County entities dedicated to similar missions – well done! Eagle Scout Award
I had the privilege of attending an Eagle Scout ceremony for Brayden Lockard of Indiana County. Brayden is the son of Jeremy and Sarah Lockhard and is a member of Troop 1029 in Indiana. For his Eagle Scout community service project, Brayden created sensory kits for the ambulance and transport vans used by Citizens Ambulance Service. Congratulations to Brayden on earning his Eagle Scout Award and best wishes in all your future endeavors! Protecting Pennsylvanians’ Second Amendment Rights
The Senate moved to protect the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens by approving Senate Bill 822, which strengthens Pennsylvania’s state preemption over regulating firearms and ammunition, preventing local governments from enacting ordinances that are more restrictive than those established by the General Assembly. Allowing local governments to establish a patchwork of inconsistent gun laws would make it impossible for Pennsylvania residents, along with citizens from other states, to travel without fear of inadvertently breaking a local law they were unaware of. Senate Bill 822, which passed with bipartisan support, also reinforces and restores the original intent of Pennsylvania’s Uniform Firearms Act, ensuring consistent and clear regulations across the state. The bill has been sent to the House of Representatives for consideration. Senate Committee Approves Measures to Make Housing More Attainable
Legislation aimed at expanding access to attainable housing while preserving local control was approved by the Senate Urban Affairs and Housing Committee. The bills now move to the full Senate for consideration. The legislation includes:
Forming a robust strategy to increase housing supply, lower costs and stimulate economic activity is a key focus for the Senate this year. Read more about these attainable housing bills. Senate Honors America 250 with Ceremonial Gathering in Philadelphia
Two and a half centuries ago, our Founding Fathers gathered in Philadelphia to give rise to the United States of America. After 250 years, this grand experiment has allowed our country to become, as President Ronald Reagan described it, the shining city on a hill. With the U.S. Semiquincentennial less than two months away, the state Senate held a ceremonial gathering honoring America’s 250th birthday at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia. The meeting included senators representing all corners of the commonwealth and students from across Pennsylvania as part of a partnership with America250PA. I was pleased to be joined by Henrik Elek and his mother, Elizabeth, for this historic event. Henrik is a senior at Ligonier Valley High School. The bi-partisan commemoration marked the fourth meeting in the last 100 years that has taken place outside of the State Capitol in Harrisburg. The previous three meetings were also held in Philadelphia to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1926, the 200th anniversary of the Declaration’s signing in 1976 and the 200th anniversary of the adoption of the U.S. Constitution in 1987. Mother’s Day and Mammo May
Mother’s Day is a great time to remind Mom and all the women in your life about the importance of annual mammograms. While these low-dose x-rays are critical to a lifesaving early diagnosis of breast cancer, one in four Pennsylvania women fail to get a mammogram each year. Annual mammograms are recommended for women beginning at age 40 or as early as age 25 if a woman is considered at increased risk for breast cancer. Learn more from the Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition. |
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