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In this Update:
- Upcoming Events in Senate District 35
- 42nd Annual Pennsylvania Aviation Conference
- Senate Judiciary Committee Passes Legislation to Protect Law Enforcement
- Citation Presentation to the Everett Warrior Baseball Team
- Park Home Ribbon Cutting
- Senate Expands Right to Know Law to State-Related Universities
- Hearing Highlights Ideas to Combat Lyme Disease in PA
- Promise of Carbon Capture Technology in Pennsylvania Explored by Committee
- September is Suicide Prevention Month
- Rosh Hashanah Begins Sunday
- Collecting Items for Area Food Banks Continues
Upcoming Events in Senate District 35
Is your license plate hard to read? Are the letters on your license plate peeling, blistered, or discolored? We can help you get it replaced for FREE!
Join me at one of my license plate replacement events to get your license plate checked and start the replacement process. Feel free to give my office a call if you have any questions or are unable to make one of the events and need your license plate replaced at 814-266-2277.
Attention Seniors!! Join me on Thursday, September 29th from 10 a.m.–12 p.m. for a Senior Expo at East Hills Recreation in Johnstown. Come meet and talk with a wide variety of government agencies and organizations who will be on hand to answer questions and assist with many types of services. I look forward to seeing you there.
42nd Annual Pennsylvania Aviation Conference
It was an honor to speak alongside Senate Majority Leader Kim Ward and Senator Devlin Robinson at the 42nd Annual Pennsylvania Aviation Conference at the Arnold Palmer Regional Airport in Latrobe. Our airports are important economic generators and I look forward to continuing to work with these groups.
Senate Judiciary Committee Passes Legislation to Protect Law Enforcement
I spoke in support of legislation that passed the Senate Judiciary Committee that would make it illegal to harass a law enforcement officer. I am proud to stand with the men and women of law enforcement!
Citation Presentation to the Everett Warrior Baseball Team
I had the honor to join Senator Pat Stefano and Representative Jesse Topper to present Senate Citations to the Everett Warrior Baseball Team who won the 2022 PIAA Class AA Baseball Championship!
Park Home Ribbon Cutting
My staff attended the Park Home Ribbon Cutting at their new location in Richland Township, Cambria County. The store will be open for business on October 1st. Congratulations and best of luck!
Senate Expands Right to Know Law to State-Related Universities
Seeking to shine light on costs driving college tuition increases, the Senate approved legislation to expand Pennsylvania’s Right to Know Law to provide greater access to public records at state-related universities.
Senate Bill 488 would create an online searchable database that details information about budgets and contracts approved by Penn State University, Temple University, the University of Pittsburgh and Lincoln University. The legislation also increases the amount of university personnel salary information subject to public disclosure.
State-related universities receive more than $600 million in taxpayer dollars.
Under Pennsylvania’s Right to Know Law, the Office of Open Records processes requests for documents from public agencies, such as the governor’s administration, legislative and judicial agencies and local organizations. The bill now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration.
Among other measures passed by the Senate this week was Senate Bill 1203, which prevents companies from receiving state contracts, grants or tax credits if they are owned, controlled by, or acting on behalf of the Russian government.
Hearing Highlights Ideas to Combat Lyme Disease in PA
Pennsylvania leads the nation in Lyme disease cases, with children making up the largest demographic affected.
The Senate Health and Human Services Committee held a public hearing to increase understanding of tick-borne diseases, tick testing and mitigation, testing options for physicians and patients, and guidelines for treatment options.
The panel heard testimony from Physician General and Acting Health Secretary Denise Johnson, as well as the director of the Tick Research Lab of Pennsylvania at East Stroudsburg University, an infectious disease physician, and the president of the PA Lyme Resource Network.
Promise of Carbon Capture Technology in Pennsylvania Explored by Committee
The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee held an informational briefing Tuesday on Pennsylvania’s potential as a carbon capture, utilization and storage hub.
Wolf administration officials and the carbon capture and storage business opportunity manager for Shell USA, Inc. took part to discuss the region’s promise as a premier hub for both carbon capture and clean hydrogen.
The Great Plains Institute, using data from a 2009 Department of Conservation and Natural Resources report, estimates the state could store about 2.4 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide underground. This is equivalent to the level of greenhouse gases emitted from 517 million gas-powered passenger vehicles annually, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
September is Suicide Prevention Month
Approximately 1.2 million adults attempt suicide annually in the United States, with more than 85% reporting having made a suicide plan prior to their attempt. In 2020, the most recent year that data is available, approximately 1,700 people died by suicide in Pennsylvania.
Suicide Prevention Month provides an opportunity to remind Pennsylvanians that help is always available. This summer, the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline officially launched nationwide, streamlining call and text access to the national lifeline that provides no-cost crisis response support 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
In addition to 988, many other resources also remain available to Pennsylvanians in need of support, including:
- Crisis Text Line: Text “PA” to 741-741
- Veteran Crisis Line: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
- Mothers: 1-833-9-HELP4MOMS
- Farmers AgriStress mental health hotline: 833-897-2474
- Disaster Distress Helpline: 1-800-985-5990
- Get Help Now Hotline (for substance use disorders): 1-800-662-4357
Rosh Hashanah Begins Sunday
Rosh Hashanah begins at sundown on Sunday and ends at nightfall Tuesday evening. For all who observe this Jewish holiday, I wish you a wonderful new year.
Collecting Items for Area Food Banks Continues
Throughout Hunger Action Month, my district offices (addresses are listed below) are collecting non-perishable items to be given to food banks in our communities.
Neighbors helping neighbors is the best form of charity and it’s one of the many traditions that make our country great. Please consider making a donation to help a family in need.
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