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In this Update:
Robinson Announces Committee Assignments for New Legislative SessionI am thrilled to announce my new Senate committee assignments for the 2025-26 legislative session. I will continue to serve as Chair of the Senate Labor and Industry Committee and will take on the role of Vice Chair for the Senate Transportation Committee. My other committee assignments include: -Banking and Insurance Committee -Community, Economic, and Recreational Development Committee -Institutional Sustainability and Innovation Committee -Law and Justice Committee -Rules and Executive Nominations Committee I look forward to continue working with my colleagues to deliver real results for my constituents and the people of PA. Read my full press release here. Robinson Sponsored Legislation Now in Full EffectDuring the previous legislative session, the Senate passed landmark legislation to eliminate out-of-pocket costs for supplemental screening breast MRIs, ultrasounds, and BCRA-related genetic testing and genetic counseling in PA. Signed into law as Act 1 of 2023, this legislation is now in full effect. It provides no-cost coverage for individuals at increased risk for developing breast cancer who have state-regulated insurance plans. I am honored to have co-sponsored this legislation that makes Pennsylvania a leader in combating breast cancer. Early detection and knowing your risk are key. Read more from the PA Breast Cancer Coalition here. Community HighlightsI had the opportunity to sit with a group of Veterans who meet weekly. My good friend and fellow Marine brother, Gunney Keally, signed a copy of his new book, Year of the Rooster, about his time serving in Vietnam in 1969. It was amazing to see the similarities in our experiences 35 years apart. If you would like a copy, it is available on Amazon for purchase. Semper Fi, Gunney! Oorah! It was a pleasure to attend the WIN/GIN night of excellence and holiday party. A number of fantastic representatives were given well-deserved recognition for their service to the community! Congratulations to everyone and thank you for what you do! Thank you to Pittsburgh Regional Transit CEO Katharine Kelleman for an informative Allegheny County Delegation Briefing. I appreciate the bipartisan discussion with my colleagues and regional leaders to discuss priorities and concerns for transportation in our region. PennDOT Contest for Students to Improve Roadway SafetyStudents are invited to participate in the Innovations Challenge to help the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) increase awareness for seatbelt safety and improve driver behavior for the benefit of our roads. The challenge, which has an award of $6,000 for the winning team, encourages ninth- through twelfth-grade students to use their problem-solving, creative and strategic-thinking abilities to resolve real-world transportation challenges. Regional winners will be invited to present their solutions to the PennDOT secretary and a panel of judges, who will determine the statewide cash prize winner. The submission deadline is Jan. 31. Free Winter Activities at State ParksStaff at Pennsylvania state parks and forests host free events throughout the year for people of all ages. During winter, snow walks, bird watching, night owl hikes and more are among the activities available. The event listing can be sorted by in-person or virtual events. It can also be filtered by region and date. To make it even more convenient, a personalized list of events can be emailed to you weekly if you build an event digest email to your liking. The email can be customized for your event preferences and when you wish to be notified. REAL ID to be In Effect on May 7Beginning May 7, Pennsylvanians will need a REAL ID-compliant license/identification card or other federally acceptable identification (such as a valid passport or military ID) to board domestic commercial flights or enter a military installation or federal facility that requires ID. To get a REAL ID, you must bring your documents to a driver licensing center for verification in person. Learn about the specific items that are required to be issued a REAL ID. The website also offers the option to pre-verify online if your documents are already on file with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. REAL ID is optional. It is not required to drive, vote, access hospitals, visit the post office, access federal courts or apply for or receive federal benefits. Help is Available for People Who Want to Quit SmokingQuitting smoking is difficult, and not just because of the addictive properties of nicotine. Different people experience unique challenges, and personalized resources are available for veterans, women, teens, those who are age 60 and older and others. People can call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (784-8669), text QUIT to 47848 or use the live chat feature on SmokeFree.gov. The website has lots of practical articles, including ones about how to make a plan to quit, manage cravings, cope with stress without smoking and much more. There are resources for people who want to stop using dip and vapes, as well as information about how to support a loved one who is quitting. Jan. 20 is Martin Luther King Jr. DayMartin Luther King Jr. advocated for peace, even while he worked to instill change. As our country has faced various transitions in the past few years, I hope all Americans can celebrate his commitment to treating each other with decency – even when perspectives may differ. President Ronald Reagan signed legislation into law that made the third Monday in January a federal holiday honoring the life of Martin Luther King Jr. My offices will be closed on Monday, January 20th in observance of this holiday. Normal office hours will resume Tuesday, January 21st.
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