Senator Robinson E-Newsletter

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In this Update:

  • Robinson Announces Funding for 37th District
  • Robinson Appointed to Municipal Police Officers’ Education, Training Commission
  • PennDOT to Host Public Input Meeting in Upper St. Clair
  • Statewide Row Officers Begin Serving PA
  • Free Webinar on Jan. 30 to Provide Helpful Financial Aid Info
  • Assistance Available for Local Historic Preservation
  • Winter Emergency Travel Kit Tips
  • Property Tax, Rent Rebate Program Now Available
  • January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month
  • Property Tax, Rent Rebate Program Now Available

Robinson Announces Funding for 37th District

I am always thrilled to see funding returned to the 37th district. Franklin Park Borough was approved for a $460,000 low-interest loan through the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST). This funding will finance the Ramblewood Pond Retrofit Project, which will address a critical stormwater management issue in the borough and bring Pine Creek into compliance with state regulations. My full press release is available here.

Additionally, two organizations in my district received Building Opportunity through Out-of-School Time (BOOST) grants approve by the School Safety and Security Committee. Melting Pot Ministries (MPM) was awarded $250,000 to provide out-of-school services for at-risk youth. MPM provides academic support, arts and music programming, sports activities, STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, math) support, and mentorship programs.

Hopebound Ministries received $79,000 to support a free 10-week summer camp program and free after-school program for children in an underserved neighborhood in Moon Township. Around 100 children annually receive daily nutrition, help with homework assignments, and additional educational support through this program.

I am pleased to see these organizations receive funding to better support youth in our area. The BOOST grant program is funded through the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency. Read more here.

Robinson Appointed to Municipal Police Officers’ Education, Training Commission

I am thrilled to announce my appointment to the Municipal Police Officers’ Education and Training Commission (MPOETC). It is an honor to support our law enforcement in the 37th District and across PA in this capacity.

The MPOETC establishes certification and training requirements for municipal police officers in Pennsylvania, as well as education and training standards for police schools and academies. You can read my full press release here.

PennDOT to Host Public Input Meeting in Upper St. Clair

PennDOT Engineering District 11 and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) will host an Open House Public Information Meeting to discuss the Route 3003, Section A11 Washington Pike at Boyce and Alpine Roads Intersection Improvement Project. The meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 28 from 5:30PM-7:00PM at the Upper St. Clair Community and Recreation Center.

If you are unable to attend the meeting, public meeting materials will be posted to PennDOT’s website, along with a comment form to provide feedback. You can read more from PennDOT here

Statewide Row Officers Begin Serving PA

Congratulations to new PA Attorney General Dave Sunday and reelected PA Treasurer Stacy Garrity and PA Auditor General Tim DeFoor on their inaugurations on Tuesday. My colleagues and I stand ready to work together to move our commonwealth forward.

As the state’s top law enforcement official, the attorney general works to protect and serve citizens and agencies of the commonwealth. The position is served by several hundred prosecutors, attorneys, investigators, agents and support staff.

The Treasury Department is the custodian of more than $160 billion in state funds and oversees all withdrawals and deposits from state agencies. It also administers programs, including the PA 529 college and career savings plan, that help families prepare for the future. In her first term, Garrity returned record amounts of unclaimed property and reduced fees multiple times for PA 529 and PA ABLE, which is a program that gives individuals with qualifying disabilities a tax-advantaged way to save without impacting their government benefits.

The auditor general is the state’s fiscal watchdog. The role is tasked with ensuring state government lives within its means and every taxpayer dollar is spent wisely. In addition to completing nearly 4,000 legally required audits per year, DeFoor also conducted several high-profile performance audits during his first four years in office. The audits determine how state government programs are working and ensure tax dollars are being spent appropriately.

Free Webinar on Jan. 30 to Provide Helpful Financial Aid Info

The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) is holding a free virtual webinar to assist college-bound students and their families with navigating the financial aid process.

It will be held on Thursday, Jan. 30, from 6:30-7:30 p.m. During the webinar, a PHEAA expert will present information about the financial aid application process, the types of aid available and strategies about affordability to consider before applying for postsecondary school admission.

A question-and-answer session will be held following the hour-long presentation. Register to attend the webinar, which is open to all ages.

Assistance Available for Local Historic Preservation

The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission is now accepting applications from nonprofit organizations and local governments for the Keystone Historic Preservation Grant Program.

The grants support projects that identify, preserve, promote and protect historic and archaeological resources in Pennsylvania for the benefit of public and community revitalization.

Two categories of grants – construction and planning – are available for historic resources in Pennsylvania that are listed, or eligible for listing, in the National Register of Historic Places. Applicants may apply for only one type of grant. Learn more and apply online by March 3.

Winter Emergency Travel Kit Tips

Winter travel can bring extended traffic stops. You can ensure your safety and comfort by packing an emergency travel kit.

Be sure to include a blanket, ice scraper, flashlight, warm clothing and gloves, sand, jumper cables, cellphone charger, small shovel, first aid kit, water and nonperishable food. A printable winter emergency kit list from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation is available here.

Your winter emergency kit should also include the personal items you need to accommodate the family members who travel with you, such as special medication, baby supplies and pet food.

Property Tax, Rent Rebate Program Now Available

The application period for the 2024 Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program is now open. Homeowners and renters in Pennsylvania over age 65 may be eligible to receive up to a $1,000, one time rebate depending on their income. The program is also open for widows and widowers over 50 and individuals over 18 who are 100% disabled. Income thresholds have changed this year. Click here to see if you are eligible.

My office will be hosting clinics to assist you with this program, and we always accept walk-ins and in-house appointments to assist with your application. Please contact my district office if you’d like an appointment or need more information.

January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month

Human trafficking often goes hand in hand with violence and social issues. If you suspect someone is being trafficked, call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.

Technology, the desire for connection and lack of financial stability all play key roles in the most common ways human trafficking begins. By looking out for those around us, we can help to prevent exploitation before it happens.

While the new legislative session just began, the Senate passed multiple bills last session to help people who were victims of human trafficking. One law ensures that sexually exploited children who are human trafficking victims always have full access to appropriate services and support. Another subjects individuals convicted of certain human trafficking offenses to the same reporting and evaluation requirements as any other sexual offender.

I plan to re-introduce legislation in the near future to enhance the Internet Crimes and Children Task Force Program at the state level. Names after Alicia Kozak, “Alicia’s Law” will help in the prosecution of technology-facilitated child sexual exploitation and internet crimes against children. Learn more from my 2024 news conference here: https://senatorrobinson.com/2024/06/07/alicias-law-061024/

International Holocaust Remembrance Day

International Holocaust Remembrance Day is observed on January 27th.  We must never allow the atrocities that occurred during this dark period of history to ever be repeated. May the millions of innocent people who were murdered never be forgotten.

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