|
|||
|
In this Update:
Senate Budget Hearings Examine Spending Details, Transportation Issues, and More
The Senate Appropriations Committee wrapped up two weeks of public hearings on Gov. Josh Shapiro’s $53.3 billion proposed state budget, which would increase spending by $2.7 billion, or 5.4%. During the Department of Labor & Industry’s budget hearing, I asked Sec. Nancy Walker about apprenticeship programs and the growing opportunities in our region. We discussed what industries are seeing the most growth statewide and which occupations are on the horizon. I also had an opportunity to question the Department of Education Sec. Carrie Rowe about the status of its implementation of my legislation with Vincent Hughes (D-7) to ensure every Pennsylvania student can read proficiently by the end of third grade. As a champion of this new structured literacy instruction, I sought details on the department’s plan for enactment, as well as concerns about compliance with our state’s Sunshine Law. At the hearings with the Budget Office and Department of Revenue, I asked testifiers why the Governor is looking to cut the Video Game Production Tax Credit and flat fund the Film Tax Credit despite the benefits they have provided – especially in Allegheny County. You can find complete recaps and videos of each hearing here. American Irish State Legislators Caucus Virtual St. Patrick’s Day Celebration
It was an honor to join the American Irish State Legislators Caucus for a virtual St. Patrick’s Day celebration hosted by Irish Sen. Mark Daly, with special guest U.S. Ambassador Edward Walsh. I was especially grateful for the opportunity to chat about Irish–U.S. economic relations and our countries’ growing connection through American sports. I think it’s safe to say the ambassador and I agree: the Irish love American (and PA) sports teams just as much as we do! Robinson Tours the Core Enlow Fork III Mine
I recently had the privilege of touring the Core Enlow Fork III Mine. 850 feet deep, then three miles into the mine we saw the drilling happening in real time. The coal miners were safe, professional, and proficient at their craft. The mine produces tonnes of coal that powers our grid and provides for our way of life. I am thankful for the work they do! Check out more photos from the tour here. Property Tax and Rent Rebate Clinics Near You
This week, Rep. Valerie Gaydos (R-44) and I hosted a Property Tax and Rent Rebate (PTRR) clinic in Leetsdale. My staff helped attendees ensure their forms were filled out properly prior to filing for their rebate. Check out more photos from the clinic here. Upcoming Clinics On Wednesday, March 11, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., my office will host another PTRR Clinic at the Robinson Township Municipal Complex located at 5440 Campbells Run Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15205. A representative from Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) will also be in attendance to help seniors apply for a PRT Senior ConnectCard, a free card allowing seniors to ride PRT buses, light rail, and inclines at no cost. Additional details for the Robinson Township PTRR Clinic are available here. On Friday, March 20, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Rep. Jeremy Shaffer (R-28) and I will host a Senior Solutions event at the Marshall Township Municipal Building, 525 Pleasant Hill Road, Wexford, PA 15090. The clinic will provide help with completing PTRR applications, filling out forms for PRT Senior ConnectCards, and reclaiming unclaimed property from the Pennsylvania Treasury Department. Additional details for the Marshall Township Senior Solutions event are available here. Seniors interested in either of these upcoming clinics can call my office at 412-785-3070 for assistance identifying any necessary documents they will need to bring with them. Pleasant Hills Municipal Leaders Breakfast
Last weekend, I hosted a breakfast for municipal leaders throughout the 37th Senatorial District at the new Pleasant Hills Borough building. It was a great opportunity to talk about how we can work together to continue serving our shared constituents. Thank you, Pleasant Hills, for the hospitality! Check out more photos from the event here. FREE Document Shredding Event on March 28
Do you have old documents with sensitive information that you’d like to securely shred? My office will host an identity theft prevention event with Rep. Andrew Kuzma (R-39) on Saturday, March 28 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., at South Park High School where a shredding service will be available for attendees to securely dispose of their sensitive documents for FREE. Please note, there is a limit of two boxes per person. Additional information about the event can be found here. Please call my office at 412-785-3070 with any questions. WESA Highlights Robinson, Kulik Legislation to Address Abandoned Boats Along Pittsburgh’s Rivers
I was proud to work with my colleague Rep. Anita Kulik (D-45) to get this important bill addressing abandoned boats across the finish line! The bill, which was signed into law in July 2025, gives state and local authorities the tools they need to deal with abandoned and derelict boats on Pennsylvania waterways: The new law has “real teeth behind it,” according to Michael Hills, president of the Pittsburgh Safe Boating Council. “If you’ve abandoned your boat, you better be ready for it, because it’s gonna cost you…” You can read the full article from 90.5 WESA here. Western PA Interscholastic Athletic League Inducts Upper St. Clair Senior Warren Timko
Congratulations to Upper St. Clair School District Senior, Warren Timko, on his induction into the Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League (WPIAL) Hall of Fame in the Courage Category! Warren is a member of the high school football team, but his career was unexpectedly interrupted by a cancer diagnosis. To his great credit, he returned to the field for Senior Night. Warren’s perseverance and grit both on and off the field is incredibly admirable. Congratulations, Warren, on this impressive achievement! Important Update on Paraquat Ban Legislation
Syngenta has announced plans to stop manufacturing Paraquat, a pesticide linked to diseases like Parkinson’s, Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and childhood Leukemia. This is a great step forward in the fight to ban this toxic chemical in Pennsylvania! I will continue working with my legislative colleagues, Sen. Nick Miller (D-14), Rep. Natalie Mihalek (R-40), and Rep. Melissa Shusterman (D-157) to pass our legislation in Pennsylvania to formally ban Paraquat, but will be closely monitoring this development to ensure that generic versions of this dangerous pesticide are also prohibited. Read the full article from The Guardian here. PennLIVE Letter to the Editor in SUPPORT of Cashless Fundraising for Non-Profits, Veterans’ Organizations
A recent letter to the editor submitted to PennLIVE |Patriot News by Cumberland County Treasurer, Kaytee Isley, details the reasons why it’s time to modernize how non-profits are permitted to accept fundraising donations: …countless organizations such as volunteer fire departments, youth sports teams, churches, and veterans’ groups, rely on fundraising through their Small Games of Chance license to provide the caring services that touch all our lives. Yet under current law, these groups are restricted to accepting only cash or checks, which puts them at a disadvantage in an era where most people prefer electronic payments. Senate Bill 416, which I have sponsored with Sen. Wayne Fontana (D-42), fixes that. Read Kaytee’s full Letter to the Editor here. Foster a Puppy or Kitten through Animal Friends of Pittsburgh
The above photo is from one of my favorite meetings with Animal Friends and other animal advocates while they were in Harrisburg to bring awareness to the importance of fostering and adopting. Animal Friends of Pittsburgh is looking for volunteers to become short- or long-term fosters for kittens, puppies, rabbits, or adult dogs and cats. Learn more and apply to help these furry friends find a forever home here. Observer-Reporter Editorial in SUPPORT of Phone-Free Schools LegislationThank you to the Observer-Reporter for their editorial in support of my legislation with Sens. Vincent Hughes (D-7) and Steve Santarsiero (D-10) to require Pennsylvania public schools to adopt policies prohibiting student cellphone use during the school day. School administrators, teachers, and parents across Pennsylvania have increasingly expressed concern about the proven link between smartphones and anxiety, depression, cyberbullying, and reduced classroom engagement. The Senate passed Senate Bill 1014 in early February with overwhelming bipartisan support (46-1), and it now awaits consideration in the House of Representatives. Read the Observer-Reporter’s full editorial here. Partner4Work’s Learn and Earn Summer Youth Employment Program
The above photo is from when I toured Partner4Work’s downtown Pittsburgh facility last month to learn more about the work this non-profit organization is doing in our region. Partner4Work’s Learn and Earn Summer Youth Employment Program is now accepting applicants. This program is designed to provide meaningful work experience and career exposure to low-income young adults ages 14 to 23 living in Allegheny County. Interested individuals are encouraged to apply here. Applications are open until June 5, 2026. Bill to Ease Shortage in Long-Term Care Workers Approved by Senate
To help alleviate Pennsylvania’s serious shortage of long-term care workers, I was proud to vote with my Senate colleagues to approve legislation allowing high school juniors and seniors to earn graduation credit by working or volunteering in these settings so they can consider a career in this crucial field. Health care leaders and senior advocates strongly support Senate Bill 116, because while Pennsylvania’s population over the age of 65 is expected to nearly double by 2040, the number of long-term care professionals declined by 14% from 2019 to 2022. This bill is part of a bipartisan package aimed at strengthening the long-term care workforce. Along with Senate Bill 114 and Senate Bill 115, it awaits action in the House of Representatives. Family Caregivers Can Find Help Through State Support Program
Caring for a loved one is rewarding but also challenging. If you or someone you know could use some help, the state Caregiver Support Program could be the answer. The state Caregiver Support Program provides relief through respite care, education, and financial assistance for eligible unpaid caregivers. Each caregiver is assigned a care manager who will come to the home, conduct a comprehensive assessment of the needs of the caregiver, provide support, and work with them to develop a care plan. Find out more about eligibility, how to apply, and other caregiver resources from the Department of Aging. Online Filing Option Available for PA Personal Income Taxes
If you’re working on your taxes, keep in mind you can file your Pennsylvania Personal Income Tax return online for free through the myPATH portal. It includes automatic calculators, instant confirmation, and secure payment options. You can access many features directly from the myPATH homepage without needing to create a username or password. Additional options are offered exclusively to users who opt to create an account. Learn more from the state Department of Revenue. Supporting Veteran-Owned Businesses
Pennsylvania is one of the top states in the nation for veteran-owned small businesses, and this past week was Invest in Veterans Week which helps focus attention on these patriotic entrepreneurs. These men and women served our nation and are now providing jobs and economic vitality in our communities. Please keep an eye out for veteran-owned businesses in our area! You can find a local veteran-owned business to support in Allegheny County here. If you’re a veteran looking to start or expand a business, you can find state and federal resources here. National Read Across America Week
This week, people across the country celebrated National Read Across America week. In honor of this week, I want to celebrate the monumental win for PA students that we were able to pass into law last year to ensure all Pennsylvania children are reading proficiently by the end of third grade. I was proud to work with Sen. Vincent Hughes (D-7), Rep. Jason Ortitay (R-46), Rep. Justin Fleming (D-105), and many other advocates to get this important bill across the finish line. Learn more about the legislation here. Daylight Saving Time Begins This WeekendDaylight Saving Time begins this Sunday, March 8, at 2 a.m. While cell phone and computer clocks usually change automatically, most people move their standard clocks and appliances ahead one hour on Saturday night. It’s also a good time to check smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. If the devices are more than a decade old, experts suggest upgrading to 10-year, sealed battery alarms. They don’t require any battery replacement throughout their lifetime. However, it’s still a good idea to press the test button on the alarms at least once a month. Find more tips here.
I’m proud to represent you in Harrisburg. Please contact me if my team can assist you with any state-level issues or services, including PennDOT, PA Department of Revenue, PA Department of Aging, PA State Treasury, etc. I’m always happy to hear from constituents, but if you need assistance or have concerns regarding a federal issue, you may want to contact your U.S. Senators and/or your member in the U.S. House of Representatives. Thank you. For anyone who hasn’t already signed up to receive my e-newsletters, you can get on the mailing list here. |
|||
|
|||
Want to change how you receive these emails? 2026 © Senate of Pennsylvania | https://senatorrobinson.com | Privacy Policy |
