|
|||
|
In this Update:
Veterans Advocate, Service Dog Visit Office
I welcomed a few visitors my district office this week: Sue Watson and Jimmy Stewart, a service dog in-training! Sue is active with many local veterans organizations, including Warrior Canine Connection and Veterans Helping Veterans, which she founded in 2020. Warrior Canine Connection raises and trains highly skilled assistance dogs for disabled Veterans. Jimmy Stewart is currently training through their program to become a service dog and will hopefully be placed with his forever veteran by the end of the year. Thank you Sue, for your dedication to our veterans, and keep up the excellent work Jimmy! Robinson Visits Elementary School
I had a wonderful visit with Mrs. Abele’s fourth grade class at McMurray Elementary School in Peters Township School District. These students came prepared with lots of great questions about state government! Thank you for having me! Robinson Honors Purple Star Schools
It was a pleasure to attend Military Enlistment Day at West Allegheny High School where five students decided to take the next step into the U.S. Armed Forces. Some even received pretty sizable signing bonuses! West Allegheny is a Purple Star School, which helps military-connected students and their families as they frequently relocate to different schools. The Purple Star School Program helps more than 37,000 military-connected students in Pennsylvania. These schools help ease the stress of often annual moves and parental deployment by offering support for enrollment, registration, social activities, academic planning, counseling, and other critical resources. Last week, I hosted a few West Allegheny faculty members at the Capitol last week for my Purple Star Press Conference. Other Purple Star schools from across PA were in attendance as well, and we were also joined by Sen. Pat Stefano, Sen. Doug Mastriano, Adjutant General John Pippy, and Dr. Carrie Rowe, Acting Secretary of the PA Dept. of Education. You can read more about this program here. Senate Passes Bill Benefitting Career and Technical Schools
Career and technical education prepares students for rewarding, family-sustaining careers, often at a significantly reduced cost compared to attending college. Pennsylvania is in great need of people with this training, and there are many job openings waiting to be filled. To ensure people have the training needed for these jobs, the Senate unanimously passed Senate Bill 315. The legislation would provide more certainty regarding grant funding for career and technical education equipment by making funding calculations before the school year in which the allocation occurs. Currently, schools are reimbursed after they have made purchases based on calculations made near the end of the school year. Read more about career and technical education opportunities in the commonwealth. Program Increasing Digital Connectivity to Provide Laptops
The Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority (PBDA) is accepting applications for its Digital Connectivity Technology Program. Through the program, the PBDA will purchase and distribute $20 million in devices such as laptops for eligible public-facing institutions including libraries, workforce training organizations, not-for-profit organizations, municipalities, and other institutions that can offer internet access to individuals who lack the technology. PBDA strongly encourages interested applicants to review the program FAQ before applying. The FAQ, pre-recorded webinar providing an overview of the program, guidelines and online application are available here. Applications must be submitted by Friday, May 30. School Safety Report Available Now
Students deserve to feel safe while they’re learning, and their families should be confident that extensive efforts are made to ensure that happens. In the legislature, we have prioritized fostering healthy and safe communities, which include schools. Part of that work includes requiring and conducting a report to evaluate school safety initiatives and how they can be adjusted to more effectively protect students. The Legislative Budget and Finance Committee’s report highlighted the need for security assessments of school buildings and certification requirements for school safety and security coordinators. Other key findings include collecting and analyzing more relevant data – such as tips made using the Safe2Say Something Program – and improving how the data already being collected is shared. Find the full report here. Reminder: Real ID Enforcement Begins May 7
The Real ID Enforcement deadline is approaching fast. Beginning May 7, you will need a Real ID or another federally-accept form of ID, such as a passport or military ID, to board domestic flights and access certain federal buildings. PA residents can still apply for a Real ID after the May 7 deadline. Find more information and answers to commonly asked questions here. Passover Begins on April 12
Saturday marks the beginning of Passover, the eight-day Jewish holiday commemorating the Israelites’ emancipation from slavery in ancient Egypt. I hope it’s a warm occasion of family and friends for all who observe.
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? 2025 © Senate of Pennsylvania | https://senatorrobinson.com | Privacy Policy |
