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In this Update:
Capitol Visitors
It’s always fun to have visitors from the 37th District at the Capitol! These students from South Fayette High School were invited to Harrisburg to participate in PennDOT’s statewide Innovations Challenge. The 2023-24 challenge was to “develop an innovative and implementable solution to meet the needs of your community, which includes accommodating bicycle and pedestrian traffic, connecting the separated neighborhood, allowing for new business development and ensuring the smooth flow of traffic.”
Congratulations to the North Allegheny Varsity Swimming and Diving Team on their 2nd consecutive PIAA state championship win this year! It was great to host the team at the Capitol and recognize them for their incredible season! Recognizing May as Mammography Month, Celebrating Landmark Legislation
I am so proud to have co-sponsored Act 1 of 2023, Senate Bill 8, which eliminates all costs associated with breast MRIs, ultrasounds, and BRCA-related genetic testing and counseling for high-risk Pennsylvanians. May 1st was the one-year anniversary of this landmark legislation in our Commonwealth, and I am proud to partner with President Pro Tempore Kim Ward and the PA Breast Cancer Coalition to dedicate May as Mammography Month. Act 1 covers individuals whose insurance is state-regulated, including plans purchased through the Pennie marketplace or employer-provided insurance. The law takes effect for many plans between 2024 and 2025. All state-regulated plans must be in place before the end of 2025. In Pennsylvania, 38 women are diagnosed with breast cancer every day. Nationally, 1 in 4 women between age 50-74 have not had a mammogram in the past two years. Let’s continue to work together to promote awareness and encourage the women in our lives to get screened and know their family history. Early detection saves lives! You can read more about this legislation and find additional resources here. Robinson Bill to Combat Illegal Street Racing Passes Senate
I was pleased to see my legislation with Sens. Farry, Langerholc, and Dillon, Senate Bill 998, pass the Senate this week with overwhelming bipartisan support. This bill would increase street racing fines for first offenses to $500 and all additional infractions to $2,000, aiming to address how the erratic driving of illegal street racers endangers the safety of other motorist and pedestrians. Senate Bill 998 also calls for impoundment orders for vehicles used in the offense and would hold event organizers accountable using fines, suspension of driving privileges, classification as habitual offenders, impoundment of vehicles and imprisonment. Additionally, the bill would impose penalties for drifting on highways or trafficways and for organizing street racing or drifting events. Drifting is a driving technique that involves steering a car to make a controlled skid sideways through a turn. The bill now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration. You can read more here. Senate Committee Approves Robinson Bill to Boost College AffordabilityLast week, the Senate Education Committee approved my bill, SB1152, to expand the Ready to Succeed Scholarship Program for students pursuing post-secondary education. This was part of a larger package to make Pennsylvania colleges more affordable and open career pathways. You can read more here. Senate Acts to Meet PA’s Power Needs
Acting to establish a sweeping, new energy framework for Pennsylvania, the Senate approved legislation this week creating the Independent Energy Office (IEO) and Pennsylvania’s Opportunity with Energy Reliability (POWER) Board. The bill moves to the House of Representatives for consideration. Under Senate Bill 832, the IEO will provide data-driven analysis and ensure lawmakers have the reliable information necessary to review and implement current energy strategies as well as be on the forefront of new innovative technologies. The POWER Board will be a public clearinghouse for energy development in Pennsylvania and allow residents to see public accountability on decisions that impact energy prices in Pennsylvania. The federal government has passed legislation to provide funding for states to grow solar, wind, hydro and nuclear capacities. Pennsylvania must apply for these funds and provide a framework to distribute funding throughout the state. The General Assembly has not yet established this framework, and statutory authority is needed. Disaster Relief Loans AvailableThe U.S. Small Business Administration has opened a Disaster Loan Outreach Center to make financial aid available to survivors of the floods of April 11-12, 2024. Affected Businesses and private non-profits may apply for up to $2 million to cover disaster losses not fully covered by insurance. Affected homeowners can apply for up to $500,000 to replace or repair primary residences. Affected renters and homeowners in the declared disaster areas can apply for up to $100,000 to replace or repair personal property. For details on the SBA disaster declaration for the recent floods, click here. The temporary Disaster Loan Outreach Center is located at the South Fayette Municipal Building, 100 Township Dr, Bridgeville, PA 15017. It will be open M-F 9a-6p and Saturdays from 10a-2p. The temporary center’s final day of operation will be Saturday, May 18, 2024. Applications can also be downloaded by clicking: sba.gov/disaster Werner Avenue in Bridgeville Reopened
I’m so glad to see Werner Avenue in Bridgeville is reopen following the construction of a large retaining wall. The project also included storm sewer improvements, a new guardrail, paving, and relocation of utilities. I was thrilled to help secure $500,000 in grant funding from the Allegheny County Gaming Economic Development Tourism Fund to help offset the costs. Thanks to Mayor Copeland, Bridgeville Borough Manager Joe Kauer, and everyone involved for their dedication to this project! Senate Approves Bill to Get Pennsylvanians Off UC and Back to Work
Unemployed Pennsylvanians who engage in job dodging by sabotaging their own efforts to get hired would jeopardize their Unemployment Compensation benefits under a bill approved by the Senate. Job dodging is the process used by some Unemployment Compensation recipients to avoid obtaining a job and to continue to collect benefits. Job dodgers may skip a job interview or refuse employment or a referral for employment to continue receiving Unemployment Compensation benefits. Senate Bill 1109 is intended to prevent Unemployment Compensation recipients who apply for a job from unreasonably discouraging their own hiring. It would require the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry to create or update forms enabling employers to report Unemployment Compensation claimants who discourage their own hiring through job dodging. The bill moves to the House of Representatives for consideration. Blue Star Mothers Night at the Races
It was wonderful attending the Blue Star Mothers of Southwestern Pennsylvania’s event last week: Night at the Races! Proceeds from the fundraiser allow them to continue to support patriotism and support of family members of deployed troops, and area veterans. Thank you for hosting this great event for our servicemembers and their families!
South Park High School Visit
I had a wonderful morning visiting Mrs. Petersons’ Senior English class at South Park High School, where students have been reading “Sunrise over Fallujah” about the invasion of Iraq. I shared my experiences about the Battle of Nasiriyah and the successful search and rescue of Jessica Lynch. Thank you to the students and staff for the invite!
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