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In this Update:
Robinson Participates in Cancer Action Day 2025
It was a busy week in Harrisburg! A highlight for me was participating in Cancer Action Day 2025, spearheaded by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network. I joined bipartisan colleagues and individuals from across the state to advocate for paid family leave and other legislative measures to better support cancer patients and their families. I also recently introduced Senate Bill 447, which would help remove cost barriers that prevent high risk individuals from getting screened for prostate cancer. Robinson Advocates with PA Literacy Coalition
Thank you to the PA Literacy Coalition for joining us at the Capitol and advocating for my legislation to increase literacy standards, SB 700! This bill would ensure that all Pennsylvania children are reading proficiently by the end of third grade. South Fayette Girls Basketball Team Visits the Capitol
Congratulations are in order for the South Fayette Girls Basketball Team! The team secured their first state championship in school history. It was a pleasure to host them at the Capitol and celebrate their outstanding accomplishment. Best wishes for another great season, ladies! Senate Votes to Help Fire and EMS Departments
The Senate passed legislation to address Pennsylvania’s volunteer firefighter shortage that, if left unaddressed, threatens to cause local tax hikes to fund paid services. The bill would also fix recent issues with emergency services grant funding. Senate Bill 466 would allow job training credits to count toward Firefighter I Certification, giving volunteer recruits a more flexible pathway to credentialing. It would also correct a recent administrative error that led to a number of Fire Company and Emergency Medical Services grants being rescinded. Many departments had already budgeted for those funds, and the bill would ensure they receive the support they were promised. To prevent similar issues, the bill would also establish a one-time, 15-day grace period – available once every three years – for fire and EMS companies to submit required reports without needing to demonstrate undue hardship. It moves to the House of Representatives for consideration. Bill Ensuring Sportsmen’s Rights are Protected Receives Senate Support
Legislation to protect sportsmen’s rights by aligning state law with the federal and state constitution passed the Senate and is headed to the House of Representatives for consideration. The Pennsylvania Game Code contains sections indicating it is unlawful to refuse to answer questions from representatives of the Game Commission. However, that violates the United States and Pennsylvania constitutions, which ensure no person may be “compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself” and “he cannot be compelled to give evidence against himself.” Senate Bill 518 would remove the offending sections, ensuring the protection of sportsmen’s constitutional rights. New Sextortion Scam Blackmails Children
A disturbing new scam involves organized groups of Nigerian cybercriminals targeting American children online. After befriending them – sometimes even posing as their classmates – and exchanging nude photos, the criminals blackmail them and demand money. Organized Nigerian criminals have increased this practice, known as sextortion, by 1,000% in the last 18 months. It can cause unthinkable consequences, including even suicide after a child is told that the image will be sent to their family, friends and everyone in their school if they don’t pay. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children offers a helpful tool to anyone facing this overwhelming scenario. Take It Down is a free service that allows a child to upload the photo being used against them, which is then turned into a “hash value” that is sent out to Instagram, Snapchat and even pornography sites. All participating sites look for that hash value and put a block on it so it cannot be seen, shared or spread, which renders it useless for the blackmailer. Win Money for Your Child’s Education
In honor of PA 529 Day on May 29, Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity invites families to contribute $10 or more to their child’s PA 529 account in May to be automatically eligible for one of six regional awards of $5,529. PA 529 plans allow families to use their savings to pay for a wide variety of education expenses, including at any qualified educational institution, from K-12 to college and career training programs. If the child doesn’t pursue education, the beneficiary can be updated to certain family members or used to repay the principal and interest on a qualified education loan for a PA 529 beneficiary or sibling. Anyone – parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and family friends – can contribute to a PA 529 plan. Saving with PA 529 does not impact a student’s eligibility for Pennsylvania state financial aid. Learn more. Election Day is Tuesday, May 20
Election Day is Tuesday, May 20, and polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. If you are in line by 8 p.m., you will be able to vote. If you applied for a mail-in or absentee ballot, your county election office must receive it by Tuesday, May 20, at 8 p.m. Track your ballot to confirm it was received. Any voter who requested to vote using a mail-in or absentee ballot but would prefer to vote in person may do so. Bring the ballot and the envelope to surrender at the polls. If you don’t have those materials, you may vote using a provisional ballot. Call 1-877-VOTESPA (1-877-868-3772) if you experience any issues. My district and Harrisburg offices will be closed on Tuesday, May 20 and will reopen with normal business hours on Wednesday, May 21. National Police Week
National Police Week is May 11-17, and National Peace Officers Memorial Day is May 15. Thank you to our police who put their lives on the line daily for the safety and vitality of our communities. To our peace officers who made the ultimate sacrifice, your legacy is never forgotten.
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. |
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