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In this Update:
Community Highlights
The Lions Club in Pleasant Hills had a cookout at Mowry Park this weekend to raise money for the local library. If you weren’t there, you missed some great burgers and hot dogs!
Beautiful day last weekend for Ohio Township Community Day! Thank you to everyone who came out to enjoy the parade and festivities.
I always have a great time at Woodville’s Whiskey Rebellion Days! Woodville, completed by General John Neville in 1785, is one of the oldest surviving homes in western Pennsylvania and played a pivotal role in the Whiskey Rebellion of the 1790s. They reenact moments from the Whiskey Rebellion every summer and host informative events about this local history throughout the year.
Thanks to my friends at Bridgeville Borough who hosted an informative session on how they managed their flood plain issues over the years. They shared best practices with representatives from Oakdale and North Fayette so we can start implementing some flood control projects there as well in the near future. Glad to be part of this community collaboration!
I got an impressive, first-hand look at pad-ready sites and plans for more development and upgrades at the Buncher Commerce Park in Leetsdale this week. Always glad to work toward attracting and retaining businesses and good-paying jobs!
I attended the Quaker Valley Rotary meeting to discuss their upcoming harvest festival and the recently passed state budget. They also grilled some delicious pork chops for dinner!
Community Colleges Receive Funding Boost
I was glad to advocate for increased funding for PA’s community colleges in the 2024-25 state budget, especially as co-chair of the Senate Community College Caucus and a proud alumnus of Community College of Allegheny County. Pennsylvania’s fifteen community colleges will see a 6% funding increase this fiscal year, supporting the 245,000+ students who attend the colleges statewide. Thank you to my colleagues and my fellow caucus co-chair, Senator Lisa Boscola, for your bipartisan support of this funding. You can read my full press release here. Robinson Advocates for Funding to Support Intellectual Disabilities, Autism
I was so pleased to advocate for funding in this year’s budget to support intellectual disabilities and autism services. Several of my constituents and organizations in Allegheny County stressed to me how critical this need is, and I am glad to see increased funding for direct support professionals and the important services that individuals with intellectual disabilities and autism rely on. You can read more about this and other initiatives included in the 2024-25 state budget here. PASSHE Freezes Tuition for In-State Undergraduates
For the seventh year, the Board of Governors for Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) froze tuition for in-state undergraduates for the 2024-25 academic year. The tuition rate will stay the same at all 10 state-owned public universities. PASSHE schools serve the most in-state students of any four-year college or university in Pennsylvania, at the lowest price. Nearly 90% of PASSHE’s 82,000 students are Pennsylvania residents, many from middle-income families. To make higher education more affordable, Senate Republicans passed Grow PA – a package of bills that creates new programs to recruit the best talent to Pennsylvania schools in industries that will grow the state’s economy while also expanding existing financial assistance programs that are already working. Read more about the scholarship and tuition waiver programs. Program Increasing Digital Connectivity to Provide Laptops
The Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority (PBDA) is accepting applications for its Digital Connectivity Technology Program. Through the new program, the PBDA will purchase and distribute $20 million in laptops for eligible public-facing institutions such as libraries, municipalities, workforce training organizations, not-for-profit organizations and other institutions that can offer internet access to individuals who lack the technology. PBDA strongly encourages interested applicants to review the program frequently asked questions (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 Monday, Aug. 19. Prevent Hot Car Deaths in Children
In 2023, 29 children died of heatstroke because they were left or became trapped in a hot vehicle. This tragedy can happen to anyone, but is preventable. A child’s body temperature rises three to five times faster than an adult’s body temperature. When a child is left in a vehicle, the situation quickly can become dangerous. Heatstroke begins when the core body temperature reaches about 104 degrees, and a child can die when his or her body temperature hits 107 degrees. Never leave a child in a vehicle unattended for any length of time – even with the windows down or when parked in the shade, as it does little to change the interior temperature of the vehicle. Stop to check the back seat and lock the door before leaving a hot car. Store car keys out of a child’s reach and teach kids that a vehicle is not a play area. Read more tips. Fighting Human Trafficking
World Day Against Trafficking in Persons is Tuesday, July 30, and this year’s theme is “Leave No Child Behind in the Fight Against Human Trafficking.” Children represent a significant portion of trafficking victims worldwide, and they are twice as likely as adults are to face violence during trafficking. Traffickers use social media to recruit and exploit children. Senate Republicans worked to support these young victims, unanimously passing a law that ensures sexually exploited children who are human trafficking victims always have full access to appropriate services and support.
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