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In this Update:
Legislative Review: Supporting Veterans
Pennsylvania is home to nearly 800,000 veterans in addition to active members of the military. Supporting these men and women, and their families, is a top priority. The Senate passed several bills this year to assist Pennsylvanians who served our nation. Act 31 of 2021 extends employment protections to Pennsylvania citizens who are members of another state’s National Guard. Act 55 of 2021 increases the maximum donation amounts to the Veterans’ Trust Fund from $3 to $5 when applying for or renewing a driver’s license, ID card or vehicle registration and from $6 to $10 when applying for a two-year vehicle registration. Act 63 of 2021 adds a member of the State Veterans Commission to the Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Council. Senate Bill 248 designates March 6 as Persian Gulf War Veterans Day and October 7 as Global War on Terrorism Veterans Day. Senate Bill 486 provides members of the Pennsylvania National Guard and reserve components of the U.S. Armed Forces who serve on active duty, as well as their spouses, preference for placement into job training programs for one year after discharge. You can find a full list of bills of note passed by the Senate in 2021 here. Public Hearing on Child Protective Services Law Revisions
Proposed changes to a state law aimed at protecting children from abuse was the topic of a Senate hearing this week. The Senate Aging and Youth Committee took testimony on revisions to Pennsylvania’s child protective services law proposed by the state Department of Human Services. Among the changes would be the removal of time frames for the expungement of state records on child abuse cases. Currently, state law requires that unfounded child protective services reports and invalid general protective services reports be expunged from the state database after one year and that validated general protective services reports be expunged after 10 years or until the youngest child in the report turns 23. The change is aimed at aiding efforts to identify children at risk of future abuse. You can watch the hearing and read testimony here. Education Financial Assistance Available to Eligible Children of Veterans
The Educational Gratuity Program provides financial assistance for those attending post-high school education or training at an approved institution in the Commonwealth. The program supports children of honorably discharged veterans who have 100% service-connected disabilities and served during a period of war or armed conflict, or children of veterans who die or died in service during a period of war or armed conflict. All applicants must have a financial need. Payments will not exceed $500 per term or semester per qualified child to each approved educational institution over a total of eight terms or semesters. More information on the program and how to apply can be found here. Robinson’s Office Hosts SBDC Business Counseling Sessions
My Bethel Park district office will be hosting private and confidential no-cost business counseling sessions with a representative from the University of Pittsburgh Small Business Development Center (SBDC). One-hour appointments are available from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on these dates:
Please RSVP to 412-785-3070 or mmccauley@pasen.gov. My Bethel Park district office is located at 1700 North Highland Road, Suite 307. Robinson to Host Identity Theft Prevention Fair at Ohio Township Community ParkI will be joining Representative Valerie Gaydos (R-44) and Representative Anita Kulik (D-45) in hosting an Identity Theft Protection Fair this Saturday, August 21 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Ohio Township Community Park. Industrial shredders will be on-site to securely shred any documents. Please make sure to remove any binder clips, paperclips, or plastic folders. Items such as phone books, newspapers, or bound books will not be accepted. There is a two-grocery bag/small box limit for disposal. All boxes will be returned to vehicles. During this event, constituents may stay in their vehicle. Deputy Joe Cirigliano from Allegheny County Sheriff’s Department will be onsite collecting unused prescription drugs for Project D.U.M.P. (Disposal of Unused/Expired Medications Properly). Please call my office with any questions about this weekend’s event. The Robinson Township office can be reached by calling 412-643-3020 or the Bethel Park office by calling 412-785-3070. Out and About in the 37th DistrictCongratulations to our newest Eagle Scouts around the 37th District!
Thank you to the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre for the tour of their facility. We learned a lot and even got to observe their company dancers. It was awesome to see the outstanding talent behind the scenes.
My staff and I joined Allegheny CleanWays for a riverfront cleanup on the Monongahela River.
I had the opportunity to meet Nino Bonaccorsi and present him with a citation for his recent 1st place finish in the United World Wrestling Under-23 National Championship. He will now represent Team USA in the World Championships in Belgrade, Serbia. Congratulations, Nino and good luck this November!!
I attended a Legislative Lunch at the St. Clair Country Club hosted by the South Hills Chamber of Commerce. It was great to speak with so many business professionals about the issues facing our region.
Representative Natalie Mihalek and I attended the 15th Anniversary Celebration for Tree Pittsburgh that works to plant and preserve trees throughout the region.
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