Senator Robinson E-Newsletter

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In this Update:

  • September is Veterans Suicide Awareness Month
  • Labor Day Parade
  • First Responder Appreciation Stair Climb and Recruitment Event
  • Honoring Pirates History
  • Grant Application Bootcamp
  • Meeting with Misaq Mohammadi
  • Eliminating Waste and Fraud in State Government
  • Jobs Available with PennDOT’s Winter Maintenance Program
  • Help for Caregivers: PA CareKit
  • Learn Skills with the Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps
  • September is Hunger Action Month
  • National Crime Prevention Week

September is Veterans Suicide Awareness Month

September is Veterans Suicide Awareness Month. We must do more to help our veterans, many of whom struggle in silence, burdened by trauma, stress, addiction, and loneliness. Please know help is available, you are valuable, and you are not alone. You or your loved ones can utilize the crisis line by dialing 988, or contacting the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs for information and resources on getting the help you deserve. Learn more here.

Labor Day Parade

On Labor Day, we honor the American Worker and recognize laborers’ contributions to our nation’s development. I had a great time participating in the Pittsburgh Labor Day parade last weekend! It was wonderful to see everyone along the route.

First Responder Appreciation Stair Climb and Recruitment Event

To honor our local first responders and men and women who selflessly and bravely served on September 11, 2001, Representative Natalie Mihalek and I are hosting a stair climb at Spencer Family YMCA in Bethel Park on Sept. 11 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Constituents are invited and encouraged to participate. Bethel Park firefighters will also be on-hand to discuss volunteer opportunities.

Honoring Pirates History

On September 2, 1971, the Pittsburgh Pirates fielded the first all minority lineup in MLB history. Manager, Danny Murtaugh, composed the lineup to give the team the best chance to beat the Philadelphia Phillies. It consisted of Rennie Stennett, second base; Gene Clines, center field; Roberto Clemente, right field; Willie Stargell, left field; Manny Sanguillen, catcher; Dave Cash, third base; Al Oliver, first base; Jackie Hernandez, short stop; Dock Ellis, pitcher. He was successful, and the Pirates won 10-7. The Heinz History Center and the region are proud to recognize this important day in history!

Grant Application Bootcamp

It was an honor to host municipal leaders and first responders from across the 37th district for a Grant Application Bootcamp: Tips for Winning Funding. Thank you to Joe, our grant specialist, for coming from Harrisburg to lead the seminar! If your organization has any questions about grants, funding, or need a support letter, do not hesitate to contact my office.

Meeting with Misaq Mohammadi

Thank you to Misaq Mohammadi for a great conversation about his native country Afghanistan. Now a proud Pittsburgher, Mr. Mohammadi and I talked about food, politics, the war in which I fought, and the plight of ethnic minorities in his homeland.

Eliminating Waste and Fraud in State Government

Reforming the way state government operates includes removing barriers to creating good jobs and preventing fraud and waste of taxpayer dollars.

This year, we passed legislation to implement stricter oversight to block regulations that will cost employers or taxpayers more than $1 million, and require automatic review of these kinds of regulations after three years to ensure they remain in the public interest.

Other bills passed by the Senate require the Department of Human Services to prevent fraud in public assistance, prevent deceased people from receiving benefits and ensure unemployment compensation benefits don’t go to claimants who try to avoid work. To reduce the risk of data breaches in taxpayer-funded systems, we passed legislation requiring all state IT contracts to meet national cybersecurity standards.

You can review all the notable bills we’ve passed so far in 2025 here.

Jobs Available with PennDOT’s Winter Maintenance Program

The coming end of summer means job opportunities for those with the skills to maintain and clear Pennsylvania’s roadways in the winter with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT).

Positions and hourly pay include CDL equipment operator ($23), dispatcher ($17.38), diesel and automotive mechanic ($24.97 – $28.37 based on title), tradesman helper and semi-skilled laborer ($18.46), and more.

These temporary positions could be a pathway to a permanent PennDOT career. You can find more background information and links to job openings here.

Help for Caregivers: PA CareKit

Caring for a loved one is a selfless act that strengthens family bonds but can be difficult for the caregiver. The PA CareKit can be a great help.

From the Pennsylvania Department of Aging, the PA CareKit is a collection of tools and information to help you manage stress, navigate the health care system, stay connected and find support.

Topics include the First Five Steps, Understanding Your Needs, Key Caregiving Terms and Concepts, and Caregiving Resources. If you’re a caregiver, I hope you find this information useful for this challenging but lifechanging role.  

Learn Skills with the Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps

Residents ages 15 to 25 can learn new skills, gain job experience and improve public lands with the Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps.

Skills-building and training opportunities include infrastructure maintenance, habitat restoration, CPR and first aid and more.

Interested individuals can learn how to get paid fixing trails, planting trees and more here.

September Is Hunger Action Month

In honor of Hunger Action Month in Pennsylvania, my offices will be hosting a food drive through September 30th. Hunger Action Month is an important reminder that too many families struggle with food insecurity, and by working together as a community we can make a real difference for our neighbors and ensure that no one goes without a meal. Non-perishable food items may be dropped off at both of my district office locations during office hours. Learn more here.

National Crime Prevention Week

A key role as lawmaker is passing legislation to combat crime and keep our communities safe. We rely on police to enforce those laws and the justice system to impose punishment when appropriate.

National Crime Prevention Week is a reminder of the role citizens play in keeping their neighborhoods safe. The National Crime Prevention Council offers these crime prevention and personal safety tips to help you and your community outsmart potential lawbreakers.

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