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In this Update:
Community HighlightsWest Allegheny High School held their Gold Star Family Game where players wore the name of fallen heroes from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. It was a very humbling and sobering experience to attend this game and help ensure their memories are never lost. I had the pleasure to attend the Annual Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation Steel City Awards Dinner where l listened to the motivational words of Major General Sparky Renforth, and John Surma was honored with the Semper Fidelis Award. Saturday was a beautiful day to celebrate South Park Township! I enjoyed seeing familiar faces and meeting new friends at the parade and community day event. Thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate! Robinson Recognizes Veterans Suicide Awareness MonthSeptember is Veteran Suicide Awareness Month. In PA alone, we lose around 250 veterans each year to suicide. We must do more to help our veterans, many of whom struggle in silence, burdened by trauma, stress, addiction, and loneliness. I was honored to introduce Senate Resolution 260 to shine a light on this crisis and recognize the battles our heroes are still fighting after they return home. 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 and pressing 1, or contacting the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs for information and resources on getting the help you deserve. Child Care Tax Credit Supports Families, CommunitiesSupporting families helps create strong communities. During this legislative session, we focused on establishing the Child Care Tax Credit and also increased it to provide relief to as many moms and dads as possible. Because of the tax credit, more businesses can contribute toward their employees’ child care benefits, providing financial relief to parents, beginning Jan. 1, 2025. Employer contributions may not count as the employee’s income. The tax credit allows employers to claim a tax credit equal to 30% of what they contribute toward an employee’s child care benefits, up to $500. If an employer chooses to make contributions to its employees, the employer must make equal contributions to all employees who have eligible child care costs. An Emergency Plan Can be a LifesaverHaving an emergency plan that everyone in your family is familiar with can keep your loved ones safe during a power outage, severe storm or other unexpected event. A clear plan helps people stay calm and focused during a stressful experience. It should include information about where to go, who to contact and what to have on hand. It’s important to have enough food, water and other supplies to last at least three days. Other items for a basic emergency kit include flashlights, extra batteries, first aid supplies, hand sanitizer and a whistle to signal for help. Learn more. Upcoming Property Tax, Rent Rebate ClinicOlder Pennsylvanians and adults with disabilities may be eligible to receive up to $1,000 in rebates on property taxes and rent through the PA Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program. The program deadline has been extended to December 31, 2024 for property taxes/rent paid in 2023. My office will be hosting a rebate clinic with Rep. Natalie Mihalek on Thursday, October 3rd at the Bethel Park Community Center to assist with applications. If you cannot attend, my office can gladly assist you with your application at another time. Please contact my office if you need more information! Read more and check eligibility requirements here. Reminder: Senior Expo on October 10Don’t forget! My senior expo is happening Thursday, October 10 from 10:00AM-12:00PM at the Library Volunteer Fire Company. There will be government agencies and senior citizen organizations on site as well as door prizes, free health screenings, refreshments, and more. This event is free and open to the public. I hope to see you there! September is National Prostate Health MonthProstate cancer is the most common type of cancer diagnosed in men in the United States, excluding non-melanoma skin cancer. It causes more deaths in men than all but lung cancer. During the 2023-24 legislative session, I was proud to co-sponsor Senate Resolution 323, designating September as Prostate Cancer Awareness Month in Pennsylvania. As someone with a family history of prostate cancer, I encourage other men to receive regular screenings from their doctor. Screenings can often catch the disease before it spreads, resulting in a five-year survival rate of 97.5%. For someone with an average risk, screening should begin at age 50. Getting screened every two or three years is sufficient for most men. Legislative AccomplishmentsMonday will kick off another busy week in Harrisburg, building on a full 2023-24 legislative session! I am proud to represent you in Harrisburg and will continue advocating for policy that benefits my constituents. To see recent legislation I have supported and had signed in to law, you can visit my website here.
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