|
|||
|
In this Update:
Bipartisan Legislation Prohibits Student Cellphone Use During School
Citing the steep decline in youth mental health and academic performance during the past decade, I joined Sens. Vince Hughes (D-7) and Steve Santarsiero (D-10) in introducing bipartisan legislation requiring Pennsylvania schools to adopt policies prohibiting student cellphone use during the school day. Each individual school district will be responsible for crafting a policy that works best for their community. Children are struggling emotionally, socially, and academically. The data is clear: smartphones are playing a major role. I’m proud to work with my colleagues across the aisle to ensure Pennsylvania students have the opportunity to learn and connect with one another without a constant distraction in their pocket. Senate Bill 1014 would require schools to implement all-day cellphone-free policies, with reasonable exceptions including: students with medical conditions; students with individualized education plans requiring the use of a personal communication device; English language learners who rely on translation apps; and limited teacher-approved instructional use with approval from the school principal. Learn more about the legislation on my dedicated webpage. 2025 Senior Expo
I want to extend my sincere thanks to everyone who attended my Senior Expo as a guest or a vendor this year! We had a wonderful turnout, and I hope all attendees were able to learn from the expertise and resources offered by the vendors. My staff and I look forward to hosting this event again next year! Celebrating Manufacturers & Innovators in PA
Manufacturing is one of the largest sectors in Pennsylvania. I am proud to have introduced a bipartisan resolution, alongside Senator Tartaglione (D-2), to designate October 3, 2025, as “Manufacturing Day” in Pennsylvania. The future needs creators, innovators, and makers. Join us in honoring and supporting the manufactures and workers driving Pennsylvania forward! I was honored to speak on this resolution alongside Senator Tartaglione, Senator Phillips-Hill (R-28), and the Pennsylvania Manufacturers’ Association. Watch highlights from our remarks here. Welcoming the Pittsburgh Business Exchange to the Capitol
Senator Camera Bartolotta (R-46) and I were pleased to welcome the Pittsburgh Business Exchange to the PA Capitol. This organization brings together professionals, community leaders, and entrepreneurs for unique networking opportunities with the goal of fostering connections and strengthening Pittsburgh businesses. Touring Wolfe, LLC, in Pittsburgh
I truly appreciated the opportunity to visit Wolfe, LLC, a growing and innovative company specializing in delivering personalized digital and physical gifts. Thank you to entrepreneur and philanthropist, Jason Wolfe, and staff for the excellent tour and conversation. It is exciting to see businesses grow in the district! Woodville Celebrates 250th Anniversary
Located in Collier Township, Woodville recently celebrated its 250th Anniversary! This historic landmark is a principal link to 18th century southwestern Pennsylvania. John Neville, then-commander at Fort Pitt, constructed this home in 1775. To honor this anniversary, a Liberty Tree – a Sycamore Sapling from Neville’s friend and colleague George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate – was planted. The site also played a key role in the Whiskey Rebellion. A special thanks to all the volunteers at Woodville, we truly appreciate your efforts in keeping our region’s history alive! Mount Vernon of South Park Grand Re-Opening
Congratulations to Mount Vernon of South Park on the celebration of your grand re-opening! Mount Vernon of South Park specializes in offering long and short-term personal care for dementia patients. I’m grateful for their work to provide exceptional care for their residents. Standing Up for PA Taxpayers
With the state budget more than 100 days overdue, we are continuing to push for a balanced budget that respects taxpayers and will not lead to massive tax increases just a year or two from now. Unfortunately, leaders in the House of Representatives have again proposed an irresponsible plan that seeks to spend billions more than taxpayers can afford by using one-time dollars. The most prudent action for the House to take would be to immediately pass the budget approved by the Senate back on August 12 – that would get money flowing to counties, schools, and social service agencies. It’s time to put people above politics. Senate Republican leaders discussed the impasse here. Senate Acts to Waive Interest on Short-Term Budget Impasse Loans
Pennsylvania counties, early education programs, rape prevention, and domestic violence prevention centers could pay no interest on loans from the Pennsylvania Treasury under legislation approved by the Senate. The bill now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration. Under current law, the Pennsylvania Treasurer may provide investment loans during a budget impasse but must charge interest on those loans. Treasury’s Budget Bridge Loan program would provide up to $500 million in low-interest loans from the Liquid Asset Pool Investment Fund for county governments, domestic violence and rape crisis centers, Head Start agencies and approved providers under the Pre-K Counts program. Those investment loans would cover up to 25% of a recipient’s state budget appropriation from the previous fiscal year. Senate Bill 1040 would authorize the state treasurer to waive interest charges on loans issued during a budget impasse and help prevent additional costs for taxpayers and communities. Measure to Support Mental Health Services with Specialty License Plate Approved by Senate
Pennsylvania’s lifesaving 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline would receive new support through the sale of specialty license plates under legislation approved by the Senate. Under Senate Bill 955, $15 from each plate will be deposited into the Mental Health Restricted Account, helping to fund the 988 service. The lifeline offers confidential, one-to-one support from a trained crisis responder. You can read more about this legislation, and the story that inspired it, here. The measure was sent to the House of Representatives for consideration. Ensuring U.S. and Pennsylvania Flags Are Made in America
Reflecting a growing effort to support American manufacturing, the Senate approved legislation ensuring every U.S. and Pennsylvania flag purchased by the commonwealth is made entirely in the U.S. using American materials. Senate Bill 784 requires the Pennsylvania Department of General Services to procure only flags that are both produced and constructed from materials sourced within the U.S. Each flag must also carry a label reading “Made in America.” The measure not only promotes American-made products within state procurement practices, it prevents the use of taxpayer dollars to purchase flags from nations that do not share the values of Pennsylvania citizens. The bill was sent to the House of Representatives for consideration. Examining the Use of AI in Education and Workforce Development
The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the classroom and how schools are adapting programs to prepare students for changing workforce demands were the topics of a public hearing held by the Senate Education Committee and the Senate Communications and Technology Committee. The joint panel heard from educators as well as workforce development and policy experts who discussed the need to embrace AI responsibly, in a manner that retains student critical thinking, ensures ethical and safe use, and prepares students to fill in-demand jobs. Hearing video and written testimony can be found on the Senate Communications and Technology Committee and Senate Education Committee websites. Drought Watch Declared in Western PA
After lower-than-normal rainfall, more than two dozen, mainly western, Pennsylvania counties are under a drought watch declared by the Pennsylvania Drought Task Force. Drought declarations are based on the levels of precipitation, stream flows, groundwater levels and soil moisture. Under a drought watch, residents are encouraged, but not required, to voluntarily reduce their water use by five to 10%. A drought warning and drought emergency are more serious. The Department of Environmental Protection makes its drought declarations after assessing the departures from normal ranges for three-12 months. For a map that’s updated daily to show the status of all four indicators for each county, see the USGS Pennsylvania drought condition monitoring website. Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Early Detection Saves Lives
One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. But when detected at its earliest stages, the five-year survival rate for breast cancer is over 90%. The Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition turned the State Capitol East Wing Fountain pink to mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I was glad to participate in this event to bring awareness to this cause. The action honors survivors, remembers those lost, and encourages early detection through annual mammograms. Learn more about breast cancer and the tools available for early detection here. Offices Closed for Columbus Day
My offices will be closed on Monday, October 13, in observance of Columbus Day. This day commemorates Christopher Columbus’s arrival in the Americas. Normal office hours will resume Tuesday, October 14, at 9 a.m. Have a safe and wonderful holiday weekend!
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. |
|||
|
|||
Want to change how you receive these emails? 2025 © Senate of Pennsylvania | https://senatorrobinson.com | Privacy Policy |
