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In this Update:
Community Highlights
I was honored to be invited to tour the Westminster Early Childhood Education Program at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Upper St. Clair. It is an impressive full time, full year center serving families with children from three months to five years old. I had the opportunity to meet the kids and talk about pumpkins and trick or treating with them. Later, the staff shared successes, insights, and concerns. Keep up the tremendous work! Thank you for helping families.
I was thrilled to help secure funding for South Fayette Township’s new baseball complex at Fairview Park and glad to attend the groundbreaking for construction on this project. Congratulations!
I had a great time at the Columbus Day Parade in Pittsburgh’s Little Italy! Thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate!
Thank you to Lutz and the staff of Hennecke Group for the great meeting and tour of their North American headquarters proudly located right here in South Fayette. They are a leading manufacturer of polyurethane processing systems. Keep up the great work!
Congratulations to Quaker Valley Middle School for being honored as a National Blue Ribbon School! I was pleased to present them with a proclamation for this incredible achievement. Thank you, Quaker Valley School District, for your commitment to our community and our future!
I was happy to join in the grand reopening of the expanded and improved South Hills Interfaith Movement – SHIM Center in Bethel Park. The South Hills Interfaith Movement provides the opportunity to thrive to all those facing unexpected hardships without judgment by assisting in meeting basic needs like food, clothing, education, family services and assistance. SHIM assisted over 4,000 neighbors in August. It’s a hand up, not a hand-out. Robinson Companion Legislation Pass Senate
I was glad to see two companion bills of mine recently pass the full Senate! HB 2132, companion to the Senate bill I co-prime sponsored, would establish an Ireland Trade Commission in Pennsylvania. This bill aims to enhance the educational, economic, governmental, and people-to-people links between our commonwealth and Ireland. Thank you to the bipartisan, bicameral support of my colleagues and your mutual commitment to making this a beneficial partnership for Pennsylvania and our friends in Ireland. You can listen to my full remarks on this legislation here.
Another companion bill of mine, HB 2266, passed the full Senate with strong bipartisan support. HB 2266 is the companion to SB 998, legislation I co-primed with Senators Farry, Langerholc and Dillon. This legislation increases penalties for street racing offenses, including a substantial increase in the fine for a first offense. The bill would increase fines for the first offense to $500 and impose fines of $2,000 for second and subsequent offenses. Other penalties include suspension of driving privileges, classification as habitual offenders, impoundment of vehicles, and potential imprisonment. You can find more information here. Bill to Improve Early Literacy Poised for Enactment
The Senate and House unanimously passed and sent to the governor legislation to give students the best chance at lifelong success through a strong, evidence-based reading program. Senate Bill 801 would provide schools with resources to dramatically improve early literacy in Pennsylvania. First, it would bolster reading instruction by giving schools a comprehensive list of evidence-based reading curricula. Second, it would help schools identify struggling readers early via universal screening by providing a list of high-quality screeners. Third, it would ensure educators are properly trained to use the structured literacy curriculum and screeners by creating a list of high-quality professional development programs. Low literacy scores are a problem that spans the geographic and demographic spectrum, with urban cities and rural communities struggling to help their students read proficiently at their age level. Studies show that childhood reading difficulties can produce long-term effects and dramatically impact someone’s chances of success. Senate Passes Bill to Extend Lemon Law Protections to Motorcycles
The Senate unanimously approved legislation that would extend Pennsylvania’s Lemon Law protections to cover motorcycles. Senate Bill 155 now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration. Pennsylvania’s Lemon Law provides protections for customers who purchase or lease a car that is registered in the commonwealth. The law protects customers who experience defects with their car during the first year or 12,000 miles of leasing or ownership. Manufacturers are given three opportunities within a year to repair the defect. If the problem still cannot be corrected, the customer is eligible for a replacement or refund. The state Lemon Law currently only applies to cars. Bill to Improve Elevator Safety Standards Passes Senate
The Senate unanimously passed legislation to improve elevator safety standards in Pennsylvania. The bill now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration. Following the deaths of a correctional officer and an inmate who plunged down an elevator shaft in a violent confrontation, the Elevator Safety Board was established to address critical issues surrounding elevator construction, maintenance and inspection. The American Society of Mechanical Engineers has revised the national elevator code seven times since 2002, yet Pennsylvania still adheres to outdated standards that don’t reflect current safety practices. The board submitted its recommendations to update these codes to the Department of Labor and Industry in 2020, but the agency has not acted. Senate Bill 1230 requires the Department of Labor and Industry to adopt an updated safety code, effective July 1, 2025. Prior to adoption, the Elevator Safety Board may recommend modifications based upon its professional expertise and industry experience. The legislation would establish timely benchmarks, making sure necessary upgrades will not be delayed further. Prepare Now for the Nov. 5 Election
Election Day on Nov. 5 is approaching. Make sure you’re able to participate by registering to vote no later than Oct. 21. If you’ve moved, this is also a great time to double check that you’re registered to vote at your current address. Anyone who wishes to vote by mail must apply by Oct. 29. You must be a registered voter to submit an application to vote by mail. If you are looking for a way to help your community, learn more about becoming a poll worker here. Thousands of Pennsylvanians are needed to run elections, and poll workers are needed in all 67 counties. Know Your Breast Cancer Risk
Understanding your breast cancer risk is vital for protecting your health. Maintaining a healthy weight, engaging in regular physical activity and eating a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains can lower your risk. Limiting alcohol consumption and avoiding smoking are also important preventive steps. Regular screenings and self-exams are essential for early detection, especially if you have a family history of breast cancer or other risk factors. Discussing your personal risk with a doctor can help you explore further preventive options, such as genetic testing or medications. By implementing these strategies and staying informed, you can take significant steps toward lowering your risk. Learn more about breast cancer risk here.
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