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In this Update:
Community Highlights
It’s always a privilege to recognize outstanding individuals who contribute so much to our community. I had the pleasure to attend Judge Arnoni’s ceremony for his Outstanding Citizens of the Year Award, where we honored Diane Ford of Bethel Park and Terry Kish of Upper St. Clair. Congratulations to these two exceptional women! Thank you for everything you do to give back to others.
It was great visiting Archangel Gabriel School in Robinson with the Bridge Educational Foundation. Thank you to the members of US Steel, Chubb, and WM who generously helped raise $174,500 for scholarships.
It was an honor joining Moon Township Police Chief Starko and retired Chief Seamon and the Pittsburgh Airport Area Chamber of Commerce for the grand opening of the brand-new Moon Township Police Department headquarters. It’s a one-of-a-kind facility that will allow for enhanced community relations and public safety efforts. Top notch! Thank you all for your service. Senate Accomplishments: Improving Community Safety
To improve safety in Pennsylvania communities, the senate passed laws in the 2023-24 legislative session to prevent and better respond to crime. Twenty-eight new safety laws passed. They range from ones that target looting and organized retail theft, prevent the exploitation of older Pennsylvanians, establish a statewide rape kit evidence tracking system and outlaw deepfake child sexual abuse materials generated by artificial intelligence. I was proud to spearhead several bills, including ones that increase penalties for illegal street racing and prohibit certain dangerous individuals from being released without bail. I also secured $6 million in funding for an urban search and rescue task force to better equip western PA in the face of emergencies. You can view a complete list of legislation I have worked to enact during the 2023-24 session here. I look forward to beginning a new legislative session with my colleagues in January. Advancing initiatives to reduce crime and foster greater safety will continue to be our focus in the new legislative session. Ireland Trade Commission Signed into Law
Another legislative accomplishment from the 2023-24 that I am exceptionally proud of is the Ireland Trade Commission. This legislation, Act 116 of 2024, establishes a commission between Ireland and Pennsylvania. I was happy to sponsor the Senate version of this legislation, Senate Bill 1121, which received strong bipartisan support. Nearly 16% of Pennsylvanians are of Irish descent. The commission is a tribute to our deep Irish roots and aims to strengthen the educational, economic, governmental, and cultural connections between our commonwealth and Ireland. You can learn more about this new partnership here. $1.16 Billion in Broadband Funding to Help Close the Digital Divide
Grants are available for projects that increase access to reliable internet for education, health care, businesses and everyday life. Internet service providers, nonprofits and local governments may apply for Pennsylvania through the Broadband, Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program funding through Jan. 21, 2025. Projects must expand high-speed internet access to unserved and underserved communities across the commonwealth. Apply online. For support, visit the Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority website. Public Meeting Regarding State Rail Plan Updates on Dec. 10
The public is invited to attend a virtual public informational meeting to discuss an update to the Pennsylvania State Rail Plan on Tuesday, Dec. 10, from 4-5:30 p.m. Feedback can be shared via an online survey through Thursday, Dec. 19. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation is developing the 2025 Pennsylvania State Rail Plan, which was last updated in 2020. Input from the public and stakeholders on safety, passenger and freight rail, funding, policy, the environment and economic development is key to developing the State Rail Plan. The plan will also evaluate and document passenger and freight rail needs throughout the next 20 years to guide investments. Project staff will provide an introduction of the PA State Rail Plan update process and background on freight and passenger rail. There will also be an interactive question-and-answer session. Presentation materials and an online survey will be available here through Dec. 19. Questions or comments can be directed to RA-PDPASRP@pa.gov. Assistance to Firefighters Grants
Reminder: the application deadline for the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program is approaching on December 20, 2024. The primary goal of the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) is to meet the firefighting and emergency response needs of fire departments and non-affiliated emergency medical service organizations. Since 2001, AFG has helped firefighters and other first responders obtain critically needed equipment, protective gear, emergency vehicles, training, and other resources necessary for protecting the public and emergency personnel from fire and related hazards. Program details can be found here, and a series of webinars with application guidelines can be found here. Grants Available for Senior Community Centers
Grants are available to increase participation and programming at senior community centers. Funding can also be used to attract a new generation of older adults and provide a safe and healthy environment for all participants. Senior community centers may apply for the $2 million in grants until Friday, Dec. 13, at 5 p.m. using the Commonwealth’s Electronic Single Application system. Learn more. For questions, email SCCgrants@pa.gov or call 717-772-2551. Remembering the Attack on Pearl Harbor
The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in Hawaii led to the United States declaring war on Japan and ultimately winning World War II. Sadly, the attack cost the lives of thousands of service members and civilians. Even more were injured. It also sank two U.S. Navy battleships and destroyed 188 aircraft. On Saturday, Dec. 7, Pearl Harbor survivors, veterans and others will honor and remember the people who gave their lives during the attack. The atrocities of war remind us of the incredible value of the American rights we hold dear.
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