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The latest news from the State Capitol |
In this Edition:
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Let’s Talk Legislation |
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Nurses Call for Safe Staffing, Violence Prevention |
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Boosting Accountability for Higher Education Funding |
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Health Expo Coming May 22 |
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Keystone State ChalleNGe Academy Now Accepting Applications for Summer 2025 Class |
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Let’s Talk Legislation
A lot happened in Harrisburg this week. Let me give you a quick recap regarding some of it.
Voter ID: A committee passed the voter ID bill I wrote with Reps. Frank Burns (D-Cambria) and K.C. Tomlinson (R-Bucks). House Bill 771 would require that voters show a form of ID or sign an affidavit attesting to their identity at the polls. FOX43 News covered the committee vote, and you can catch a more in-depth interview with me on CBS21’s “Face The State” at 8:30 a.m. Sunday.
Tax Credit: The proposed Reliable Energy Investment Tax Credit took a step forward this week with a committee vote. It would support new or expanded power plants that produce at least 100 megawatts of electricity. It is a component of House Bill 500, a bipartisan initiative that I have been working on for months. It includes other economic development tools.
Marijuana: The House passed a measure that would legalize recreational marijuana for adults. This passed on a party-line vote of 102-101, and I voted no. The bill faces challenges in the GOP-controlled Senate.
Paper Statements: The House passed bipartisan consumer protection legislation introduced by Reps. Arvind Venkat (D-Allegheny), Rob Matzie (D-Beaver) and me. It would prohibit businesses from charging additional fees for providing paper account statements. The measure would shield lower-income people, older adults and others with limited access to digital technology from unnecessary and often hidden financial burdens.
Hershey’s Kisses: I am anticipating a vote next week on my bill to name Hershey’s Kisses the state candy of Pennsylvania. They would be added to a list of state symbols that include the white-tailed deer. The concept for this bill came from a group of students from Bucks County.
Staff in Harrisburg made a cheeky video to talk about the busy session week. You can find it on my Instagram page. While you’re there, consider following the page.
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Nurses Call for Safe Staffing, Violence Prevention
Nurses came to the Capitol on Tuesday to advocate for their priorities. Chief among those priorities were the Patient Safety Act for safe staffing limits (one of my legislative initiatives) and the workplace violence prevention measures that passed the House on a 124-79 vote. I voted yes.
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Boosting Accountability for Higher Education Funding
A council created last year to establish a new funding model for state-related universities in the Commonwealth has unanimously approved its report and recommendations to improve accountability in higher education funding.
Under Act 90 of 2024, the Performance-Based Funding Council was charged with developing a new funding model using performance-based metrics designed to increase degree attainment, encourage affordability, meet workforce needs and grow the economy. If adopted, the model would apply to new funding for Penn State University, the University of Pittsburgh and Temple University.
The full report is available for review here.
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Health Expo Coming May 22
Mark your calendars for my health expo, which will be held Thursday, May 22, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Leader Center for Active Life. Attendees do not need to pre-register.
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Keystone State ChalleNGe Academy Now Accepting Applications for Summer 2025 Class
Since 2022, the Keystone State ChalleNGe Academy (KSCA) has been transforming the lives of teenagers using a military academy style training model to provide structure and discipline.
KSCA is a joint effort between the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and the National Guard Bureau, in consultation with the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Applications may be submitted now through July 12 for the 22-week class that begins in July.
The program is open to 16- to 18-year-old Pennsylvania residents who are at risk of not graduating from high school, no longer attending any school or have not received a high school diploma or equivalent certificate. Applicants must be willing to be drug free, free of felony convictions and voluntarily commit to the program. If selected, students will attend the residential phase at Fort Indiantown Gap in Lebanon County.
For detailed eligibility requirements and to begin the application process, click here. You may also request a mailed application or ask questions by contacting the academy via email at RA-MVPACHALLENGE@pa.gov or by calling 717-861-7767.
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