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In this update:

• Helping Pennsylvanians who commute to Maryland for work
• Covering life-saving testing, breast cancer screenings
• Raising money for York County Sheriff’s Office and local law enforcement
• Massive turnout for March for Life rally in Harrisburg
• Forever remembering September 11 in the classroom
• Senate expands Right to Know Law to state-related universities
• Hearing highlights ideas to combat Lyme disease in PA
• September is Suicide Prevention Month
• Very little support for subsidizing EV charging stations
• Rosh Hashanah begins Sunday
• Local job openings
• Upcoming PennDOT maintenance projects

 Helping Pennsylvanians who commute to Maryland for work

The Senate Finance Committee approved my bill that would make the temporary guidance issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue during the pandemic permanent.

The guidance allowed for employees who work for out-of-state corporations to work from home without triggering state tax laws that would require the company to pay Pennsylvania’s Corporate Net Income Tax (CNIT).

This would allow York Countians who work for Maryland-based employers to work from home less than half the year under hybrid work options offered by their employer.

Thank you to all of the local residents who have taken time to share with me how this bill will benefit you personally and professionally – I appreciate the dialogue and input!

You can read more here.

Covering life-saving testing, breast cancer screenings

As a member of the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee, I had the opportunity to support two bills that would remove out-of-pocket costs for life-saving genetic testing and breast cancer screenings for Pennsylvanians.

The legislation was sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Kim Ward and Sen. Bob Mensch, respectively.

Senate Bills 1225 and 1330 would require health insurance policies to cover genetic testing and breast cancer screening.

Sen. John DiSanto, who chairs the committee, had this to say about the meeting: “By removing out-of-pocket costs for preventive health care services such as genetic testing and breast MRIs, we ensure all have affordable access to this lifesaving care.”

You can read more about this committee meeting here. Both bills move to the full Senate for further consideration.

Raising money for York County Sheriff’s Office and local law enforcement

Thank you to everyone who came out to the spaghetti dinner fundraiser held this past Sunday in support of the York County Sheriff’s Office and other local law enforcement entities and community partners.

The event raised money to assist with K-9 programs throughout the county as well as assist the law enforcement agencies purchase valuable equipment for our brave and beloved K9 officers. 

Massive turnout for March for Life rally in Harrisburg

The second annual March for Life rally on the Capitol steps drew thousands of pro-life advocates and supporters to Harrisburg. Thank you to everyone from York County who showed up to give a voice to the voiceless! It was great to see so many familiar faces.

Here is a picture from my view from the stage.

You can view more photos from the event here.

Forever remembering September 11 in the classroom

The Senate Education Committee unanimously approved legislation I sponsored that would require the Pennsylvania Department of Education to develop model curriculum that could be used in schools to teach students about the events of Sept. 11, 2001.

High school students were not even born on Sept. 11, 2001, however, the impact of that day continues to have a major impact on the world in which they live. I am pleased to see the committee see the merit of this important proposal.  

You can read more about my legislation here.

Senate expands Right to Know Law to state-related universities

Seeking to shine light on costs driving college tuition increases, the Senate approved legislation to expand Pennsylvania’s Right to Know Law to provide greater access to public records at state-related universities.

Senate Bill 488 would create an online searchable database that details information about budgets and contracts approved by Penn State University, Temple University, the University of Pittsburgh and Lincoln University. The legislation also increases the amount of university personnel salary information subject to public disclosure.

State-related universities receive more than $600 million in taxpayer dollars.

Under Pennsylvania’s Right to Know Law, the Office of Open Records processes requests for documents from public agencies, such as the governor’s administration, legislative and judicial agencies and local organizations. The bill now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration.

Among other measures passed by the Senate this week was Senate Bill 1203, which prevents companies from receiving state contracts, grants or tax credits if they are owned, controlled by or acting on behalf of the Russian government.

Hearing highlights ideas to combat Lyme disease in PA

Pennsylvania leads the nation in Lyme disease cases, with children making up the largest demographic affected.

The Senate Health and Human Services Committee held a public hearing to increase understanding of tick-borne diseases, tick testing and mitigation, testing options for physicians and patients, and guidelines for treatment options.

The panel heard testimony from Physician General and Acting Health Secretary Denise Johnson, as well as the director of the Tick Research Lab of Pennsylvania at East Stroudsburg University, an infectious disease physician, and the president of the PA Lyme Resource Network.

September is Suicide Prevention Month

Approximately 1.2 million adults attempt suicide annually in the United States, with more than 85% reporting having made a suicide plan prior to their attempt. In 2020, the most recent year that data is available, approximately 1,700 people died by suicide in Pennsylvania.

Suicide Prevention Month provides an opportunity to remind Pennsylvanians that help is always available. This summer, the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline officially launched nationwide, streamlining call and text access to the national lifeline that provides no-cost crisis response support 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

In addition to 988, many other resources also remain available to Pennsylvanians in need of support, including:

• Crisis Text Line: Text “PA” to 741-741
• Veteran Crisis Line: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
• Mothers: 1-833-9-HELP4MOMS
• Farmers AgriStress mental health hotline: 833-897-2474
• Disaster Distress Helpline: 1-800-985-5990
• Get Help Now Hotline (for substance use disorders): 1-800-662-4357

Very little support for subsidizing EV charging stations

As I mentioned in my email last week, there is very little support based on the response I received for taxpayer and/or ratepayer-subsidized electric vehicle charging stations.

Thanks again to everyone who chose to participate in my latest legislative survey – it was our most popular survey to date!

Rosh Hashanah begins Sunday

Rosh Hashanah begins at sundown on Sunday and ends at nightfall Tuesday evening. For all who observe this Jewish holiday, I wish you a wonderful new year.

Local job openings

PA CareerLink shared with me its latest list of local job openings, which you can view here. You can also find job postings shared with the York County Economic Alliance here. You can also access all school district job openings across the 28th Senatorial District here.

Upcoming PennDOT maintenance projects 

You can view PennDOT’s list of scheduled maintenance projects for next week below.  

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