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In this update:

• Committee Approves Bill to Expand Availability of Job Training Programs
• Senate Passes “Farming First” Bills to Support PA Agriculture
• Legislative Update: Measures Help Protect Children, Boost Firefighter Training
• Legislation Would Help Protect Motorcycle Riders, Environment
• Grant Helps Local Business to Reduce Energy Consumption
• Photos from Second Amendment Rally, Aliquippa State Championship Football Team

Committee Approves Bill to Expand Availability of Job Training Programs

Workforce development is one of the keys to a thriving economy. Pennsylvania’s workforce development efforts took a step forward this week when the Senate Education Committee approved a bill I authored that would help expand the availability of job training programs to a wider number of communities.

Under current law, Private Licensed Schools – including many technical schools – may only create a branch campus in the same county as the primary site. My bill would eliminate this restriction and allow branch campuses to be located in neighboring counties and other locations within 60 miles of the primary site.

The bill will ultimately expand the reach of some of the best job training programs in the state. More information about my bill is available here.

I was proud to join hundreds of gun-rights supporters and a number of my House and Senate colleagues for the “Rally to Protect Your Right to Keep and Bear Arms” at the state Capitol Building. Also pictured are Representative Frank Ryan and Senator Kristin Phillips-Hill.

Senate Passes “Farming First” Bills to Support PA Agriculture

The Senate approved seven bills last week that will support our farmers and help future generations of leaders in agriculture get started in the industry.

The Farming First package includes bills that will:

• Provide incentives for landowners to transfer property to beginning farmers.
• Give farmers more flexibility in how they manage their land.
• Ease transportation restrictions on large farm equipment.
• Exempt milk haulers from weather-related travel bans.
• Give farmers more options to generate revenue through agritourism and agritainment activities.
• Bring together leaders in agriculture to explore new ways to address financial challenges in Pennsylvania’s dairy industry.

More details about the package of agriculture bills is available here.

Legislative Update: Measures Help Protect Children, Boost Firefighter Training

In addition to passing the “Farming First” package of agriculture bills, the Senate took action on several other measures of note last week, including:

• House Bill 279, which provides civil immunity for people who rescue children from locked vehicles during a crisis, such as when summer heat imperils their safety.
• Senate Bill 146, which would help Pennsylvania’s volunteer fire companies by making online training more available to current and future first responders.
• Senate Bill 89, which updates the Public School Code to replace all references to “vocational-technical schools” with “career and technical schools” to more accurately reflect the mission of these institutions. 

The PIAA Class 3A State Championship football team from Aliquippa visited the state Capitol. Congratulations to the team, coaches and parents for all of your success!

Proposal Would Help Protect Motorcycle Riders, Environment

Grass clippings on roadways pose a serious danger to motorcycle riders and the environment. Clippings can be as slippery as ice for motorcycles, and can clog storm drains and pollute waterways. In recognition of Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month in May, I announced plans to introduce a bill that would hold property owners accountable for creating a dangerous and preventable hazard.

My bill will treat offenses related to grass clippings on roadways in the same way as waste paper, sweepings, ashes, household waste, glass, metal, refuse and other rubbish deposited on roads.

More information about my bill is available here. 

Grant Helps Local Business to Reduce Energy Consumption

Pennsylvania’s Small Business Advantage grant program provides funding to help smaller companies reduce energy consumption to reduce waste and pollution. Keystone Family Chiropractic in Washington recently was awarded a $5,000 grant toward the purchase of a new medical x-ray system that will be more energy-efficient and cost-effective.

The program is open to small businesses with fewer than 100 employees who undertake projects that reduce energy consumption or waste by 25 percent or more. More details about the program are available here.

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