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In this Update:
My Bill Supporting First Responders Poised for Enactment
The General Assembly passed my legislation to allow first responders to access workers’ compensation benefits for a post-traumatic stress injury (PTSI). The bill is now poised for enactment. Under the bill, firefighters, police officers, emergency medical technicians and paramedics would be entitled to benefits under the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation law for psychological traumas arising from individual traumatic events or cumulative highly stressful experiences resulting from their employment – even in the absence of physical injuries requiring medical treatment. Current Pennsylvania law requires a first responder to prove there were “objective abnormal working conditions” to establish a PTSI claim. This standard is often difficult to meet. Senate Bill 365 would create clearer criteria for establishing a PTSI claim. It would require diagnosis from a licensed psychiatrist or psychologist per the American Psychiatric Association Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition. Nearly $5.7 Million in Grants for the 46th District
This week state grants totaling nearly $5.7 million have been awarded to the 46th District through the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA). The projects will improve public safety, create additional recreational opportunities and renovate community spaces. This funding will improve communities in Greene and Washington counties, lowering the costs for infrastructure projects that can be quite expensive. It will also be used to increase safety by addressing blight and offer people great places to gather both indoors and outdoors. The first portion of grants were awarded through the CFA’s Local Share Account (LSA) Program, which funds projects concerning the public interest, community improvement and economic development using gaming money generated by casinos. The final two grants were awarded through the CFA’s Public School Facilities Improvement Grant (PSFIG) Program, which provides grants to public school districts and area career and technical schools for eligible facility improvement projects. You can review the individual projects on my website. All projects were funded through the CFA, which is an independent agency of the Department of Community and Economic Development that administers many of Pennsylvania’s economic development and community improvement programs. Champion of Public Education Award
I am honored to have received the Pennsylvania School Boards Association’s Champion of Public Education award for supporting public education and commitment to serving the commonwealth’s students. I was presented the award this week in Harrisburg by (pictured left to right) Kevin Busher [Chief Advocacy Office], Nathan Mains [CEO], and Mike Gossert [President]. I sincerely thank you for this acknowledgement. I use my role as a public servant to advocate for Pennsylvania’s students and ensure the schools they attend operate in an efficient manner that controls costs for taxpayers. As energy costs continue to rise and families struggle to pay their electric bills, we don’t also want to hit them with higher taxes to fund the operation of their local schools. A Win-Win for Employers & Employees
With inflation that’s outpacing salary increases, it’s more challenging than ever for families to save for their children’s higher education and technical training. This is why I was proud to support a new law signed earlier this year that incentivizes employer matching employee contributions to either the Pennsylvania 529 College & Career Savings Program or PA ABLE Savings Program (for individuals with qualifying disabilities). This week in Harrisburg, I joined Pennsylvania State Treasurer Stacy Garrity’s office and bipartisan colleagues to help spread the news about the employer tax credit that goes into effect January 2025. PA employers will be eligible for a 25% tax credit on matching contributions of up to $500 per employee per year. To watch the entire press event, click the image above. Happy Halloween!
We had a wonderfully scary time at the annual Monongahela Halloween Parade. The entire #CameraCrew hopes you have a spooky and SAFE Halloween! New Mammography Machine
On Wednesday, Centerville Clinics, Inc. held a ribbon cutting ceremony for their new 3D diagnostic mammography machine at the Yablonski Memorial Clinic. This machine takes more and better quality images at one millimeter thick slices to be used in creating a three-dimensional image. This allows for the detection of cancer sooner which has been proven to lead to better cure rates. Getting checked regularly can put your mind at ease and possibly save your life. Visits to a radiology lab can be unnerving, but the staff at Centerville clearly emphasize creating a warm, welcoming, and comfortable atmosphere for all of their patients. Community Health Centers, like Yablonski, serve our rural communities with high-quality, comprehensive, and affordable healthcare. Special thank you to Dr. Gina Lyn Workman [Director of Diagnostic Services] and Patty Woods [Director of Radiology] for giving us a tour and showcasing the new machine. Also thank you to Ben Neil [COO] and Barry Nicolai [Executive Director] for having us! PA Student Aid Guide Available Now
The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency’s 2025-26 PA Student Aid Guide is available now. It is a complete overview of the financial aid process for high school students and families. There is information about the federal student aid process and Pennsylvania aid programs, as well as career and salary stats, timelines, applications and more. Learn more. Senate Republicans supported new laws to increase access to the education and training options students have after high school. Act 89 of 2024 creates scholarships for in-state students who attend college in Pennsylvania, pursue a degree for a high-demand industry and agree to live and work in that industry in Pennsylvania after graduation. Act 56 of 2024 offers a tax credit to employers who match their employees’ contributions to PA 529 plans, tax-advantaged savings accounts to pay for education expenses. More Retirees to Be Eligible for Reduced Vehicle Registration Fee
Beginning Dec. 16, more retirees will be eligible for a reduced processing fee in lieu of the standard vehicle registration fee. Because of a new law passed by the General Assembly, the income cap will rise from $19,200 to $29,906. Eligible retirees pay an $11 processing fee instead of the normal $45 registration fee. Eligible applicants, regardless of age, must be retired and receiving Social Security, SSI payments, retirement benefits or other pensions and annuities. Find details about what is included in the income calculations here. The vehicle may be owned jointly, but the applicant must be the principal operator of the vehicle unless physically or mentally incapable of operating the vehicle. Only one vehicle per qualified applicant may be registered for the retired status processing fee. Learn more. Cost of Avoiding Breast Cancer Screening is Far Too High
How many moments can we experience that are more life-changing than being told we have cancer? Immediately, patients are thrust into a mental spiral about how they’ll tell their loved ones the news, how treatment will affect them, how they’ll manage at work and in their personal lives given the extra demands treatment makes on their time while also battling fatigue, and on and on. Undeniably, it’s something we never want to happen. But that’s not a reason to avoid preventative care that can catch breast cancer in early stages when it’s far more treatable. It’s also not a reason to delay testing if we discover what might be a lump. However, the fear convinces many people, including my own mother, to do exactly that. She suspected there was a problem with a lump in her breast that was growing very quickly. Because she was caring for my stepfather as he battled prostate cancer, she did not pursue testing and the care she should have received. By the time she was diagnosed, her options were limited. She underwent a mastectomy, and I traveled across the country – despite having young children – to my mom’s home in southern California, to help her as often as I could. Early on, my mother refused further treatment. She battled breast cancer for three years before succumbing to the disease in 2003 at the age of 58. Losing a loved one is always difficult, but it’s even harder when you have to wonder if prompt medical care would have prevented their passing. I don’t want my children to struggle with that question, so I get screened regularly. In addition to regular mammograms, I also get ultrasound screening and have had two MRIs so my doctor and I have an even more detailed understanding of whether masses are cancerous. As women, we are proactive with so many things in our lives – our families, our friends, our jobs and our communities. There is no reason we shouldn’t extend the same care to ourselves, especially when care this important typically only requires our attention every two years starting at age 40 when we need to begin getting mammograms. Be an advocate for your own health. Get the ultrasound and the MRI. After all, there’s nothing harmful with a more thorough test. It will either give you peace of mind or the opportunity to fight cancer sooner and more effectively, enabling you to get back to your life much faster. In addition to the fear some women have, I have heard from others that cost has prevented them from getting critical testing. However, this should no longer be a concern. One year ago, I was proud to vote in favor of legislation that was signed into law to eliminate all out-of-pocket costs associated with breast cancer detection for high-risk Pennsylvanians covered under state law, including MRIs, breast ultrasounds and BRCA-related genetic testing and counseling. Act 1 of 2023 was truly monumental as the first of its kind in the nation. High-risk conditions covered by the law include dense breast tissue, personal history of breast cancer, family history of breast cancer, genetic predisposition and prior radiation therapy. While almost all of us have been touched by breast cancer, whether we’ve fought it ourselves or have loved ones who have, this law can help to turn the tide. Early detection saves lives. Be proactive with your health. The cost to decline preventative screening is far too great. The cost of advanced breast cancer screening should not be a barrier to early detection and treatment for high-risk Pennsylvanians.
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