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In this Update:
Senate Approves Measure to Compel Explanation from Shapiro Cabinet Official
The Senate this week approved a resolution I introduced to compel a top cabinet official in the Gov. Josh Shapiro administration to explain his refusal to provide information related to Allentown’s Neighborhood Improvement Zone (NIZ), which previously was requested through a Senate committee subpoena. I introduced Senate Resolution 334 to compel Pennsylvania Secretary of Revenue Pat Browne to testify under oath before the Senate. I previously introduced and the Senate approved a measure (Senate Resolution 110) calling on the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee (LBFC) to conduct a performance audit of the Allentown NIZ. The Senate unanimously approved the resolution on Dec. 13, 2023, and the LBFC accepted the assignment. LBFC requested information from Browne about Allentown NIZ tax revenue sources as part of the performance audit. Browne refused to provide the information. This isn’t Browne’s first effort to prevent public inspection of Allentown NIZ financial records. Learn more about my ongoing efforts to bring openness and transparency to the Allentown NIZ by reading the rest of this article on my website. Join Me Oct. 17 at My Senior Expo I will be hosting a Senior Expo on Thursday, Oct. 17, from 10 a.m. to noon at Upper Bucks County Technical School, 3115 Ridge Road, Perkasie. Senior citizens, their family members and caregivers are invited to join me for flu shots, balance screenings, blood pressure checks, student-led health assessments and a diabetes risk assessment. Light refreshments and door prizes will be available. For more information, call 267-551-3744. I hope to see you there! Pennsylvania State Police Sunny Day Camp on Oct. 19
The Pennsylvania State Police invites children and adults with special needs and their families to attend a free law enforcement-based Sunny Day Camp on Saturday, Oct. 19, at Dublin Fire Company, 194 North Main St., Dublin. Check-in begins at 9:15 a.m. and a graduation ceremony will take place at 2 p.m. This Sunny Day Camp is being hosted by Pennsylvania State Police Troop M. The camp will include canine demonstrations; a motorcycle unit; a helicopter; firetrucks and other first responder equipment; special guests; games and lunch. More information is available on the Sunny Day Camp website. Registration for the event is required. You can register here. Legislation to Combat AI-Generated Deepfake Images of Minors in PA Set for Enactment
Legislation to combat “deepfake” images of minors and child sexual abuse materials generated by artificial intelligence (AI) received final legislative approval and is set for enactment into law. Senate Bill 1213 addresses the alarming rise in AI-generated deepfake sexual images of children and non-consenting adults. Currently, Pennsylvania law makes it illegal to share intimate images without consent but does not clearly address the use of AI deepfake technology for this purpose. This gap in our law leaves many vulnerable to a new form of digital abuse. The bill also prohibits AI from being utilized to generate child sexual abuse material, previously referred to as “child pornography,” which is not currently prohibited under law. In August, police in Lancaster County launched an investigation into a case of artificially generated nude photos that use the faces of more than 20 female teenage students. The district attorney said that in some cases charges can’t be filed because the images don’t involve actual children. Senate Bill 1213 seeks to close that loophole. Senate Committee Votes to be Prepared for Natural Disasters
As hurricanes Helene and Milton remind us of the importance of being prepared to respond to natural disasters and other emergencies, the Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee advanced three bills to support Pennsylvania’s emergency responders. All three bills now advance to the full Senate for consideration. House Bill 843 would establish a second urban search and rescue team in western Pennsylvania. Funding for the team was included in this year’s state budget. The bridge collapse and East Palestine train derailment demonstrated the need for emergency response in minutes, not hours. House Bill 1304 would update the language in the 911 Law to increase penalties for misuse of the 911 system and ensure communications service providers report service outages as specified by the Federal Communications Commission or Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission. House Bill 2407 would update the state Fire and EMS Grant Program by enabling fire and EMS companies to use grants for preventative health measures, mental health awareness and treatment. The legislation also would allow testing after each of the four training modules that total 188 hours for the Firefighter 1 certification, as opposed to requiring firefighters to pass a cumulative test covering all modules as is currently the case. Finally, the bill would increase the thresholds that fire and EMS companies can borrow from the low-interest Fire and EMS Loan Program. PA’s Credit Rating Upgraded Because of Strong Budget Reserves
Pennsylvania received yet another upgrade to its credit rating because of strong budget reserves and prudent financial management of Senate Republicans. Moody’s Investor Services raised the rating to Aa2. The announcement was the fourth significant upgrade to the state’s financial outlook in the past 13 months. Previous upgrades helped Pennsylvania and its taxpayers save nearly $100 million during the December 2023 bond sale. Senate Republicans have been dedicated to building the state’s Rainy Day Fund, allocating nearly $740 million more in this year’s budget – bringing the total balance to more than $7 billion. Above the national average, the fund directly influenced the rating upgrades. What Do You Think of PennDOT’s Construction and Maintenance Services?
Motorists have until Tuesday, Oct. 22, to provide feedback regarding PennDOT’s construction and maintenance services via an online survey. The survey asks respondents how they receive PennDOT roadway information and how often PennDOT meets or exceeds expectations regarding construction and maintenance services. Respondents are also asked about experiences with reporting concerns to their department, and whether or how they use the state’s 511PA traveler information services. Act 1 of 2023
Act 1 of 2023, a landmark law we passed in Pennsylvania, eliminates all costs associated with screening breast MRI, ultrasound, genetic testing and counseling for individuals at high risk of breast cancer who are insured under state-regulated plans. High-risk factors include a personal or family history of breast cancer, abnormal breast screenings or dense breast tissue. Individuals with gene mutations like BRCA1 or BRCA2, or those with a first-degree relative carrying these mutations, are also covered for additional screenings and genetic counseling. The law will be fully in effect for all state-regulated insurance plans by the end of 2025, though many plans will begin coverage between 2024 and 2025. To find out if your plan qualifies, check with your insurer or employer’s human resources. For uninsured or underinsured women who need immediate screenings, Pennsylvania offers no-cost options through the Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program.
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