View this email in a browser

In this Update:

• 25th Anniversary of 9/11
• Farm-Related Incident Safety Seminar
• Shapiro Administration Proposes Tyrannical New Department of Health Regulations
• Historic Settlement with Meta Includes Social Media Protections
• Help Available Finding a New Job
• Medicare Questions Answered by PA MEDI
• Happy Labor Day

25th Anniversary of 9/11

This year marks the 25^th anniversary of the deadliest terrorist attack in U.S. history, when terrorists hijacked four planes and struck the Twin Towers at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon with the final plane crashing in a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

In remembrance of this attack and the lives that were lost, there will be a 25^th anniversary ceremony at the Jaffa Shrine Center in Altoona on September 11 at 7 PM. This event is free of charge and will honor all fire, police, military, medical, religious personnel and Gold Star Families that were lost or affected by that tragic day.

Farm-Related Incident Safety Seminar

Penn State Extension will be hosting a seminar on September 29 from 6 -7:30 PM at the Needmore Volunteer Fire Company, 8366 Great Cove Road. The seminar will cover how to keep yourself safe while helping the victim of a farm incident, what actions to take and not to take to have a positive effect on the victim’s well-being, how to effectively summon help from emergency services and the importance of seeking additional training, such as first aid, CPR and Stop the Bleed. To register, click here or call 877-345-0691.

Shapiro Administration Proposes Tyrannical New Department of Health Regulations

This is simple: In 2021, Pennsylvanians voted to enact a constitutional amendment restricting the governor’s disaster emergency declaration and management powers after living under an individual who crowned himself and his administration king. As Attorney General at that particular time, Josh Shapiro defended the tyrannical actions of the previous administration.

Now, Governor Josh Shapiro and his administration have proposed new regulations through the Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) that, if enacted as described, would make many of the COVID-era policies look dismal by comparison.

As reported by the Daily Wire, DOH recently submitted proposed regulations that would allow government officials to institute school or community mask mandates, enter private homes without warrants, and seek your private health information without your consent.

Additionally, DOH is proposing to give itself the authority to enter any school building and privately interview students of any age without notifying their parent or guardian, under what the department describes as contact tracing and partner services.

If there is one thing we learned from the tyrannical and oppressive lockdown policies of the COVID-era, it is that we should never surrender our constitutional rights, personal liberties, or individual freedoms to a governor or a government department.

The people of Pennsylvania have already spoken. It is time for Governor Josh Shapiro and his Department of Health to withdraw these outrageous, proposed regulations.

You have the ability to read the full proposed regulations on the Independent Regulatory Review Commissions website, and submit public comments by emailing them, including the referenced promulgating agency and regulation – Department of Health – Communicable and Noncommunicable Diseases #10-242 (IRRC#3490).

Historic Settlement with Meta Includes Social Media Protections

Attorney General Dave Sunday announced that Pennsylvania and a multistate coalition have reached a settlement with Meta, owner of Instagram and Facebook, assuring the social media giant will implement sweeping changes to age verification, limit children’s time on their platforms and cut kids’ access to harmful content.

The settlement, which involves up to $17.1 billion in national remediation payments, is contingent on other major social media companies agreeing to the same changes. Pennsylvania is expected to receive more than $500 million. The attorney general also filed a lawsuit against the owners of Snapchat regarding its failures to warn users of platform addictiveness and protect children from compulsive use. Read more about the settlement with Meta here.

In recent years, I’ve worked with my colleagues to strengthen Pennsylvania laws against malicious deepfakes and AI child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and created the Task Force on Child Protection in the Digital Age. The Senate passed bills to enhance mandatory reporting requirements for AI CSAM and protect children from dangerous AI chatbot interaction. Technology opens doors for children, and we must ensure it’s used safely.

Help Available Finding a New Job

Pennsylvanians looking for work and employers can access the comprehensive career website PA CareerLink® for assistance.

PA CareerLink® offers job search assistance, resume and interview workshops, access to more than 7,000 online training courses, classroom and on-the-job training and many other programs and resources. All services are provided at no cost to participants. No appointment is necessary.

It provides a wide range of resources for individual job seekers tailored for specific situations, such as mature workers, those re-entering the workforce, veterans, individuals with disabilities, young workers and more. Employers can use it to search for job candidates, learn about apprenticeships and other needs. Visit PA CareerLink® here.

Medicare Questions Answered by PA MEDI

If you’re eligible for Medicare and have questions, PA MEDI (Pennsylvania Medicare Education and Decision Insight) has local, certified counselors to provide free and confidential assistance to help you navigate the system.

PA MEDI is part of a nationwide network of state health insurance assistance programs. It provides unbiased help and information for those on Medicare, their families and caregivers. PA MEDI does not sell or recommend Medicare insurance products, insurance agents or brokers.

The assistance covers the various Medicare plans, enrollment, rules, billing, appeals and more. Call 1-800-783-7067 or visit the PA MEDI webpage.

Happy Labor Day

More than a day off, Labor Day is an opportunity to celebrate the contributions of workers who provide for their families and allow communities to thrive. I’m committed to helping these workers keep more of what they earn.

I hope you have a great holiday weekend.