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In this Update:
Hearing Explores AI’s Impact on Pennsylvania’s Biotech Sector
How Pennsylvania can become a leader in harnessing AI to improve lives, fuel the economy and build a sustainable future was the topic of a recent hearing by the Senate Communications and Technology Committee and the Senate Institutional Sustainability and Innovation Committee. In biotechnology, AI is accelerating research timelines, improving drug development, optimizing supply chains and expanding the frontiers of what’s possible in medical and agricultural science. Pennsylvania has roughly 3,000 life science companies with a $61 billion direct economic impact. The hearing, held at Merck & Co. in Montgomery County, heard from representatives of Merck, Johnson & Johnson, the University of Pennsylvania and Carnegie Mellon University, a biotech nonprofit, a health care technology firm and a neuroscientist start-up, among others. You can view the hearing and read testimony here. Keeping Construction Jobs Local
Legislation to boost the hiring of local workers for public works projects was the topic of a hearing held by the Senate Labor and Industry Committee. Senate Bill 1076 is modeled after existing local hire programs in West Virginia, Montana and Illinois, and specifies at least half of workers on state and local projects exceeding $500,000 must be residents of Pennsylvania or a neighboring county. Contractors can seek a waiver if they’re unable to secure local workers even after utilizing a local PA CareerLink® office for recruitment. Testifiers included representatives of local building trades, contractor associations and others. They discussed how a local hire requirement could help address the skilled trade shortage, save taxpayer dollars, promote accountability within the construction industry and more. You can find video of the hearing here. Why I Served – A Storytelling Workshop for Area Veterans
Saint Francis University invites 12 local veterans to take part in the second “Why I Served” storytelling workshop. Local veterans are invited to join on Saturday, April 25, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Connors Family Fine Arts Center at Saint Francis University, located at 181 St. Catherine Street in Loretto. At the workshop, each participant will be matched with an experienced storytelling coach who will help shape a five-minute story on the theme “Why I Served.” Following the workshop, participants will continue working with their coach to refine and rehearse their story for a public event on Sunday, June 7, from 2 to 4 p.m. To register for this event, please call or email Dr. Arthur Remillard at aremillard@francis.edu or 814-472-3339. The deadline for registration is Friday, April 3, or until all spots are filled. Everyone is invited to join the event on Sunday, June 7, from 2 to 4 p.m., and hear stories from local veterans about why they served. Admission is free but registration is required. To register call or email steam@francis.edu or 814-472-3434. The registration deadline is May 29. State Law Requires Removing Ice and Snow from Vehicles
It’s a chore, but removing ice or snow from your vehicle not only improves safety, it’s the law. Under state law, drivers must remove ice or snow from vehicles, including the hood, trunk and roof, within 24 hours after a snow or ice event. It is also illegal to drive with snow and ice obstructing your vision through the front, side or rear windows. It’s a $50 fine for failing to reasonably clear your vehicle and up to $1,500 if dislodged snow/ice causes serious injury or death. The fines were set under “Christine’s Law,” named for Christine Lambert, who died on Christmas Day 2005 when ice from a tractor trailer crashed through her windshield. Celebrating National School Choice Week
The week of Jan. 25-31 is designated as National School Choice Week to recognize the importance of empowering parents and families to choose educational options that meet each student’s unique learning needs. School choice programs like the state’s popular Educational Improvement Tax Credit program – which was expanded this year to help more families in disadvantaged schools – are a key component of Pennsylvania’s efforts to ensure every student reaches their full potential. I continue to work on legislation called the Pennsylvania Award for Student Success Scholarship Program (PASS), Senate Bill 10, which would provide scholarships to students in low-performing schools and offer them an opportunity to attend a school that better meets their needs. Education is not a one-size-fits-all experience. National School Choice Week highlights how a broader range of educational options can boost student achievement and encourage competition and innovation in education. Recognizing Catholic Schools Week in PA
Throughout Pennsylvania, Catholic schools deliver an outstanding education grounded in strong values and character, helping students develop confidence and strong leadership skills that strengthen our communities. Nearly 140,000 students are enrolled in Catholic schools throughout our commonwealth, and data show that 99% of Catholic school students graduate from high school and 96% go on to college after graduation. Senate Republicans led efforts to designate Catholic Schools Week in Pennsylvania from Jan. 25 through 31 to recognize the key role these schools play in educating the next generation of leaders. DEP Recommends Testing Your Home for Radon
Radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer after smoking in the U.S. To help mark Radon Action Month, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is encouraging Pennsylvanians to test their homes for radon. DEP recommends all homes, schools, public and private buildings get tested. Radon test kits are also available at many home improvement and hardware stores, as well as from state-certified radon laboratories. Call DEP’s Radon Division at 717-783-3594, or the Radon Hotline at 800-237-2366, for help with interpreting their test results and what follow-up action may be necessary. Out and About in the 30th DistrictAmerica250PA Events Across the District America250PA continues with their semiquincentennial festivities across the Commonwealth, recently holding events in Blair, Fulton and Mifflin Counties. Mifflin County High School Choir opened the ceremony with a rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner at the Mifflin County Courthouse Annex with speakers including County Commissioner Robert Postal, Rep. Kerry Benninghoff, and Jenny Landis, Executive Director of the Mifflin County Visitors Bureau. Treasurer Stacy Garrity stopped by the Blair and Fulton County events. Additionally, in attendance at the Blair County event were Rep. Scott Barger and other county officials.
Grand Opening of Casa Bella Congratulations to Jeff Long and the opening of his newly constructed senior living complex, Casa Bella! Casa Bella is an additional location to the Graystone community and is located in Altoona, Blair County.
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