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In this Update:

• Shapiro Administration Proposes Tyrannical New Department of Health Regulations
• Department of Labor and Industry Unemployment Compensation Seminar for Employers
• House Republican Policy Committee Holds Hearing in Altoona
• 25^th Anniversary of 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony
• Bill Protecting Fairness in Women’s Sports Awaits House Action
• Treasury Launches New Financial Education Hub
• Avoiding Student Loan Forgiveness Scams
• Job Opportunities for Nurses at PA Veterans Homes
• Keystone State ChalleNGe Academy Accepting Applications for 2027
• Out and About in the 30^th District

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 at ircc@ircc.state.pa.us, including the referenced promulgating agency and regulation – Department of Health – Communicable and Noncommunicable Diseases #10-242 (IRRC#3490).

Department of Labor and Industry Unemployment Compensation Seminar for Employers

Are you an employer that is having difficulty filling open positions? Are job candidates failing to show up for scheduled interviews or declining job offers?

Reporting a job applicant’s refusal of work to the PA Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) makes you an active partner in helping to maintain the integrity of the Unemployment Compensation (UC) system.

Pennsylvania’s Unemployment Compensation Law disqualifies claimants from eligibility for benefits if a claimant–without good cause–refuses to accept suitable work. To enforce this part of the law, L&I depends on employers to notify the Department when an Unemployment Compensation claimant declines a job.

Employers can participate in this free seminar that will explain how to report the refusal of suitable work by job candidates to L&I and how the department investigates those claims.

There are two upcoming Refusal of Suitable Work Seminars scheduled for Blair and Huntingdon Counties:

• Blair County Careerlink: Tuesday, September 22, at 10 AM at the Altoona Area Public Library. Click here to register.
• Huntingdon County Chamber of Commerce Learning Lunch Break: Tuesday, October 20, from 12-1 PM at the Huntingdon County Career and Technology Center. Click here to register.

House Republican Policy Committee Holds Hearing in Altoona

The House Republican Policy Committee held a hearing at Ward Transportation and Logistics Corp. in Altoona. The hearing, titled “Keeping PA Moving: Addressing the Rising Cost of Energy”, focused on the issues businesses are facing related to energy costs and how the state can best address them. I was happy to be able to join the Policy Committee, along with Representatives Verobish, Barger and Irvin, and participate in this hearing. You can view the hearing here.

25^th Anniversary of 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony

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

In remembrance of this attack and the lives that were lost, there will be a 25^th anniversary remembrance 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.

Bill Protecting Fairness in Women’s Sports Awaits House Action

As students across Pennsylvania return to school, it is past time for the commonwealth to ensure fairness for women and girls taking part in collegiate and high school sports.

Earlier this year, at the urging of students and parents, legislation that I authored was approved with a strong bipartisan vote by the Senate – twice – to preserve opportunities for female athletes at public schools and colleges by requiring scholastic sports teams to be designated based on biological sex. These bills, Senate Bill 9 and Senate Bill 1293, would also allow students to take legal action if they are harmed by violations of this rule.

Month after month, the House of Representatives has avoided voting on this reasonable legislation grounded in fairness. The bill has been moved to multiple House committees in a series of parliamentary maneuvers to avoid a vote.

The longer the House delays, the more female athletes are at risk of being unfairly forced off the field or the winner’s podium. We must enact the Save Women’s Sports Act to restore common sense to scholastic sports.

Treasury Launches New Financial Education Hub

Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity announced the launch of the department’s online Financial Education Hub, a one-stop-shop of resources designed to help Pennsylvanians improve their financial literacy and make informed financial decisions.

The new hub brings together state and federal resources covering topics such as budgeting, saving, retirement planning, digital assets and cryptocurrencies. It also includes information on Treasury programs, like the PA 529 College and Career Savings Program, Keystone Scholars and PA ABLE.

Resources are organized for specific audiences including students, teachers, active military members, veterans and older adults. Visit the Financial Education Hub here.

Avoiding Student Loan Forgiveness Scams

Students and families take out significant loans to pay for higher education, which attracts scammers looking to exploit the situation.

“Act immediately to qualify for student loan forgiveness” is just one of the high-pressure loan forgiveness pitches used to trick borrowers into sharing personal information. Scammers will frequently request an up-front or monthly fee while promising immediate and total student loan cancellation. Most government forgiveness programs require years of qualifying payments or employment in certain fields before forgiving loans.

Be wary of aggressive language and check the source before clicking. Learn more about avoiding these scams here.

Job Opportunities for Nurses at PA Veterans Homes

Pennsylvania’s six veterans homes care for our neighbors who answered the call to serve. The homes offer levels of care tailored to the specific health needs of residents and are supplemented with an array of clinical services.

Pennsylvania veterans homes are looking to hire registered nurses and license practical nurses to provide the kind of care that will allow veterans to live an active and healthy life with as much independence as possible.

Learn more about these opportunities and apply here.

Keystone State ChalleNGe Academy Accepting Applications for 2027

Teenagers in jeopardy of not graduating on time or dropping out of school have a chance at obtaining their basic education through the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs’ Keystone State ChalleNGe Academy.

Applications are being accepted for its first class of 2027, which begins in January at Fort Indiantown Gap in Lebanon County. There is no tuition cost to attend, and meals, housing, uniforms and school supplies are provided at no charge.

The program lasts for five-and-a-half months as a residential phase and 24 months of mentorship by academy staff back in home communities. Learn more about the Keystone State ChalleNGe Academy and apply here.

Out and About in the 30^th District

Eastern Gas Transmission and Storage Open House

Eastern Gas Transmission and Storage held an open house on their Oak Leaf Project. This project will install a new compression at three existing compressor stations and modify/upgrade existing facilities at two stations for improved efficiency. One of these stations is in Lack Township, Juniata County. They are hopeful that work will be completed by 2029.

Mifflin County Farm Bureau Legislative Wine Industry Event

The Mifflin County Farm Bureau sponsored a legislative wine industry event, held at Brookmere Winery in Belleville. The owners, Ed and Cheryl Glick, hosted the event. They gave a brief history of the winery. Topics of discussion included the industry loss due to this year’s late freeze, spotted lantern flies and Japanese beetles, policy issues as it pertains to LCB regulations and PSP law enforcement and tax policy.

Adoration Hospice Ribbon Cutting

The Blair County Chamber of Commerce and Adoration Hospice (formerly Grane Hospice) of Altoona cut the ribbon to announce their rebrand. Adoration Hospice offers skilled nursing, personal care, volunteer, chaplain and bereavement services while offering emotional, spiritual and physical support. Respite stay services are offered through local nursing facilities, while pet and music therapy is offered by staff and volunteers. Educational training is also offered for caregivers. Adoration Hospice rebranded from Grane Hospice on July 1 with the same team.

Richfield Fire Company’s 100^th Anniversary Celebration

The Richfield Fire Company recently held a 100^th Anniversary Celebration. A Senate citation co-sponsored by myself and Senator Culver was presented, along with a House of Representatives citation by Representative David Rowe and a certificate from the Snyder County Commissioner’s office. There was a nice crowd on hand to help celebrate the event with a “smoke filled” room for the children as well as a history video that played commemorating the event.

Juniata River Valley Chamber of Commerce’s After-Hours Event

The Juniata River Valley Chamber of Commerce held an after-hours event at the Reedsville Creamery Farm Market. The market is owned and operated by Loren and Jean Kauffman. They have locally produced fresh fruits and vegetables as well as a deli, wood fired pizza, ribs, wings, salads, acai bowls and ice cream. It was great to get a chance to see their impressive business.