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In this Update:
- Mastriano Calls on University of Pennsylvania President Magill to Resign
- Mastriano Bill Would End State Funding for Colleges, Universities Supporting Antisemitism
- Smart Saving Upgrades Pennsylvania’s Financial Standing
- Senate Approves Bill Enabling Better Service in Long-Term Care Facilities
- Tuition and Loan Assistance for First Responders
- Comment Period Open on Plan to Expand PA Internet Access
- Deadline for Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program is Dec. 31
- Happy Hanukkah!
Mastriano Calls on University of Pennsylvania President Magill to Resign
State Sen. Doug Mastriano (R-33) today called on University of Pennsylvania President Liz Magill immediately to resign, citing her testimony yesterday before Congress and a history of events calling into question her ability and determination to combat antisemitism on campus.
Mastriano’s call for Magill’s resignation comes just days after he announced plans to introduce legislation that would eliminate state funding for one year for any Pennsylvania college or university that enables antisemitism.
You can read the letter to Magill here.
Mastriano Bill Would End State Funding for Colleges, Universities Supporting Antisemitism
With a 400% increase in antisemitic incidents following the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas against Israel and recent reports of antisemitism on college campuses in Pennsylvania, state Sen. Doug Mastriano (R-33) is introducing legislation to end state taxpayer support for colleges or universities that enable antisemitism.
“State tax dollars should not be in effect subsidizing colleges and universities that enable antisemitic behavior,” Mastriano said. “My bill would end state taxpayer support for any Pennsylvania college or university that authorizes, facilitates or supports an event promoting antisemitism on campus.”
Mastriano’s bill would cut state funding for one year for any higher education institutions that participate in or otherwise support antisemitism.
The legislation comes in the wake of several recent high-profile incidents on Pennsylvania university campuses.
Pro-Hamas activists on Sunday evening vandalized University of Pennsylvania buildings and private businesses with the spray-painted antisemitic messages “intifada” and “avenge Gaza.” Intifada refers to two violent uprisings – the first beginning in December 1987 and lasting until September 1993, and the second starting in September 2000 and ending in late 2005. The violence resulted in the death of approximately 1,400 Israelis.
The vandalism resulted as an angry mob marched through the streets of Philadelphia, stopping outside a falafel shop co-owned by a Jewish Israeli-American, where participants engaged in chants containing accusations of genocide.
A previous rally on the University of Pennsylvania campus featured a speech by student and writer for the student newspaper Tara Tarawneh, who spoke glowingly about pictures from the “glorious Oct. 7” attack by Hamas. She continued, saying “I remember feeling so empowered and happy… I want all of you to hold that feeling in your hearts.”
The university also hosted a Palestinian Writes Literature Festival in September organized by Susan Abulhawa, who has said, “Someday we will demolish [Israel]… And the world will be a better place for it,” and “The horrors of Zionism, past and present, will someday be just as well known as the horrors of Nazism.”
The festival also featured Palestinian researcher Salman Abu Sitta, who said in an interview, “Jews were hated in Europe because they played a role in the destruction of the economy in some of the countries.”
The University of Pennsylvania isn’t the only Pennsylvania campus drawing attention.
Temple University Students for Justice in Palestine organized a collective walkout in October attended by students and faculty. Participants shouted, “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free,” a call for the complete annihilation of the state of Israel and the Jews who live there.
“The vitriol being spread on some Pennsylvania college and university campuses is dangerous and concerning,” Mastriano said. “When colleges and universities are providing a platform for extremists to intimidate Jewish students and faculty on campus, it’s time to cut off state funding for these kinds of antisemitic activities.”
Mastriano’s bill would define antisemitism using the language adopted by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, an organization committed to strengthen, advance and promote education, research and remembrance about the Jewish Holocaust.
Mastriano currently is circulating the bill concept with his Senate colleagues and seeking co-sponsors.
Smart Saving Upgrades Pennsylvania’s Financial Standing
Because of sound financial management and strong budgetary reserves, one of the nation’s leading credit rating agencies – Fitch Ratings – upgraded the state’s bond rating from AA- to AA. The state hasn’t held the improved rating since 2014.
The upgrade is expected to lead to lower debt service costs, saving taxpayers millions of dollars. This is one of the reasons Senate Republicans have led the efforts to build the state’s Rainy Day Fund to historic highs and resist new recurring spending the state cannot afford.
Earlier this fall, Moody’s Investor Services and S&P Global Ratings both upgraded Pennsylvania’s long-term financial outlook from “stable” to “positive.”
Senate Approves Bill Enabling Better Service in Long-Term Care Facilities
The Senate approved a bill to enhance the availability and quality of service at long-term care facilities in Pennsylvania.
Senate Bill 668 would address the workforce shortage in nursing homes that existed prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and has grown in recent years as health care professionals left the field due to burnout. It would enable certified nurse aids (CNAs) to train to become certified medication aides (CMAs) and deliver common, minimally invasive prescribed medications to residents of nursing facilities. Currently, only registered nurses and licensed practical nurses can administer medications to nursing home residents.
CNAs would be able to complete a certified medication administration program established by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. CNAs who complete the program would be registered as CMAs and would be authorized to administer certain prescribed medications in health care facilities.
Tuition and Loan Assistance for First Responders
Because of legislation passed by Senate Republicans, the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency established a Tuition and Loan Assistance Program for active volunteer fire and emergency medical service providers.
After a year of service, volunteers are eligible for up to $1,000 of financial assistance per academic year. Volunteers must commit to five years of service following college graduation.
The legislation is designed to combat Pennsylvania’s crisis in attracting volunteer first responders, which has led to many fire and emergency medical service companies reducing services.
Comment Period Open on Plan to Expand PA Internet Access
A strong internet connection powers our economy and supports education, health care and more. Many Pennsylvania communities lack access to high-speed internet.
Development of Pennsylvania’s Digital Equity Plan was funded by federal dollars and aims to make high-speed internet available to more Pennsylvanians. You can review the plan and, until Jan. 8, 2024, take advantage of the public comment period to offer feedback.
The Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority (PBDA) offers three ways to comment:
The PBDA will also host in-person and virtual Public Comment Sessions on the following dates:
Clearfield County: Dec. 7
Washington County: Dec. 14
Philadelphia: Dec. 16
Deadline for Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program is Dec. 31
The deadline to apply for the state’s 2022 Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program is Dec. 31. Applications and no-cost assistance are available from my district office.
Eligible participants can receive a maximum standard rebate of $650, but supplemental rebates can boost rebates to $975. The program benefits eligible Pennsylvanians who are 65 years or older, widows and widowers 50 years or older, and those 18 years or older with disabilities.
Claimants who already applied for their rebates may check the status of claims online or by calling 1-888-222-9190.
Happy Hanukkah!
Hanukkah, the Jewish festival that celebrates the ancient miracle of the oil burning a candle for eight nights, runs from Dec. 7-15. In honor of the holiday, people of the Jewish faith light a candle on their menorahs each evening for eight nights.
As our friends celebrate the rededication of the Holy Temple, we wish them Chag sameach!
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