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In this Update:
* Anti-Semitism on College Campuses is Shameful
* Senate Passes Bills to Help Veterans
* Job Seekers and Employers Can Connect on Free Job Board
* Fish for Free on Sunday, May 26
* Unemployment Compensation Hints for School Bus Drivers
* Win Money for Your Child’s Education
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** Anti-Semitism on College Campuses is Shameful
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Shortly after one of the worst terrorist attacks perpetrated against Israel and its people last October 7^th – the Israeli 9/11 – it seemed throughout most of the world and certainly here in the United States, there was nothing but universal outcry for Israel. Indeed, the resolution I introduced in the Pennsylvania Senate shortly after that terrible event, condemning Hamas and pledging support for Israel and its people, received bipartisan, unanimous support, as did similar measures across the country.
It is nearly incomprehensible that we are seeing college campuses continuing to erupt with protests, not against the terrorists, but against Israel. It is worse to see some very prominent universities tolerate intimidating, threatening and even violent behavior toward Jewish students and their perceived allies.
There at first seemed to be a commonsense and sane reaction to the early episodes of extremist campus protest and rising antisemitism. The heads of three elite universities were called before a congressional committee to answer for these disturbing actions on their campuses. When the presidents of Harvard, MIT and the University of Pennsylvania couldn’t say that blatantly antisemitic language calling for the death of Jews and annihilation of Israel violated their school codes, many called for them to step down.
Visit my website to read the rest of this column ([link removed]) , which details what I have done and what I believe needs to be done to continue combatting antisemitism on college and university campuses.
** Senate Passes Bills to Help Veterans
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On Memorial Day – which is Monday, May 27 – we will pay tribute to the fallen warriors who fought to preserve our American ideals. Let us say a prayer in gratitude and remembrance. The Senate has also focused on helping living veterans by passing bills to award them with new benefits and make sure their families are aware of benefits that have already been granted. Both bills await consideration from the House of Representatives.
Senate Bill 973 ([link removed]) would provide Korean Americans who served in the Vietnam War with the same state veterans benefits ([link removed]) as their U.S. counterparts. There are more than 3,000 naturalized Korean American citizens who served in the Vietnam War as a part of the Korean Armed Forces, including hundreds who now call Pennsylvania home.
Senate Bill 1139 ([link removed]) would help grieving families of deceased U.S. military veterans ([link removed]) access their federal Department of Veterans Affairs burial benefits. Funeral directors, funeral parlors or cemetery companies would be required to notify the director of the county veterans assistance office when a veteran living in the county passes. They would also have to provide the deceased veteran’s family with contact information for the county director.
** Job Seekers and Employers Can Connect on Free Job Board
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Veterans, National Guard members and military family members can use a free job board ([link removed]) that has nearly 10,000 employment and internship postings. While it is Pennsylvania-centric, there are listings in dozens of other states.
It’s easy to manage your job search process with application history and saved jobs. The system even allows applicants to store multiple versions of their resume for flexibility when applying to different jobs. The Pennsylvania National Guard Associations’ job board also offers employers the opportunity to post jobs, search the resume database and create resume alerts.
** ‘Fish for Free’ on Sunday, May 26
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On Sunday, May 26, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) will host a “Fish for Free” day to allow anyone (resident or non-resident) to legally fish on all Pennsylvania waterways. No license is required, but all other fishing regulations ([link removed]) will still apply.
This is the first of two dates set by the PFBC to enhance fishing opportunities. The next day is Independence Day, Thursday, July 4.
This is a great way to expose the next generation of anglers to the outdoors.
** Unemployment Compensation Hints for School Bus Drivers
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It continues to be challenging to find bus drivers so children can safely and reliably travel between home and school each day. When the problem is bad enough, it can even shorten the school day and limit the learning students can accomplish.
To avoid impacts to students’ education, it’s important to retain as many bus drivers as possible. Of course, they are not needed in the summer and aren’t able to collect a paycheck during that time. Unemployment compensation (UC) helps to bridge the gap until the school year begins so bus drivers aren’t forced to abandon their critical roles to pay their bills.
Information is available ([link removed]) to help school bus drivers who will be laid off during the summer successfully claim their unemployment compensation. First, it’s crucial to claim during the correct week: the first week in which they are actually unemployed. Second, understand that UC and workers’ compensation are different when filling out the UC claim form. Please reach out to my office if you still have issues with your claim.
** Win Money for Your Child’s Education
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In honor of PA 529 Day on May 29, new PA 529 Guaranteed Savings Plan (GSP) accounts opened between May 1 and May 31 with at least $10 in contributions are eligible for a chance to win ([link removed]) $5,529 or $2,529. Current PA 529 GSP account owners are also eligible to win $5,529 if they had a balance of at least $10 as of April 30 and receive a contribution of at least $10 in May.
The PA 529 GSP helps families save for future college and career education expenses by keeping pace with rising college tuition. They offer tax-advantaged savings and the flexibility to pay for a wide variety of education expenses, including at any qualified educational institution, from K-12 to college and career training programs. Funds can also be used for room and board, tuition and books.
Anyone – parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and family friends – can contribute to a PA 529 plan. Saving with a PA 529 plan does not impact a student’s eligibility for Pennsylvania state financial aid.
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