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In this Update:
Transparency: Senate Expenses to be Posted Online Beginning Sept. 1
Transparency is the foundation of good government. Over the past several months, I have worked with the Senate Chief Clerk’s office to develop a new reporting system that will make all Senate expenses available to the public online beginning on September 1 – a huge step forward in terms of government accountability. The information will include all office leases, per diems, reimbursements for meals and lodging, supplies, mileage, office maintenance and much more. The information will be available on a new webpage, which will be updated monthly by the Chief Clerk and will apply to all Senate offices — Republican, Democrat, Independent and institutional. The Senate’s new expense transparency system will build on existing good government measures in state government, including:
Hearing Examines COVID-19 Policies for the 2021-22 School Year
With the start of the new school year approaching, the Senate Education Committee held a public hearing on COVID-19 policies and guidance for Pennsylvania schools. The committee questioned Acting Health Secretary Alison Beam, Education Secretary Noe Ortega and Acting Deputy Secretary for the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education Sherri Smith. Committee members questioned the constitutional authority for school districts to impose pandemic-related mandates on students without an emergency declaration. You can view the hearing and read testimony here. “Run to Remember” Community Event Set to Honor Lives Lost in September 11 AttacksThe September 11 terrorist attacks were one of the defining moments in our nation’s history, forever changing the course of history and deeply impacting the decades that followed. To honor the 2,977 innocent souls lost on that tragic day, I plan to host a special “Run to Remember” community event at Bellefonte Middle School in recognition of the 20th anniversary of the attacks. The event is open to all members of the community. An opening ceremony will begin at 8 a.m., to be followed by an untimed 9.11k run through the area. Prior to the run, each participant will be given a remembrance card with information about one of the individuals who was lost in the 9/11 terrorist attacks so they can run in their honor. On-site registration is available for runners beginning at 7 a.m., and the first 150 runners to register will receive a free t-shirt. Seating is expected to be limited for the opening ceremony, so attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs if they anticipate having difficulty standing for the entire ceremony. Community members who do not wish to run in the race are still welcome to attend the opening ceremony or volunteer at the event. Volunteers are asked to RSVP by August 27. The RSVP page for the event is available at www.senatorcorman.com/R2R. Exploring the Potential of Augmented Reality Technology in PA Farming
Augmented reality is a technology that superimposes a computer-generated image on a user’s view of the real world, providing a composite view. It’s increasingly used in manufacturing and the military and its potential to aid farmers is great. The Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee and the House Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee held an informational meeting this week to explore how augmented reality technology can be applied to Pennsylvania farming. The panel learned that the technology can be used for monitoring fields, repairing equipment, training new farmers, and more. You can view the presentation here. Federal Unemployment Benefit Programs End Sept. 4
Reminder for affected Pennsylvanians: Federal unemployment benefit programs, including Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC), Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), and Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC), will end Sept. 4. The state’s regular unemployment compensation program and those receiving benefits from it are unaffected. Individuals currently enrolled in PEUC and PUA can take advantage of free jobseeker services offered through PA CareerLink. These services include access to a free job database, resume assistance, information about reskilling opportunities and more. To schedule an appointment, contact your local PA CareerLink office listed here. Legislative Review: Supporting Emergency Responders
The police, fire and rescue, and EMS organizations that lead local emergency response are critical components for ensuring public safety. The Senate passed several bills in 2021 to support the men and women who support our communities. Senate Resolution 96 directs the Legislative Budget & Finance Committee to conduct a performance audit on Pennsylvania’s critical 9-1-1 System and make recommendations in advance of the reauthorization of the 9-1-1 Law. Senate Bill 36 provides for license fee exemptions for service dogs used by a fire department, sheriff’s office or in the performance of rescue services or medical emergency services. Senate Bill 83 creates grants to establish fire training programs for students in high school. Senate Bill 158 provides for medals of commendation for law enforcement, fire and EMS personnel. Senate Bill 243 allows volunteer fire departments, veterans organizations and other non-profits to conduct small games of chance fundraisers online until May 1, 2022 to make up for fundraising revenue lost during the pandemic. You can find a full list of bills of note passed by the Senate in 2021 here. Around the District
Ag Progress Days in Centre County offered a tremendous showcase for our local agriculture community. I enjoyed speaking with attendees and learning more about innovations in the industry that will maintain agriculture’s status as the state’s top industry.
I appreciated the chance to meet with the exhibitors and community residents who participated in my Lewistown Senior Expo on Thursday. The event offered a great opportunity for older local residents to learn more about the programs and services available to them. |
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