State Senator Lindsey M. Williams, Your District 38 Update

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*Condolence Resolution for Fallen Brackenridge Police
Chief*

On Monday, the Senate unanimously adopted SR10, a Condolence
Resolution recognizing the life and service of Brackenridge Police
Chief Justin McIntire, who was killed in the line of duty on January
2, 2023.

Thank you to the first responders from across Allegheny
County--police officers, EMT, paramedics, and 911 dispatchers--who
coordinated the response to this incident, responded in person,
provided coverage for those on scene, and who work every day to keep
our communities safe.

I want to recognize Tarentum Borough
Patrolman Jordan Schrecengost, who was also shot during the pursuit on
January 2. Officer Schrecengost was treated for his injuries and has
since been able to return home to his family.

Chief McIntire was
fixture of the Brackenridge community, and will be missed by many,
which is obvious from the enormous outpouring of support. I know you
will all join me in sending your thoughts and prayers to the family,
friends, and loved ones of Chief McIntire and the entire Allegheny
Valley community during this incredibly difficult time.

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*Upcoming
Events**

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*My Office is Now Scheduling AARP Tax-Aide Appointments!
*

The AARP Tax-Aide Program is up and running at the Shaler
Undercliff Fire Company and the Ross Township Municipal Building. This
program provides free tax assistance and tax preparation services to
low- and moderate-income taxpayers, with an emphasis on those 50 or
older. To schedule your free appointment, please call the office at
412-364-0469. For more information, visit www.taxaide-pittsburgh.com
[link 3].

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*Legislation**

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*New
Committee Assignments*



I was thrilled to be named to the
Minority Chair of the Senate Education Committee last week! It is an
absolute honor to continue to serve in this capacity and I look
forward to working with the students, families, and educators of
Pennsylvania. In addition to being named Minority Chair for the Senate
Education Committee, I was also pleased to be named to the following
committees for the 2023-24 Session: Agricultural & Rural Affairs, Game
& Fisheries, Transportation, and Veterans Affairs & Emergency
Preparedness. I look forward to the challenge of the up-coming session
year and working hard for all of my constituents.

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*Reforming
the PA Senate Rules*

At the beginning of each two-year session, the
Senate passes rules that govern how we operate. These rules dictate
everything from how committees are organized, to who can call a vote
on bills, and could even mandate lawmakers to publicly post how their
offices spend taxpayer dollars.

Senator Katie Muth [link 4] and I
again tried to reform the Senate rules to allow for more transparent,
accountable representation that enables the voices of ALL
Pennsylvanians to be heard in Harrisburg, but those efforts fell flat.
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[link 5]

I introduced SR 6 [link 6], a set of Financial Rules that
would require the posting of all legislative expenses on the Senate
public website. Unfortunately, this resolution was referred to the
Rules Committee, where it will likely sit without ever receiving
consideration. This resolution was similar to SB 838, legislation I
introduced last year that would permanently codify these provisions
into law. I plan to reintroduce this legislation for the 2023-24
Session.

One of the most sacred trusts that we hold as public
servants is to be good stewards of taxpayer dollars. That's why I
don't take a per diem or a state car. It's also why I've chosen to
post the expenses authorized by my office on my personal website every
month both exactly as it's shown in our expense system and in an
easily searchable format.

But it shouldn't be a choice for me or
any individual member to tell taxpayers where their money is being
spent. The Senate should be open and transparent with taxpayer money
as a matter of course, not as a matter of individual choice.
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[link 7]

I also introduced SR 5, [link 8] an update to the Senate
Ethics Rules that would have created an explicit policy on how the
Senate handles sexual harassment complaints because currently, we
don't have one.

My Rules would have largely mirrored the Rules put
in place by the House, but would have extended protections to all
individuals working with Members, Officers, or employees of the
Senate, including outside contractors, lobbyists, and visitors. It
shouldn't matter where your paycheck comes from-- you should be
protected from sexual harassment. My Rules would have also provided
clarification around confidentiality and transparency and extended the
statute of limitations for filing a complaint from 1 to 5
years.

Unfortunately, as with the Rules I offered that would
require the disclosure of all legislative expenses, this Rule was sent
to committee, where it will likely never receive a vote.

Senator
Muth, my Democratic colleagues, and I aren't done, though. We'll keep
working to make these non-partisan, commonsense changes and ensure
fair representation for everyone.

You can read more about our
attempts to introduce Senate rule changes last week at
Will a
surprise speaker pick make the Pennsylvania House less partisan? |
WITF [link 9].

For more information on our set of Rules Reforms,
visit Senate Rules Reforms (senatorlindseywilliams.com) [link
10].

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*Good
News**

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*Harrisburg
Swearing-In Day *

Last Tuesday I was sworn in to serve a second
term working for Senate District 38 residents. It is the honor of my
life to continue to be your senator and I'm excited to get to work in
my second term. Thank you!

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*Pennie Open Enrollment Ends this Sunday, January 15!
*

Pennie [link 13] is Pennsylvania's own state-based health
insurance marketplace, the official destination for shopping and
purchasing quality health insurance plans, and the only place to
access financial assistance, if eligible.

Pennie can help
individuals and families without access to employer coverage, as well
as uninsured Pennsylvanians. The 2022 Open Enrollment Period for
Pennsylvanians opened Nov. 1 and runs through January 15, 2023. *You
must enroll by January 15th to get coverage starting February
1.*

To learn more about Pennie, health insurance options, and
financial assistance availability, please visit [link removed]
[link 14] or call 1-844-844-8040.

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*Free
Medicare Advantage Counseling*

Confused by all the Medicare
Advantage enrollment advertisements you see sponsored by private
companies? Consider calling Pennsylvania's Medicare counseling program
- Pennsylvania Medicare Education and Decision Insight (PA MEDI) [link
15].

PA MEDI is available through local Area Agencies on Aging
[link 16] and their counselors do not sell Medicare insurance
products, nor do they endorse any insurance company, product, or
agent. Counselors will provide free, confidential, and unbiased
personalized assistance to help you apply for programs that optimize
your cost savings and access to health care and benefits.

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*The Affordable Connectivity Program*

Eligible
Pennsylvania households have an opportunity to save up to $30 per
month on their internet service through the Affordable Connectivity
Program! Learn more about the household requirements at Home - ACP -
Universal Service Administrative Company (affordableconnectivity.gov)
[link 20].

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*Blood Drive in Ross Township this Weekend!*

*Ross
Community Center, Sunday, January 15, 12pm - 5pm*

Give back to your
community by donating blood at West View Ross Athletic Association's
annual blood drive [link 22] held in conjunction with Vitalant [link
23]. The first 40 qualifying donors will receive a $50 discount
towards a registration for the upcoming spring season!

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*Pittsburgh Mulches Christmas Trees!*

City of
Pittsburgh residents can drop off their Christmas trees to be recycled
into free mulch until January 26, 2023, at 12 convenient locations
[link 25] including Highland Park and Homewood North. Do your part to
divert Christmas trees from our landfills and provide free mulch for
City residents!

As always, please feel free to reach out with any
questions you may have by phone at 412-364-0469 [link 26] (Ross
Office), 724-224-2131 [link 27] (Harrison Office) or by email at
[email protected] [link 28]. My staff will return
your call/email within 24 hours (Monday-Friday).

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Senator
Lindsey Williams


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tel:412-364-0469
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mailto:[email protected]

Contact
Information:

Website:
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Office Location:
District
Office
5000 McKnight Road
Suite 405
Pittsburgh, PA 15237
Phone:
412-364-0469
Fax: 412-364-0928

Harrison Office
1826 Union
Avenue
Natrona Heights, PA 15065
Phone: 724-224-2131
Fax:
724-224-2145

Harrisburg Office
366 Capitol Building
Senate Box
203038
Harrisburg, PA 17120-3038
Phone: 717-787-6538
Fax:
717-787-8625

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