Legislation

Abolishing the Statute of Limitations for ALL Survivors of Sexual Assault

I have once again joined my colleagues Senators Katie Muth and Maria Collett in co-sponsoring legislation that would eliminate the civil and criminal statute of limitation (SOL) for sexual abuse, assault and misconduct for all survivors, regardless of age. This legislation, which was introduced as SB 406 last session, would also open a 2-year civil window to revive previously expired claims and prohibit non-disclosure agreements that would otherwise stop an adult survivor from reporting abuse.

We believe that this is an immediate, legal way to bring relief to survivors who have waited for far too long to get justice. It’s time to stop using survivors as leverage in political negotiations and to pass legislation that will bring real relief to these individuals. Justice delayed is justice denied.

Annual Mail-in and Ballot Applications Arriving Soon

If you were a permanent mail-in or absentee ballot voter last year, it is almost time to renew your permanent voter status for the 2023 election year. The Allegheny County Elections Division will begin mailing out paper Pennsylvania Application for Mail-in Ballot/Absentee Ballot forms to permanent mail-in and absentee voters in a couple of weeks to meet the February 6th deadline, so watch your mail boxes! 

We’ve answered constituent questions about mail-in ballot applications since Pennsylvania enacted mail-in balloting in 2020. We compiled some important clarifications below to help answer the most common questions.     

• What is a permanent mail-in voter? A permanent voter automatically receives mail-in or absentee ballots for all elections in a calendar year, but the voter must check the box for “Annual mail-in/absentee request” on the Pennsylvania Application for Mail-in Ballot/Absentee Ballot (see examples above). Applications can be completed on paper or online. If a voter checks this box, the voter will receive an application each calendar year so that they can choose whether to continue voting by mail for the upcoming year. 

• Who receives a Pennsylvania Application for Mail-in Ballot/Absentee Ballot? State statute requires County Elections offices to send the Pennsylvania Application for Mail-in Ballot/Absentee Ballot to all permanent voters by the first Monday in February each year. If you want to vote by mail, you must complete and return this application OR complete an online application at Ballot Request Application (pa.gov). 

• Why did I receive more than one paper Pennsylvania Application for Mail-in Ballot/Absentee Ballot? In addition to County Elections offices, political parties and organizations are permitted to mail these applications. Only complete one application (online or paper). Once your application has been returned, the PA Department of State system (SURE) records your preference. If you forget and fill out a duplicate application, SURE automatically rejects duplicates.

• Only want a mail-in ballot for a specific election?  Complete and return the online application or a paper copy of the application and leave the box for “Annual mail-in/absentee request” on the form unchecked. 

• Prefer to vote in-person? Voters who wish to vote in person at their polling place do not need to do anything. You will not receive mail-in ballots without completing an application.

• Change your mind after becoming a permanent mail-in voter? Voters who want to be removed from the permanent mailing list may also complete and return the Request to Cancel Permanent Absentee or Mail-In Status form available on the Elections resources webpage. Voters may also check the box on the permanent mailing they receive indicating that they no longer wish to receive the notice and application. That letter can then be returned to the Elections Division and the voter will be removed from the permanent list.

• Accidentally discard your application? If you accidentally discard your paper mail-in ballot application you can ask our office to send you another paper form (412-364-0469), call the Allegheny County Elections Department (412-350-4500) to request another copy, or complete an application online at Ballot Request Application (pa.gov).  

Allegheny County Elections has an informative video from last February on Mail-in Ballot Applications that you can watch here. 

Mark your calendars - Trout Season starts April 1!

Trout season opens April 1, but did you know you can purchase a license for the 2023 season now? Fishing licenses, permits, and vouchers are available through the HuntFishPA online portal on the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commissiion (PFBC) website, on your smartphone using the FishBoatPA app, or by visiting one of nearly 700 retail license-issuing agents. 2023 licenses, permits, and vouchers purchased now are valid immediately and are good through Dec. 31, 2023.

While youth anglers under age 16 do not require a fishing license, they must have either a Voluntary Youth Fishing License or a free Mentored Youth Fishing Permit to participate in any special youth opportunities throughout the season.  This includes the upcoming statewide Mentored Youth Trout Fishing Day on Saturday, March 25, 2023.

Find more important dates and updated regulations see the 2023 Pennsylvania Fishing Summary Book available online or  at your local license-issuing agent free of charge when you purchase your license.

Happy angling!

Report Turkey Sightings 

The Pennsylvania Game Commission is asking for the public’s help finding turkey flocks to trap for ongoing turkey projects!

The agency is encouraging Pennsylvanians to report the location of any turkey flocks they see between now and March 15. Information is being collected online at Turkey Sighting Survey Winter (pa.gov). Visitors to the webpage will be asked to provide the date of the sighting, the location, and the type of land (public, private or unknown) where birds are seen. 

Game Commission crews will visit sites to determine whether there is potential to trap turkeys. Turkeys will not be moved; they’ll simply be leg banded and released on site. In four Wildlife Management Units (WMUs), some also will be outfitted with GPS transmitters, then released back on site to be monitored over time.

Trapping turkeys during winter is part of the Game Commission’s ongoing population monitoring as well as a large-scale turkey study. Keep an eye out and report your neighborhood flocks! 

Fire & Ice in Fox Chapel!
Saturday, January 28 from 4-9pm

Looking for some outdoor fun after the holidays? Come to McCahill Park in the Borough of Fox Chapel to experience Fire and Ice in the Park. While you immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of the natural world at night, lanterns will guide you through the park and light your discovery of breathtaking ice sculptures, carved to showcase species native to our local area. The event benefits the Fox Chapel Parks Conservancy!

For more information, please visit FoxChapelParksConservancy.org/events.

Brackenridge King and Queen Adult Prom

Want to dress to the nines and throw on your dancing shoes? The Brackenridge American Legion is hosting a King and Queen of Hearts adult prom on Saturday, February 11th! Tickets include a dinner buffet, cash bar and 50/50 raffle. Call 412-956-7284 or 412-596-9663 for tickets.