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In this Update:
Condemning the Closure of Penn State Mont Alto Campus
I strongly oppose Penn State University’s proposed closure of its Mont Alto campus. The university has more than enough financial resources to continue operating its satellite campuses, given its multi-billion-dollar budget and substantial endowment fund. Yet, the Penn State Board of Trustees is discussing a short-sighted measure aimed at minor cost-cutting: closing the Mont Alto campus. The proposed closure of the Mont Alto campus would have far-reaching impacts on Franklin and Adams counties, including significant job losses and the loss of a vital higher education option for local students. Mont Alto is particularly known for its programs in nursing and forestry – disciplines that directly support the local workforce. My hope is that the board will delay its vote and consider the bigger picture, rather than making drastic decisions that will harm local economies and limit educational opportunities. The board should take a broader view of the university’s role in serving communities statewide and ensure local students have access to quality education. 250th Army Birthday Event
Join me on Monday, June 9 at Noon in the Main Rotunda of the State Capitol to celebrate the 250th Birthday of the United States Army. As a retired U.S. Army Colonel with 30 years of service, I will be joined by fellow Army veterans serving in the Pennsylvania House and Senate. The keynote address will be delivered by Colonel Gerald York (U.S. Army, Ret.), grandson of legendary World War I hero Sergeant Alvin C. York, known for his extraordinary valor in combat. Sgt. York, then a 29-year-old corporal, distinguished himself during the largest series of battles fought by American forces in World War I. Armed with only a rifle and a handgun, he was credited with killing up to 25 enemy soldiers and capturing 132 others. All U.S. Army Veterans are invited to attend. Please register at: Army’s Birthday – Senator Mastriano A meet and greet with Colonel York will be held beforehand at 11 a.m. in Hearing Room 3 of the North Office Building. Help us honor the proud legacy of the U.S. Army and those who have served! Red Cross Press Conference
On May 13th I had the honor of speaking on the behalf of the Red Cross volunteers at the State Capital, recognizing their hard and impactful efforts they put forth to our communities daily. My family years ago, used Red Cross and their volunteers to reach out to my brother who was currently stationed in El Salvador as a Marine Corps to relay the message that our grandfather was passing away and he needed to return home. I recognized how important Red Cross was especially to military communities and the impact they have on their families. Their team reaches so far in location, that when I was stationed overseas in West Germany, we would receive Red Cross messages. For over 80 years, Pennsylvania has celebrated the month of May as Red Cross month and it is certainly well deserved. Clara Barton, the founder of American Red Cross went to the bloody battle on September 17th, 1862, and while she was picking up an injured soldier’s head to give him a drink, a bullet went through the soldier’s body and through her sleeve. It shows how close the Red Cross volunteers are to danger. I thank all the volunteers and workers of Red Cross for continuously living out Clara’s legacy whether they are helping stateside tragedies or relaying messages to those overseas who are defending our country. Introducing the Red Cross on the Senate Floor
On Tuesday, I was truly honored to have the opportunity to introduce my distinguished guests from the Red Cross on the Senate floor. The Red Cross is always there when help can’t wait. Senate Approves My Bill to Increase Firefighters in PA
The Senate Monday approved Senate Bill 90, a bill I introduced to increase the number of volunteer firefighters in Pennsylvania. It now heads to the House of Representatives for further consideration. The bill would make it easier for firefighters to earn their certification while maintaining the high standards and requirements of the certification process. Current firefighter applicants must complete four training modules totaling 188 hours. They then must pass a cumulative test covering all four modules. Senate Bill 90 would reform the certification process by enabling applicants to be tested following each of the four modules. In the 1970s, Pennsylvania had as many as 300,000 volunteer firefighters – now there are fewer than 38,000. If Pennsylvania is going to reverse the trend of declining numbers, we need to reform the certification process. Many communities need more volunteer firefighters, and this is a way to make that possible. Senate Committee Advances EMS Measures Aimed at Combatting Opioids
As chairman of the Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee, I was pleased that the committee this week advanced two measures to combat the opioid epidemic. Both bills advance to the full Senate for further consideration. Senate Bill 89, which I sponsored, would ensure known or suspected drug overdoses treated by emergency medical services (EMS) providers are tracked in a statewide mapping system. The system can save lives by sharing important information with law enforcement and health care professionals on the front lines in this fight. I previously introduced legislation that became Act 158 of 2022 and established a statewide mapping system to track overdoses. Additionally, the committee unanimously reported Senate Bill 95. This bill would allow first responders, including EMS providers, to leave a dose of naloxone, or any lifesaving treatment drug approved by the Department of Health, with a caregiver of someone who overdosed. Bill Ensuring Sportsmen’s Rights are Protected Receives Senate Support
Legislation to protect sportsmen’s rights by aligning state law with the federal and state constitution passed the Senate and is headed to the House of Representatives for consideration. The Pennsylvania Game Code contains sections indicating it is unlawful to refuse to answer questions from representatives of the Game Commission. However, that violates the United States and Pennsylvania constitutions, which ensure no person may be “compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself” and “he cannot be compelled to give evidence against himself.” Senate Bill 518 would remove the offending sections, ensuring the protection of sportsmen’s constitutional rights. New Sextortion Scam Blackmails Children
A disturbing new scam involves organized groups of Nigerian cybercriminals targeting American children online. After befriending them – sometimes even posing as their classmates – and exchanging nude photos, the criminals blackmail them and demand money. Organized Nigerian criminals have increased this practice, known as sextortion, by 1,000% in the last 18 months. It can cause unthinkable consequences, including even suicide after a child is told that the image will be sent to their family, friends and everyone in their school if they don’t pay. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children offers a helpful tool to anyone facing this overwhelming scenario. Take It Down is a free service that allows a child to have a “hash value” – essentially a digital fingerprint – assigned to the photo being used against them. The “hash value” is then sent out to participating sites such as Instagram, Snapchat and even pornography sites that put a block on the image so it cannot be seen, shared, or spread, rendering it useless for the blackmailer. A child never has to upload the photo to the service, nor does anyone ever view the image in the process. Win Money for Your Child’s Education
In honor of PA 529 Day on May 29, Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity invites families to contribute $10 or more to their child’s PA 529 account in May to be automatically eligible for one of six regional awards of $5,529. PA 529 plans allow families to use their savings to pay for a wide variety of education expenses, including at any qualified educational institution, from K-12 to college and career training programs. If the child doesn’t pursue education, the beneficiary can be updated to certain family members or used to repay the principal and interest on a qualified education loan for a PA 529 beneficiary or sibling. Anyone – parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and family friends – can contribute to a PA 529 plan. Saving with PA 529 does not impact a student’s eligibility for Pennsylvania state financial aid. Learn more. Election Day is Tuesday, May 20
Election Day is Tuesday, May 20, and polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. If you are in line by 8 p.m., you will be able to vote. If you applied for a mail-in or absentee ballot, your county election office must receive it by Tuesday, May 20, at 8 p.m. Track your ballot to confirm it was received. Any voter who requested to vote using a mail-in or absentee ballot but would prefer to vote in person may do so. Bring the ballot and the envelope to surrender at the polls. If you don’t have those materials, you may vote using a provisional ballot. Call 1-877-VOTESPA (1-877-868-3772) if you experience any issues.
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