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In this Update:
Working Animal Appreciation Day
On June 11th, I held State Working Animal Appreciation Day to recognize the hard work these animals provide to our communities. As chairman of the Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee, I have been working closely with Senate colleagues and the Pennsylvania State Working Animal Foundation to recognize the police and military K-9 units; search and rescue dogs and horses; service dogs and therapy animals that work for people. To view my remarks please visit, 6/11/24 – Working Animal Appreciation Day on Vimeo Senate Approves Mastriano Bill to Expand Access to Benefits for Disabled Veterans
The state Senate this week passed legislation I introduced that would exempt 100% of disabled veterans’ benefit payment from income calculations for any commonwealth programs or benefits. Senate Bill 126 would ensure veterans who receive disability compensation would not have those payments counted against them when applying to programs such as the Real Estate Property Tax Exemption, Education Gratuity Program, Veterans Temporary Assistance Program and Military Relief Assistance Program. To view my floor remarks on this bill please visit, 6/11/24 SB 126 on Vimeo. Senate Passes Senator Mastriano’s Fire and EMS Grant Renewal Bill
The state Senate this week unanimously passed legislation I sponsored that would reauthorize the Fire Company and Emergency Medical Services Grant Program for Pennsylvania’s 1,829 fire companies and 1,259 emergency medical service (EMS) agencies. The program is set to expire on June 30. Currently funded at $30 million, the grant program provides fire companies up to $20,000 and EMS companies up to $15,000. Senate Bill 1099 would reauthorize the Fire Company and Emergency Medical Services Grant Program for five years. Learn about additional changes this bill would make by reading the rest of this article on my website. To view my remarks please visit, 6/12/24 – Senate Bill 1099 on Vimeo Senate Committee Advances Military, Veterans and HazMat Measures
The Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee this week approved three measures important to the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and Pennsylvania veterans, and another in support of local HazMat providers. I sponsored Senate Bill 1160, which would designate March 29 each year as “Vietnam War Veterans Day.” Senate Bill 1192, sponsored by Sen. Chris Gebhard (R-48), would permit the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs to lease land at Fort Indiantown Gap and use the proceeds to fund programs to enhance the quality of life for service members, veterans and their families through the Service Member Veterans and Their Families Fund. I also sponsored Senate Bill 1193, which would permit local tax credits to include volunteer HazMat providers. As amended in committee, the bill would also increase the amounts that fire companies and emergency medical services (EMS) providers can borrow through the state fire commissioner’s low-interest loan program. Counties, school districts and municipalities may establish property or income tax credits for volunteer firefighters and EMS providers. This legislation would permit the inclusion of volunteer HazMat providers. The committee also included an amendment supported by Mastriano that would increase the thresholds for fire and EMS loans. Learn more about these bills or watch the video from the committee meeting by visiting my website. To watch the committee meeting considering these bills, please visit 6/11/24 – Consideration of Senate Bill 1160, Senate Bill 1192, and Senate Bill 1193 on Vimeo. Pro-Israel Press Conference
Monday, I held a Press conference to show support for the nation of Israel and its people in their war against Hamas. We heard from other state lawmakers, religious leaders, a member of the Israeli legislature and others. I have introduced senate resolution 185, last fall that was approved by the Senate and condemned the Oct. 7 Hamas attack against Israel. To view my remarks, please visit, 6/10/24 – Stand With Israel on Vimeo. To watch the full Press conference, please visit, 6/10/24 – Stand With Israel Rally on Vimeo. Recognizing Zoe Haines for her accomplishments
On June 10th, I was pleased to have Zoe Haines as my Senate guest and recognize her accomplishments on the Senate floor. Zoey Haines, a wrestler from Gettysburg Area High School won 1st place in the 2023-2024 PIAA Girls’ Wrestling State Championship in the 148-pound weight class! Congratulations to you Zoe! Miss Gettysburg 2024, Juliana Denick
It was a pleasure to meet Miss Gettysburg 2024, Juliana Denick, on Monday, as she visited the Capitol with other Miss Pennsylvania contestants ahead of the upcoming Miss Pennsylvania pageant June 13-15. Best of luck to you, Juliana, as you represent Gettysburg! “Grow PA” Bills to Support Affordable Pathways to Higher Ed, Career Prep Passes Senate
Tens of thousands of students would have more opportunities to pursue affordable post-secondary education and career preparations programs under a package of bills approved with bipartisan support in the Senate. The Grow PA initiative would create and expand programs to connect students to high-demand careers in Pennsylvania. The bills would not only make education and career training more affordable, but also provide strong incentives for students to stay and work in the state after completing their degrees and certifications. Grow PA Scholarships would be established for in-state students who attend college in Pennsylvania, pursue a degree in a high-demand industry, and agree to live and work in that industry in Pennsylvania after graduation. Grow PA Merit Scholarships would be created to allow high-performing, out-of-state students pursuing in-demand occupations to pay lower, in-state tuition at Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) schools. Ready to Succeed Scholarships would be expanded to help as many as 24,000 additional students cover post-secondary education costs. Fostering Independence Tuition Waivers would be expanded to nonresident students, waiving PASSHE tuition and fees for children in the foster care system and children who were adopted. Performance-based metrics would be added to funding for state-related universities, including the University of Pittsburgh, Penn State University and Temple University to provide added accountability to taxpayers. A Higher Education Task Force would be created to improve higher education and career preparation programs. Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) completion would be required for high school seniors, ensuring families have access to vital information on higher education aid, career and technical education, certificate programs and more. The Grow PA plan also includes historic investments in career and technical education and dual enrollment. Bill to Protect Property Owners from Squatters Receives Senate Support
The Senate approved legislation to establish more certainty for homeowners, landlords and law enforcement who encounter squatters. It respects the rights of all parties involved, ensuring legitimate tenants are protected while closing the door to those who exploit our system to occupy homes illegally. Under current Pennsylvania law, squatters are considered trespassers after the property owner warns them they are not welcome and instructs them to vacate the property. Should the squatters remain where they are not licensed or privileged to be, they commit the offense of defiant trespass. However, reclaiming property from squatters requires a “notice to quit” be issued to individuals who have no legal right to the property. It imposes financial burdens and significant emotional strain on property owners. Given the inconsistencies and lack of clarity in how states address squatter concerns, Pennsylvania must establish clear, uniform guidelines. Senate Bill 1236 defines what constitutes a “tenant,” simplifies the reclamation process – by eliminating the need for a “notice to quit” to be provided to a non-tenant – and offers a practical solution to a deeply distressing problem. Senate Approves Legislation Combatting AI “Deepfake” Images of Minors
Legislation to combat “deepfake” images of minors and child sexual abuse materials generated by artificial intelligence (AI) was approved by the Senate. The bill will be sent to the House of Representatives for consideration. The unauthorized dissemination of an intimate image is against the law in Pennsylvania. However, the law does not specifically address the use of AI deepfake technology to create and disseminate an intimate image of a non-consenting person. Some websites have published realistic AI-generated sexual images of non-consenting adults, as well as children. The images may be artificial but are created by using data and images from real individuals and children. Senate Bill 1213 would make it clear that the use of AI deepfake technology to create pornographic images of an individual without his or her consent is prohibited. It would also prohibit the use of deepfake technology to create child sexual abuse materials. Free Webinars Provide Helpful Financial Aid Info
The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) is holding free webinars to assist college-bound students and their families with navigating the financial aid process. On Tuesday, June 25, at noon, speakers will discuss how to cover the gap between awarded loans and the actual amount due. On Thursday, June 27, at 6:30 p.m., speakers will focus on how to compare financial aid offers to choose the right loan for the borrower. Register to attend the one-hour webinars. Happy Father’s Day
Father’s Day is a time to reflect on the amazing men in our lives and let them know how much their dedication means to us. They show their love and guidance in so many ways, big and small, that make our lives better. Wishing all of the dads a wonderful day with their families!
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