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In this Update:
Pennsylvania Needs to Plan Ahead to Get Ahead
We are currently at a critical moment in the history of our Commonwealth. We have a clear choice to make – either Pennsylvania will be an opportunity society where each and every resident is able to experience earned success and upward economic mobility, or we will continue to see talent and businesses go elsewhere. Either this Commonwealth will be the Keystone State in 21st Century America, or we will continue to lose Congressional seats, electoral votes, and national political influence. In my view, Pennsylvania needs a clearer vision for how we can become economically competitive on a global scale. Unfortunately, we have far too often been reactive rather than proactive in creating policies that clear the way for our residents to experience economic opportunity here in Pennsylvania. We need to retain and we need to compete for new businesses and industry, and the jobs they create. And, we must be far more intentional about retaining and recruiting the talent needed to fill those jobs. By focusing my legislative efforts on policies that will help Pennsylvanians get ahead, I hope that we can build a stronger Commonwealth where entrepreneurship, innovation, and economic opportunity can thrive. Tell Senator Aument What You Think About the Statewide School Mask Mandate – Take the Survey HERE
Do you support Governor Wolf’s statewide school mask mandate?
Submit your response here. Local Elections Officials, Advocates Testify on Bipartisan Election Reform Bill
Local elections officials and members of advocacy groups testified before the Senate State Government Committee regarding Senate Bill 878, a bipartisan election reform bill. The proposed changes originated from the bipartisan Senate Special Committee on Election Integrity and Reform, which was created to make recommendations on how Pennsylvania’s election code could be improved. The committee included members of the Senate from both parties and all regions of Pennsylvania and heard testimony from a variety of stakeholders, including election officials from Pennsylvania and other states around the nation. The proposed changes include:
The panel heard testimony from the County Commissioners Association, local elections officials Common Cause PA, the Committee of Seventy and the PA League of Women Voters. You can watch the hearing and read testimony here. Senate Hearing on School COVID Policy Reveals Ongoing Frustration with State Agencies
Saying state agencies overseeing schools are slow to respond to COVID-19 questions while providing conflicting guidance on the virus to schools, educators from all levels testified before the Senate Education Committee about their ongoing frustrations with the Wolf Administration’s oversight. The Department of Health and Department of Education declined to participate, citing pending litigation. However, it was a pleasure to have local representation at the hearing, as Michael Bromirski, Superintendent at Hempfield School District and Jessica Daugherty, Director at the Lititz Christian Early Learning Center both attended and offered insightful testimony before the Committee. Mr. Bromirski testified that the current mask orders from the state agencies conflict with the FAQs and emails that the district has received. The director of a career center in Jefferson County testified schools are the target of frustrations from parents as “threats from the government pile on to an already intense situation.” A child care worker said the communication from the state Office of Child Development and Early Learning has ranged from vague to intimidating, with threats to remove the facility employees if the young children in daycare do not comply. The Education Committee will continue to press the Wolf Administration for answers. You can view hearing video and written testimony here. Aument Attends Dedication of New Chapel at United Zion Retirement Community
It was a pleasure to join Liz Ackerman of the Northern Lancaster Chamber of Commerce and celebrate the ribbon cutting and dedication of the new chapel at United Zion Retirement Community in Lititz. This beautiful new chapel will seat 125 residents. I pray this new chapel is a blessing to all the residents at United Zion and to the greater Lititz community. Congratulations! Legislative Reapportionment Commission Alters Decision on Counting of Prisoners
The Legislative Reapportionment Commission made an adjustment to an earlier policy change regarding how the residency of prison inmates will be counted when developing new district maps for the state Senate and House of Representatives. At its Aug. 24 meeting, over Republican objections that the commission was exceeding its authority, the panel voted to adopt a prisoner reallocation proposal that changes the long-standing practice of having state inmates counted where they eat, sleep and live at the time of the census — like every other Pennsylvanian — and instead count them where they resided prior to incarceration for their crimes. Noting that not all currently incarcerated individuals remain in prison for less than 10 years from the time new district maps are drawn, the decision was altered by majority vote to count state prison inmates with a minimum sentence expiring after April 1, 2030, in the prison in which they reside, not the community from where they came. Senate Acts to Extend Ida State Disaster Emergency, Access to Recovery Aid
The Senate approved extending the state disaster emergency declared in response to Hurricane Ida until Oct. 27, giving Pennsylvanians more time to apply for recovery assistance. Gov. Tom Wolf issued a 21-day proclamation declaring the disaster emergency on Aug. 31. Following extended pandemic emergency declarations over the last year, and the governor’s unilateral actions throwing Pennsylvanians out of work, voters in May stripped him of the authority he commandeered to extend emergency declarations without approval of the General Assembly. Action by the General Assembly to extend the emergency declaration will help communities with their recovery efforts, which are expected to continue for the foreseeable future. The remnants of Hurricane Ida brought historic rainfall to Pennsylvania, causing record flooding and widespread damage in many places. Nearly 400 roads were closed statewide, while downed trees and limbs disrupted utilities and left more than 15 major interstates, roadways and expressways closed. Senate Votes to Implement Low-Interest Loans to Fire Companies Approved by Voters
The Senate voted to implement aid to Pennsylvania fire departments approved by voters in a May referendum. The bill was sent to the House of Representatives for consideration. Senate Bill 739 would permit municipal fire departments or companies that provide services through paid personnel and emergency medical services companies to participate in the Emergency Services Loan Assistance Program, which has been historically limited to volunteer fire companies. Expanding the assistance program was one of several ballot questions decided by voters in the 2021 Primary Election. Aument & Parsons Participate in Celebrity Cow Milking Contest at Elizabethtown Fair
It’s always a pleasure to visit the many local fairs and carnivals across Lancaster County, especially when I’m invited to participate in events like the annual Celebrity Cow Milking contest at the Elizabethtown Fair. Commissioner Josh Parsons and I posted a 4th place finish at this year’s Celebrity Cow Milking contest. Bill Limiting Firefighter Exposure to PFAS, Safeguarding Environment Approved by Senate
A bill restricting the use of “Class B” firefighting foams containing added per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) for training purposes and testing was approved by the Senate. The measure now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration. Some PFAS linger in the environment and in the human body – they don’t break down and can accumulate over time. There is evidence that exposure to PFAS can lead to adverse human health effects. Senate Bill 302 would restrict the use of foam containing PFAS chemicals beginning July 1, 2022 and direct the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, in consultation with the State Fire Commissioner, to assist firefighting entities with evaluating and determining how to transition to the use of Class B firefighting foam that does not contain a PFAS chemical. The legislation would not impact the continued use of firefighting foams during emergency situations. September is National Chiari Malformation Awareness Month
Chiari Malformation is a serious neurological disorder where the bottom part of the brain (the cerebellum) descends out of the skull and crowds the spinal cord, putting pressure on both the brain and the spine and causing many symptoms. Some of the most common symptoms of Chiari Malformation are severe headaches; trouble swallowing and sometimes speaking; respiratory problems; limb weakness, stiffness, and pain; issues with balance; and loss of fine motor control. This disorder affects approximately 1 in 1,000 people, including residents here in the 36th Senatorial District. Spread awareness to help combat Chiari Malformation – resources are available at www.conquerchiari.org. |
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