Pittman Calls Court Ruling a Win for Safeguarding Elections

HARRISBURG – Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman (R-41) today applauded the Third Circuit Court ruling upholding Pennsylvania State law that voters must date a mail-in ballot in order for it to be accepted:

“Safeguarding elections in Pennsylvania has been chief among concerns voiced by voters, election officials and good government advocates over the past several years. The first step in providing for safe and secure elections is upholding our laws which are already in place. While Pennsylvania’s election law states that any mail-in ballot must be signed and dated, in recent elections we have witnessed undated ballots being accepted and counted by some counties.

“The decision by the U.S. Third Circuit Court of Appeals upholding the requirement that any mail-in ballot be dated is a significant step forward, protecting the integrity of our electoral process and bringing clarity for each of our 67 counties across the commonwealth. Uniformity and consistency must be in place for all Pennsylvania voters. 

“Protecting our constitutional right to free and fair elections and restoring voter confidence in the process continue to be key areas of focus for Pennsylvania Senate Republicans.”   

 

Media Contact: Kate Eckhart Flessner kflessner@pasen.gov

Laughlin, Langerholc Announce Measure Requiring Prosecutors to Notify ICE of Illegal Migrants Violating State Law

HARRISBURG – Prosecutors across Pennsylvania would be required to notify U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) whenever illegal migrants are charged with violating state law, under legislation, Senate Bill 1127, being introduced by Sen. Dan Laughlin (R-49) and Sen. Wayne Langerholc, Jr. (R-35).

Earlier this year, two NYPD officers were assaulted in broad daylight by illegal migrants. Several of the offenders had been previously arrested but not reported to ICE and were released back on the streets. The shocking crime prompted New York City Mayor Eric Adams to call for ICE to be informed when illegal migrants have been charged with violations of state law.  

“Only a few weeks ago, Laken Hope Riley, a 22-year-old student at Augusta University in Georgia, was brutally murdered by an illegal migrant with multiple previous arrests by various law enforcement across the country,” said Laughlin. “Unfortunately, this murder isn’t an isolated incident nationally, with U.S. Customs and Border Protection data showing hundreds of homicides and thousands of other serious crimes committed by illegal migrants – some of whom were already facing criminal charges or had previous convictions – during just the past three years. This is unconscionable and must be remedied.”

“Currently in Pennsylvania, violations of state law by illegal migrants are not required to be reported to ICE. This defies common sense and is an affront to our residents,” Langerholc said. “Our citizens expect law enforcement at all levels to work together to prevent crime. Passage of this legislation will help ensure that those expectations are met.”

 

CONTACTS:      David Kozak (Sen. Laughlin) 717-787-8927
Gwenn Dando (Sen Langerholc) 717-787-5400

Brown: Put the Cellphone Down

Senator’s legislation preventing deaths from distracted driving passes House Transportation Committee

HARRISBURG – Legislation prohibiting the use of cellular and other hand-held devices while driving passed today in the House of Representative’s Transportation Committee, according to the bill’s prime-sponsor, Sen. Rosemary Brown (R-40).

“Cellphone usage has become an addictive and consistent distraction for drivers, posing a significant public safety concern for our roadways,” said Brown. “I’m grateful for the House Transportation Committee’s bipartisan support for this bill as we work together to prevent crashes associated with distracted driving. I remain committed to advancing our collective mission for a safer Pennsylvania. This bill is meant to help drivers change behaviors – not harm drivers.” 

Senate Bill 37 enhances driver responsibility by prohibiting the handheld use of cell phones or other communication devices while operating a motor vehicle on a Pennsylvania highway or trafficway. Drivers may still utilize these devices, but it must be through Bluetooth technology or a speaker phone.

“The message remains clear – put the cellphone down,” said Brown.

The bill now moves to the full House of Representatives for consideration. Brown encourages Pennsylvania residents to reach out to their local members in the House of Representatives to voice support for the lifesaving legislation.

 

CONTACT:
Christine Zubeck

Public hearing on the February 2023 Norfolk Southern train derailment near the Ohio/Pennsylvania border

Senate Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness Committee

Wednesday, March 27, 2024 | 10:30 a.m.

Darlington VFD, Darlington, Beaver County


Agenda

I. Call to Order

II. 10:30 a.m. Opening Statements

     *Senator Doug Mastriano Chairman
     Senate Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness Committee
     *Senator Katie Muth, Minority Chair
     Senate Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness Committee

III. Welcome

     Mike Carreon, Chairman
     Darlington Township Board of Supervisors

IV. Testimony

     10:40 a.m. – Resident Panel
     *Ms. Sheila Stiegler, Elwood City Resident
     *Ms. Ashley Bennett, Darlington Resident
     *Ms. Ashley McCollum, Former Darlington Resident
     *Dr. Rick Tsai, East Palestine Resident/Office in Darlington
     *Ms. Lori O’Connell, Darlington Resident
     *Ms. Shirley Lambright, Darlington Resident
     *Ms. Lonnie Miller, East Palestine Resident

V. 11:50 a.m. – Closing Statements

VI. Statements for the Record

     *Alice Gretch, Ellwood City
     *Sherri Mackenstein, family in Darlington Township
     *Christina Siceloff, South Beaver Township

VII. 12:00 p.m. – Adjournment

Laughlin Introduces Bill to Protect Animals in Domestic Violence Situations

HARRISBURG – Often forgotten in domestic violence situations are the victims’ animals, but new legislation introduced by Sen. Dan Laughlin (R-49) seeks to provide protections to those animals.

“Data from the Humane Society of the United States reveals a staggering number of animals are targeted by those who abuse their children or spouses, with one survey illustrating that 71% of domestic violence victims reported their abuser also targeted pets,” said Laughlin. “We need to do what we can to prevent abusers from using the threat of harm or actual harm of an animal to control or psychologically torment the animal’s guardian.”

Protection orders are court orders protecting domestic violence victims from their abusers. Unfortunately, a judge has no explicit authority to order that the defendant not kill or maim a victim’s pets.  

“My legislation, Senate Bill 1105, will prevent offenders from using animals as tools in their abuse, exploiting the close bond victims have with their companion animals, making it difficult for victims to escape their abuser,” Laughlin said. “This important piece of legislation will allow judges to extend protection from abuse to the victim’s pets alleviating additional stress to the victim.”

For more state-related news and information, constituents can visit Laughlin’s website at www.senatorlaughlin.com or follow him on Facebook and Twitter @senatorlaughlin.

Contact:   David Kozak   717-787-8927

Senate Approves Mastriano Bill Enhancing Overdose Tracking and Lifesaving Response

HARRISBURG – The state Senate today unanimously approved legislation introduced by Sen. Doug Mastriano (R-33) that would ensure known or suspected drug overdoses treated by emergency medical services (EMS) providers are recorded in a statewide tracking system known as the Overdose Information Network (ODIN).

“When EMS personnel encounter an overdose, that information doesn’t automatically go into the statewide tracking system,” Mastriano said. “I want to close this gap in the data collected by the overdose mapping system so health care professionals and law enforcement personnel have access to the best available information.”

Mastriano previously introduced legislation that became Act 158 of 2022 and established a statewide mapping system to track overdoses.

His Senate Bill 1054 would require the Department of Health to coordinate with the Pennsylvania State Police to ensure real-time overdose reporting by EMS providers is incorporated into the ODIN system.

EMS providers would report in the statewide mapping system the date and time of the overdose; location where it occurred; known or suspected controlled substances administered to or inhaled, ingested, imbibed or injected by the victim; details about any overdose reversal drugs that were administered; and whether the situation was fatal or nonfatal.

Access to real time data helps public officials ensure that adequate overdose reversal drug supplies are available, substance use outreach efforts are enhanced, and law enforcement investigations are undertaken to interrupt sources of deadly substances. Accurate real-time data also allows the ODIN system to send out overdose “spike alerts” when a high number of overdoses occur in a community in a short period of time. These alerts are crucial for local officials who can then surge resources into an area to prevent additional overdoses.

“The statewide overdose mapping system can save lives by sharing important information with law enforcement and health care professionals on the front lines in this fight,” Mastriano said. “The ability to save lives is only as strong as the information in the system. My bill will strengthen the overdose tracking system and enable frontline personnel to save more lives.”

Mastriano’s Senate Bill 1054 now heads to the state House for consideration.

Constituents of the 33rd Senatorial District can learn more about Mastriano by visiting his website at SenatorMastriano.com or following him on Facebook at Facebook.com/SenatorDougMastriano.

Media contact: Josh Herman
717-787-4651

Senate Committee Approves Robinson Bill in Fight Against Fentanyl

HARRISBURG – Legislation sponsored by Sen. Devlin Robinson (R-37), joined by Sens. Wayne Langerholc (R-35) and Tracy Pennycuick (R-24), was approved in the Senate Judiciary Committee this week.

Senate Bill 1120 ensures common-sense procedures are followed during the bail determination process for repeat violent offenders, drug dealers trafficking fentanyl, and those who assault law enforcement officers or evade arrest on foot. The legislation would specifically bar non-monetary forms of bail from being issued to those who pose a threat to public safety.

“Dangerous criminals should not freely roam our streets without assurance they will be held accountable for their actions,” Robinson said. “Our legislation will provide another tool to assist law enforcement in keeping my constituents and all residents of the Commonwealth safe from the most dangerous of individuals.”

According to the US Drug Enforcement Agency, fentanyl is one hundred times more potent than morphine, and approximately fifty times more potent than heroin. Two milligrams of fentanyl – the amount that fits on the tip of a pencil – is enough to kill an average person. 

“Every day I hear from constituents concerned about rising crime rates and deadly drugs, like fentanyl, flooding into our communities,” Senator Pennycuick said. “Senate Bill 1120 is designed to help protect our neighborhoods by ensuring that dangerous individuals with a history of violent crimes or caught dealing fentanyl will be kept off our streets. I want to thank my colleagues and co-prime sponsors, Sen. Robinson and Sen. Langerholc, for their hard work and dedication in crafting this important measure.”

“This week, we took steps to ensure violent criminals are held accountable, placed further safeguards to protect our communities, and stood with law enforcement,” Langerholc added.

The legislation now heads to the full Senate for consideration.

Senate Passes Public Safety Bills Targeting Opioid Overdoses, Human Trafficking

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Senate approved two measures today boosting community safety by targeting opioid overdoses and human trafficking.

Senate Bill 1054, sponsored by Sen. Doug Mastriano (R-33), strengthens the Overdose Information Network (ODIN) law, which requires all law enforcement in Pennsylvania to input reports of an overdose within 72 hours of the incident into the ODIN system.

The ODIN database enables law enforcement agencies to quickly record, analyze and share information concerning fatal and non-fatal drug overdoses and naloxone administrations.

Senate Bill 1054 would require the Department of Health to coordinate with the Pennsylvania State Police to ensure real-time overdose reporting by EMS providers is incorporated into the statewide mapping system. EMS providers are responsible for handling more 80% of overdoses annually in Pennsylvania.

Access to real time data helps ensure adequate overdose reversal drug supplies are available, substance use outreach efforts are targeted, and investigations are undertaken to interrupt sources of deadly substances.   

The Senate also passed legislation to expand Megan’s Law to include human traffickers.

Senate Bill 1111, sponsored by Sen. Lisa Baker (R-20), would ensure that individuals who are convicted of certain human trafficking offenses are subject to the same reporting and evaluation requirements as any other sexual offender.

The General Assembly made significant strides in efforts to combat human trafficking with the passage of Act 144 of 2022, which added certain human trafficking offenses to Megan’s Law. Senate Bill 1111 would ensure that individuals convicted of these offenses, as well as attempt, conspiracy or solicitation to commit those offenses, are subject to the same requirements as other sexual offenders.

Both bills are part of the Senate Republican effort to improve community safety across Pennsylvania. The bills now head to the House of Representatives for consideration.

 

CONTACT: Kate Flessner

Phillips-Hill’s Bill Supporting Flexible Work Arrangements Approved by Senate Finance Committee

HARRISBURG – A measure aimed at providing greater flexibility for Pennsylvanians who work for an employer in another state has been approved by the Senate Finance Committee, according to the bill’s prime sponsor, Sen. Kristin Phillips-Hill (R-York). This reform is a significant step forward in addressing the complexities faced by Pennsylvania residents amidst the evolving landscape of remote work.

The COVID-19 pandemic prompted the temporary suspension of regulations impacting Pennsylvania residents who worked from home for corporations based outside of the Commonwealth. Phillips-Hill’s legislation seeks to permanently codify this exception, allowing employees to work from home for up to 50% of the year without triggering the Corporate Net Income Tax (CNIT).

“Many citizens across southern York County are employed by corporations based in Maryland,” Phillips-Hill explained. “Despite the availability of remote work options, Pennsylvanians have been hindered by tax implications that do not reflect the employment norms of 2024. This bill aims to rectify that, ensuring that our neighbors can fully embrace the opportunities provided by their employers.”

According to Phillips-Hill, the past four years have underscored the importance of adaptable work arrangements, especially for Pennsylvanians who commute to out-of-state employers. This bill aims to alleviate tax-related burdens and enable Pennsylvania citizens to fully benefit from the remote work options offered by their employers.

By providing greater flexibility in work arrangements, Pennsylvania aims to attract new residents and support the needs of its workforce. The legislation will go to the full Senate for consideration.

VIDEO

 

Contact: Kiersten Laird
717.741.4648

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