Senator Mastriano hosts Roundtable Discussion on the Prevention of Veterans Suicide

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HARRISBURG – In recognition of September as Suicide Prevention Month, on Wednesday (September 4th), Senator Doug Mastriano, Chairman of the Pennsylvania Senate Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness Committee, held a Roundtable Discussion on the Prevention of Veterans Suicide at Heroes Ridge at Raven Rock (Adams County). 

The event was hosted by Operation Second Chance, a non-profit organization that was set up by Ms. Cindy McGrew 20 years ago, and is dedicated to assisting wounded veterans by helping to fill in the gaps when either funding, a welcoming smile or just a friendly ear is needed. Operation Second Chance also operates Heroes Ridge at Raven Rock, a mountainside retreat for Veterans.  McGrew highlighted the work that is done at Heroes Ridge, providing a respite for Veterans and their families – with amenities, such as fishing and horseback riding. The quiet, peaceful serenity that Heroes Ridge provides, is often the medicine needed for a veteran and their family that is in crisis.  Since its founding in 2005, Operation Second Chance has helped over 15,000 individuals.

In 2023, Chairman Mastriano held a hearing in Chambersburg to promote the work that is being done across the Commonwealth to combat Veterans Suicide.  Several of the participants at the hearing, including Mike and Sally Wargo, also participated in the Roundtable.  The Wargos, who are associated with VALOR Clinic Foundation, spoke openly about their son, Michael, who died by suicide.  During the discussion, they spoke about the impact of suicide on the families and the great need for services and support for the children left behind.

The PA Department of Military & Veterans Affairs highlighted the PA Vet Connect Program, which was recently codified into law through legislation sponsored by Senator Mastriano.  Since its inception, PA Vet Connect has helped Veterans with over 20,000 connections to services in their community.  The PA Department of Human Services gave an update on 9-8-8 – the National Suicide Prevention Hotline. With the touch of a few buttons, Veterans can press “1” for the Veterans Crisis Line, which is available 24 hours a day. The Department stressed that the Suicide Prevention Hotline is open to anyone, even if someone is just having a bad day.

Both Mr. Mark Bayliss, a member of the PA State Veterans Commission, and Dr. Keith Aronson, Director of the Penn State Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness, spoke about the data that is being looked at – and the need to be aware of those experiencing life stressors – like the end of relationships, long term health problems, substance abuse, and long-term financial problems.

The Roundtable Discussion included updates from the Interseeding Foundation and the Kay Zern Community & Veterans Outreach, two faith-based organizations working to address the underlying needs of Veterans. Having access to faith-based organizations, provides access to an empathetic ear for veterans, with a slant towards compassion and understanding that numbers and statistics alone cannot address.

Of most importance, everyone was encouraged to reach out to anyone that appears to be having an “off day” — ask them how they’re doing — and be prepared to offer direction, such as PA Vet Connect, 9-8-8, or referral to one of the many organizations that are working directly with wounded warriors. 

Click HERE for the video recording of the Roundtable Discussion.

CONTACT: Nate Silcox

Senate Majority Leader Pittman Issues Statement on SEPTA’s Proposed Fare Changes

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HARRISBURG – Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman (R-41) issues the following statement on SEPTA’s potential changes to address their budget deficit:

“Asking Pennsylvanians to invest hundreds of millions of dollars into mass transit is a challenging argument to make to constituents in rural areas of the commonwealth. SEPTA’s proposal to take steps forward and address their financial issues is a positive development. Given the substantial state investments for SEPTA included in the current state budget, as well as previous budgets, it is critical for conversations surrounding increased support of rider share and taxpayer subsidy to also take place at the local government level.

“I have made it clear that any transit discussion at the state level cannot occur without consideration of transportation infrastructure investment. We have never addressed transit or infrastructure without the other and the harsh reality is that if we’re going to deal with both issues, we need a new revenue stream which will not place additional pressure on the General Fund. 

“Public safety of SEPTA users and staff remains a top concern of our caucus as well. Much of the information released today raises more questions than answers. I look forward to a better understanding of SEPTA’s planned rate changes and ways they look to further address safety concerns at their planned hearings.”

MEDIA CONTACT: Kate Flessner kflessner@pasen.gov

Langerholc Appointed to State Board of Higher Education, Performance-Based Funding Council

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HARRISBURG – Sen. Wayne Langerholc, Jr. (R-35) has been appointed to key panels tasked with improving postsecondary education in the Commonwealth.

Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward (R-39) appointed Langerholc to the State Board of Higher Education and the Performance-Based Funding Council.

The 21-member State Board of Higher Education will play a crucial role in developing, planning, and advancing the higher education landscape in the Commonwealth. This board is tasked with establishing policies that ensure all Pennsylvanians have access to high-quality, affordable, and accountable postsecondary education opportunities, preparing students for success in a rapidly evolving job market.

The Performance-Based Funding Council is set to modernize how three state-related institutions—Penn State, Pitt, and Temple—receive funding. By developing a new process based on performance metrics, the council aims to boost degree attainment, promote affordability, and align educational outcomes with the workforce needs of the 21st-century economy. This innovative approach will help drive economic growth and ensure that higher education institutions are meeting the needs of students and employers alike.

“These appointments will put me in a position to tackle one of the biggest tasks facing Pennsylvania: retaining our young talent by making higher education more accessible and affordable while linking academic programs to high-demand, family-sustaining jobs,” said Langerholc. “I’m eager to serve on these boards and help Pennsylvania students set a course for living, working, and raising a family here in the Commonwealth.”

 

CONTACT: Gwenn Dando

Sen. Mastriano’s roundtable discussion on veterans suicides, held in Fairfield, PA

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Agenda

  1. Welcome

    Senator Doug Mastriano, Chairman
    PA Senate Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness Committee

    Cindy McGrew, Founder
    Operation 2nd Chance

  2. Introductions
  3. Roundtable Discussion on Veterans Suicide Prevention
  4. Adjournment
  5. Lunch
  6. Tour

 

Robinson’s Landmark Manufacturing Initiative Celebrated by Treasurer Garrity, Airport CEO Cassotis

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MOON TOWNSHIP – Nearly 10% of all jobs in Pennsylvania are in the manufacturing sector, and this number could soon rise thanks to groundbreaking legislation spearheaded by Sen. Devlin Robinson (R-37).

The Max Manufacturing Initiative is designed to foster public-private partnerships between state-related universities and private engineering companies. The initiative features two funds that provide grants and loans for specialized equipment, infrastructure and facilities dedicated to advanced manufacturing. On Tuesday, Robinson was joined by Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity and other industry leaders to celebrate the implementation.

“Pennsylvania boasts one of the most productive workforces in the world, and with the Max Manufacturing program, we’re positioned to attract even more innovative experts to our state and especially to our region,” said Robinson. “This new law not only bolsters cooperation between state universities and engineering firms, but it also fosters business partnerships, and drives innovation and production of high-value, high-tech products.”

The press event took place at HAMR Industries, located at Neighborhood 91 – a 195-acre advanced manufacturing innovation campus adjacent to Pittsburgh International Airport. Neighborhood 91, allows tenants to share resources and leverage each other’s strengths, offering easy access to air, highway and water transportation for product distribution.

“I worked in the manufacturing industry for three decades, so I know how important it is to Pennsylvania’s economy,” said Garrity. “This law represents great bipartisan work, and I thank Sen. Robinson for leading the way. Technology is evolving at lightning speed, and we absolutely must keep Pennsylvania competitive in the manufacturing sector. I’m hopeful that Gov. Josh Shapiro will include funding for the Max Manufacturing Initiative Act in his next budget address, and that the General Assembly will include it in the final budget. I will be a strong advocate.” 

“Neighborhood 91 is a key economic development project for this region, and I thank Sen. Robinson for his diligence in getting this support legislation passed,” said Allegheny County Airport Authority CEO Christina Cassotis. “This legislation is a key tool as we continue to build out the Neighborhood 91 campus at PIT and for advanced manufacturing across the state.”

“Pittsburgh, once known as the Steel City, has undergone a dramatic transformation in its manufacturing landscape,” Robinson said. “While the steel industry remains a vital part of our heritage, the city has successfully diversified into advanced manufacturing, supported by a highly skilled workforce and strong educational institutions that drive our ongoing renaissance.”

View Robinson’s remarks on the Max Manufacturing Initiative here.

CONTACT:
Kevin Battle

Robinson, Garrity to Celebrate Max Manufacturing Initiative Act with Local Industry Leaders

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HARRISBURG – Sen. Devlin Robinson (R-37) will be joined by Pennsylvania State Treasurer Stacy Garrity and others to celebrate the launch of the Max Manufacturing Initiative Act on Tuesday, Sept. 3, at 11 a.m., at HAMR Industries in Neighborhood 91, 1300 Clinton Road, Suite 300, Clinton. There will be a walking tour of HAMR Industries, Metal Powder Works and Cumberland Additive upon the conclusion of the speaking portion of the event.

The Max Manufacturing Initiative Act, spearheaded by Robinson, promotes innovation and economic growth by facilitating collaboration between universities and engineering firms. This new law establishes public-private partnerships through a grant and loan program, supporting shared research facilities, cutting-edge equipment and incentives to attract high-tech industries to Pennsylvania. The initiative aims to create jobs, boost local businesses and drive advancements in high-value manufacturing.

 The event will feature remarks from:

  • Sen. Devlin Robinson (R-37),
  • Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity,
  • Rep. Valerie Gaydos (R-44),
  • Rep. Anita Kulik (D-45),
  • Christina Cassotis, CEO of the Allegheny County Airport Authority,
  • Alex Halper, senior vice president of government affairs for the PA Chamber of Business and Industry,
  • David Taylor, president and CEO of the PA Manufacturers’ Association,
  • Chris Heck, president of the Airport Area Chamber of Commerce,
  • Dr. Sandra DeVincent-Wolf, executive director of Manufacturing Futures Institute, adjunct professor of Materials Science and Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University,
  • John Barnes, The Barnes Global Advisors president and Neighborhood 91 strategic advisor.

 

CONTACT:
Kevin Battle, 412-643-3020

Yaw to Unveil Plans for Pennsylvania Baseload Energy Development Fund

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HARRISBURG –State Sen. Gene Yaw (R-23), chairman of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, announced he will soon introduce legislation to establish a Pennsylvania Baseload Energy Development Fund. The Fund would provide low-interest grants and loans to finance the construction, maintenance, modernization and operation of electric generation facilities.

“Pennsylvania alone supplies nearly 25% of baseload electric generation capacity to the grid,” Yaw said. “We must play a more active role in incentivizing generation and addressing looming reliability challenges with market-based solutions. The Pennsylvania Baseload Energy Development Fund can help us supply the grid with reliable, cost-effective energy, as well as the infrastructure and workforce to maintain it.”

Yaw plans to introduce the measure as part of his ongoing work related to responsible energy development and protecting the reliability of the PJM electric grid. PJM projects that 20% of its existing capacity will retire by 2030 and at the current course, they will not have sufficient power to meet the demands of consumers.

The Energy Fund will be modeled after the Texas Energy Development Fund, which has been extremely successful in attracting baseload electric generation capacity. Initially funded at $5 billion, the Texas fund was increased to $10 billion due to overwhelming response.

For more state-related news and information, constituents can visit Senator Yaw’s website at www.SenatorGeneYaw.com or follow him on Facebook and X @SenatorGeneYaw.

 

CONTACT 
Elizabeth Weitzel
717-787-3280 

PA On-Farm Conservation Efforts the Focus of Legislative Discussion During Ag Progress Days

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HARRISBURG – Sen. Elder Vogel, Jr. (R-47) and Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski (D-121), majority chairs of the Senate and House Agriculture and Rural Affairs committees, lead discussions surrounding on-farm conservation efforts in Pennsylvania during an informational hearing held during this week’s Ag Progress Days hosted by Penn State University.

“Conservation partnerships are crucial to protecting our natural resources and preserving Pennsylvania’s agricultural heritage,” said Vogel. “The collaboration of public and private entities to advance agricultural conservation is a prime example of how farmers in the Commonwealth are at the forefront of efforts to protect the environment, feed the world and ensure agricultural practices live on for years to come.”

“Ag Progress Days is one of the premiere events in Agriculture, making it a perfect place to discuss the important role the industry plays in promoting conservation in PA,” Pashinski said. “Pennsylvania’s farmers have a long tradition of stewardship, and today we discussed how public and private partnerships implementing conservation practices are enhancing that tradition—ensuring the health of our soil, the purity of our water, and the sustainability of our farms and environment for generations to come.”

Among the testifiers, was Brett Reinford, a partner in Reinford Farms and member of the Land O’Lakes cooperative network. Reinford highlighted the dual roles his farm plays in not only supplying quality products to a rapidly growing world but actively being environmentally conscious and promoting sustainability.

“In 2008, my family embarked on a sustainability journey to address food waste and manure management on our farm,” stated Reinford. “With significant investment, we installed an anaerobic digester on our farm that addresses food waste, manure management, water quality, and produces a renewable source of energy. We are not only disposing of food waste, but we have an environmentally friendly solution that turns it into renewable energy. Now, with the help of the Sustainable PA initiative, we are installing manure storage technologies on our farm that will improve water quality outcomes from our farm.”

Reinford Farms is a multigenerational family dairy farm in Juniata County which encompasses 1,300 acres and houses 750 milking cows and 800 young cattle.

Other hearing testifiers included Adam Ortiz, Environmental Protection Agency Region 3 Administrator; Natalie Krak, The Hershey Company; Jenna Beckett, Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay; Doug Wolfgang, State Conservation Commission; and Denise Coleman, U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resource Conservation Service.

The full hearing can be viewed here.

Further addressing and encouraging conservation efforts amid Pennsylvania farmers, the General Assembly dedicated $10 million, through the 2024-25 state budget, to the new Agriculture Innovation and Development Program which is focused on providing farmers and agribusinesses with the resources to adopt new technological practices.

As for Ag Progress Days, Penn State has been hosting this event at the Rock Springs site since 1976 and this year celebrates 48 years of showcasing the various aspects of Pennsylvania’s agriculture industry as well as the most recent agricultural break throughs. It remains one of the top agricultural events in the commonwealth and is one of only three agricultural exhibitions in the country sponsored by a major university.

Vogel added, “As a farmer I can speak directly to the importance of Ag Progress Days and the value it has to producers, industry professionals and the public alike. From seminars and demonstrations to equipment showcases and networking opportunities there is so much to see and do every year. This is an event I look forward to each summer as there is truly no better place to run into old friends and learn about the latest happenings within the industry.”

CONTACT:    Abby Chiumento, 717-787-3076 (Vogel)
                     William Hughes, 717-772-2999 (Pashinski)

Senate and House Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committees to Focus on Farm Conservation Efforts in PA in Joint Hearing

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HARRISBURG – In conjunction with Penn State University’s Annual Ag Progress Days event, Sen. Elder Vogel, Jr. (R-47) and Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski (D-121), majority chairs of the Senate and House Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committees, will hold a joint informational hearing on Wednesday, August 14, beginning at 10 a.m., at the Red Barn Annex, 2710 West Pine Grove Road, Pennsylvania Furnace, PA, 16865.

Both committees will be hosting state and federal agriculture stakeholders as they discuss continued partnerships in relation to on-farm conservation efforts in Pennsylvania.

Testifiers to include:

  • Brett Reinford, Land O’Lakes Farmer Member
  • Adam Ortiz, Environmental Protection Agency Region 3 Administrator
  • Natalie Krak, The Hershey Company
  • Jenna Beckett, Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay
  • Doug Wolfgang, State Conservation Commission
  • Denise Coleman, U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resource Conservation Service
  •  

Watch live at SenatorElderVogel.com, Agriculture.pasenategop.com, or Facebook.com/Senator.Elder.Vogel.

 

CONTACT:    Abby Chiumento, 717-787-3076 (Vogel)
                      William Hughes, 717-772-2999 (Pashinski)

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