Scholarship Bill Wins Bipartisan Support in Senate Education Committee

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HARRISBURG – The Senate Education Committee advanced bipartisan legislation today to provide more educational options to children in low-performing public schools, according to committee chair Sen. Dave Argall (R-29).

Senate Bill 795, sponsored by Sen. Judy Ward (R-30), would establish the PASS (Pennsylvania Award for Student Success) Program to provide students in low-performing schools with scholarships to attend the school of their choice.

Sen. Anthony Williams (D-Philadelphia) spoke passionately in support of this legislation, noting the strong support for these scholarships from the students and parents he represents. He said the students in his district who attend struggling schools “need a different path and a different opportunity… and that pathway will lead to success stories across the country.”

During Governor Shapiro’s budget address earlier this year, he referenced his continued support for “scholarships that let poor families in struggling school districts put their kids in the best position for them to succeed – whether that’s paying for extra tutoring, books and computers, or yes, going to another school.”

The committee also approved House Bill 1097, sponsored by Rep. Jim Haddock (D-118), which would require a moment of silence to remember the events of September 11, 2001 in schools every year. The bill also requires the Department of Education to develop model curriculum about the significance and impact of 9/11.

Both bills now advance to the full Senate.

CONTACT: Jim Brugger

Senate Republicans to Hold News Conference

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Senate Republican Leaders and members of the Senate Republican Caucus will hold a press conference on Tuesday, May 7 at 3:00 p.m., to highlight protection of Pennsylvania taxpayers as negotiations with the 2024-25 state budget accelerate.

Meeting to consider SB 269, SB 739, SB 920, SB 1001, SB 1002, SB 1003, SB 1004, SB 1005, SB 1006, SB 1007, SB 1008, SB 1009, SB 1010, SB 1017, SB 1165 and SB 1173

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Senate Appropriations Committee

Tuesday, May 7, 2024 | Off the Floor

Rules Room 

Agenda

SB 269 (Gebhard) Amends the Tax Reform Code of 1971, to establish a volunteer certified emergency medical technician tax credit.
SB 739 (Vogel) Establishes the Telemedicine Act.
SB 920 (Langerholc) Amends the Sexual Assault Testing and Evidence Collection Act to establish a statewide sexual assault evidence tracking system.
SB 1001 (Martin) General Appropriation Act of 2024.
SB 1002 (Martin) Professional Licensure Augmentation Account funding for FY 2024-25.
SB 1003 (Martin) Workmen’s Compensation Administration funding for FY 2024-25.
SB 1004 (Martin) Office of Small Business Advocate funding for FY 2024-25.
SB 1005 (Martin) Office of Consumer Advocate funding for FY 2024-25.
SB 1006 (Martin) Public School Employees’ Retirement Board funding for FY 2024-25.
SB 1007 (Martin) State Employees’ Retirement Board funding for FY 2024-25.
SB 1008 (Martin) Philadelphia Parking Authority funding for FY 2024-25.
SB 1009 (Martin) Public Utility Commission funding for FY 2024-25.
SB 1010 (Martin) Gaming Control Appropriation Act of 2024.
SB 1017 (Boscola) Amends Title 66 (Public Utilities) providing for comprehensive updates to various sections of Chapter 14.
SB 1165 (Boscola) Amends Title 63 (Professions and Occupations (State Licensed)) to provide for criminal history background checks.
SB 1173 (Stefano) Amends the Real Estate Licensing and Registration Act to provide for wholesale transactions.

 

Senate Approves Mastriano Bill to Help Veterans’ Families Access Burial Benefits

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HARRISBURG – The state Senate today approved legislation introduced by Sen. Doug Mastriano (R-33) to help the grieving families of deceased U.S. military veterans access their federal Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) burial benefits.

“The men and women who served our country in the military deserve to be laid to rest with dignity and respect,” Mastriano said. “Many families are unaware of the VA burial benefits for veterans. My goal is to ensure more veterans and their families can access these benefits, which the veterans earned through service to our country.”

Mastriano’s Senate Bill 1139 would require funeral directors, funeral parlors or cemetery companies to notify the director of the county veterans assistance office when a veteran living in the county dies. They also would have to provide the deceased veteran’s family with contact information for the county director.

“This bill would promote communication between funeral parlors and the county veterans affairs offices so the grieving family can access the veteran’s burial benefits,” Mastriano said. “A little bit of communication can make a big difference for these families during a difficult time.”

Senate Bill 1139 now heads to the state House of Representatives for consideration.

Constituents of the 33rd 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
717-787-9603

Senate Approves Pennycuick Providing Military Benefits to Korean Americans Who Served in Vietnam

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HARRISBURG – Korean Americans who served in the Vietnam War with the Korean Armed Forces would receive the same state veterans benefits as their U.S. counterparts under legislation unanimously approved today by the Senate, said sponsor Sen. Tracy Pennycuick (R-24).

The Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee approved Senate Bill 973 to grant the same rights, benefits and privileges of United States military veterans to any Pennsylvania resident who is a naturalized U.S. citizen and who served in the Vietnam War with the Korean Armed Forces.
 
There are more than 3,000 naturalized Korean American citizens who served in the Vietnam War as a part of the Korean Armed Forces, Pennycuick said.

“Members of the Korean Armed Forces fought with tremendous valor and honor alongside U.S. forces, and now hundreds of them call Pennsylvania home,” she said. “They have made their lives and homes in this country and are entitled to as much respect as their U.S. military counterparts.”

“On behalf of the Korean Americans who served in the Vietnam War with the Korean Armed Forces, we are grateful to Senator Tracy Pennycuick for her support and legislation that recognizes the sacrifices and service of Korean Americans,” said Sung Kim of Korean American Veterans of America PA.

The bill would apply to any Pennsylvania resident who is an American citizen, was an active-duty member of the Republic of Korea Armed Forces in the Vietnam War between Jan. 9, 1962, and May 7, 1975, and received an honorable discharge or equivalent.

The bill now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration.  

 

CONTACT: Lidia DiFiore

Meeting to consider SB 795 and HB 1097

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Senate Education Committee

Tuesday, May 7, 2024 | 12:30 p.m.

Room 8E-B, East Wing

Agenda

Senate Bill 795 (J. Ward) – Amends the Public School Code of 1949 establishing the Lifeline
Scholarship Program and the Lifeline Scholarship Fund.

House Bill 1097 (Haddock) – Amends the Public School Code of 1949 to provide for a moment of
silence in schools for the anniversary of September 11, 2001 and require the Department of
Education to identify curriculum for instruction on the events and significance of that day.

Fallen Police Officers Ceremony

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Sen. Regan and PA Fraternal Order of Police

Monday, May 6, 2024 | 5 p.m.

Main Rotunda, state Capitol

Meeting to consider SB 1026

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Senate Labor and Industry Committee

Wednesday, May 8, 2024 | 9:30 a.m.

Room 8E-A, East Wing

Agenda

  • SB 841 (Farry) – Amends the Prevailing Wage Act to add custom fabrication as work included under
    the act and prohibits the paying of multiple prevailing wage rates to a worker on a single project.
           
             o A04132 (Robinson)

  • SB 1026 (Miller) – Amends Act 173 of 1975 to modernize payroll methods to include allowing for
    employers to require payment by electronic method if certain conditions are met.

             o A04309 (Robinson)
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