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In This Edition:

• Thanks to All Tele-town Hall Participants
• Legislative Update: Fire/EMS, Cancer Screening and Coverage Bills Move Forward
• New Location, Hours Set for Beaver County Satellite Office
• Committee Explores Creation of Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program
• State Grants, Loans Support Career Readiness, Dairy Farms and More

Thanks to All Tele-town Hall Participants

A special thanks goes out to all of the community residents who took the time to participate in my most recent telephone town hall on Tuesday night. These events always generate a great discussion about what is happening in local communities and in Harrisburg, and I appreciated the chance to give an update on many of these topics.

If you missed this event, audio of the meeting will be available here soon. In addition, the town hall was broadcast on Facebook Live. You can check out the video on my Facebook page here.

Check back to my website at www.senatorbartolotta.com for the next town hall event!

Legislative Update: Fire/EMS, Cancer Screening and Coverage Bills Move Forward

The Senate approved several bills of note this week, including two bills to address the financial and personnel challenges of fire and EMS companies, and two measures to help cancer patients access potentially lifesaving drugs and require insurers to cover supplemental screenings for women at high risk for breast cancer.

Senate Bills 908 and 910 would expand the Volunteer Fire Company, Ambulance Service and Rescue Squad Assistance program and the Fire Company and Emergency Medical Service Grant Program.

House Bill 427 sets health insurance coverage requirements for stage four, advanced metastatic cancer. Senate Bill 595 provides for insurance coverage for breast density screenings.

Other bills approved by the Senate this week include:

• Senate Bill 60, which would set significant penalties for the solicitation or advertisement of the sexual services of victims of human trafficking.
• Senate Bill 133, which would allow gubernatorial candidates select their running mates after the primary election.
• Senate Bill 906, which institutes a moratorium on the closing of the Polk and White Haven State Centers.
• Senate Bill 30, which creates a state housing tax credit.
• Senate Bill 779, which moves Pennsylvania’s Presidential primary election day to the third Tuesday of March.
• Senate Bill 773, which would strengthen penalties for repeat DUI offenders and require people arrested for a third or subsequent DUI to wear continuous alcohol monitoring devices.

It was an honor recently to be sworn into the Pennsylvania Wing of the Legislative Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol by Major Adam Springmeyer.

New Location, Hours Set for Beaver County Satellite Office

In order to better meet the needs of constituents, I recently changed the location and availability of my satellite office in Beaver County. Beginning in February, my new satellite office will be at the B.F. Jones Memorial Library, located at 663 Franklin Avenue in Aliquippa. The office will be open every Monday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.

The Hopewell Township office, which was previously available one day per month, will no longer be open. I encourage community residents to stop by the new satellite office if my staff or I can assist you with any questions or concerns pertaining to state government.

Committee Explores Creation of Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program

As chair of the Senate Labor and Industry Committee, I recently held an informational hearing on a proposal to create a Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program for Pennsylvania workers. The hearing offered an opportunity for lawmakers to gather input from stakeholders on both sides of the issue, weigh the pros and cons of this proposal and identify concerns that could be addressed regarding the bill in the future.

Video of the hearing is below. Written testimony submitted for the hearing is available here.

State Grants, Loans Support Career Readiness, Dairy Farms and More

In recent weeks, several state grants have been awarded to address a variety of different priorities in local communities, ranging from career training to fire and emergency medical services. Below is a brief overview of these awards and how they will benefit our area:

• Local volunteer fire and EMS companies will receive nearly $900,000 in grant funding from the state. Details here.
• Ten local schools received grants totaling $350,000 from the Pennsylvania Department of Education to expand computer science programs for students. Details here.
• A $100,000 grant awarded by the Department of Labor and Industry (L&I) will improve the ability of local schools and businesses to work together to better prepare students for different career paths. More info here.
• A local farm in North Strabane Township will receive a state grant to offer a wider variety of products to consumers. Details here.
• Waynesburg University will receive a $29,799 grant to help improve campus security and provide resources to reduce the risk of sexual assault. More info here.
• Trinity North Elementary was awarded a grant of more than $37,000 for the purchase of new food service equipment for its cafeteria. Details here.
• A loan of more than $593,000 from the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST) will lead to critical improvements to the sewer system in Union Township. Details here.

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