|
||
|
In this Update:
Senate Votes for the Save Women’s Sports Act
With a bipartisan vote, the Senate passed legislation to protect athletic opportunity, competitive fairness and safety for female athletes across Pennsylvania. The Save Women’s Sports Act would ensure athletic teams designated for girls and women are reserved for biological females in K-12 and collegiate sports across the commonwealth. Senate Bill 9 would reinforce the original intent of Title IX by ensuring female athletes are not denied scholarships, placements or opportunities due to unfair competition from biological males. It is now headed to the House of Representatives for consideration. Free Shredding Event: Protect Your Personal Information
Looking to safely get rid of old documents cluttering your home? Mark your calendar for a Free Community Shredding Event on Saturday, May 17, from 9:30-11:30 a.m. at the Dover High School parking lot, located at 4500 Intermediate Ave., Dover. This event, hosted Rep. Marc Anderson and me, is a secure and convenient way to dispose of personal documents containing sensitive information — a smart step in protecting yourself from identity theft. Please note:
If you have any questions or need additional information, contact my office at 717-432-1730 or Rep. Anderson’s office at 717-432-0792. Tell Gov. Shapiro to Hold the Line on PA’s Budget
The secret is out: Pennsylvania is in financial trouble. This budget might be our last opportunity to change course. When Gov. Shapiro took office in 2022, he started with a $42.7 billion budget and over $13 billion in total surplus funds. The biggest question facing lawmakers back then was what to do with all those surplus funds. Save it for emergencies? Spend it on one-time projects or programs? Give it back to the taxpayers? Many of us had differing ideas, often crossing traditional party lines. But there was one thing everyone with basic money management skills could agree on: do not use these one-time funds for recurring expenses. Read more of this op-ed here. Reforming Apprenticeship Ratios to Strengthen PA’s Skilled Workforce
On Wednesday, May 7, in recognition of National Skilled Trades Day, I joined forces with Rep. Barb Gleim at the Capitol to spotlight our legislation aimed at modernizing Pennsylvania’s apprenticeship rules and expanding opportunities for the next generation of skilled workers. Under current law, nonunion employers are subject to a rigid 4-to-1 ratio — requiring four trained workers for every one apprentice. Meanwhile, unions are allowed to set their own ratios, creating an uneven playing field that puts small businesses and nonunion contractors at a disadvantage. My bill introduces a commonsense fix: it bases apprenticeship ratios on the actual hazard level of the job, not on whether an employer is union or nonunion. This approach makes it easier for more employers to participate in training programs and invest in Pennsylvania’s skilled workforce without compromising worker safety. Rep. Gleim is introducing a companion bill in the House, and together, we’re working to ensure that every Pennsylvanian — regardless of where they work — has access to high-quality career pathways in the trades. Bill Strengthening PA’s Sexual Offender Registry Approved by Senate
The Senate unanimously approved legislation to better protect children in Pennsylvania against sexual predators. Senate Bill 255 would require a sports official, volunteer or employee of a nonprofit association who is convicted of sexual assault to register as a sexual offender under the Sexual Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA). Under current law, a conviction for this offense does not require registration as a sex offender. Closing this loophole will strengthen SORNA and ensure potentially violent sex offenders can be properly monitored. The bill, which now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration, is part of a larger Senate Republican priority of making commonwealth communities safer. Addressing Challenges at the PA State Association of Township Supervisors Conference
It was a pleasure to attend the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors Conference last week and take part in a panel discussion focused on the challenges and opportunities facing townships across the commonwealth. The dedication of local government officials — who work every day to keep our communities running smoothly — was on full display throughout the event. As chair of the Local Government Committee, I’m committed to partnering with these leaders to find practical, commonsense solutions and eliminate unnecessary red tape. Whether it’s improving infrastructure, increasing transparency or modernizing outdated regulations, we must continue working together to support the vital work happening at the local level. PA Treasury Continues Working to Return Money to the People
More than 40,000 Pennsylvanians may soon find a check in their mailbox for money they didn’t know they had, thanks to legislation passed by Senate Republicans. PA Money Match is a new law that allows Treasury to automatically return certain unclaimed property. The program includes properties valued at $500 or less that belong to a single owner. Those with eligible properties will receive a letter in the mail to confirm their address. About 45 days later, they’ll receive a check for their property. PA Treasurer Stacy Garrity is working to return more than $4.5 billion in unclaimed property, which includes dormant bank accounts, uncashed checks, rebates and insurance payments. The average claim is worth more than $1,000. Because PA Money Match will not automatically return properties exceeding $500 or those that may have more than one owner, you are still encouraged to regularly use Treasury’s website to check if you have unclaimed property. Honoring Our Heroes in Blue: National Police Week 2025
May 11–17 marks National Police Week 2025, a time to honor the courageous men and women of law enforcement who protect our communities each and every day. We pay tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty and recognize the dedicated officers who continue to serve with integrity and professionalism. Here in Cumberland and York, we are proud to stand with our police. Their commitment to safety, service and community deserves not only our gratitude but our continued support. During this week of remembrance and recognition, let’s take a moment to thank our officers and reaffirm our respect for the vital role they play in keeping us safe.
|
||
|
||
Want to change how you receive these emails? 2025 © Senate of Pennsylvania | https://senatorkeefer.com | Privacy Policy |
