 |
|
|
| [[Opt In Top]] |
| News You Can Use |
| Legislative Headlines |
Judiciary Committee Continues Hearings on Firearms Bills
To find ways to reduce gun violence in Pennsylvania while respecting the Second Amendment, the House Judiciary Committee is holding a series of hearings to give representatives an opportunity to convey the feedback they are hearing in their districts. We have all heard from people with many different ideas – some pro-Second Amendment, some pro-gun control, and some mental health and background checks. They are offering ideas to strengthen what we have now in services and information.
A lot of dialogue happened over the two weeks of hearings. I testified this week about what I have heard from my constituents on gun safety, gun rights, gun control, school safety and mental health. Thank you to all who have provided input.
My testimony is available here.
Promoting Self-Sufficiency with Welfare Work Requirements
To ensure that public assistance programs can benefit those in legitimate need, the House is advancing three measures designed to encourage self-reliance through work experiences. In other states with work requirements, families have seen their incomes double and have been able to follow their dreams of self-sustainability.
Passing the House this week was House Bill 2138, which would require the Department of Human Services (DHS) to institute work or community engagement requirements for able-bodied Medical Assistance recipients. The work requirements include being employed or attending a job training program for 20 or more hours a week or completing 12 job training program-related activities in a month. Many exceptions do apply for those unable to work. For example, the following circumstances would not need to meet the work requirements:
• An enrollee who is attending high school full time.
• An individual who is receiving temporary or permanent long-term disability benefits.
• An individual who is under 19 years of age or those who are 65 and older.
• Pregnant women.
• SSI beneficiaries.
• An individual residing in a mental health institution or correctional institution.
• An individual experiencing a crisis, serious medical condition or temporary condition, which prohibits employment, including, but not limited to, domestic violence or a substance use disorder.
• Those who are a primary caregiver to a dependent under 6 years of age.
• Those who are the primary caregiver for a person who is permanently disabled or in hospice.
In the House Appropriations Committee Budget Hearings earlier this year, Teresa Miller, the secretary of the Department to Human Services, testified that this population is approximately one million people. Of that number, nearly half are without disability and do not work.
Also before the House is House Bill 1659, which would require healthy (able-bodied) adults without children to work, perform community service, participate in a work program or be enrolled as a full-time student in order to receive SNAP (food stamp) benefits.
Another bill advancing to help ensure maximum efficiency of welfare programs is House Bill 1618, which would require the forfeiture of any assistance allotments that are unused after a six-month period.
Filling In-Demand Jobs Now and in the Future
To help job creators fill in-demand jobs now and in the future, the House is considering a nine-bill bipartisan package this week seeking to improve career and technical education opportunities and enhance science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) curriculum.
The package includes measures to promote public-private partnerships; remove barriers for qualified career and technical educators; expand awareness of training opportunities and future earning potential; increase flexibility for innovative secondary career and technical programs; enhance and promote articulation agreements; develop and maintain a comprehensive online career resource center; coordinate state-level career exploration and workforce development opportunities; improve local and occupational advisory committees; and add K-12 teachers to the membership of the Workforce Development Board.
The package was developed following recommendations made by the House Select Subcommittee on Technical Education and Career Readiness, which was created to study and review the Commonwealth’s career and technical education policy.
The bills are expected to receive a final vote in the House the week of April 30.
More information is available here.
Keeping Students Aware of College Debt
To help college students track their student loan debt and make more informed decisions about borrowing, legislation passed the state House unanimously this week to require colleges and universities to annually notify students about their debt obligations.
House Bill 2124 would require colleges and universities, which receive federal student loan information for their students, to send letters to students with loans each year, updating them on their current student loan debt level and obligation. The letters would be mailed or emailed in advance of a student’s acceptance of additional funding and would include estimates of the student’s total debt at graduation and projected monthly payments.
Similar legislation in other states has substantially reduced student borrowing and helped students and their families to make more enlightened financial choices.
Outstanding student loan debt in this country has reached an unprecedented $1.3 trillion.
The measure is now with the state Senate for review.
‘The Wall That Heals’ to be Displayed at State Capitol May 9-13
“The Wall That Heals,” a replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., and an accompanying mobile Education Center, will be displayed on the State Capitol Grounds Wednesday, May 9, through Sunday, May 13.
The display will begin with an opening ceremony at 7 p.m. on May 9, and closing at 2 p.m. on May 13. The display will be open 24 hours each day, and admission is free.
Constructed of powder-coated aluminum, the wall features 24 individual panels bearing the names of more than 58,000 men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in Vietnam. Since many Americans have not been able to visit the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (VVMF), creators of both the original wall and the replica, want to give all citizens, veterans and their family members an opportunity to see the memorial.
Additional information about the mobile replica can be found at thewallthatheals.org. For more information about the Capitol event, or to volunteer to watch over the wall while it’s on the Capitol grounds, please visit legis.state.pa.us/TWTH.
April is ‘Donate Life Month’
To encourage people to give the gift of life, House Resolution 821 was adopted by the House this week to declare April 2018 as Donate Life Month in Pennsylvania.
In Pennsylvania, about 8,000 people are on the organ donation waiting list and, on average, every 18 hours one of them will die waiting for the call that never comes.
The encouraging news is that more people are making the decision to “donate life.” About 4.7 million Pennsylvanians have said yes to organ and tissue donation by adding the donor designation on their driver’s license. More than 138 million Americans are registered donors.
In addition, Pennsylvania driver’s license and ID card holders can support organ donation programs with a $1 donation at the time of application or renewal. To date, nearly $14 million has been generously donated to the fund.
More information is available at donatelifepa.org.
|
| |
| Committee Updates |
Monday, April 16, through Wednesday, April 18
Judiciary:
Special public safety hearings on gun laws and violence. (See story above.)
|
| Upcoming Events in the 88th District |
Tribute to Veterans Breakfast
On Friday, April 27, I will be holding a Tribute to Veterans Breakfast for veterans and active-duty military personnel residing in the 88th Legislative District. The breakfast will be at the First Church of God Community Center, 201 E. Green St., Mechanicsburg. Doors open at 7:30 a.m., and the program starts at 8 a.m. Please register by visiting RepDelozier.com or calling my district office at 717-761-4665.
Car Seat Safety Check
My annual car seat safety check is set for Thursday, May 31, from 4-7 p.m., at L.B. Smith Ford Lincoln, 1100 Market St., Lemoyne. Local law enforcement will be on hand to ensure that child safety seats are properly secured in vehicles. Parents and caregivers also will be instructed on the correct installation procedures. If you have any questions, please call my district office at 717-761-4665.
|
| Rep. Delozier in the Community |
• West Shore Christian Academy seniors Micah Pepper of Upper Allen Township and Caleb Shuffler of Mechanicsburg visited the Capitol as part of the guest page program. Guest pages serve on the House floor during session days and witness government up close.
• The Saint Theresa Boys’ Basketball Team was recognized at the Capitol this week for its 2018 Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) Pennsylvania State Boys’ Basketball Tournament title. The team defeated Sacred Heart from the Pittsburgh Diocese by a score of 53-44 on March 18. This is the first boys’ state title for the school.
• Semoff’s Barber Shop in New Cumberland celebrated its 90th year in business. I joined the celebration by presenting a House citation congratulating this five generation community mainstay.
• West Shore Plaza held at Healthy Neighbors Fest community health event last Saturday. The all-day affair included free health screenings, a blood donation, walk for health and a fitness session. I spoke at the opening ceremonies about the importance of adopting a healthy lifestyle.
• Students and administrators from Cumberland Perry Area Vocational Technical School visited the Capitol this week to advocate for the importance of career and technical education. I was able to meet with two of the students. One attends Cedar Cliff High School.
|
|
|
|
|
| Office Locations |
| 2929 Gettysburg Road, Suite 6, Camp Hill PA 17011 | Phone: (717) 761-4665 |
| 141 East Wing, PO Box 202088, Harrisburg PA 17120-2088 | Phone: 717-783-5282 |
| Email: sdelozie@pahousegop.com |
| TTY: 855-282-0614 |
|
|
