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| Weekly Roundup |
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The latest news from the State Capitol |
Work Requirements for Welfare Recipients
To help contain escalating costs for the state’s Medical Assistance (MA) program, the House recently approved legislation that would allow for work or work-search requirements for able-bodied individuals receiving MA benefits. Work requirements are already in place for food stamp and cash assistance programs.
As part of House Bill 59, the Department of Human Services would be required to design work or work-search requirements for those who do not have a qualifying disability, are not pregnant and are not elderly. The federal government would have to approve such requirements.
Another provision in the bill would require the department to see additional cost savings before seeking any more from the state’s General Fund.
Medical Assistance is one of the largest cost-drivers in the $32 billion state budget, accounting for 29 percent.
The bill, which is headed for the governor’s desk, faces an uncertain future. The governor has vowed to veto the bill.
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Preventing Fires in Your Home
To help prevent residential fires, October has been designated across the nation as a time to remind people of fire dangers in their homes and communities, as well as to educate the public about simple fire prevention steps to make everyone safer.
House Resolution 546 designates October as Pennsylvania Fire Prevention Month, and also marks Oct. 8-14 as National Fire Prevention Week.
This year’s Fire Prevention Week theme -- “Every Second Counts: Plan Two Ways Out!” -- seeks to remind people to have an escape plan that includes at least two exits in the event one of those exits is blocked by fire.
The National Fire Prevention Association also encourages families to practice their home fire drill twice a year, once at night and once during the day, and to practice using different ways out. |
Raising Awareness of Domestic Violence
To help raise greater awareness of the dangers of domestic violence, House Resolution 525 officially designates October Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Pennsylvania.
One in every four women and one in every nine men will experience domestic violence in his or her lifetime, with nearly 1.3 million women and 835,000 men being physically assaulted by an intimate partner annually in the United States. It affects people from all racial, ethnic, religious, educational, social and economic backgrounds.
Domestic violence is a pattern of abusive behavior within an intimate relationship that is used by one partner to gain power or control over the other partner. It takes on many forms, including abuse, harassment, threats, vandalism, trespassing, burglary, theft and stalking.
It often escalates, causing victims to suffer physical and emotional trauma, anxiety, stress, sleep deprivation and fear, as well as injury or death by suicide or homicide.
Domestic violence is one of the most chronically underreported crimes, and fewer than 20 percent of victims who report an injury from an intimate partner seek medical treatment following the injury.
To find out more about domestic violence programs and support, visit pcadv.org.
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Veterans Can Get New Photo ID Cards
Under a federal law passed in 2015, all honorably discharged veterans of every era will be able to receive a photo ID card from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), starting in November. This will allow veterans to prove their service without showing a copy of their official DD 214 discharge documents.
The law, known as the Veterans Identification Card Act 2015, orders the VA to issue a hard-copy photo ID to any honorably discharged veteran who applies. The card must contain the veteran’s name, photo and a non-Social Security identification number.
Veterans may apply for the free card online, but a timeline for how long it will take to receive a card after application has not been finalized. Other details are not yet available.
In Pennsylvania, veterans can apply for a specially designated driver’s license under Act 176 of 2012. More information is available here.
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Around Our Community
Last week, Integra Home Counseling held a breakfast at Pocono Manor to celebrate its fifth anniversary. Integra has helped countless Monroe County residents stay in their homes and the agency is an incredibly valuable resource. Integra also honored Susan Lyons, Terry Lukas, Phil Witkowski, Jennifer Collins, J.D. Shank and Sen. Mario Scavello for their service to the agency. Thank you to Integra founder Linda Gerkensmeyer and her staff for all they do for the community.
On Monday, the interim chancellor of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education visited East Stroudsburg University to meet with students and faculty. Pictured with me are Sen. Mario Scavello, Rep. Rosemary Brown, Cooper Nordquist from Rep. Maureen Madden’s office, Interim Chancellor Dr. Karen Whitney, Board of Governors Chair Cynthia Shapira and ESU President Dr. Marcia Welsh.
Last weekend, Tobyhanna Township held its annual Fall Festival at Blanche Price Park. Hundreds of residents came out to visit the vendors and enjoy the great weather. Even Champ, the mascot of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, stopped by. I had the chance to judge the apple pie contest again this year and had to choose from some great entries! Tobyhanna Township does a great job on this event every year. It really brings the community together.
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| Office Locations |
| Capitol: Room 423, Irvis Office Building, P.O. Box 202176, Harrisburg, PA 17120-2176 | Phone: (717) 787-7732 |
| Districts: 2785 Route 115, Suite 103, Carriage House Square, Effort, PA 18330 I Phone: (570) 620-4341 |
| Tobyhanna Township Building, 105 Government Center Way, Pocono Pines, Pa 18350 I Phone: (570) 643-7683 |
| Email: jrader@pahousegop.com |
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