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In this Update:
Wall of HonorIn recognition of those who have sacrificed to protect our nation and defend the freedoms we enjoy as Americans, I am asking veterans to submit their names to my virtual wall of honor for Veterans Day 2021. Veterans and their family members may submit their biographical information to inspire the community online at SenatorGebhard48.com/virtual-wall-of-honor in advance of Veterans Day on Thursday, Nov. 11. As your state senator, I will always prioritize the health and needs of our veterans, and I hope to address some of the issues still facing our veteran community. I would also like to honor the memory and ultimate sacrifice of those brave veterans who never made it home. I am proud to serve as a member of the Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee, which is tasked with reviewing legislation promoting state programs and services to benefit veterans and their families. Legislature Approves Extension of Pandemic Waivers of Government RegulationsThe Senate voted to extend waivers of an array of regulatory statutes, rules and regulations to aid in Pennsylvania’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill was sent to the governor for enactment following approval by the House of Representatives. The waivers affecting health and human services, as well as consumers and employees, were due to expire Thursday. Enactment of the legislation would extend the waivers until March 31, 2022. In May, voters stripped Gov. Tom Wolf of the authority he claimed to extend emergency declarations without approval of the General Assembly. Delivering on a promise to the people that we work better together, the General Assembly initially extended these waivers as part of the budget in June. Approval of the following waivers is critical to providing flexibility in managing the pandemic during a workforce shortage crisis: Waivers Benefiting Consumers and Employees
Waivers Aiding the Work of Health Care Facilities and Services
Senate Acts to Prevent Repeat of Botched Constitutional Amendment ProcessThe Senate approved two measures aimed at preventing a repeat of the Pennsylvania Department of State’s devastating failure to carry out a proposed constitutional amendment to help victims of sexual abuse. In the 2019-20 session, the General Assembly approved a proposed constitutional amendment, which would have given voters the opportunity to decide if a two-year window for victims of childhood sexual abuse to file litigation against their abusers should be created. The Department of State admitted earlier this year that it failed to properly advertise the proposed constitutional amendment, preventing the issue from going before voters and forcing the entire effort to be restarted. One measure would require the Department of State to create a publicly accessible website to provide Pennsylvanians a transparent way to track every step of the constitutional amendment process, including:
A second bill would require formal training for the Department’s employees regarding their legislative responsibilities and the constitutional amendment process. A 68-page Inspector General report on the botched handling of the constitutional amendment showed that some Department of State staff lack the formal training needed to properly handle their responsibilities with legislation. Both bills now go to the House of Representatives for consideration. Program to Battle Opioid Abuse Extended by SenateThe Senate approved a bill that continues a program designed to help doctors and pharmacists battle opioid abuse. The program, set to expire on June 30, 2022, would be extended until Dec. 31, 2028. The bill now goes to the governor for enactment. The measure extends the successful Achieving Better Care by Monitoring All Prescriptions (ABC-MAP) program that allows access to a patient’s prescription medication history through an electronic system to those who prescribe medications and those who dispense medication. Electronic access to a patient’s prescription medication history allows doctors, pharmacists and other medical professionals to better treat patients. ABC-MAP enables opioid prescribers and dispensers to identify warning signs of abuse including “doctor shopping” and “pharmacy shopping” that occurs when patients attempt to obtain opioid prescriptions from multiple doctors or pharmacies. Senate Passes Measures to Help Pennsylvania Farmers Move GoodsThe Senate passed two measures to help Pennsylvania farmers make home deliveries and meet other transportation needs. The bills were sent to the House of Representatives for consideration. One bill would enable a farmer to register a farm vehicle for the delivery of milk and other agricultural products to both businesses and homes. Under current law, a farmer is required to purchase, register and maintain a separate commercial vehicle for home deliveries while also maintaining a farm vehicle to deliver products to businesses. Another measure would allow farmers to use a Class A, B or C driver’s license when operating farm vehicles with a combined weight of more than 26,000 pounds on roadways. Act 170 of 2014 clarified that farmers did not need a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) when operating farm trucks, or farm trucks hauling trailers, with a combined weight of more than 26,000 pounds. However, it was unclear as to whether a farmer could use a Class B, Class C or Class A driver’s license when operating those vehicles. A Class A driver’s license is a graduated license above the common Class C license and requires an additional road test and fee. Domestic Violence: Identifying the Signs and Getting HelpOctober is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Help is available if you’re experiencing abuse or concerned about a friend or family member: Call: 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE) Text: START to 88788 Chat: At National Domestic Violence Hotline You can find out how to identify abuse, plan for your safety or help others. You don’t have to take it, and you don’t have to suffer in silence. Local EventsSaturday, October 2, 2021 4-9pm, Mount Gretna Fire Company Pig Roast Saturday, October 2, 2021 2pm, Joseph P Sevco Jr. Basketball Court Grant Opening Saturday, October 2, 2021 1pm-4pm Bunker Hill Fire Company Open House Saturday, October 2, 2021 1pm-7pm Festival Multicultural Calle 8 Saturday, October 2, 2021 10am-4pm Indian Echo 9th Annual Fall Festival
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