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In this Update:
Legislation to End Wasteful Spending at Vacant State Centers in Hamburg, White Haven, and Polk Approved by Senate
Due to concerns about decades of bureaucratic inactivity and the waste of millions of taxpayer dollars at the state-owned White Haven Center, Hamburg Center, and Polk Center, the Pennsylvania Senate approved legislation I sponsored with Sen. Dave Argall (R-29) and Sen. Scott Hutchinson (R-21) to move the issue forward by a bipartisan vote of 47-3. Without community or legislative input, the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services shut down the Hamburg Center in 2018 and the White Haven and Polk centers in 2023. Since then, these centers have sat mostly unused and empty, leaving taxpayers on the hook for millions every year to maintain empty buildings. According to the Pennsylvania Department of General Services, carryover costs for all three properties during the 2023-24 fiscal year totaled $28.1 million – $8.9 million for the White Haven Center, $3.9 million for the Hamburg Center, and $15.3 million for the Polk Center. Senate Bill 1277 demands a detailed plan from the Pennsylvania Department of General Services on how it will repurpose these three properties. Under the bill, the department must also provide the legislature with the yearly costs of each property since the institutions were closed, expected costs associated with each property if they are not sold, and costs relating to the demolition or refurbishment of the buildings at each property. I hope this bill expeditiously moves through the PA House and on to the Governor’s desk. Veterans Appreciation Lunch on Nov. 9 at Cabelas
I will be joining with Rep. Jamie Barton (R-124) to host a veterans appreciation lunch on Saturday, Nov. 9, at Cabela’s, 100 Cabela Drive, Hamburg. Check-in begins at 11:30 a.m. with lunch and the program commencing at noon. The men and women who have defended the American ideals we hold dear have influenced the history of the country, ensuring that we can continue to enjoy our many freedoms. I look forward to personally thanking the veterans who are able to attend the lunch we are hosting. Col. Frank Ryan, UMCR-retired, former state representative and Iraq War veteran will be the keynote speaker. Veterans are welcome to bring one guest. Space is limited for the lunch, so veterans are required to RSVP to my district office by calling 610-562-3411 or signing up online at SenatorGebhard.com/veterans-lunch-reg. Lebanon County Association of Municipal Officials Convention
I was grateful to be able to speak at the Lebanon County Association of Municipal Officials Convention this week. Local government really is the most direct, accessible, and important form of government. I want to thank all the elected officials and public servants who dedicate so much time to their local communities. With the rapid growth of the County, municipalities in Lebanon are certainly facing growing pains. I look forward to working together to keep Lebanon County a great place to live and raise a family. Legislation to Combat AI-Generated Deepfake Images of Minors in PA Set for Enactment
Legislation to combat “deepfake” images of minors and child sexual abuse materials generated by artificial intelligence (AI) received final legislative approval and is set for enactment into law. Senate Bill 1213 addresses the alarming rise in AI-generated deepfake sexual images of children and non-consenting adults. Currently, Pennsylvania law makes it illegal to share intimate images without consent but does not clearly address the use of AI deepfake technology for this purpose. This gap in our law leaves many vulnerable to a new form of digital abuse. The bill also prohibits AI from being utilized to generate child sexual abuse material, previously referred to as “child pornography,” which is not currently prohibited under law. In August, police in Lancaster County launched an investigation into a case of artificially generated nude photos that use the faces of more than 20 female teenage students. The district attorney said that in some cases charges can’t be filed because the images don’t involve actual children. Senate Bill 1213 seeks to close that loophole. Senate Committee Votes to be Prepared for Natural Disasters
As hurricanes Helene and Milton remind us of the importance of being prepared to respond to natural disasters and other emergencies, the Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee advanced three bills to support Pennsylvania’s emergency responders. All three bills now advance to the full Senate for consideration. House Bill 843 would establish a second urban search and rescue team in western Pennsylvania. Funding for the team was included in this year’s state budget. The bridge collapse and East Palestine train derailment demonstrated the need for emergency response in minutes, not hours. House Bill 1304 would update the language in the 911 Law to increase penalties for misuse of the 911 system and ensure communications service providers report service outages as specified by the Federal Communications Commission or Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission. House Bill 2407 would update the state Fire and EMS Grant Program by enabling fire and EMS companies to use grants for preventative health measures, mental health awareness and treatment. The legislation also would allow testing after each of the four training modules that total 188 hours for the Firefighter 1 certification, as opposed to requiring firefighters to pass a cumulative test covering all modules as is currently the case. Finally, the bill would increase the thresholds that fire and EMS companies can borrow from the low-interest Fire and EMS Loan Program. PA’s Credit Rating Upgraded Because of Strong Budget Reserves
Pennsylvania received yet another upgrade to its credit rating because of strong budget reserves and prudent financial management of Senate Republicans. Moody’s Investor Services raised the rating to Aa2. The announcement was the fourth significant upgrade to the state’s financial outlook in the past 13 months. Previous upgrades helped Pennsylvania and its taxpayers save nearly $100 million during the December 2023 bond sale. Senate Republicans have been dedicated to building the state’s Rainy Day Fund, allocating nearly $740 million more in this year’s budget – bringing the total balance to more than $7 billion. Above the national average, the fund directly influenced the rating upgrades. What Do You Think of PennDOT’s Construction and Maintenance Services?
Motorists have until Tuesday, Oct. 22, to provide feedback regarding PennDOT’s construction and maintenance services via an online survey. The survey asks respondents how they receive PennDOT roadway information and how often PennDOT meets or exceeds expectations regarding construction and maintenance services. Respondents are also asked about experiences with reporting concerns to their department, and whether or how they use the state’s 511PA traveler information services. Act 1 of 2023
Act 1 of 2023, a landmark law we passed in Pennsylvania, eliminates all costs associated with screening breast MRI, ultrasound, genetic testing and counseling for individuals at high risk of breast cancer who are insured under state-regulated plans. High-risk factors include a personal or family history of breast cancer, abnormal breast screenings or dense breast tissue. Individuals with gene mutations like BRCA1 or BRCA2, or those with a first-degree relative carrying these mutations, are also covered for additional screenings and genetic counseling. The law will be fully in effect for all state-regulated insurance plans by the end of 2025, though many plans will begin coverage between 2024 and 2025. To find out if your plan qualifies, check with your insurer or employer’s human resources. For uninsured or underinsured women who need immediate screenings, Pennsylvania offers no-cost options through the Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program. Local Events
Friday, October 11-13: Haunted Hollow & Family Fun Fest Saturday, October 12, 11am-2pm: Harvest Festival Saturday, October 12, 10am-4pm: Lititz Chocolate Walk Sunday, October 13, 10am-4pm: Palmyra Sportsmen’s Family Fun Field Day Saturday, October 12, 4pm-8pm: 1st Annual Jonestown Fall Fest Friday, October 12, 1:30-3:30pm: Lebanon County Car Show Saturday, October 12, 11am-5pm: Veterans Pets Festival
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