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Capitol Report
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#Listrak\DateStampLong#
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The latest news from the State Capitol
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Please do not reply directly to this email, as it returns to an unmanned account.
You are welcome to contact me through this link.
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We Will Never Forget!
Today marks the 25th anniversary of one of the worst days in our nation’s history. On Sept. 11, 2001, nearly 3,000 men and women were killed in devastating terrorist attacks in New York; Washington, D.C.; and Pennsylvania, including more than 400 first responders.
While most of us remember both the tragedy and bravery of that day, there are now an estimated 100 million Americans who are too young to remember 9/11. It is our duty to share our perspectives of that day – from fear and sadness to resilience and patriotism – to ensure the lives lost and lessons of that time in our history are never forgotten.
In addition to the annual remembrance events, special programming is planned at Ground Zero and Pennsylvania’s own Flight 93 Memorial. On Sept. 12, officials will break ground for construction of a Visitor Education Center adjacent to the 9/11 Pentagon Memorial in Washington, D.C.
May God bless the souls lost and the loved ones they left behind on this tragic day and always.
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Just Say ‘No’ to More Government Overreach
I’m calling on the Shapiro administration to withdraw proposed Department of Health regulations reminiscent of COVID lockdown-era government policy that would infringe upon constitutional norms and civil liberties.
As proposed by the Pennsylvania Department of Health, the regulations would allow government officials to institute school or community mask mandates, enter private residences without warrants and seek private health information without consent. The department also would have the authority to enter any school building to interview a student of any age in private, without notification to the parent or guardian, to gather information for contact tracing and partner services. If you’d like to read the proposed regulations in full, they are available here for review.
Policies with such significant impacts on students, families and communities should be debated openly by the Legislature, not imposed through regulation. We learned important lessons about government overreach during COVID, and we should not repeat those mistakes.
You can join me by submitting your feedback.
These regulations have not yet been implemented and are currently before the Independent Regulatory Review Commission (IRRC). They are still open to public comments until Sept. 21. Comment letters must be EMAILED to irrc@irrc.state.pa.us OR RA-DHCHAPTR27PROPREG@pa.gov.
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Settlement to Help Protect Kids on Social Media
Pennsylvania is part of a multistate coalition that recently reached a settlement with Meta that assures the social media company will implement sweeping changes to its existing age assurance framework, limit children’s time on its platforms and cut kids’ access to harmful content.
According to Attorney General Dave Sunday, the settlement, which involves up to $17.1 billion in national remediation payments, is the largest-ever settlement involving a big tech company. Pennsylvania is expected to receive $516 million over a period of years — and up to $729 million. The total is contingent on other major social media companies agreeing to the same sweeping changes.
Among the changes Meta must implement under the settlement are:
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Hard cap daily time limits and “productive pauses” for children to interrupt endless scrolling. |
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Nighttime blocks restricting children’s access from midnight to 6 a.m. |
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Limited school-time access for children by eliminating push notifications on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. during the school year. |
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Limits on social comparison features, including beauty filters and visible “like” counts. |
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Stronger, more user-friendly parental controls. |
Click here for more information and a link to the full settlement.
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Historic Session Held at Philadelphia’s Congress Hall
In recognition of our Commonwealth’s foundational role in the development of our nation, I joined my fellow legislators in an historic session at Philadelphia’s Congress Hall earlier this week.
It was an honor to gather at what was once the meeting place of the United States Congress, from 1790-1800.
In conjunction with the America250PA organization, the day’s events also include a full-day civic learning experience for students. I hosted Allison Bradley, a student at Northeastern High School. Allison is a dedicated and passionate community member. It was great to have her join me for this momentous occasion.
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Be Prepared!
September is National Preparedness Month, and this year’s theme, “Americans Stand Ready,” highlights preparedness as a civic responsibility and patriotic duty.
In the face of disasters like tornadoes, wildfires and hurricanes, Americans can take simple, practical steps to keep themselves and their families safe. By proactively preparing, Americans make the nation stronger and more resilient.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Ready Campaign offers these simple, affordable steps to help you stand ready:
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Be in the know. Make sure you know where to get information when you need it most. Sign up for your community’s warning system and download the FEMA App to get emergency safety alerts and resources. |
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Make a plan to keep you and your family, including pets, safe and prepared. The plan should include emergency contact information, emergency meeting places and medical information. |
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Build a kit with the essential items your family needs to stay safe and comfortable if something happens. |
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Be there for your community. From volunteering in your community to learning skills like first aid and CPR, you can take steps to prepare for disasters and keep your family safe and make your neighborhood and community more resilient. |
Learn more at Ready.gov/stand-ready.
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