House to Consider My Legislation Next Week
The House returns to session next week, and two of my bills are on the voting agenda.
House Bill 825 would establish a psychiatric and detoxification bed registry to help those seeking treatment for opioid abuse and other issues. Read more here.
House Bill 1095 would ensure that individuals who are in our country illegally do not collect public benefits. Read more here.
Stopping Welfare Checks to the Deceased
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Recently introduced legislation in the state House aims to save taxpayer money by preventing welfare checks from going to individuals who have passed away.
About a year ago, an audit found the Department of Human Services (DHS) provided nearly $700,000 in welfare benefits to more than 2,300 individuals who had been dead for at least 60 days.
House Bill 1614 would require DHS to regularly cross-reference its list of welfare recipients with the death records maintained by the Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) and the Social Security Administration. Funds that would have gone to deceased individuals would then be redirected to help those truly in need or reverted back to the General Fund.
The bill has been referred to the House Health Committee.
Decreasing Stigma Against Suicide
With September designated as Suicide Prevention Month in Pennsylvania, House Resolution 401 seeks to raise awareness that suicide is preventable, improve education about suicide, spread information about suicide awareness and decrease stigmatization regarding suicide.
According to the World Health Organization, more than 1,800 Pennsylvania lives are taken by suicide annually. For every person who dies of suicide, 20 or more may attempt to end their lives.
Suicide is a serious public health problem that affects people of all ages, and is the 10th leading cause of death for Americans.
For more information, visit www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org or call the national suicide prevention hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
Fall in Love with PA’s Autumn Colors
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The fall colors are beginning to brighten across several areas in Pennsylvania, helping to boost tourism activities in many regions.
According to the Pennsylvania Tourism Office, Pennsylvania has a longer and more varied fall foliage season than any other state in the nation.
Both in-state and out-of-state visitors can find the best places to view fall foliage and track the locations of the peak colors throughout the state, beginning in late September.
Click here to read more about Pennsylvania’s fall tourism activities.
Route 209 Mansion House Cleanup Project
On Wednesday, I met with Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) officials and contractors for a site visit of the Route 209 Mansion House Hill cleanup project, which goes out to bid soon. Stay tuned for updates.
House Majority Policy Committee Hears from Business Community
On Wednesday, I joined several of my colleagues at a legislative hearing to accept testimony from local job creators that have been impeded by Pennsylvania’s state agencies, complex regulations and cumbersome processes. The hearing included testimony from members of the local economic development community who are helping small businesses get up and running, and are working to attract new jobs to the region.
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