2020 Legislative Priorities

We have officially begun the 2020 legislative session. While we accomplished many important goals in 2019, there is a lot left to do legislatively.

First and foremost, we need to strengthen protections for access and affordability of health care here in Pennsylvania. The Affordable Care Act is under attack at the federal level, but we cannot allow folks in this state to lose their health insurance.

I’m cosponsoring several pieces of legislation that would make ACA protections into Pennsylvania state law, including:

• Senate Bill 50 — prohibiting denial of coverage based on preexisting conditions
• Senate Bill 51 — providing for essential health benefits such as mental health and addiction treatment
• Senate Bill 939— prohibition on selling insurance policies that have an annual or lifetime limit on coverage
• Senate Bill 982— allows young adults to stay on their parent’s insurance until they reach age 26

I hope those bills receive consideration soon.

I’m also working on legislation that would protect our environment, preserving the right to clean air and clean water.

Last year in the Senate we passed an increase in the minimum wage, but it was not voted in the house. We need to keep the pressure up to increase wages for our workers here

Gun violence prevention is another top priority for the 2020 session. So many deaths around this commonwealth and country could have been prevented with common sense regulations – like extreme risk protection orders and limits on the quantity and type of weapon a civilian can purchase.

Finally, as the Squirrel Hill and Jewish community continues to heal from the tragic events of October 2018, we need to act on hate crimes. I have legislation that would give our law enforcement more tools to monitor and prevent violent acts of hate.

This is not an exhaustive list of what I hope to accomplish this year, and will also be working on criminal and social justice reforms, as well as policies that encourage job growth.

We’ll be busy in 2020 and I hope you’ll ask your elected officials to support these measures.

PA Farm Show

I got the chance to visit the Pennsylvania Farm Show again this year, and wow – what an excellent celebration of one of our largest industries.

Every aspect of agriculture was on display, from food to livestock to farming equipment to renewable energy and veterinary science. I enjoyed an excellent meal provided by Pennsylvania farmers, spoke with dairy farmers who explained the challenges their industry faces, and saw vendors from every corner of the state.

The annual event is always a ton of fun and I learn something new each year.

2020 Census

The 2020 U.S. Census is coming up. Complete the Census to get federal government money for our communities. The Census website provides more information on why completing the Census matters.

The U.S. Census Bureau is recruiting thousands of people nationwide to work on the 2020 Census count. Call 1-855-562-2020 for more information.

In The 43rd

Are you keeping up with our biweekly episodes of In The 43rd? I hope that you’re enjoying them and learning a little bit more about our great region.

If you have suggestions for where we should go next, let me know on my website or social media!

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