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In this update:
New Higher Education Plan “Falls Short” for Private Colleges and UniversitiesA recent op-ed by Kathleen Getz, Ph.D., the President of Mercyhurst University, highlights how Governor Shapiro’s proposed plan to reorganize public higher education in Pennsylvania discounts the value private colleges and universities bring to students across our state. Private nonprofit colleges and universities provide more degrees for low-income and minority students in Pennsylvania than public institutions. Dr. Getz noted that these schools educate 45% of all lower-income students, 49% of “adult” students, 54% of minority students, and the largest proportion of first generation-to-college students in the state. Furthermore, the cost of degrees from these school has actually declined over the past 10 years. We all want to improve higher education and provide more opportunities for people to pursue a degree, but we need to make sure we’re not limiting opportunities for students looking to further their education. Supporting Quality Childcare Centers
Quality childcare is a necessity. The Center for Rural Pennsylvania traveled to the Schuylkill Technology Center’s South Campus near Pottsville for a public hearing about the serious issues facing childcare providers across Pennsylvania. When we have quality Pre-K education, we’re helping parents return to and remain in the workforce. As the chair of the Senate Education Committee, I will support the dedicated teachers and childcare professionals who do this important work day in and day out. We heard directly from local centers, including Mary Ann Devlin from Child Development, Inc. and Michelle Dallago from Perception Early Learning. I’ve had the chance to meet their students and tour their centers – they do amazing work. Also testifying were Bob Carl and Samantha Chivinski from the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce, who have been strong advocates for supporting childcare centers. Many of the local representatives I work with on a bipartisan basis every day joined us at the hearing: Jamie Barton, Eddie Day Pashinski, JoAnne Stehr, Tim Twardzik, and Dane Watro. Should Schools Delay Start Times?
On Thursday, I will be chairing a public hearing of the Senate Education Committee about delaying school start times. The committee will hear testimony from medical experts and school officials. Experts have raised serious concerns about how chronic sleep loss is impacting the ability of young people to learn efficiently. However, making this change would create massive logistical challenges for schools, bus drivers, and parents. You can watch the livestream or review testimony once the hearing has concluded here. Senate Education Committee Approves Bills to Increase Academic Opportunities for Students
The Senate Education Committee recently met to approve two bills that will allow students to focus on learning and preparing for their future careers. Both bills are now being considered by the full Senate. Senate Bill 454, sponsored by Sen. Cris Dush (R-Jefferson), would allow students to choose to substitute participation in a sport for their physical education requirement. According to Dush, this bill is intended to free up more time for students to pursue additional academic opportunities, including taking additional classes. House Bill 663, sponsored by Rep. Jeanne McNeill (D-Lehigh), would require that students continue to attend school while they are the subject of a school district residency dispute. Currently, students can be removed from their school while these issues are resolved, causing significant learning loss. It was approved with unanimous support in the House of Representatives. Governor Shapiro Energy Plan Could Harm Blighted Land Reclamation Efforts
If Governor Josh Shapiro’s new energy plan became law, it would hurt abandoned mine land remediation efforts across Pennsylvania by closing coal refuse plants. I spoke to WFMZ about how his plan as proposed would close four of these facilities in Schuylkill and Carbon Counties, jeopardizing their efforts to clean up the sad legacy of coal mining. Coal refuse plants in Pennsylvania have successfully reclaimed over 7,200 acres of abandoned mine land and restored more than 1,200 miles of polluted streams. Sites that were choked with coal waste for a century have been transformed into green hills and forests. The governor’s new plan could undo years of bipartisan work to support our “cogens,” and many of the black and grey wastelands left behind by past mining operations will remain for hundreds of more years. Senate Passes Public Safety Bills Targeting Opioid Overdoses, Human Trafficking
The Pennsylvania Senate approved two measures boosting community safety by targeting opioid overdoses and human trafficking. Both bills, which head to the House of Representatives for consideration, are part of the effort to improve community safety across Pennsylvania. Senate Bill 1054 strengthens the Overdose Information Network (ODIN) law, which requires all law enforcement in Pennsylvania to input reports of an overdose within 72 hours of the incident into the ODIN system. The ODIN database enables law enforcement agencies to quickly record, analyze and share information concerning fatal and non-fatal drug overdoses and naloxone administrations. The bill would ensure overdose reporting by EMS providers is incorporated into the statewide mapping system. EMS providers are responsible for handling more than 80% of overdoses annually in Pennsylvania. Senate Bill 1111 would ensure that individuals who are convicted of certain human trafficking offenses – as well as attempt, conspiracy or solicitation to commit those offenses – are subject to the same Megan’s Law reporting and evaluation requirements as other sexual offenders. |
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