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In this Update:
Erie Women’s Fund Human Trafficking Educational Session
Thank you to the Erie Women’s Fund for hosting an important educational session on human trafficking yesterday. Last year, I hosted a Senate Majority Policy Hearing on this critical issue, where I met Jordan Pine, an expert in anti-human trafficking. As an Erie County native, Jordan made the trip from Harrisburg back to Erie to engage our community stakeholders in this vital conversation. This legislative session, I will be reintroducing my Safe Harbor legislation. This bill aims to change how the law treats children who have been sexually exploited while implementing measures to address the long-term impacts of sexual exploitation and sex trafficking on survivors. Highmark Event Center
Congratulations to Gannon University on the grand reopening of the Highmark Events Center! After a year of renovations, this venue is back and better than ever. It’s exciting to see how this upgraded facility will support our community’s next generation of student-athletes and events. The Highmark Events Center is a downtown destination and a testament to the ongoing revitalization of the City of Erie. Here’s to many more great moments at the Highmark Events Center! Zurn Industries Tour
Earlier this week, I joined fellow state legislators for a tour of Zurn Industries, LLC. It was awesome to see the innovative work being done at their Erie facility. Zurn is a leader in water solutions, delivering products that help industries around the world manage and conserve water. I’m proud to have such an impactful company in our community, driving Erie’s economy and advancing sustainability efforts. Excited to follow their continued success! Governor Shapiro’s Housing Executive Order Roundtable Discussion
I recently joined Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary Rick Siger as he hosted the Governor’s Roundtable Discussion on Housing in Erie. Housing is a critical issue for our community, and addressing it is essential as we plan for growth and look to the future. This roundtable discussion was a step in the right direction, bringing together key voices to collaborate on solutions to restore and grow housing options in Erie County. Mercy Center for Women State Grant
Congratulations to the Mercy Center for Women on receiving $50,000 in tax credits through the Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP)! This funding will support eight new families through the center’s programs and help complete the renovation of the Holy Rosary Rectory, which will provide housing for women in the program. I’m always proud to support the Mercy Center for Women—an incredible organization making a meaningful impact in our community! PennDOT Contest for Students to Improve Roadway Safety
Students are invited to participate in the Innovations Challenge to help the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) increase awareness for seatbelt safety and improve driver behavior for the benefit of our roads. The challenge, which has an award of $6,000 for the winning team, encourages ninth- through twelfth-grade students to use their problem-solving, creative and strategic-thinking abilities to resolve real-world transportation challenges. Regional winners will be invited to present their solutions to the PennDOT secretary and a panel of judges, who will determine the statewide cash prize winner. The submission deadline is Jan. 31. Free Winter Activities at State Parks
Staff at Pennsylvania state parks and forests host free events throughout the year for people of all ages. During winter, snow walks, bird watching, night owl hikes and more are among the activities available. The event listing can be sorted by in-person or virtual events. It can also be filtered by region and date. To make it even more convenient, a personalized list of events can be emailed to you weekly if you build an event digest email to your liking. The email can be customized for your event preferences and when you wish to be notified. REAL ID to be In Effect on May 7
Beginning May 7, Pennsylvanians will need a REAL ID-compliant license/identification card or other federally acceptable identification (such as a valid passport or military ID) to board domestic commercial flights or enter a military installation or federal facility that requires ID. To get a REAL ID, you must bring your documents to a driver licensing center for verification in person. Learn about the specific items that are required to be issued a REAL ID. The website also offers the option to pre-verify online if your documents are already on file with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. REAL ID is optional. It is not required to drive, vote, access hospitals, visit the post office, access federal courts or apply for or receive federal benefits. Help is Available for People Who Want to Quit Smoking
Quitting smoking is difficult, and not just because of the addictive properties of nicotine. Different people experience unique challenges, and personalized resources are available for veterans, women, teens, those who are age 60 and older and others. People can call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (784-8669), text QUIT to 47848 or use the live chat feature on SmokeFree.gov. The website has lots of practical articles, including ones about how to make a plan to quit, manage cravings, cope with stress without smoking and much more. There are resources for people who want to stop using dip and vapes, as well as information about how to support a loved one who is quitting. Jan. 20 is Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Martin Luther King Jr. advocated for peace, even while he worked to instill change. As our country has faced various transitions in the past few years, I hope all Americans can celebrate his commitment to treating each other with decency – even when perspectives may differ. President Ronald Reagan signed legislation into law that made the third Monday in January a federal holiday honoring the life of Martin Luther King Jr.
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