Senator Robinson E-Newsletter

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In this Update:

  • Rally Against Tolling Interstate Bridges Set for June 8
  • Senate Committee Acts to Protect Women’s Sport
  • Bills of Note Approved by Senate Committees
  • Preparing for America’s Semiquincentennial
  • Scammers are Targeting Student Loan Borrowers
  • June 6 is the Anniversary of D-Day
  • Out and About in the 37th
  • Memorial Day

Rally Against Tolling Interstate Bridges Set for June 8

Lawmakers and representatives of local communities will take part in a June 8 Capitol rally against the Wolf administration’s plan to toll nine interstate bridges.

The bridge tolling initiative will cost the average commuter an additional $1,000 per year and was moved through the process without legislative input or approval. Commonwealth Court recently halted the plan, siding with a county and several municipalities that challenged the plan as unconstitutional. The administration has appealed the ruling to the state Supreme Court.

The administration’s plan would add tolls to the following bridges:

The Senate approved Senate Bill 382 to halt the tolling and require more transparency in the Public-Private Partnership process, which produced the tolling plan. Gov. Tom Wolf has threatened to veto the measure. The rally will be held June 8 at 10 a.m. and streamed live at PASenateGOP.com and Facebook.com/PASenateGOP.

Senate Committee Acts to Protect Women’s Sports

Legislation to protect women’s sports in Pennsylvania was approved by the Senate Education Committee and sent to the full Senate for consideration.

Under House Bill 972, an athletic team or sport designated for females, women or girls may not be open to biological males. In addition, a student deprived of an athletic opportunity would be able to file a lawsuit against the offending college or high school.

More than a dozen states passed similar legislation after women’s sports organizations were pressured to allow biological males to compete on their teams.

Bills of Note Approved by Senate Committees

Other bills approved by Senate committees include:

Senate Bill 643, approved by the Senate Community, Economic and Recreational Development Committee, amends the Local Option Small Games of Chance Act to allow club licensees to retain more of their proceeds from small games of chance while maintaining charitable donation requirements.

Senate Bill 1147, approved by the Senate Labor and Industry Committee, increases penalties on construction companies that fail to use the federal E-Verify system to verify the legal employment eligibility of new hires.

Senate Bill 1183, approved by the Senate Transportation Committee, provides law enforcement new tools to crack down on the illegal operation of dirt bikes and all-terrain vehicles on public roads.

Preparing for America’s Semiquincentennial

Planning for America’s 250th birthday in 2026 would be aided by legislation approved by the Senate to help fund Pennsylvania’s celebratory efforts.

Senate Bill 1186 would allocate a portion of the fee from the sale of the special USA semiquincentennial registration plate to the Pennsylvania Commission for the U.S. Semiquincentennial.
  
America250 is the largest celebration in our nation’s history. Congress established the nonpartisan U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission, which has been working with state affiliates to engage public and private entities across the country to make America250 a momentous event.

Scammers are Targeting Student Loan Borrowers

The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency warns that recent reports about potential broad-based federal loan forgiveness and other changes to student loan programs are creating opportunities for scammers to target student loan borrowers.

One of the recent scams attempts to convince borrowers that there are new student loan rules in place that require immediate action. Scammers typically promise unrealistic amounts of loan forgiveness, offer short cuts to loan forgiveness, or try to get a borrower’s Federal Student Aid ID or other personal information and then rush them into paying immediately.  

Scammers will often use the U.S. Department of Education’s name and seal to give it legitimacy.

Here are some tips to avoid being scammed:

  • Don’t pay upfront fees for free programs or services.
  • Don’t feel pressured to decide quickly.
  • Never share personal information.
  • Don’t cut off communication with your loan provider/servicer.
  • Keep track of your loans.

More from the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency

June 6 is the Anniversary of D-Day 

“You are about to embark upon the Great Crusade, toward which we have striven these many months.” — Gen. Dwight Eisenhower, on the eve of the D-Day invasion, June 6, 1944

More than 160,000 Allied troops landed along a 50-mile stretch of heavily fortified French coastline, to fight Nazi Germany on the beaches of Normandy, France.

More than 9,000 Allied soldiers were killed or wounded, but their sacrifice allowed more than 100,000 soldiers to begin the slow, hard march across Europe, to defeat occupying German troops. We must never forget the brave, young men who confronted a danger few can imagine in the name of liberty.

Out and About in the 37th

I was pleased to help recognize the Junior Achievement of Western PA “She Leads, She Learns – Intern to VP” recipients at their Empower Her Summit earlier this morning. These young women have bright futures ahead of them. Congratulations!

A great day at Upper St. Clair Community Day with PA State Rep. Natalie Mihalek!

While I was in Harrisburg for session, my staff attended Wesley Family Services “Field of Opportunities” groundbreaking ceremony at Wesley High School. Congratulations!

I was thrilled to attend the ribbon cutting and official opening of the Montour Run Trail Bridge.

I had a great meeting with municipal officials in Coraopolis and then had the privilege of touring the new Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC facility!

My staff and I took a tour of downtown Pittsburgh’s three rivers with Riverlife to hear about their upcoming waterfront development projects. Thank you for having us!

I stopped in North Fayette for the dedication of Turner Lutz’s Eagle Scout project. Turner installed a fire pit to retire American flags at the Liberty Tree Grove in Donaldson Park. Great work!

Memorial Day

I had the privilege of attending several Memorial Day events throughout the 37th District this past weekend. We remember and honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service of our great nation and in defense of our freedoms and we will never forget the courage of these brave men and women.

I was honored to start my day in Mt. Lebanon along with guest speaker and Vietnam Veteran, Rocky Bleier, at their moving Memorial Day tribute to our fallen heroes.

A great time with furry friends at the Animal Friends “Pets for Vets” Memorial Day event!

It was great to be in Sewickley at the annual Memorial Day parade honoring the men and women who have served our country!

It was an honor to join Keith-Holmes VFW 402 in Coraopolis for another great Memorial Day parade today!

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