Senator Aument E-Newsletter

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In this Update:

  • Working to Improve the Accessibility and Affordability of Higher Education
  • Aument Cosponsors Bill to Investigate University of Pittsburgh’s Use of Aborted Babies for Research
  • Aument Attends Grand Opening of Old Trolley Line Park in Mount Joy Township
  • PA Association of Intermediate Units Invites Aument to Speak on Education & Economic Competitiveness in the Commonwealth
  • Black Bear Event Announcement
  • Celebrating 100th Birthdays in the 36th Senatorial District
  • Wolf Administration Declines Request to Discuss Election Reform
  • Sign Up for Election Investigation Updates Direct to Your Email
  • Consumer and Economic Impacts of Failing to Invest in PA’s Natural Gas Infrastructure
  • October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month
  • Celebrating Farmers on October 12

Working to Improve the Accessibility and Affordability of Higher Education

10/4/21 - Joint House Hearing

This week, I spoke at a joint hearing held by the House Appropriations Committee’s Subcommittee on Education and the House Education Committee’s Subcommittee on Higher Education. The hearing focused on higher education funding in Pennsylvania. With this year’s budget allocation of $1.86 billion to higher education, it’s critical that we ensure taxpayer dollars are being spent appropriately.

We need to recruit and retain young talent so they stay in the Commonwealth after graduation and raise their families here. Improving the accessibility and affordability of higher education will require an innovative approach that I, along with many of my colleagues, am committed to pursuing.

Learn more here.

Aument Cosponsors Bill to Investigate University of Pittsburgh’s Use of Aborted Babies for Research

As a pro-life advocate, I was pleased to cosponsor legislation to investigate reports that the University of Pittsburgh is harvesting body parts from live and aborted babies for their use in research.
 
This bill will call on the state Auditor General to review the university’s use of state-appropriated and grant funds and identify whether any of those funds are being used for this research. The report will be provided to the General Assembly and publicly available on the Auditor General’swebsite.
 
The bill would also require the Attorney General to investigate the research practices and research projects undergone by University faculty, staff, and students in the last decade. This investigation will look intoany processes, procedures, policies, and practices undertaken to conduct research utilizing live fetal or aborted remains.

Learn more about the bill here.

Aument Attends Grand Opening of Old Trolley Line Park in Mount Joy Township

Last month, I had the pleasure of attending the grand opening of the new and improved Old Trolley Line Park in Mount Joy Township. Congratulations to all those who worked so hard to bring this project to fruition, including the Mount Joy Township Board of Supervisors, Mount Joy Township Parks & Recreation Board, and multiple Boy Scout Troops that completed projects throughout the park – your contributions to this community and its residents are deeply appreciated!

PA Association of Intermediate Units Invites Aument to Speak on Education & Economic Competitiveness in the Commonwealth

       

I appreciated the opportunity to speak to Pennsylvania Association of Intermediate Units’ executive directors from Pennsylvania’s 29 intermediate units in Gettysburg about legislation I authored to establish a 2030 Commission on Education and Economic Competitiveness in Pennsylvania.

A stronger, intentionally redesigned education system will improve student outcomes and lead to increased economic opportunity, allowing each and every Pennsylvania resident to experience earned success and upward mobility. I believe the work of the 2030 Commission will help us build a stronger Pennsylvania where entrepreneurship, innovation, and economic opportunity can thrive.

Black Bear Event Announcement

I am partnering with the Pennsylvania Game Commission to host a Black Bear and Visitor Center Update on Thursday, Oct. 28, from 7-8:30 p.m. at the Middle Creek Visitors Center, 100 Museum Road, Stevens.

The Pennsylvania Game Commission’s Black Bear Program Specialist, Wildlife Biologist Emily Carrollo, will provide an informative program that lasts an hour and covers black bear biology, how to avoid bear vs. human conflicts and general audience Q&A. Southeast Region Game Commission staff will also be present and provide updates on recent activities occurring at the Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area and Visitor Center.

Please RSVP at SenatorAument.com or by calling 717-627-0036 to attend.

Celebrating 100th Birthdays in the 36th Senatorial District

This past month, a few residents in the 36th Senatorial District reached an exciting milestone in their lives as they celebrated their 100tj birthdays. It was my distinct pleasure to present official Senate of Pennsylvania citations to all of these outstanding citizens who exemplify the finest virtues of American life:

Raymond Weidman was born in Denver on September 6, 1921. He is a veteran of the United States Navy, having served this country with honor and distinction during World War II from 1942-46. Mr. Weidman is the proud father of five children and also has been blessed with 14 grandchildren and 33 great-grandchildren.

John Shearer was born in Ontario, Canada, on September 7, 1921. A veteran of the United States Navy, he served this country with honor and distinction from 1942-46. He is the proud father of two children and also has been blessed with five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Kenneth L. Henry was born in Reading on September 30, 1921. Mr. Henry served this country with honor and distinction as a member of the United States Air Force. He shared 58 years of happy marriage with his wife, Virginia, before her passing in 2010, and he is the proud father of four children. Mr. Henry also has been blessed with four grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Wishing these constituents a very happy 100th birthday, and much joy in the years to come!

Wolf Administration Declines Request to Discuss Election Reform

The Senate State Government Committee held a public hearing about election reform and integrity. Unfortunately, for the second time in two weeks, Acting Secretary of the Commonwealth Veronica Degraffenreid and other officials from the governor’s Department of State failed to attend.

They were invited to discuss Senate Bill 878, a bipartisan bill that would implement recommendations of the bipartisan Senate Special Committee on Election Integrity and Reform, after previously agreeing to attend.

Some of the recommendations incorporated in the bill include tracking and transparent counting of mail-in ballots, real-time reporting of deceased voters, elimination of a permanent mail-in ballot list and more.

Watch the full hearing here.

Sign Up for Election Investigation Updates Direct to Your Email

With many constituents requesting more information about the Election Investigation, I am pleased to announce a new resource available from the Senate Intergovernmental Operations Committee. In an effort to be transparent, the Committee will send regular email updates directly to you so you can stay up to date with every step of the investigation.

If you are interested in having exclusive content, timely news, and relevant updates on the status of the investigation delivered directly to your inbox, please sign up for “Inside the Election Investigation” email updates here.

Consumer and Economic Impacts of Failing to Invest in PA’s Natural Gas Infrastructure

The Senate Community, Economic & Recreational Development Committee and the Environmental Resources & Energy Committee held a joint hearing to examine the consumer and economic impacts of failing to invest in the state’s natural gas infrastructure.

The committees brought together industry experts and others to provide feedback on labor, economic development and consumer protection.

View hearing video and written testimony here.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

About one in eight U.S. women will develop invasive breast cancer during her lifetime. Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a good time to learn about breast cancer risk and how to lower it.

In an effort to highlight this deadly disease and the steps that can be taken to be proactive against it, the Capitol fountain was again turned pink for the month of October. Women who have lost income or health insurance because of COVID-19 may qualify for free breast screening and diagnostic services. Learn more here.

To help combat this deadly disease, the legislature passed a new law to give Pennsylvania residents renewing their vehicle registration or driver’s license an option to donate to the Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition.

Celebrating Farmers on Oct. 12

Tuesday, Oct. 12, is National Farmers Day, recognizing the heritage and indispensable work of the men and women behind Pennsylvania’s number-one industry.

If you want to show your appreciation for the folks who feed Pennsylvania, America and the world, you can read about a farmer or shop at a local farmers market.

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