WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the United States House of Representatives passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) on a bipartisan basis and sent the measure to President Biden. Congressman Chris Deluzio (PA-17) voted for the measure as a member of the House Armed Services Committee and now celebrates its important wins for servicemembers, safety, and defense contractor transparency in this final version.

After supporting a bipartisan NDAA in committee, Congressman Deluzio voted against a partisan version of the measure on the House Floor that included right-wing policy riders and other culture war nonsense. This final version of the NDAA unfortunately included a temporary reauthorization (without reforms) of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), which Congressman Deluzio believes needs reform to better protect Americans’ liberty.

“Although far from perfect, I voted for this year’s defense bill to give our servicemembers a raise, better support military families, address our most pressing national security challenges, and increase defense contractor accountability and transparency,” said Rep. Deluzio. “It also includes my amendments to improve safety for servicemembers and the public—with funds to clean up PFAS contamination at National Guard and Air National Guard facilities—and to require a report on rail safety and other transportation network vulnerabilities.”

More specifically, the Fiscal Year 2024 NDAA includes the following measures:

• A 5.2% servicemember pay raise proposed in the President’s budget request.
• Expanded eligibility for the Basic Needs Allowance, the program that provides funds for food, housing, and other social services for members of the military.
• Investments in military family housing, child development centers, and upgrades to outdated military barracks.
• Expanded Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) eligibility for federal employees.
• Representative Deluzio’s amendment to provide the National Guard and Air National Guard facilities—such as the 171st Air Refueling Wing, which is one of the worst PFAS-contaminated bases in Pennsylvania—access to funds used for environmental restoration efforts including per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) cleanup.
• Representative Deluzio’s amendment to hold accountable companies that refuse to provide uncertified cost and pricing data. This amendment will fight back against defense contractor price gouging by directing the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment to develop a framework for refining the parameters of what would constitute a denial of uncertified cost or pricing data under section 3705 of title 10, United States Code.
• Representative Deluzio’s amendment requiring a report identifying rail and other transportation network vulnerabilities and providing recommendations for interagency coordination, programs, or statutory changes to improve and maintain such strategic railways, highways, and seaports associated with national defense.
• A statement that the U.S. policy is to have as soon as practicable 355 battle force ships and that the shipbuilding defense industrial base is fundamental to achieving the shipbuilding requirements of the Navy and constitutes a unique national security imperative that requires sustainment and support by the Navy and Congress.
• Increased oversight of equipment provided to foreign countries by requiring the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to provide reports on how equipment use is monitored.

The bill now heads to President Biden for his signature and includes many other important items.

HARRISBURG— The Senate of Pennsylvania last night unanimously passed critical legislation to save children’s lives.  Senate Bill 55, also known as Kayden’s Law, is legislation that provides urgently needed reform to Pennsylvania’s child custody statute. The bi-partisan legislation is sponsored by Senators Steve Santarsiero (D-10) and Lisa Baker (R-20), and is named for Kayden Mancuso, a seven-year-old from Lower Makefield Township, who was killed in August 2018 by her biological father during a court-ordered, unsupervised visit granted following a year-long custody dispute.

“Kayden’s Law will ensure the safety of the child is paramount in custody cases and will save children’s lives,” said Senator Santarsiero.  “No child in Pennsylvania should fear for their safety or be left alone with an abuser.  Kayden’s Law will help ensure that never happens again by requiring supervised visitation at a minimum when there is a potential risk to the child’s safety.”

“One of the most difficult and wrenching decisions local courts must make is in awarding child custody in divorce cases,” said Senator Baker.  “Judges must sort through a variety of allegations and conflicting contentions in order to determine what arrangement is in the best interests of the child. With the passage of Kayden’s Law, we are updating the criteria courts must consider before custody of a child is awarded, including adding seven crimes to the list of offenses that must be taken into account when rendering judgement.”

Senate Bill 55 will:

• Strengthen the current factors that judges must consider in making custody and visitation decisions, to make it clear that the most important issue is the protection of the child;
• Ensure that if there is a finding by the court of an ongoing risk of abuse, that any custody order includes safety conditions and restrictions necessary, including supervised visitation, to protect the child; and
• Encourage the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania to implement an annual educational and training program for judges and relevant court personnel on child abuse, adverse childhood experiences, domestic violence, and its impact on children.

Sen. Santarsiero continued, “Kayden’s Law has been a years-long collaborative effort, led by the tireless advocacy of Kayden’s mom Kathy Sherlock, along with family law advocates and experts.  Kathy’s strength and dedication have continued to motivate me to push for this legislation and get it to Governor Shapiro’s desk to be signed into law. I want to thank my colleague, Sen. Lisa Baker, for her partnership in writing the bill and helping it get through the Senate. I also want to thank my House colleagues Tina Davis and Perry Warren for their work on this issue.”

“Every day children are at risk of being ordered to remain in abusive, unsafe and deadly situations,” Kathy Sherlock said. “I vowed to do whatever it took to protect children and have found support from so many on this journey and with today’s overwhelming vote for Kayden’s Law we are one step closer to fulfilling our mission of ‘not one more’.”

Senate Bill 55 now moves to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for consideration.

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro speaks with the press. During a visit to the Carnegie Free Library in Beaver Falls, Governor Josh Shapiro, Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority (PBDA) Executive Director Brandon Carson, and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) discussed the Administration’s plans to use more than $1.16 billion in federal funds the Commonwealth will receive to expand broadband and ensure every Pennsylvanian can access the internet. The funding is through the federal Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program funding and is part of President Biden’s “Internet for All” initiative. JULY 07, 2023 – BEAVER FALLS, PA

Harrisburg – Today, Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority (PBDA) Executive Director Brandon Carson announced that a statewide virtual input session will be held next week for Pennsylvanians to discuss the draft Statewide Digital Equity Plan that will ensure all Pennsylvanians have the skills, technology, and capacity to fully benefit from our digital economy. The virtual session, which will be held Monday, December 18, 2023, from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM, will provide insight into key plan details and give participants an opportunity to share their feedback.

 

Monday’s virtual session continues PBDA’s robust, statewide community engagement effort that began more than four months ago. Twenty-three in-person “Community Conversations” with residents and ten small-group sessions focused on unique internet access challenges to those specific groups has ensured an opportunity for residents across the Commonwealth to directly voice their needs and outline barriers they face to digital access. The PBDA will review and consider all of this input while finalizing the Statewide Digital Equity Plan.

 

“To create an equitable economy, everyone needs access to reliable and affordable high-speed internet and the skills, technology, and ability to participate fully online,” said Executive Director Carson. “It’s time to close the internet access and digital skills divide experienced by far too many of Pennsylvania’s communities and its residents, and the Commonwealth’s Digital Equity Plan outlines how we can achieve statewide digital equity.”

 

The Commonwealth’s draft Digital Equity Plan is available online and is open for public comment until January 8, 2024. There are several ways for Pennsylvanians to provide feedback on the plan, including:

 

• Attending the virtual public comment session by RSVPing online.
• Attending one of the in-person public comment sessions by RSVPing online.
• Reading the plan and submitting comments online via the Digital Equity Act webpage.
• Requesting a printed version be sent via mail by contacting Mary Markle at 717-720-7457.

 

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) received $2.75 billion to establish three grant programs for states to promote digital inclusion and equity. These funds aim to ensure that all individuals and communities have the information technology capacity needed for full participation in our society, democracy, and economy. Pennsylvania anticipates receiving allocation determination of the Digital Equity Capacity Building Grant Program in 2024.

 

As part of President Biden’s “Internet for All” initiative, Governor Josh Shapiro previously announced the Commonwealth will receive $1.16 billion in federal funding to expand broadband infrastructure for communities lacking reliable, affordable, high-speed internet access.

 

The Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority is an independent, bipartisan agency created by law in December 2021. Visit the PBDA’s website to learn more about its work to close the digital divide in the Commonwealth.

AMBRIDGE, Dec. 14 – Grant funding of $47,953 from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency will help bolster security for two Beaver County nonprofit organizations, state Rep. Rob Matzie, D-Beaver, announced today.

Matzie said the funding under the Nonprofit Security Grant Program includes $25,000 to Ambridge-based Greater Miracle Ministries and $22,953 to Adoption Connection, PA.

“Nonprofit organizations and houses of worship offer hope and critical support for people facing major life challenges and transitions, but it’s essential that these places provide a secure environment for employees, volunteers, and the community members they serve,” Matzie said. “The new funding from PCCD will help Greater Miracle Ministries and Adoption Connection maintain the safest possible surroundings as they continue their vital work for the community.”

The Nonprofit Security Grant Program supports nonprofit organizations – including faith-based institutions, community centers and other facilities – that serve individuals, groups or institutions included within a bias motivation category for single bias hate crime incidents, as identified by the FBI’s Hate Crime Statistics publication.

Funding may be used for a wide variety of security resources, including security planning and training, the purchase of safety and security equipment and technology, upgrades to existing structures and vulnerability and threat assessments.

Harrisburg, PA – Today, PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll joined airport officials and local leaders at the Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) to highlight new Frontier Airlines service out of PIT, which will begin mid-May. Supporting safe, reliable infrastructure and enhanced mobility options for travelers is a key priority for the Shapiro administration.

Frontier is growing its presence in Pittsburgh by 600%, including twice daily flights to Philadelphia. This expansion is anticipated to bring $72 million in economic impact to the Pittsburgh region.

“Pittsburgh International Airport is an important economic engine and gateway for Western Pennsylvania – and this expanded service is a significant step forward as we connect Pennsylvania travelers, tourists, and businesses to the rest of the country,” said Governor Shapiro. “Western Pennsylvania is home to some of the greatest cities and towns, most innovative companies, and incredible natural beauty and commonsense infrastructure investments like expanding the number of direct flights from PIT has the potential to build on that growth. We’re getting stuff done in my first year as Governor and this is further proof that when government at all levels works together with business and workers to invest in our communities – we can do big things.”

New Fronter Airlines service from PIT will be:

1. Service from PIT to Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) will be available twice each day, beginning May 16.
2. Service from PIT to Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) will be available three times each week, beginning May 16.
3. Service from PIT to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) will be available four times each week, beginning May 17.
4. Service from PIT to Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) will be available four times each week, beginning May 17.

“I’m proud to be here on behalf of the Shapiro Administration to celebrate the expansion of service at Pittsburgh International Airport. Our airports are gateways to local economies, and the Pittsburgh International Airport is critical to this region,” said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll. “This additional service will not only give travelers more options when flying out of Pittsburgh, but will help support good, life-sustaining jobs as well as the regional economy.”

According to a 2019 study, the aviation industry has an economic impact of over $34 billion annually and employs over 226,000 people in Pennsylvania, and these numbers have been steadily increasing over the past decade.

The Shapiro Administration recently announced over $2 million in investments in aviation improvements in Allegheny County from the state Capital Budget through the Aviation Transportation Assistance Program, which is supported by bonds. Additionally, thanks to federal investments from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), Pennsylvania airports will receive over $70 million each year through 2026, which will help accelerate improvements to airports across the state. 

(Center Township, Pa) Community College of Beaver County officially cut the ribbon on the new campus Resource Center and Wellness Store on Wednesday, December 13. The Wellness Store will allow CCBC students in need to go “shopping” for food, clothing, and personal items. The Resource Center and Wellness Store are funded and supported through ACT 101, a Pennsylvania state program to assist students who meet certain academic and economic guidelines.

HARRISBURG, Dec. 14 – The PA House Consumer Protection, Technology and Utilities Committee heard testimony Wednesday about legislation that would impose more stringent requirements for the acquisition of municipal water and wastewater systems and bring more transparency to that process, Majority Chairman Rob Matzie announced.

Matzie, D-Beaver, and several colleagues introduced the bill package to reform Act 12 – which was enacted in 2016 to change the way water and wastewater systems are valued for acquisition – to bring greater scrutiny and openness to these transactions.

“Act 12 was originally created to give public utilities incentives to acquire failing or stressed municipal systems that could no longer provide safe, reliable service to customers, Matzie said. “Unfortunately, that’s not how the act is being used. Instead, municipalities and municipal authorities are exercising the provisions to sell healthy, well-operated systems at amounts much higher than their present value. Consumers end up footing the bill for those purchases through hugely inflated rates – without any improvement to services.

“Even worse, the sales often happen with little notice to taxpayers or ratepayers, so the public is left in the dark about a pending sale until it’s too late. Our bill package would add needed guiderails to the act so that it would continue to allow for acquisition of struggling utilities but would better protect consumers from the sale of healthy systems.”

Matzie said that among other things, the legislation would:

• Place purchase price limits on the acquisition of healthy systems.
• Ease the burden on ratepayers by spreading out future rate increases.
• Give the Public Utility Commission the necessary time to review these sales.
• Add strict public notification requirements on both buyers and sellers.

Matzie introduced the legislation together with state Reps. Lisa Borowski, Carol Kazeem, Leanne Krueger, and Jennifer O’Mara, all D-Delaware; Liz Hanbidge, D-Montgomery; and Christina Sappey, D-Chester.

PITTSBURGH, PA – A resident of Aliquippa, PA, has been sentenced in federal court to a total of 5 years of imprisonment, followed by 4 years of supervised release, in connection with his involvement  in a drug trafficking organization from May 2021 to November 2021, United States Attorney Eric  G. Olshan announced today. 

United States District Judge William S. Stickman imposed the sentence on Anthony Tusweet  Smith, Jr., age 24. 

According to information presented to the court, Smith belonged to a multi-defendant  conspiracy that dealt in large quantities of controlled substances. Within the conspiracy, Smith  distributed fentanyl to end users in the vicinity of his residence in Aliquippa, PA. In conjunction  with his federal arrest, law enforcement seized four firearms from that residence, to include a loaded  semiautomatic rifle with an attached 30-round capacity magazine near packaged fentanyl. During  the course of the conspiracy, Smith was responsible for the distribution and/or the possession with  intent to distribute at least 40 grams of fentanyl.  

Prior to imposing sentence, Judge Stickman stressed that mixing drugs and guns equates to  death within the community.  

The successful prosecution of Smith was the result of an extensive and collaborative  investigation conducted by Federal, state, and local law enforcement operating under the High  Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program in Beaver County.  

Assistant United States Attorney Brendan J. McKenna and Special Assistant United States  Attorney Kara Cotter prosecuted this case on behalf of the government. 

United States Attorney Olshan commended the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General and  the Drug Enforcement Administration for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of  Smith. 

Pittsburgh, PA – PennDOT District 11 is inviting the public to attend a career fair today, Thursday, December 14 to learn about available maintenance positions the department offers for the winter maintenance program in Beaver County.

The event will be held at PennDOT’s Rochester Maintenance Building located at 155 Stewart Avenue, Rochester, PA 15074 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday, December 14.

Available positions in Beaver County include full-time, permanent Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Operators, seasonal CDL Operators, and full-time and seasonal Diesel Mechanics. Commercial drivers must have a valid Pennsylvania CDL Class A or B with the Air Brake Restriction (L) removed and a current medical examiner certificate.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania’s House of Representatives is defeating legislation to send $33 million to the University of Pennsylvania’s veterinary school. That’s after the school’s president resigned amid criticism that it has tolerated antisemitism. The legislation on Wednesday night failed after the House Republican floor leader said the university must make it clear that it opposes antisemitism. Penn’s president Liz Magill resigned Saturday amid pressure from donors and criticism over testimony at a congressional hearing last week where she was unable to say that calls on campus for the genocide of Jews would violate the school’s conduct policy. The funding is an annual appropriation that normally draws strong bipartisan support.