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In this Update:
Update on SEPTA
Beagle Bill Passed in the Senate
I am proud to co-sponsor Senate Bill 381, known as the Beagle Bill, which passed in the Senate this week. Too often, animals are subjected to unnecessary, cruel testing. I was especially moved to meet Phoebe, our mascot for the legislation, who was rescued from lab testing. This bill ends these harmful practices, while ensuring animals like Phoebe to be adopted to safe and loving homes. It also:
Celebration Statue Unveiling in Mayfair
I was honored to be apart of the unveiling ceremony for the new Celebration Statue at Cottman and Frankford. It reflects the heart of our community, and I am grateful to Donny Smith and local leaders who brought this project to life. Philadelphia has always been shaped by the strength of its neighborhoods, and this new statue honors our history and working families. Labor Day March with Union Members
I was honored to march alongside our union members on Labor Day. This day is about recognizing the people who keep Philadelphia moving forward. Their hard work and dedication are the backbone of our city, and I will continue standing with them and celebrating their commitment to our community. Civic Meetings
This week, I attended local civic meetings where I had the chance to listen to our neighbors and talk through issues our community is facing. I was able to provide some legislative updates, such as our ongoing work with SEPTA and local issues including limited driver’s education and reckless driving. Meetings like these are a great way to stay connected and help guide my work in Harrisburg. Upcoming events in the Community
School Bus Bill Improves Safety for Pennsylvania Children
Legislation to improve school bus safety and better protect children traveling to and from school was approved by the Senate. Senate Bill 65 increases the required stopping distance from 10 feet to 15 feet for drivers approaching from the opposite direction when a school bus is stopped with its red lights flashing. It also raises penalties for violations, including higher fines and license suspensions for repeat offenders, and mandates additional driver education or examinations. It also establishes penalties for drivers who fail to prepare to stop when a school bus activates its flashing amber lights, adding an important layer of accountability. During Operation Safe Stop in October 2024, law enforcement and bus drivers across 22 school districts reported 131 violations in a single day, underscoring the urgency of these reforms. Senate Approves Bill to Expunge COVID-Era Citations
The Senate approved legislation to expunge punitive COVID-related citations issued by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) against small businesses with liquor licenses. The bill was sent to the House of Representatives. Every other commonwealth agency has dropped enforcement actions for COVID-era rule violations, recognizing the difficult situation restaurants faced. However, the PLCB has been using its license renewal process to punish license holders for not complying with COVID-related executive orders. This includes issuing conditional licenses, which come with higher insurance premiums, and requiring the sale of a liquor license, effectively putting someone out of business. Senate Bill 241 would help local businesses by expunging COVID-related citations from the record of restaurants and bars that are under the purview of the PLCB. Remembering September 11, 2001
Once again, we pause on Sept. 11 to remember the tragic events on that date in 2001 – attacks that changed our nation forever. We honor the nearly 3,000 people killed in New York, Washington, D.C. and Pennsylvania, and hold in our hearts the families left behind. The first responders who courageously gave their lives to save others remain a source of inspiration for a nation brought together in grief and determined to keep America’s enemies at bay.
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