Participation is Power :: December 1, 2016

Happy Holidays to all. There is much to appreciate and many to thank for each day, each moment. I look forward to 2017 with hope and love.

You Belong Here

Pennsylvania was founded as a beacon of hope, freedom and inclusion. The fight to make these hopes a reality continues today. All of us belong no matter your race, creed, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or ancestry.

Ethnic intimidation or incidents of hate cannot be tolerated. If you are a victim or a witness to any incident of hate or intimidation, please report it to the police by calling 911. Our law enforcement agencies are prepared to respond. Remember, if you see something say something.

Property and Rent Rebate Plus Money for Heating

Applications for home and rent rebates of up to $950 for qualifying lower income families are due by December 31. If you have not already applied, do so today. My staff can help you work through the application and determine your LIHEAP

eligibility. Please call or visit my office before the end of the month.

Applications to help pay for home heating are also available in my office under the state LIHEAP program. Find out if you are eligible. Money is available to help pay PECO, PGW and heating oil bills by applying today.

Pensions

Changes to pensions for new school and state employees is one of the top items under discussion in the legislature. Addressing the $70 billion in unfunded liability cannot be solved by moving new employees into a new plan. Instead dedicated payments are required. Any change of pension plans should provide adequate, not luxury income during retirement. My comments on the pension challenge were part of a PCN Call in Show on 29 November and are available for viewing here.

Expungement Clinic

Misdemeanors and certain arrest records were expunged or sealed for 274 residents at the Get Expunged event at the Waterview Recreation Center on 12 November. Volunteer lawyers, including my wife, Julie Haywood, assisted men and women to eliminate the records that often block job opportunities.

More Accessible Family Planning Options

Beginning today, December 1, there will be more family planning options available and accessible in Pennsylvania. The change involves the approval of Medicaid fee-for-service program payments for long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) and the birth control implant.

LARC methods have proven highly effective in preventing pregnancies. LARC provides nearly complete protection from unwanted pregnancies for three to 10 years.

Click here to learn more.

Stay in Touch on Social Media

Please follow me on Facebook and Twitter to stay involved and receive live updates on issues and events. Be sure to check out my latest videos on YouTube, my latest photos on Instagram and subscribe to my Participation is Power Podcast!