Budget Hearings

From now until the end of June the PA Senate, House and Governor Wolf will determine the priorities for state spending for July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019. The House and Senate Appropriations Committees are meeting to hear state agency requests for money. These hearings end in early March.

As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I learned in budget hearings that PA has the highest student loan debt in the nation. According the Chancellor of our state university system, the state pays only 1/3 of the cost of public higher education. This is dramatic decline from the state share of 2/3 a generation ago. On the other hand, 49% of state owned cars are now hybrid or electric according to the Department of General Services. This means the state is making significant efforts to spend money for sustainably and to decrease carbon emissions.

Announcement—Upcoming Criminal Record Expungement Clinic

I will be teaming up with the Montgomery County Office of the Public Defender, & other Community Partners to host a Criminal Record Expungement Clinic on March 17 from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. The event will be held at Arcadia University in the Commons Great Room located at 450 South Easton Road.

This event is for Montgomery County adult cases only. Contact my office at 215-242-8171 to pre-register or for more information. 

We Can Stop Mass Shootings

After the tragedy of the mass shooting in Parkland, FL student victims and their families are taking action. The Florida students are demanding that lawmakers in Florida and the US Congress ban assault weapons and take other measures to protect children. These young people are organizing a National Walkout Day on March 14, a month after the school shooting for 17 minutes to honor each of the lives lost. A nationwide protest is scheduled for March 24 as well. The students have some big wins already. Boycotts of the NRA have cut their support from Enterprise Car Rental, Delta Airlines and businesses.  Dick’s Sporting Goods stopped the sale of assault weapons nationwide. Walmart raised the age limit to 21 for the purchase of firearms.

We must demand that semi-automatic weapons are banned like machine guns. Politicians have a choice - protect guns or protect children. Those who choose guns over children need to go.

Upcoming Events in March

Women's History Month

March 1—Read Across America Day

March 15—Hot Chocolate with Haywood

March 17—Criminal Record Expungement Clinic at Arcadia University at 9 a.m.

March 30—Offices are closed in observance of Good Friday

Dare to Care,

Art Haywood
State Senator
4th District

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