Pennsylvania State Capitol building in Harrisburg. Photo: Shutterstock

Following is a listing of legislative and executive action taking place Nov. 22 and the week beginning Nov. 25. The Pennsylvania Senate was in recess at press time, subject to the call of President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati, R-Jefferson. The state House of Representatives was in recess and set to return to session Dec. 16.

Construction Workers

Auditor General Eugene DePasquale said he would be keeping an eye on construction of Amazon's new distribution center in Allegheny County in the wake of reports that contractors on the job were using out-of-state workers, which would reduce the value of Pennsylvania taxpayers' investment to get the project sited there.

"Amazon made the right choice to locate its newest distribution center in western Pennsylvania and the state is providing $1.6 million in job-creation tax credits to support this project," DePasquale said. "I am committed to protecting that investment and maximizing the benefit to Pennsylvania workers.

DePasquale said he has instructed his staff "to monitor how Amazon moves forward with construction of its new facility in Findlay Township to protect our taxpayers' investment and ensure Pennsylvanians benefit from it."

The distribution center near Pittsburgh is set to be 1 million square feet.

"Pennsylvania has the finest workers in the world and I encourage Amazon and its builders to take full advantage of that fact. Skilled Pennsylvania workers are ready and willing to do the job."

Wounded Warriors

A bill that would increase pensions for wounded veterans under two state programs has cleared a Pennsylvania Senate committee.

Pennsylvania Sen. Judy Ward, R-Blair, said Nov. 22 that the bill would provide the first increases to the pension programs, which serve 2,000 wounded warriors, in 20 years.

Senate Bill 276, which is sponsored by Ward, was unanimously approved by the Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee.

It would increase pensions under the Blind Veterans Pension Program and the Amputee and Paralyzed Veterans Pension Program, Ward said.

The pension programs serve Pennsylvania veterans who have suffered service-connected injuries or diseases that resulted in loss of vision, paralysis, or the loss of two or more extremities.

Wounded veterans are eligible for a monthly pension payment of $150. SB 276 would increase these pension payments to $180.

"The veterans who benefit from these programs suffered terrible injuries while fighting for our freedoms and our safety," Ward said. "We owe them a debt that can never be repaid. Increasing pensions that have remained stagnant for 20 years is the least we can do to honor their service and sacrifice."

The last pension increase under the programs came in 1999.

SB 276 was sent to the full Senate for consideration.

Stem Education

Gov. Tom Wolf on Nov. 25 announced the availability of up to $20 million in grants to prepare students in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) and computer science.

The grants—which are set to fund targeted pre-K through 12th-grade education, as well as workforce readiness for learners of all ages—are part of the Wolf administration's PAsmart initiative, launched last year. PAsmart is aimed at supporting education to prepare Pennsylvanians for 21st century jobs, according to the program's website.

"PAsmart is strategically investing in science and technology education so students get the skills they need for emerging jobs in high demand," Wolf said in a statement. "The grants encourage businesses and schools to develop partnerships that focus education on the knowledge students will need to succeed in growing industries."

The latest infusion of grant money brings the amount invested through PAsmart to $90 million since its inception last year, according to the Wolf administration.

"Advancing" grants, of up to $500,000, are available for "cross-sector partnerships" which bring to bear high-level strategic approaches to workforce readiness. The grants are intended to enable regions to expand STEM ecosystems, facilitate collaboration among local education agencies, colleges and businesses and expand opportunities for underserved populations.

Applicants for Advancing grants have until Jan. 10 to apply, according to a statement.

Targeted Pre-K-to-12, of up to $35,000, are available for local STEM and computer science education. Applicants for Targeted grants have until Dec. 20 to apply.

The Pennsylvania Department of Education is handling the grant-making process.

Post-Mastectomy Options

A measure aimed at ensuring that women receive coverage for custom breasts prosthetics when that choice is the best option post-mastectomy surgery was approved by the state House of Representatives.

House Bill 1457, sponsored by state Rep. Meghan Schroeder, R-Bucks, was unanimously approved on the House floor.

Schroeder said in a statement Nov. 25 that the bill would provide clarity in the law to ensure that women have the option to choose which breast prosthetic best suits their individual needs.

"I want to ensure that all women who have to go through this painful process have the freedom to select which option most fits their specific circumstance, whatever it may be," Schroeder said.

In some cases, women who have an irregular chest wall may not properly fit the standard prosthetics or may not be a good candidate to receive reconstructive surgery, according to Schroeder's statement. Although most insurance companies provide coverage on off-the-shelf prosthetics and reconstructive surgery, these two alternatives are not always an option for every woman.

The measure has advanced to the Pennsylvania Senate, where it was referred to the Banking and Insurance Committee.

Pediatric Nurses

The state House of Representatives has unanimously approved a Monroe County lawmaker's resolution to bring awareness of a continuous shortage of pediatric shift nurses in Pennsylvania.

House Resolution 501, sponsored by state Rep. Rosemary Brown, R-Monroe, notes that while Pennsylvania makes medical assistance available to virtually all children with significant disabilities or needs, there is a severe shortage of pediatric shift nurses and many parents have few options for professional care.

"This shortage is part of an ongoing crisis here in Pennsylvania where patients, especially young patients, struggle to receive the medical assistance that they desperately need," Brown said in a statement Nov. 26. "Not only do pediatric shift nurses allow for children to receive medical care in their own homes, but it provides peace of mind to their families that their child's needs are being met."

Brown said she hoped lawmakers would "be able to work with the state departments to mend the shortage at hand and allow more families to be aided by this important service."