YOUR PUBLIC SERVANTS AT WORK — Nov. 10, 2016

Mt. Airy Commercial Strip Gets Funded

STATE REP. Martina White (R-Northeast) was joined by representatives of the Phila. Fire Dept. and Police Dept. and the family of fallen Battalion Chief Michael R. Goodwin, Sr. to dedicate a portion of Academy Road from Byberry Road to Nanton Drive as the Michael R. Goodwin, Sr. Memorial Highway.

9th Dist. Councilwoman Cherelle L. Parker was joined by Mayor Jim Kenney and Philadelphia Commerce Director Harold Epps to announce a quarter-million-dollar revitalization project on Vernon Road, a neighborhood commercial corridor in Mount Airy.

“Investing in Vernon Road has been a top priority for me and the community for over a decade,” said Parker. “This announcement gives reason and cause to celebrate because we have worked with our neighbors to advocate for this much-needed investment. This project models the benefits of strong public and private partnerships, and our commitment to investing in and transforming neighborhood commercial corridors. With more than 71% homeownership rates and over a dozen long-term businesses on this avenue, our residents and small business owners are seeing their tax dollars at work.”

City’s Library Branches Receive $1 Million Grant

State Reps. Mike Driscoll (D-Northeast), Tonyelle Cook-Artis (D-Northwest), Brian Sims (D-S. Phila.) and Stephen Kinsey (D-Northwest) announced a $1 million state grant has been awarded to the Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation to renovate existing library facilities throughout the city.

“I am very glad to report that this funding will be used to renovate, update and modernize neighborhood libraries throughout the city,” Driscoll said. “Libraries, like the Tacony branch located in my district, are an essential component of any strong community. This project will help ensure that the Free Library of Philadelphia remains a world-class institution.”

The funding, which will be used to support the 21st Century Libraries Initiative, was delivered from the Pennsylvania Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program.

“The Free Library of Philadelphia may have been founded in 1891, but this grant will help the system match the needs of the 21st century,” Cook-Artis said. “Libraries are important community partners that advocate for education and act as a gateway for economic opportunity. I am grateful Lovett Library was included in this project.”

The five libraries that will be renovated with these funds range in age from 97 to 128 years.

Sabatina’s Home-Invasion Bill Signed by Governor

Six months after a horrific incident in Northeast Philadelphia, a bill co-sponsored by State Sen. John Sabatina (D-Northeast), intended to crack down on home-invasion burglaries, has been signed into law by the governor.

“I’m relieved that the House was able to move this legislation before the end of the session so that it can be quickly sent to the governor,” Sabatina said. “As a former prosecutor I know how important it is to give judges the backing they need to come down hard on brazen criminals.”

In May, three Somerton residents – including a couple in their 60s — were bound while their house was ransacked and robbed.

Two weeks later, SB 1062, co-authored by Sabatina passed the Senate unanimously.

Sabatina’s legislation creates a distinction for home invasion – a robbery committed with the intent to inflict bodily harm – and gives judges discretion by expanding sentencing parameters. It was co-authored by State Sen. John Rafferty (R-Montgomery).

The measure will expand the maximum penalty for home invasions, giving judges the option of sentencing perpetrators to up to 40 years in prison.

The bill does not create a mandatory minimum for those convicted of a home invasion. However it provides the judges with latitude of a sentencing enhancement under “Burglary and Serious Bodily Injury” (under the Pennsylvania Crimes Code) when making their decisions.

Taylor Pushes Cancer Tests for Firefighters

A resolution sponsored by State Rep. John Taylor (R-Northeast) to draw attention to a health issue that effects firefighters has passed the House of Representatives.

“Firefighters are one of the most-prominent occupational groups at increased risk for bladder cancer,” Taylor said. “Unfortunately, far too many firefighters and their doctors are unaware of that risk.”

According to several studies, 68% of firefighters will develop cancer in their lifetimes, and firefighters under age 60 have higher rates of bladder cancer compared to the general population.

Many firehouses across the country are testing for bladder cancer in firefighters.

We must make sure that every firefighter in this Commonwealth understands his or her increased risk for bladder cancer, and that steps are taken to decrease that risk and how they can be tested for bladder cancer,” said Taylor.

HR 1056 encourages the Dept. of Health to offer programs in the Commonwealth’s firehouses to focus on bladder cancer education, prevention and early detection and to provide voluntary testing for each firefighter in Pennsylvania.

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