Coffee & Conversation Recap
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The turnout for my Coffee & Conversation event at Tredyffrin Public Library was incredible, with nearly 100 people attending to share their concerns about government at all levels. It is an honor to represent such an engaged community. Our next event is coming in April! ???
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Creating equal pay means increasing economic gains in the Commonwealth. That's a commonsense win for everyone but most importantly, for women and their families. When you get paid less, that means less money for household expenses, retirement, or children's clothing and food.
It's only fair to pay women equally for equal work and the time to act is NOW. I urge my colleagues in the PA House to move my legislation, H.B. 630, forward.
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As legislators, we are responsible for the care and safety of young people who are placed in the custody of the Commonwealth. I fully support the CARE package of juvenile justice reform bills that will improve the lives of the most vulnerable children. This package includes my legislation that will enhance oversight and accountability in state-run facilities. Justice means providing these children with a fair chance at a better life.
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It was session week in Harrisburg, where we are fighting to improve the lives of ALL Pennsylvanians. This week, I had Transportation, State Government, and Liquor Control committee meetings. Here's how I voted:
- Voted YES on H.B. 33, which provides oversight of physicians and testing laboratories in the Medical Marijuana Program.
- Voted YES on H.B. 60, which allows prescriptions to be transferred between pharmacies without requiring a doctor to rewrite the script.
- Voted YES on H.B. 111, which prohibits life insurers from discriminating against individuals for using opioid overdose reversal agents, such as naloxone.
- Voted YES on H.B. 175 to establish the "Rural Health Care Grant Program" to help healthcare practitioners repay education debt.
- Voted YES for The Crown Act, which prohibits discrimination based on hair type and religious head coverings.
- Voted YES on H.B. 274, which allows domestic violence survivors to collect unemployment if they leave their jobs for the safety of themselves or their families.
In State Government, I voted YES on H.B.'s 408 & 411 to provide retired teachers with a cost-of-living increase to their pensions. In the Transportation Committee, I voted for HB475, which is part of the CARE package and enables youth experiencing homelessness to apply for driver's licenses.
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"It Should Be a Law" Winner
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I was thrilled to invite Shane Bradley and his parents to the Capitol this week. Shane won my office's first-ever essay contest, where we asked students to imagine a law that would benefit Pennsylvanians. Shane proposed that "It Should Be a Law" to be more open-minded toward people who think differently.
Drawing from his school experiences, Shane described how bullies can be cruel to students living with autism and dyslexia. Shane feels that everyone should be more patient with one another and that adults should pay attention, intervene, and believe people when they say things are not all right. We wholeheartedly agree with Shane and think he has a bright future ahead of him.
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March is Women’s History Month. We’ve had so many trailblazers get us to where we are today. We cannot let them down, as once again our rights are on the line. Take the time to get inspired about how so many great women inspired change in their time and how you can do the same today!
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Grow PA Scholarships Open!
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Rep. Melissa Shusterman
157th Legislative District
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Pennsylvania State Capitol
114 Irvis Office Building
Harrisburg, PA 17120
(717) 787-7524
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District Office
1536 E. Lancaster Ave., Suite 200
Paoli, PA 19301
(484) 200-8260
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