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The Latest News from Your State Representative |
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Please do not reply to this e-mail, as I am unable to respond to messages sent to this address. You can contact me directly at vgaydos@pahousegop.com or here. |
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As your state representative, I want you to be confident in the leader you have sent to Harrisburg, and most importantly, to know that my door is always open.
I’m inviting all constituents to attend my annual Open House on Friday, April 29, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The purpose of this open house is for residents of the 44th Legislative District to familiarize themselves with my office, meet my staff and learn about how we can best assist them face-to-face about the issues concerning our state and district such as PAT Senior Connect Cards, PennDOT, Property Tax/Rent Rebate applications and more. It is very important that we keep the lines of communication open so I can learn more about your wants and needs.
In addition, I have invited a representative from the Pennsylvania Department of Treasury to assist with searching for your possible unclaimed property issues or other state treasury questions.
I’m looking forward to meeting you. My district office is located at 1005 Beaver Grade Road, Suite 106, Moon Township. For more information contact the office at 412-262-3780.
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Sincerely,
Valerie Gaydos |
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Helping Small Businesses to Provide More Affordable Health Care Benefits to Employees
Rep. Gaydos has introduced legislation to provide a mechanism for small business employers to join together to offer quality health insurance as a benefit to their employees.
House Bill 555 would require that a group or association health plan being offered is fully insured, provides essential health benefits and protects small businesses and employees. The association health plan coverage would be guaranteed issued and renewable, prohibiting denying coverage based on a pre-existing condition, providing essential health benefits and plans comparable to the Affordable Care Act (ACA) plans. Prior to the enactment of the ACA, many companies, trade association members and nonprofits were allowed to pool together for health care, but the ACA made that prohibitive.
Federal law and regulations currently do not allow the small businesses in an association to be treated as a large employer. This legislation simply restores the right of small businesses to group together.
This practice already occurs in more than 30 states. The legislation has been referred to the House Insurance Committee for consideration.
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Gaydos Introduces Legislation Allowing Direct Shipment of Spirits
Rep. Gaydos has introduced legislation that would allow a manufacturer who has a direct spirits shipper license to send spirits to a resident who is 21 years of age or older for the resident’s personal use and not for resale.
Gaydos’ legislation states that a person licensed by the board, another state or country as a producer or manufacturer of spirits, and who obtains a direct spirits shipper license, would be able to ship no more than 9 liters of spirits per month in a calendar year at a Commonwealth resident’s request. Each month the board will publish on the publicly accessible internet website a list of all classes, varieties and brands of spirits available for sale in Pennsylvania liquor stores.
Gaydos feels the time is now to put the spirits industry on par with the wine industry by allowing direct shipment of spirits to Pennsylvania residents.
House Bill 2342 has been referred to the House Liquor Control Committee for consideration.
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PA Supreme Court Signs Off on New State House, Senate Districts
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court gave final approval to state legislative redistricting maps this week.
The boundaries of state House and Senate districts, as well as U.S. congressional districts, are redrawn every 10 years in conjunction with the U.S. Census to address shifts in population and meet the “one person, one vote” principle.
The 44th District has changed. The district will add constituents from Leet Township and Leetsdale Borough; however, the district will be losing citizens from Ohio Township beginning on Dec. 1, 2022.
Barring any additional legal challenges, these are the maps that will be in place when voters head to the polls on Tuesday, May 17.
To view statewide maps for the House and Senate, click here.
To view the new map for the 44th Legislative District, visit www.repgaydos.com/newdistrictmap.
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Gaydos, House Education Committee Opposes New Regulations for Charter, Cyber Charter Schools
As a member of the House Education Committee, we voted to send a letter to the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) and the Independent Regulatory Review Commission (IRRC) disapproving of the final form regulations written by PDE related to charter and cyber charter schools.
PDE delivered the charter school final form regulations to the House and Senate Education committees and IRRC on Feb. 10.
Committee members believe the regulations would harm the 170,000 Pennsylvania students enrolled in charter schools and the tens of thousands of students who are on a waitlist to enroll. Rep. Gaydos believes that parents should have options for their children’s education so they can find the best environment for each child to learn.
The Senate Education Committee also expressed its disapproval of the regulations this week.
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Committee Seeks Solutions to Teacher Shortage
Rep. Gaydos’ House Education Committee colleagues held a hearing this week to discuss the growing shortage of teachers in the Commonwealth’s classrooms.
In her testimony to the committee, Dr. Tanya Garcia, a deputy secretary for the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE), noted the number of undergraduate education majors in Pennsylvania has declined by 66% since 2010. That decline, combined with the increasing rate at which teachers are leaving the profession, is making it increasingly difficult to staff classrooms, especially in rural and urban districts, as well as specific programming such as special education and STEM.
In addition to state education officials, lawmakers heard testimony from university deans, school district officials, teachers and principals.
Among the solutions discussed were encouraging more high school students to pursue an education major, particularly in post-secondary education; removing barriers to becoming a teacher; reexamining certification requirements; and offering student loan assistance and other incentives to stay in the Commonwealth to teach.
Click here to watch the hearing.
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School Assessment Tests Confirm Pandemic Learning Loss
After a months-long delay, the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) has finally released results of student assessment tests for the 2020-21 school year. The data confirms many students are struggling as a result of learning loss that has occurred due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Data for the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment, Keystone Exams and the Pennsylvania Alternative System of Assessment for a small percentage of students with disabilities, show 37.3% scored at the proficient or advanced level on math exams, 55% on the literature/language arts exams and 63.7% on the science exams. Also, participation in assessment exams dropped from the typical 97% to only 71%.
To learn more about the school districts in the 44th District, click here.
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Committee Hears Alarming Testimony on EMS Crisis |
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With concerns growing about the state of emergency medical services in the Commonwealth, the House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee convened a hearing to better understand the challenges and identify solutions.
The committee heard from stakeholder groups about the recruitment and retention of personnel, financial needs, billing constraints, hospital emergency room protocols, local government support initiatives and COVID-19 challenges to the EMS system.
In recognition of financial challenges faced by EMS agencies, the General Assembly recently passed a law to provide $25 million in federal funds to support grants for these organizations. This is in addition to a recurring grant opportunity through the annual Fire and Emergency Medical Services Grant Program offered through the Office of State Fire Commissioner. However, this week’s hearing shows we need to do more.
For many, a quick response by an ambulance is the difference between life and death. It is vital we work together to ensure EMS personnel and these organizations remain available to serve and protect our communities.
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Support Our Veterans Every Day!
Creating aid and comfort to our veterans gives them hope and helps to keep them happily engaged in life. Supporting veteran-owned businesses and those that provide funds to organizations is an act of patriotism. It gives people a chance to show their appreciation for the service they provided to our country.
Rep. Gaydos wants to show her gratitude to these true heroes by providing veterans outreach hours. The next session is scheduled for Thursday, March 24, at her district office.
Please make an appointment by calling 412-262-3780. Gaydos wants to accommodate all veterans.
These special hours are a great opportunity for veterans to get personalized service regarding information on VA benefits and programs that may be available to them.
Gaydos’ office is located at 1005 Beaver Grade Road, Suite 106, Moon Township.
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Speaking in Sewickley
This week, Rep. Gaydos was the guest speaker at the Sewickley Senior Men’s club at the Sewickley YMCA.
She talked a bit about her business background, but the goal was to allow the men the chance to ask questions about state government. It was a lively discussion that dealt mainly with voter laws and voter ID. We do not want any repeats of the discrepancies experienced in the 2020 elections.
In addition, the men’s club discussed the many services Gaydos’ office provides, such as PennDOT paperwork, unemployment compensation issues, Property Tax/Rent Rebate applications, student aid applications and much more.
Gaydos said she enjoyed her time speaking and is hoping to do it again soon.
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Sewickley Public Library Receives State Grant
The Sewickley Public Library has been awarded a $750,000 Keystone Grant from the state Department of Education (PDE) for construction and rehabilitation.
PDE awarded nearly $5.3 million in funding to 21 libraries in 17 counties throughout the Commonwealth.
Public libraries are a community staple — helping residents access critical services, resources and programming, from educational materials to broadband.
The award recipients were selected through a competitive grant process. The Keystone grants will help public library facilities improve their operations, install equipment and upgrade security systems.
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Gaydos, Robinson, Moon Township to Host Identity Theft Prevention Fair
Rep. Gaydos will be teaming up with Sen. Devlin Robinson and Moon Township to host a free Identity Theft Prevention Fair on Saturday, June 11.
The fair will be from 9-11 a.m. at the Moon Area Middle School, Tiger Trail Road, Moon Township.
Identity thieves often strike when you least expect it, so it is crucial to avoid taking the security of your personal data for granted.
Gaydos has invited the Allegheny County Sheriff’s Department to be on hand to collect unused medications for Project DUMP (Disposal of Unused/Expired Medications Properly).
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Office Locations |
District Office: |
1005 Beaver Grade Road, Suite 106, Moon Township, PA 15108 | Phone: (412) 262-3780, Fax: (412) 262-3783 |
Capitol Office: |
Room 428, Irvis Office Building, House Box 202044, Harrisburg PA 17120-2044 | Phone: (717) 787-6651 | |
Email: vgaydos@pahousegop.com |
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