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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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Confidence in our election system is a must. The 2020 election brought frustration to many for different reasons. We started with a contentious election and newly enacted election laws. Add in a global pandemic, topped by conflicting interpretations of election laws between state, county, and federal officials, combined with inconsistent guidance and unprecedented interference by the Pennsylvania Department of State on top of already identified election process concerns revealed in a 2019 audit by Pennsylvania Auditor General Eugene DePasquale. A perfect storm in every sense of the term! Whether it is real or imagined, we must come together and ensure that going forward, everyone has confidence in the process and that every voice is heard.
In response to this perfect storm and at the request of many of our constituents who want to ensure uniformity in the application of election procedures going forward, the House State Government Committee held its first election hearing and will be addressing the many issues and concerns that have surfaced over the last year. The purpose of the committee is not to relitigate the election but to move forward and to dive deeper into Pennsylvania’s 1937 election law, so voters have faith.
The state’s top election officials, Secretary of the Commonwealth Kathy Boockvar and Deputy Secretary for Elections and Commissions Jonathan Marks, took questions and provided testimony during the hearing and confirmed the need for greater uniformity. For example, curing ballots in individual counties led to ballots being handled differently with some voters having opportunities others did not. Even Secretary Boockvar noted these disparities and the need for clearer directives which have the force and effects of law.
This was the first hearing of a series to review the Commonwealth’s election law and election operations of the state and county governments. The committee will address any and all issues arising from how elections are conducted. View the hearing topics and tentative schedule here.
The hearings can be viewed online at www.PAHouseGOP.com.
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Sincerely,
Valerie Gaydos |
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Gaydos and Her Staff are Ready, Willing and Able to Serve You!
Rep. Gaydos invites constituents to stop by her new district office in Moon Township to share questions or concerns about legislation issues that affect them in everyday life. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. We are now located at street level which we hope will provide for greater ease and convenience of our constituents.
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COVID-19 Vaccine Update
The Pennsylvania Department of Health earlier this week announced an expansion of its COVID-19 vaccination plans based on updates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The state is currently in Phase 1A of its plan, which initially focused on health care providers, EMS personnel and people living or working in congregate care facilities.
On Tuesday, officials expanded immediate eligibility to individuals age 65 and older, and individuals ages 16-64 with certain medical conditions, as defined by the CDC, that increase the risk of severe illness from the virus.
The vaccines are a very important tool in our fight against this virus. It is an avenue to keep you healthy, vibrant and safe.
For additional information on the updated criteria, to determine eligibility or find a vaccine provider, click here.
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Gaydos Discusses COVID-19 with UPMC’s Dr. Yealy
Recently, Rep. Gaydos did a virtual interview with Dr. Donald Yealy who is the chair of the Department of Emergency Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC).
Dr. Yealy has focused most of his research on clinical decision making and the early care of many life-threatening conditions, including community acquired pneumonia, sepsis, acute heart failure and respiratory failure.
It was a great conversation and learning experience. Click here to watch.
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Area Schools to Receive Emergency Relief Funding
As part of the federal Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CCRSA), Pennsylvania will receive approximately $2.22 billion in Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds.
This money is intended to support COVID-19 response efforts and may be spent on a wide range of allowable activities.
The local school districts and ESSER funding amounts are as follows:
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Avonworth School District: $230,420 |
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Moon Area School District: $1,145,309 |
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Quaker Valley School District: $711,691 |
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West Allegheny School District: $986,056 |
The federal funding was provided by the bipartisan Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act’s Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER II) Fund passed by Congress in December. The Commonwealth is distributing the funds based on an existing formula that considers the number of low-income students served by school districts and charter schools.
The funds may be used for a wide range of activities, including food service; professional training; technology purchases; sanitization and cleaning supplies; summer and after-school programs; and mental health supports. Funds must be used by September 2023. School districts and charter schools must apply to the Pennsylvania Department of Education to obtain their allocated funds. More information is available here.
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Nazareth Prep Awarded RACP Grant
Rep. Gaydos is pleased to announce that Nazareth Prep High School in Emsworth was awarded a $1 million Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) grant for their Science and Activities building. Many residents of the district attend the school and this grant will help their students remain competitive.
Click here to read more about Nazareth Prep funding project.
RACP is a Commonwealth grant program administered by the governor’s Office of the Budget for the acquisition and construction of regional economic, cultural, civic and community development improvement projects. The program requires a dollar for dollar match in non-state funding in the project and all project related expenses must be incurred and satisfied in advance of approved reimbursements from the state.
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Gaydos Attends Swearing-In Ceremony
This week at the Forum Auditorium in Harrisburg, Rep. Gaydos attended the swearing in ceremony for Stacy Garrity, who took the oath of office as Pennsylvania’s 78th state Treasurer.
Gaydos applauds the election of Garrity, whose experience serving in the U.S. Army Reserves in the Iraq War, as well as working in the private sector, will bring the skillsets needed in government. In the tradition of the military, Garrity treated her swearing-in as a “Change of Watch,” and graciously invited outgoing treasurer Joe Torsella to speak and provide an outgoing report at the swearing-in. His graceful and gracious message and peaceful transfer of the reigns of the PA Treasury to Treasurer Garrity can be seen here.
The ceremony included a presentation of Garrity’s military colors by the First Troop Philadelphia City Cavalry.
PennLive wrote an article about Pennsylvania’s new state Treasurer. Click here to read all about it.
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Veterans: Start the New Year Off Right with Benefits Review
The Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) is encouraging veterans to meet with a professional to ensure they are receiving or maximizing the benefits they have earned through their service and sacrifice.
Contact the county Veterans Affairs director for help:
For more information on state programs and services supporting veterans, visit www.dmva.pa.gov.
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Area Spotlight: Moon Girls Basketball Star Commits to Local University
It has been a tough basketball season for Moon’s Reilly Sunday. Her junior season on the court for the Tigers was cut short due to a knee injury.
However, Reilly’s talents have been noticed by many colleges and universities across the country. But Reilly has decided to play at the next level for a school in her own backyard.
Check out where she will play by clicking here.
Area Spotlight: Moon Township Man Named Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer at Highmark Health
Robert James of Moon Township has been named the new Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer at Highmark Health.
James has outstanding credentials and experience, and Rep. Gaydos and her staff wish him the best of luck. You can read all about Robert James and his new position by clicking here.
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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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