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In this Update:
Senate Votes to Criminalize Right-to-Know Records Destruction
Legislation I sponsored, as PA Senate State Government Committee Chairman, to make the intentional destruction or alteration of Right-to-Know (RTK) records a third-degree felony (Senate Bill 686) was approved (31-18) by the Pennsylvania Senate on June 4. It is deeply troubling that Pennsylvania’s long-standing RTK law mentions no criminal offense for destroying or altering records subject to a RTK request. Not surprisingly, the rule of law is entirely thwarted whenever government officials or their staff intentionally destroy records that have been requested under RTK provisions, and which the public has every right to examine. For the record, a third-degree felony in Pennsylvania can result in up to seven years of prison and a maximum $15,000 fine. In addition to referencing the missing email communications in a prominent sexual harassment investigation involving the Shapiro administration (as extensively reported by BroadandLiberty.com), during my Senate floor remarks, I cited the Luzerne County “Kids for Cash” scandal as another prime example of why Senate Bill 686 is absolutely necessary. Both of these well-documented incidents at the state and local level, and so many others, make it crystal clear that the non-existent penalties for destroying RTK records are not adequate to deter this type of criminal behavior. Those who cannot handle the truth should never get away with criminally suppressing the truth. In short, the punishment for violating our Commonwealth’s RTK law must fit the crime. It’s well past time in Pennsylvania to balance the scales of justice against this preposterous “get-out-of-jail-free-card” for the flagrant destruction of RTK records with a maximum third-degree felony conviction. Senate Bill 686 now advances to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for consideration. Update: DOC Delays SCI Rockview, Quehanna Closures
As reported in my WTAJ.com interview above, the PA Department of Corrections (DOC) has delayed its decisions on the proposed closures of SCI Rockview and Quehanna Boot Camp. Although no timetable was given, I believe this postponement is a sign of hope that the DOC may be finally reconsidering their specially targeted prison closing criteria due to ongoing public feedback. As I have repeatedly stated in public and directly to DOC Secretary Laurel Harry – including two recent meetings organized with the assistance of Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman – we no longer have the luxury of believing the Department’s non-factual assertions about the economic necessity or so-called cost-savings driving the decisions to close these correctional institutions. As a retired corrections officer, I’m going to remain prayerful and will continue the fight to save these family-sustaining jobs for hundreds of rural citizens, and ultimately public safety. Remembering D-Day and Those Who Gave Everything
In one of the most important military actions in history, the Allies began the liberation of Western Europe on June 6, 1944. Each year, there are fewer surviving D-Day veterans, which makes it even more important that we preserve their legacy through education. We must never forget the more than 2,500 Americans who lost their lives turning the tide in World War II. The cost of freedom is high, and they gave everything to defend it for all of us. Senate Votes to Preserve Prescription Assistance for Seniors
Legislation to protect thousands of Pennsylvania seniors from losing access to life-sustaining prescriptions passed the Senate unanimously. Senate Bill 731 would exclude Social Security cost-of-living adjustments from income eligibility calculations for the PACE and PACENET programs. The bill would extend the current exclusion from the end of this year to Dec. 31, 2027. Funded by the Pennsylvania Lottery, the PACE and PACENET programs have provided hundreds of thousands of adults 65 and older with low-cost prescriptions. It now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration. Senate Approves Bill to Improve Access to Stroke Resources
The Senate unanimously passed legislation that would improve access to stroke resources. Senate Bill 411 would establish a statewide stroke registry administered and maintained by the Pennsylvania Department of Health. The registry would improve patient outcomes by giving emergency medical service providers, hospital stroke teams and other health care providers additional resources. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, strokes are the fifth-leading cause of death in the United States. Each year, more than 795,000 people experience a stroke. The bill now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration. 23andMe Consumers Can Still Protect Their Information
While 23andMe has filed for bankruptcy, consumers should know they still have rights. Notably, if a consumer’s personal or genetic information was exposed in the 2023 data breach, they may file a claim electronically by July 14. People may also wish to delete their profiles and accounts to ensure their personal data is erased from the 23andMe system and not sold as part of the bankruptcy process. Attorney General Dave Sunday says consumers can learn how to delete their genetic data from 23andMe, destroy their 23andMe test sample and revoke permission for their genetic data to be used for research here.
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