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In this Update:

• Chairman Dush Shepherds Stand with Israel Act Forward
• PA Budget Update: Government Still Can’t Touch Peoples’ Right to Bear Arms
• Celebrating Kane Troop 427’s Eagle Scout Trio
• Have Your Federal Government Questions Answered on July 9
• June is National Fireworks Safety Month

Chairman Dush Shepherds Stand with Israel Act Forward

On Tuesday, as chairman of the Senate State Government Committee, I convened a voting meeting to successfully advance the Stand with Israel Act which would prohibit the Commonwealth from divesting or boycotting the State of Israel and Israeli-based companies.

This includes the Pennsylvania Treasury, State Employees’ Retirement System, Public School Employees’ Retirement System and Pennsylvania Municipal Retirement System.

Approved by the full Senate with a solid bipartisan 41-7 margin on June 27, Senate Bill 1260 would also terminate state funding to colleges or universities that boycott or divest from Israel.

In the wake of the Oct. 7 terrorist attacks, Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity, who supports the legislation, invested an additional $20 million in Israel bonds, bringing the Treasury’s total investment in Israel to more than $56 million.

Private individuals have the right to think and act as they want with their words and money, but when it comes to stewarding Pennsylvania’s resources, I fully support aligning our financial practices with our moral values.

We cannot cave to ideological weaponization of the purse strings to support the causes of terror.

Our bond with Israel is forged from shared values of liberty, freedom and an unyielding pursuit of peace.

By advancing the Stand with Israel Act, we reaffirm our commitment to these values, and to our allies who uphold them. Senate Bill 1260 now advances to the state House of Representatives for consideration.

PA Budget Update: Government Still Can’t Touch Peoples’ Right to Bear Arms

In a free society, the safety and welfare of “We the People” can never be guaranteed by criminalizing one of our most fundamental freedoms: the right to bear arms. 

Unfortunately, in Pennsylvania, even the most “well-intentioned” or “commonsense” gun laws can rapidly mutate, multiply and come to fruition as tyrannical firearm confiscation and control.

To date, more than a half dozen of these liberal gun control measures have been forcibly advanced by the razor-thin Pennsylvania House Democrat majority — all of which Gov. Josh Shapiro wants to sign into law as he schemes for higher office.

As briefly touted in the governor’s annual budget address, the Shapiro administration is seeking to establish the Office of Gun Violence Prevention which would coordinate and implement Biden-initiated strategies to “reduce firearm carnage.” 

As chairman of the Senate Second Amendment Caucus, I’m certainly not “joshing” when I say that greenlighting this taxpayer-funded, private firearm ownership prohibition agency would be another step closer to displacing our republic’s most cherished constitutional liberties with an unaccountable and ever-present mass citizen surveillance state as depicted in the pages of George Orwell’s 1984. 

Follow this link to read my editorial published by BroadandLiberty.com which argues against funding the governor’s shamefully unconstitutional Office of Gun Violence Prevention as part of this year’s state budget.

Celebrating Kane Troop 427’s Eagle Scout Trio

Earning/attaining the rank of Eagle Scout is a monumental achievement. Very few achieve the highest rank in scouting due to the tremendous commitment that is required.

Earlier this month, I had the extra-special privilege of attending the Eagle Scout Court of Honor ceremony for three members of Kane Scout Troop 427.  Pictured with me above (from left) are Jedidiah Waterman, Zechariah Waterman and Dawson Snyder.

Again, the rank of Eagle Scout is one that is earned, not given.

Congratulations and thanks are also in order for all of the parents, grandparents and volunteers who invested countless hours to prepare these young men for a lifetime of proudly serving their communities.

Have Your Federal Government Questions Answered on July 9

On Tuesday, July 9 a representative from Congressman Glenn “GT” Thompson’s office will be working out of my Brookville district office, 73 South White Street, Suite 5, from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

This is your opportunity to ask questions and express concerns with federal agencies such as the Social Security Administration, the Department of Veterans Affairs and the IRS.

No appointments necessary.

June is National Fireworks Safety Month

Independence Day is right around the corner, which means many of us will enjoy celebrations that include an American tradition: fireworks. Being aware of restrictions on consumer fireworks can help prevent injuries and property damage.

They cannot be discharged within 150 feet of a building or vehicle, regardless of whether the building or vehicle is owned by the user of the consumer fireworks. Fireworks cannot be discharged while the person is under the influence of alcohol, a controlled substance or another drug.

Read more about state restrictions, and check with your local municipality for applicable local ordinances.

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