March 2014 - Senator Andy Dinniman

State Senator
Andy Dinniman
KEEPING IN TOUCH
Winter 2014
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New 19th Senatorial District • Keeping Our Communities Safe
INSIDE: The
Giving Back, Growing Together • Honoring Our Veterans
Keeping in Touch—SENATOR ANDY DINNIMAN
◆
19th Senatorial District
Every 10 years, legislative district lines are updated and redrawn
according to the latest census data. As a result of that process, known
as legislative redistricting, your community is in Pennsylvania’s 19th
Senatorial District, which Senator Dinniman represents in the state
legislature.
Phoenixville
Schuylkill Twp
West Pikeland Twp
Charlestown Twp
Tredyffrin Twp
East Whiteland Twp
Malvern
East Caln Twp
OFFICES To Serve You
Downingtown
West Sadsbury
Twp
DISTRICT OFFICE
One North Church Street
West Chester, PA 19380
(610) 692-2112
Fax: (610) 436-1721
Valley Twp
Sadsbury Twp
E-MAIL UPDATES
To sign up for electronic updates,
visit: www.senatordinniman.com/
contact-us/e-newsletter
You can also e-mail or scan this QR
code with your smartphone.
COUNTY
East Bradford
Twp
West Bradford Twp
East Fallowfield Twp
Atglen
Chester
★ West
District Office
West Chester
Highland Twp
West Fallowfield Twp
West Marlborough Twp
Londonderry Twp
HARRISBURG OFFICE
Senate Box 203019
182 Capitol Building
Harrisburg, PA 17120-3019
(717) 787-5709
Fax: (717) 787-4384
WEBSITE
www.senatordinniman.com
CITY OF
COATESVILLE CHESTER
South Coatesville
Modena
Parkesburg
Hours: Mon. – Fri. • 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
E-MAIL
[email protected]
West Whiteland Twp
Upper Oxford Twp
London Grove Twp
Penn Twp
West Grove
Lower Oxford Twp
Avondale
New Garden Twp
Oxford
New London Twp
Franklin Twp
East Nottingham Twp
West Nottingham Twp
London Britain
Twp
Elk Twp
MUNICIPALITIES:
Atglen, Avondale, Coatesville, Charlestown, Downingtown, East Bradford,
East Caln, East Fallowfield, East Nottingham, East Whiteland, Elk,
Franklin, Highland, London Britain, London Grove, Londonderry, Lower
Oxford, Malvern, Modena, New Garden, New London, Oxford, Parkesburg,
Penn, Phoenixville, Sadsbury, Schuylkill, South Coatesville, Tredyffrin,
Upper Oxford, Valley, West Bradford, West Chester, West Fallowfield, West
Grove, West Marlborough, West Nottingham, West Pikeland, West
Whiteland and West Sadsbury.
◆◆◆
BECOME A FRIEND
ON FACEBOOK
@Senator Andy Dinniman
FOLLOW ON TWITTER
@SenatorDinniman
SCHOOL DISTRICTS (WHOLE OR PART OF):
Avon Grove, Coatesville Area, Downingtown Area, Great Valley, Kennett
Consolidated, Octorara Area, Oxford Area, Phoenixville Area,
Tredyffrin-Easttown, Unionville-Chadds Ford, West Chester Area.
Keeping in Touch—SENATOR ANDY DINNIMAN
◆
E
Keeping Our Communities Safe
very year, hundreds of
thousands of men, women
and children around the globe
and in our nation are trafficked for
forced labor or sexual exploitation. In
fact, the Philadelphia area has been
identified as one of the major hubs of
human trafficking in America.
State Senator Andy Dinniman is
working to put an end to this
modern-day slavery. Dinniman is a
strong supporter and the prime cosponsor of Senate Bill 75, legislation
that would improve and better define
Pennsylvania’s human trafficking
laws to protect victims and
prosecute offenders.
Many victims of human trafficking are hiding in plain sight. All too
often, human trafficking is tragically
mistaken for or prosecuted as other
crimes, with victims treated as
criminals and sometimes even
released into the custody of the very
people who have victimized them.
“Human trafficking is real and
widespread. There is no doubt that it
is taking place in Pennsylvania and
even right here in our own backyard.
It is a threat to the safety of our
◆
8
Senator Dinniman discusses Senate
Bill 75, legislation that would help end
human trafficking in Pennsylvania, at a
recent meeting with local constituents.
communities, our families and our
children,” Dinniman said. “In passing
Senate Bill 75, Pennsylvania can
take the lead in putting an end to
this modern-day slavery. We cannot
delay. We must give law
enforcement personnel the tools
they need to bring perpetrators to
justice and help victims begin the
path to recovery.”
In December, Senate Bill 75
was unanimously passed by the
Pennsylvania Senate. The legislation
is now before the House. Recently,
Senator Dinniman brought together
local residents, activists and leaders
of the faith community to launch an
action plan to move the bill through
the House.
“More than 150 years ago, our
region was very much the center of
the abolitionist movement and the
center of the Underground Railroad.
Who would have thought that today
we would still be battling the scourge
of slavery?” Dinniman said. “If we
are to fully respect the work of those
who came before us and the Quaker
heritage of Chester County, we have
an obligation to commit ourselves to
relegating slavery to the archives of
history, once and for all.”
If you or someone you know
suspects that human trafficking may
be occurring in your area call the
National Human Trafficking
Resources Center at 1-888-3737888 to report tips or connect with
services.
For more information on human
trafficking and how you can help get
Senate Bill 75 passed, visit
www.senatordinniman.com.
Keeping Our Kids Healthy
A
n estimated 2,000 young lives
are lost to sudden cardiac
arrest each year. One of those
was Aidan Silva – a bright, happy
and healthy seven-year-old from
Chester County who tragically and
unexpectedly passed away in
September 2010.
Inspired by the Silva family to
take action, Senator Dinniman is
leading the call to help ensure that all
Pennsylvania schools are equipped
with automated external defibrillators
(AED).
“We are not talking about a multibillion dollar government program,”
Dinniman said, referring to senate
legislation that would help ensure
that each and every single school in
the Commonwealth has an AED. “It is
a simple thing. It is a basic safety
Pictured (from left to right) Dr. Victoria
Vetter, a cardiologist at the Children’s
Hospital of Philadelphia; Steve, Devon
and Christy Silva; and Senator Dinniman
at a rally in support of AED legislation.
device that we need in our schools. In
fact, an AED is cheaper than the cost
of a fire door. We owe it to our children, we owe it to their families and we
owe it to parents like Steve and Christy
Silva to have AED’s on hand and ready
to use in case an emergency strikes.”
AED’s drastically increase the
chances of survival for those who
suffer sudden cardiac arrest. In just
the last 18 months, three high school
students in Chester County survived
a sudden cardiac arrest because their
school had an AED and used it
successfully.
“There is no question that
AED’s save lives. Any student that
suffers sudden cardiac arrest in
class, at an athletic event or at some
other school program, deserves a
shot at the second chances that
AED’s can offer. And every parent
deserves the peace of mind of
knowing that their children’s school
has an AED,” Dinniman said.
The AED legislation passed the
Senate and is currently before the
House Education Committee.
Keeping in Touch—SENATOR ANDY DINNIMAN
◆
Giving Back, Growing Together
For Senator Dinniman, volunteerism and commitment to the community are
at the heart of public service.
I
’ve always felt that successful
leadership involves maintaining a
frank dialogue with local residents,
identifying the challenges facing our
communities and then working
together to address them in unique
and creative ways,” Dinniman said.
Over time, Dinniman has used
that model of community involvement
and interaction to launch a number of
important and award-winning regional
initiatives such as:
■ The Chester County Food Bank
and Growing Program, a community
partnership aimed at solving the
problem of hunger in the region.
The food bank has grown extensively
since Dinniman helped found the
Chester County Food Project in 1996.
Last year alone, the food bank delivered 1.8 million total pounds of food
to those in need, 290,000 pounds of
which were healthy, fresh produce
grown at local farms and gardens.
■ Safe Harbor of Greater West
Chester, a homeless shelter that
offers food, housing, counseling and
recovery opportunities to homeless
men and women in Chester County.
Safe Harbor has greatly expanded its
services and capacity since Dinniman
helped establish it in 1992. Today, the
shelter offers housing for 40 homeless men and women, as well as job
training, health, financial and legal aid
services.
■ The Landscapes Program, a
highly-successful environmental
preservation program that helped
launch Chester County’s open space
movement. Dinniman served as one
of the principal architects of Landscapes in 1996 and, since then, the
program has resulted in the conservation of tens of thousands of acres of
open space in Chester County.
■ The Friends of the Medal of
Honor Grove – a nonprofit
organization that manages the care
and maintenance of the Medal of
Senator Dinniman and his Chief of
Staff, Steve Grabicki, work to repair
and improve the home of a Coatesville
family in need.
Honor Grove, a historic veterans
memorial site located near Valley
Forge. Dinniman brought together
community leaders, veterans and
several Medal of Honor recipients to
form the organization and preserve
the site for perpetuity.
Keeping in Touch
S
enator Dinniman will continue
visiting with members of
local government throughout
his district to update them on his
legislative efforts and discuss upcoming community, transportation
and revitalization projects.
Recently, he met with members of
Coatesville City Council and the
Coatesville ministerium to discuss
plans to build a new train station – a
multi-million dollar project that is
expected to spur a corridor-wide redevelopment project and a new era of
economic opportunity in the city.
“It is only fair that local residents
are given a chance to take advantage
of the jobs that come with these
projects,” Dinniman said. “We are
talking about job training opportunities that will lead to skilled
positions. That is why we need to
put the tools in place for career and
workforce development now, so
residents are prepared for the new
jobs that will come with revitalization.”
“One of the best ways to stay in touch
with the community is to roll up your
sleeves and take on a volunteer
project. It is an energizing and
inspiring experience to work with
local residents and young people who
are personally invested in their
hometowns and neighborhoods.”
—Sen. Dinniman
Dinniman and members of his district
office staff recently joined with Good
Works of Chester County to repair
and improve the home of a lowincome family in the City of
Coatesville.
Dinniman and his staff are
preparing to take on additional
volunteer projects in the Oxford,
Parkesburg and West Grove areas.
If you are interested in pitching in,
please contact his West Chester
District office.
Senator Dinniman meets with members of
Coatesville City Council and the Coatesville
Minister’s Alliance. Pictured (from left to
right) Carmen Boyd; William Lambert; the
Rev. Dan Williams, Pastor of New Life in
Christ Fellowship; Senator Dinniman;
Apostle Bobby Duncan, Pastor of Greater
Deliverance Church; the Rev. Lauraine
Acey, Pastor of Mount Olivet Baptist
Church; City Manager Kirby Hudson;
Council President Joseph Hamrick;
Council Vice President David Collins; and
the Rev. Randall Harris, Pastor of
Tabernacle Baptist Church.
Keeping in Touch—SENATOR ANDY DINNIMAN
◆
S
Honoring our Veterans
enator Dinniman is leading the
charge to ensure that the
honors reserved for our nation’s
greatest heroes are not diminished by
imposters.
Dinniman is the sponsor of
Senate Bill 886, legislation to protect
the integrity of the Medal of Honor –
the nation’s highest military
decoration – from those who falsely
claim to be its recipients.
“It is contemptible and
disgraceful to think that con artists
would try to pass themselves off as
our nation’s heroes, but sadly, it does
happen,” Dinniman said. “This
legislation calls for a simple but
effective and imperative measure to
ensure that Pennsylvania properly
safeguards the integrity of our
nation’s highest military honors.”
Senate Bill 886 calls for Pennsylvania to provide a state public database of Medal of Honor recipients. It
also calls for the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs
◆
S
to study the feasibility of creating a
database of all military awards and
decorations of heroism bestowed by
our nation’s military.
Dinniman introduced Senate Bill
886 at the request of retired U.S.
Marine Corps Maj. Gen. James E.
Livingston, who received the Medal
of Honor for his actions in Vietnam in
1968. Dinniman and Livingston became acquainted through their joint
efforts to restore and save the Medal
of Honor Grove, which is the nation’s
oldest memorial site dedicated to
Medal of Honor recipients and is
located in the northern part of the
19th Senatorial District.
Recently, Senate Majority
Leader Dominic Pileggi joined
Dinniman and Livingston in calling
for the bill’s passage at a special
press conference.
“When it comes to important
issues – the truly important issues
like honoring our veterans and
ensuring they get the care, support
Senator Dinniman (left) with Medal of Honor
recipient retired Maj. Gen. James E. Livingston
(center) and Maj. Gen. Wesley E. Craig, the
Adjutant General of Pennsylvania (right) at a
press conference in support of Senate Bill 886
in the state Capitol.
and services they deserve –
Democrats and Republicans can
and must work together,” Dinniman
said. “And that is exactly what this bill
is about. The Medal of Honor, while
received by a chosen few, represents
the courage and sacrifice of all of our
veterans and enlisted men and
women. That is why we must pass
Senate Bill 886 to ensure that its
integrity is protected.”
In addition, Dinniman announced
that he has introduced legislation to
help care for the pets of Pennsylvanians
who are on active duty in the military.
Protecting Our Pets
enator Dinniman is working
to strengthen the penalties
against animal abuse and to
ensure that our pets are treated
properly and humanely.
Dinniman, the driving force behind milestone legislation banning the
gassing and drowning of pet animals
in Pennsylvania, has partnered with
fellow legislators to introduce a new
package of bipartisan bills to safeguard
pets from neglect and mistreatment.
Dinniman has introduced Senate
Bill 863, legislation that would increase
the penalty when animal cruelty occurs
in a domestic-violence situation.
Under the bill, if a person with a
protection-from-abuse order against
them commits animal cruelty against
the pet of their spouse or partner
they would face a third-degree felony,
rather than a first-degree misdemeanor as is currently the law.
“All too often, an estranged
spouse, boyfriend or girlfriend will get
back at their spouse or partner by
hurting or killing their cat, dog or
other pet,” Dinniman said. “That
needs to stop. This bill is designed to
protect people from emotional abuse
and their pets from physical harm.”
Dinniman has also introduced
Senate Bill 862, legislation that would
permit therapy dogs and their
handlers onto buses, trains and any
other forms of public transportation
— a right already provided to seeingSenator Dinniman and his dog, Henry,
lead a rally in support of the pet protection legislation outside the state Capitol.
eye dogs and canines that assist
people with other physical handicaps.
“Therapy dogs can provide
great benefits through comfort and
companionship to those in need,”
Dinniman said. “These dogs are a
resource and our laws need to
facilitate, rather than limit, their use.
By extending to therapy dogs the
same privileges we offer guide dogs,
we can expand the opportunities for
those in hospitals and hospices,
retirement and nursing homes and
schools to experience the love of
these very special animals.”
In addition, Dinniman is a strong
supporter and co-sponsor of legislation that would set penalties for
leaving dogs tethered outside for
extended periods of time and in
severe weather.
For more information on Senator
Dinniman’s Pet Protection Package,
visit senatordinniman.com/issues/
henrys-corner.
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U.S. POSTAGE
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HARRISBURG, PA
PERMIT NO. 603
STATE SENATOR
ANDY DINNIMAN
Senate Box 203019
Harrisburg, PA 17120-3019
Printed on recycled paper
◆
More Teaching, Less Testing
Senator Dinniman led the fight against new high-stakes
graduation exams that will cost taxpayers millions of dollars
and take away valuable time from classroom instruction in
Pennsylvania schools.
Y
“
ou don’t have to be a
mathematician to know that
adding more standardized
testing and more state mandates to
our schools will result in less
instruction for students and higher
school property taxes for
homeowners,” Dinniman said. “In
fact, it is estimated that the
Keystone Graduation Exams will
result in an unfunded mandate of
$300 million a year – a cost that will
surely be passed on to local
taxpayers in the form of significant
property tax hikes.”
In addition, once implemented,
high school students beginning with
current freshmen (Class of 2017) will
face the possibility of passing all
their classes with straight A’s yet
failing one of the Keystone
Graduation Exams and not receiving
a diploma.
Senator Dinniman
makes the case
against the Keystone
Graduation Exams at a
hearing before the
Independent
Regulatory Review
Commission.
Despite Dinniman’s strong
opposition, the exams were approved
by a narrow vote of the state
Independent Regulatory Review
Commission. However, Dinniman
continues to fight the expansion of
unnecessary testing and unfunded
mandates in the legislature.
“It is one thing to test for
accountability; it is quite another to
sacrifice classroom learning in favor
of ‘teaching to the test’ and to saddle
residents with massive tax
increases in the process,”
Dinniman said. “I have introduced
legislation that would limit the
number of graduation exams that
can be imposed on our students
and that would require new regulations to be paired with a fiscal
note. That means an end to everincreasing standardized tests and
no more new government programs
without a way to fund them.”