Representing the 5th Senatorial District SPRING 2017

State Senator JOHN P.

SABATINA

As the new Democratic chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee, Sen. Sabatina iscommitted to ensuring critical investments in our infrastructure, including our local ports.Sen. Sabatina and Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Secretary Leslie Richards highlight the benefits of a new state investment in the Tioga Marine Terminal in Port Richmond during a recent tour of the facility.

Taking the Lead on Transportation

INSIDE: Cracking down on home invasions • “Paul’s Law” moves forward • Tacony Library project gets a big boost

Taking the Lead on Transportation

(Left to right) Tioga Marine TerminalManager Patrick Kryszczak Sr.,State Rep. Bill Keller, PennDOTSecretary Leslie Richards, ForemanCasey Jones, Sen. Sabatina, andInternational Longshoremen’sAssociation Local 1291 PresidentBoise Butler tour the Tioga MarineTerminal. Jones is the terminal’s firstfemale foreman.

Sen. Sabatina and state Sen.John Rafferty (R-Montgomery) arethe chairmen of the SenateTransportation Committee.

International Longshoremen’sAssociation Local 1291 PresidentBoise Butler and Sen. Sabatina atthe Tioga Marine Terminal.

Philadelphia. This funding will doublecontainer capacity, position the portfor future growth, create thousands ofjobs, improve efficiency, and increasetax revenues. Specifically, Tioga MarineTerminal, located in Port Richmond inmy district, will receive $12 million forimprovements to the main on-dockwarehouse that has beensuccessfully handling and processingBrazilian wood pulp cargoes since2014. A second warehouse will berenovated, allowing the port toincrease its wood pulp volumes tomeet the demands of Pennsylvaniacompanies requiring wood pulp. Improved rail access and thepurchase of a second mobile harborcrane will also add capacity for TiogaMarine Terminal. I recently joined PennsylvaniaDepartment of TransportationSecretary Leslie Richards for a tour ofthe Tioga Marine Terminal. I’mpleased that her departmentrecognizes the relevance of the portto our community and ourcommonwealth, and I look forward toseeing the results of the state’s $300million investment. Pennsylvania is competing in a21st century global market, and ourport terminals continue to serve ascritical locations for trade. I will makesure that the Tioga Marine Terminalremains a relevant location and keepsup with evolving market trends.

As the newly appointedDemocratic chair of the SenateTransportation Committee for the2017-18 legislative session, I’mexcited to delve into this significantcommittee, which deliberates ontransportation issues that impactevery corner of Pennsylvania. We are home to 120,000 miles ofstate and local highways and 32,000state and local bridges and we havesignificant routes for interstate travel,so it’s crucial that they are properlymaintained. While we are making progress onrepairing our structurally deficientroads and bridges, Pennsylvania stilllags behind other states ininfrastructure stability. Investing inour infrastructure is not only aninvestment in public safety, but alsogood jobs. I’m looking forward to workingwith the committee members todebate important legislation that willsustain and improve ourtransportation systems. But we don’t just examine issuesrevolving around highways andbridges; the ports are also a keypiece of our state’s infrastructure. Philadelphia’s ports play a crucialrole in our state’s economy, providinga hub for global trade and thousandsof family-sustaining jobs. Recognizing the need tocontinue to support our city’s ports,Pennsylvania has committed $300million in investments in the Port of

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Cracking Down onHome Invasions I’m pleased to share that mylegislation to help prevent home-invasion burglaries is now law. The new law creates a distinctionfor home invasion — a robberycommitted with the intent to inflictbodily harm — and gives judgesdiscretion by expanding sentencingparameters. Specifically, it providesjudges with latitude of a sentencingenhancement under “Burglary andSerious Bodily Injury” (under the PACrimes Code) when making theirdecisions, which means perpetratorscould go to prison for up to 40 years. It also allows our lawenforcement the opportunity to trackthis legislation with a new distinctionof “home invasion” in the Crimes Code. This bipartisan legislation, whichI co-authored with state Sen. JohnRafferty (R-Montgomery), was one ofmy long-time priorities. I brought thisbill from my term in the House ofRepresentatives over to the Senateand it’s been a goal since my days asprosecutor in the District Attorney’soffice. The bill was given a push lastyear when three Somerton residents,including a couple in their sixties,were bound while their house wasransacked and robbed. Right after that incident, thelegislation passed the Senateunanimously. It was signed into lawas Act 158 of 2016.

“Paul’s Law” Moves Forward My legislation to protect critical health services for individuals with specialneeds is moving forward. In March, it was unanimously approved in the SenateJudiciary Committee. Senate Bill 108, “Paul’s Law,” prohibits organ transplant organizations fromdiscriminating against patients on the basis of physical, developmental ormental disability. Right now, there is a set of national standards for transplant candidacy, butsome institutions consider other criteria, such as mental, developmental, andphysical disabilities. This type of discrimination is inhumane and unacceptable. Mylegislation will end highly subjective factors from influencing clinical decision making. The legislation was inspired by Paul Corby of Pottsville. Corby, who hasAutism Spectrum Disorder, was denied a life-preserving heart transplant by theUniversity of Pennsylvania hospital in 2011. “Paul’s Law” is one more step toward ensuring equal rights for individualswith special needs. This is legislation that I have worked on since I was in the House ofRepresentatives, and I plan to continue to push for its passage as it moves tothe full Senate for consideration.

ABLE Savings Accounts Now AvailableThe Pennsylvania Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act is now open for individuals withspecial needs and their loved ones. Modeled after college savings accounts, ABLE accounts allowindividuals with qualifying disabilities and their families to save for a wide range of disability relatedexpenses. The federal tax free savings and investment options are offered to encourage individualswith a disability and their families to save private funds to support health, independence and quality of life.For more information, call 855-529-ABLE (2253) or visit www.paable.gov.

Protecting Your Safety & Your Rights

The state Capitol in Harrisburg goes blue to raise awareness for Autism SpectrumDisorder. Sen. Sabatina authored a Senate resolution declaring April 2017 as“Autism Awareness Month” in Pennsylvania,” which received unanimous support.

JOHN P.SABATINA JR.

Sen. Sabatina meets with members of theArchdiocese of Philadelphia's All-Catholic JazzBand during a recent performance at thestate Capitol.

Sen. Sabatina welcomes attendees at hisannual Senior Expo, held last October at thePennsylvania National Guard Armory. Theexpo attracts thousands of local residentsto explore state and local resources thatare available to senior citizens.

Maryann Kramer of Rhawnhurstparticipated in Sen. Sabatina’s breastcancer screening event in March.The event was sponsored by theFox Chase Cancer Center.

Rabbi David Kushner and Sen. Sabatina joined hundredsof people at a “Stand Against Hate” rally in March atIndependence Hall. The rally was held following a wave ofvandalism at Jewish cemeteries, including Mount CarmelCemetery in Wissinoming.

Surrounded by law enforcementofficers from across the state,Sen. Sabatina expresses his

gratitude for their service andsacrifice during a National LawEnforcement Appreciation Dayceremony at the state Capitol.

5th Senatorial DistrictAround the

Inclusion Rocks!

Supporting Our Community

We Rock the Spectrum is the onlyindoor playground of its kind in theregion. Located at 12357 AcademyRoad in the Parkwood ShoppingPlaza, it welcomes children of allabilities but with a focus on sensory-friendly activities and gym equipmentfor children with special needs. Sen. Sabatina recently visited WeRock the Spectrum, located next doorto his district office, to welcome themto the neighborhood and to presentcopies of his Senate Resolutionrecognizing April 2017 as AutismAwareness Month in Pennsylvania. Tacony Library Project Gets $1 Million Boost

Shred It!

An effort to expand and renovate the century-old Tacony Library hasreceived $1 million in state funding. The library, which originally opened 110 years ago, is currently closed forthe renovations that will expand it by more than a third, and provide thecommunity with modern equipment, public meeting spaces and after-schoolsupport programs. Even in the Internet age, the Tacony Library is a vital community learningresource and a source of local pride. This project will help keep it that way foryears to come. The grant is being awarded and administered by the PennsylvaniaRedevelopment Assistance Capital Program, which is aimed at the acquisitionand construction of regional economic, cultural, civic, recreational, andhistorical improvement projects. While the renovations continue, residents can visit the Tacony Library andArts Building at 6918 Torresdale Avenue. The construction is part of the Free Library of Philadelphia’s 21st CenturyLibraries Initiative, a $28 million project developed to respond to the changingroles of libraries in contemporary society. In addition to improving buildingconditions, the project will reposition FLP’s libraries with new and expandedservices. The library renovations will also directly support the city-wide “READ! By4th,” which seeks to get all Philadelphia’s school children reading on the fourthgrade level by the time they enter fourth grade.

Help Availablefor Local Vets A Veterans Service Officer isavailable by appointment at myBustleton Avenue district office on thethird Thursday of every month. Theofficer is a representative ofPennsylvania’s Department of VeteransAffairs and can assist on variousissues facing those who have servedtheir country. The service is availableby appointment only. Please call(215) 695-1020 to arrange a meeting.

Nearly 1,000 cars lined upoutside Sen. Sabatina's AcademyRoad district office to participate inhis recent free documentshredding event. Documentshredding is a simple way for folksto protect their identity.

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State SenatorJOHN P. SABATINA JR.

Senate Box 203005Harrisburg, PA 17120-3005

PRSRT STDU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDHARRISBURG, PAPERMIT NO. 603

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41 Delaware River

Frankford Creek

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CITY OFPHILADELPHIA

Pennypack Creek

Woodhaven Rd

Philmont Rd

Grant Ave

Cottman Ave

Aramingo

Ave

Castor Ave

Allegheny Ave

Levick St

Bridge St

Casto

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Cottman Ave

Welsh Rd

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Veterans Mem

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Red Lion Rd

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Frankford Ave

Betsy Ross Bridge

Delaware Ave

Wissinoming

Byberry

NormandyVillage

Burholme

OxfordCircle

ParkwoodManor

FranklinMillsModena

Richmond

Harrowgate

JuniataPark

Frankford

Tacony

WestTorresdale

NortheastPhiladelphia

Airport

Pennypack Park

Lexington Park

WinchesterPark

Pennypack Woods

Aston

CrestmontFarms

Millbrook

Somerton

Bustleton

Torresdale

Holmesburg

Bridesburg

Rhawnhurst

Pennypack

Academy Gardens

MorrellPark

DISTRICT OFFICES12361 Academy Rd.

Philadelphia, PA 19154-1927(215) 281-2539

Fax: (215) 281-2798

8016 Bustleton Ave.Philadelphia, PA 19152-2802

(215) 695-1020Fax: (215) 695-1027

HARRISBURG OFFICESenate Box 203005

Harrisburg, PA 17120-3005(717) 787-9608

Fax: (717) 772-2162

@SenSabatina

facebook.com/SenSabatina

5thSENATORIALDISTRICT

Printed on recycled paper

State SenatorJOHN P. SABATINA JR.

www.SenatorSabatina.com

SAVE THE DATE

October 6, 201710 a.m. – 1 p.m.

The Pennsylvania Army National Guard Armory

2700 Southampton Road (on the corner of Roosevelt Boulevard)

For more information, contact my office at:8016 Bustleton Ave. • Philadelphia, PA 19152-2802

215-695-1020 or Fax: 215-695-1027

SENIOREXPO

Refreshments Will Be Provided

Residents of the 5th Senatorial District areinvited to meet with representatives frommany state agencies and community

organizations that will be present to provideyou with information. Among them will bethe Pennsylvania Lottery, PennsylvaniaDepartment of Revenue, American RedCross, various hospitals, and many other

health and housing organizations.