Senator Baker E-Newsletter

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In this Update:

  • Senate Acts to Expand Access to Midwife Maternal Care
  • Measure to Alleviate Corrections Officer Shortage Passed by Senate
  • Supporting Our Local Leaders at County Township Conventions
  • Wayne County Commissioner Brian Smith Recognized by CCAP
  • Watch Out for Increased Deer Activity on Roads
  • Honored to Be Voted Best of the Back Mountain
  • A Special Thanks to All Veterans

Senate Acts to Expand Access to Midwife Maternal Care

The Senate approved legislation to strengthen maternal health care in Pennsylvania by expanding access to midwife services.

Senate Bill 507 would modernize licensure requirements for certified midwives, improve collaboration between midwives and physicians and update prescription authority – particularly for the treatment of substance use disorders.

Midwives provide care for women during pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period, as well as newborn care during the first 28 days of life. Many also offer routine reproductive health services, including prenatal care, clinical exams, screenings and patient education. The bill was sent to the House of Representatives for consideration.

Measure to Alleviate Corrections Officer Shortage Passed by Senate

The Senate approved legislation targeting the staffing crisis facing the state’s correctional institutions.

Senate Bill 111, supported by the Pennsylvania State Corrections Officers Association, would expand the pool of qualified candidates to help fill critical vacancies in Pennsylvania’s correctional facilities.

Corrections officers across the commonwealth have faced unprecedented challenges in recent years – including mandatory overtime, increased stress and a rise in violent incidents – that have strained morale and operations. The bill now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration.

Supporting Our Local Leaders at County Township Conventions

This fall, my team and I had the opportunity to take part in all five county township association conventions held across the 20th Senatorial District. These meetings, hosted in conjunction with the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors, are invaluable for connecting with our local leaders who keep our communities running smoothly.

From infrastructure and emergency services to stormwater management and broadband access, township officials are on the front lines of addressing the everyday needs of residents. I’m grateful for their tireless service and for the chance to listen, learn and work with them to strengthen local government.

Wayne County Commissioner Brian Smith Recognized by CCAP

I recently joined Senator Rosemary Brown in congratulating Wayne County Commissioner Brian Smith, who was named Outstanding County Commissioner by the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania during its annual conference.

Commissioner Smith’s leadership and dedication to serving Wayne County and our commonwealth exemplify the very best in public service. His recognition is well-deserved, and we are proud to see his hard work and commitment honored statewide.

Watch Out for Increased Deer Activity on Roads

The number of deer-related crashes in Pennsylvania has been on the rise since 2020, with last year’s total of 6,426 setting a five-year high, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT).

Autumn means increased deer activity on roads. Deer become more active at dawn and dusk, and if you see one, there are usually more.

PennDOT advises motorists involved in a deer-related crash to assess the situation to determine whether they need to contact local authorities. Pennsylvanians can report a dead deer for removal from state-maintained roads by calling 1-800-FIX-ROAD or submitting feedback through the PennDOT Customer Care Center.

Honored to Be Voted Best of the Back Mountain

I’m deeply grateful to once again be named Best Elected Official in the Best of the Back Mountain readers’ choice awards from The Dallas Post and Times Leader Media Group. This marks the 17th consecutive year I’ve received this recognition since the program began 18 years ago.

It’s truly an honor to serve our communities, and I’m thankful for the continued trust and support of the people of the Back Mountain. Together we’ll keep working to strengthen our region and improve the quality of life for all who call it home.

A Special Thanks to All Veterans

We set aside Veterans Day to acknowledge and celebrate our fellow citizens who answered the call to serve in the military, securing and defending freedom we enjoy year-round. We owe a debt of gratitude to veterans locally and across this great nation.

To show our appreciation, I joined Congressman Rob Bresnahan and Representative Brenda Pugh in hosting our Veterans Recognition Expo at the Friedman Jewish Community Center in Kingston. More than 200 veterans, families and community members attended to connect with service providers offering health care, benefits and support.

We were honored to personally recognize veterans during the pinning ceremony. Thank you to all who participated and to the many organizations that made this event possible. Your service and sacrifice will always be remembered.

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