by Christin Brown | January 27, 2016 | News Releases
HARRISBURG, Jan. 27, 2016 – To bring greater awareness to certain health risks facing women, state Sens. Christine M. Tartaglione and Lisa Baker today dressed in red and ushered a resolution marking Feb. 5 as “National Wear Red Day” in Pennsylvania.
“Women are the caretakers in their families. They take care of their children, spouses and everyone around them. Unfortunately, they don’t take care of themselves,” Tartaglione said during floor remarks.
“Not only does heart disease claim the lives of more women than men each year but one women is killed every 80 seconds by cardiovascular disease, making it the most deadly of all diseases among women.”
Still, Sen. Tartaglione said just one-in-five American women believes that heart disease is her greatest health threat.
The “Go Red For Women” campaign is designed to inspire women to make lifestyle changes, mobilize communities, and shape policies to save lives, the senator said.
“As part of the American Heart Association’s ‘Go Red Campaign,’ we are offering this resolution to ensure women understand the risks of heart disease. And, we are encouraging every female in this state to become more aware and proactive in maintaining their own cardiovascular health,” Sen. Tartaglione said.
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by Christin Brown | August 4, 2015 | News Releases
Erie, Aug. 4, 2015 – Today, the Senate Labor and Industry Committee held a public hearing to examine recent changes to unemployment compensation eligibility and potential negative impacts to seasonal workers. The meeting was convened at the request of Sen. Sean Wiley (D-49) who has long-advocated a forum for legislators to hear directly from the greater Erie community.
Under Act 60 of 2012, the General Assembly took measures to reduce a $4 billion debt to the federal government and address the long-term solvency of the unemployment compensation system. One significant adjustment modified how eligibility is calculated resulting in a disqualification for workers who earn 50.5 percent or more of their annual income in one quarter, where the previous threshold was 63 percent.
“I understand the intent of Act 60, but unfortunately, workers in the greater Erie community who are at the mercy of the weather to do their jobs are disproportionately affected,” said Wiley.
Committee Chair Sen. Lisa Baker (R-Luzerne) offered, “For some time now, reports have been coming in indicating that the latest round of reforms to the unemployment compensation law are adversely affecting seasonal workers. “The hearing offered some valuable information to help us determine the extent of the problem and the practicality and cost of potential remedies.”
“The unintended consequences of the changes made through Act 60, the disproportionate number of seasonal workers, and those who respond to emergencies – like Hurricane Sandy – require us to revisit these changes,” said Democratic Committee Chair Sen. Christine M. Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia). “Unemployment benefits are a vital financial safety net for men and women who have lost their jobs. Making sure they don’t suffer further is why we have been working hard to rectify this issue.”
Wiley also offered, “I commend Sen. Baker for her leadership on this matter and willingness to hear from those in this community who are impacted. I hope that the testimony provided before the committee here today will be helpful in developing a potential remedy.”
Those providing testimony included representatives from the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry, National Federation of Independent Business, the Pennsylvania State Building and Construction Trades Council, Laborers’ International Union of North America, the American Council of Engineering Companies, Associated Pennsylvania Constructors, as well as local businesses and employees.
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by Christin Brown | February 17, 2015 | News Releases
HARRISBURG, Feb. 17, 2015 – Because it’s more prevalent than breast cancer or any other type of cancer, state Sens. Christine M. Tartaglione and Lisa Baker today proposed a resolution designating “National Wear Red Day in Pennsylvania.”
Sen. Tartaglione read the following statement this evening on the floor of the Senate:
“Too often, women are the caretakers in their families. They take care of their children, spouses and everyone around them, but they don’t take care of themselves.
“When faced with a heart attack, women are the last to get help and the first to suffer the ultimate consequence … death. Not only does heart disease claim the lives of more women than men each year, but it also is the most deadly of all diseases among women.
“This year, Sen. Baker and I hope to change these odds.
“As part of the American Heart Association’s ‘Go Red Campaign,’ we are offering this resolution to ensure women understand the risks of heart disease, and we are encouraging every female in this state to become more aware and proactive in maintaining their own cardiovascular health.
“We are asking everyone in the Senate to please wear the red pins Sen. Baker and I have placed on their desks in support of this important cause … so that we may continue our outreach efforts until we reach every mother, daughter, sister and friend in the commonwealth. “
According to the National Heart, Lung & Blood Institute, preventing heart disease is possible through lifestyle changes, medicines, and medical or surgical procedures.
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