Here's what you'll need to know to select a specialty impact screen and enclosure for your planned golf simulator, along with a trove of linked resources.

Ever wonder why there are so many different display aspect ratios in use today and what they're for? This Tech Talk explains it all.

Donald L. Hunter, que ha servido en el consejo durante 20 años, no respondió a los intentos de contactarlo.

The post Guía electoral: Hay un candidato que busca un escaño para “Ward D” del concejo municipal de Farmville appeared first on Charlottesville Tomorrow.

Daniel E. Dwyer, que ha servido en el consejo durante 10 años, no respondió a los intentos de contactarlo.

The post Guía electoral: Hay un candidato que busca un escaño para el concejo municipal de Farmville elegido por todos los residentes appeared first on Charlottesville Tomorrow.

Los votantes tendrán la oportunidad de proponer candidatos por escrito, si así lo desean.

The post Guía electoral: No hay candidatos para el escaño abierto para el concejo municipal de Stanardsville appeared first on Charlottesville Tomorrow.

El candidato no respondió a los intentos de contactarlo.

The post Guía electoral: El concejal actual es el único candidato para el distrito de Stanardsville del consejo de supervisores del condado de Greene appeared first on Charlottesville Tomorrow.

Ninguno respondió a los intentos de contactarlos.

The post Guía electoral: Tres candidatos buscan dos escaños para el consejo municipal de Mineral appeared first on Charlottesville Tomorrow.

The winner won't be called until all the provisional votes are counted.

The post Just 2 votes separate two mayoral candidates who have different views on the Town of Scottsville’s growth appeared first on Charlottesville Tomorrow.

With a population of just 1,400, the new Councilors say it could take years to raise the money for some of these projects.

The post Gordonsville’s two new town councilors want to fix sidewalks, build a park and address issues with the town’s water supply appeared first on Charlottesville Tomorrow.

01-2014 : Montréal Exchange Celebrates its 140th Anniversary

02-2014 : Montréal Exchange Derivatives Education Initiative Continues to Grow

01-2017 : MX Brings OptionsPlay to Canada's Derivatives Market

https://www.abc27.com/investigators/shawns-law-york-county-mom-fights-for-tougher-penalties-against-those-who-encourage-others-to-take-their-own-life/?fbclid=IwAR2vuraueQvuG0cAOXMuLd8uw9zWUIqA4Kbvm61m3x4aE_UIOM1ewT_WBfU

The 4th and final part of our series on human trafficking explains what lawmakers and the PCC have been doing to help solve the problem. https://fb.watch/7X9-8f1Bdi/

We talk with Cumberland County District Attorney Sean McCormack about the efforts to fight human trafficking. https://x.com/PAcatholic/status/1732753579746685324?s=20   https://x.com/PAcatholic/status/1732765713054470239?s=20   https://x.com/PAcatholic/status/1732766219596435926?s=20   https://x.com/PAcatholic/status/1732775470393889221?s=20 Facebook ? Look at this post on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/share/v/hieNMkimGABgrjaS/?mibextid=d6eG65   ? Look at this post on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/share/v/5pnu4uYDr4DXCvJc/?mibextid=d6eG65   ? Look at this post on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/share/v/qH2GGUt8zv8SKdX3/?mibextid=d6eG65        

We talked with Jay DeFruscio, the Chief Operating Officer for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia Schools, about the huge benefit provided by the Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program. Here are three of the postings we shared on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/share/v/o9mfCwioL8PfuHa8/?mibextid=WC7FNe https://www.facebook.com/share/v/8Hbz7PVfKdKSFrWM/?mibextid=WC7FNe https://www.facebook.com/share/v/d83WFnKC8ZZ4oQAi/?mibextid=WC7FNe    

We continue our series on Maternal & Early Childhood Issues with a look at Morning Star Pregnancy Services. They do an outstanding job working with women facing unplanned pregnancies. https://fb.watch/bEB-FxMfAj/ The Harrisburg location for Morning Star Pregnancy Services at 2509 Front Street is relatively new, but the service itself is celebrating its 50th year in existence in 2022. The mission remains the same—helping women with unplanned pregnancies and with their sexual health. It offers a number of free health services, including pregnancy testing and ultrasound exams, along with education and support after the pregnancy. Morningstar does not provide or refer for abortion services but they help you to consider all options, including abortion, parenting and adoption. Bottom line, they are there for support. “We know that all mothers would like to feel loved and supported in their pregnancy and beyond. We are also able to reach out to the fathers of their children and offer them support and education as well,” said Morningstar Executive Director Linda Plummer. She says they see a range of women and men who have just had a positive pregnancy test and just can’t see beyond the immediate challenge. “The majority of women don’t want an abortion. They just feel like they don’t have another solution.” Morningstar will schedule regular visits for clients and will monitor the changing circumstances as the weeks progress. As the circumstances change, so do the perspectives. 6:12   “the first time they come to Morningstar and feel that they have no alternative but abortion, they change on their second visit when we invite them back in a decision-making process on a weekly basis. They may come the second time and say, well now my boyfriend says maybe we can have this baby or now my parents are saying they will support me.” Plummer also points out that 25 to 30% of pregnancies end in miscarriage. Morningstar will help to determine the viability of the fetus through ultrasound testing. “Because a lot of those pregnancies end in miscarriage, what we see here is that women grieve that loss of the baby so in the process, they recognize the idea that if I had gone through with an abortion, I would have been carrying this burden and I would have been mourning the loss of that child.” They’ve been around for 50 years and must be doing something right for folks to keep coming back. The commitment to providing care and support without judgement has translated into a very impressive statistic. “80% of the time that women who come here who are at risk for an abortion will decide to have their child.” Plummer says many of the 20% who choose otherwise later return in a subsequent pregnancy.

Our series on Maternal & Early Childhood Issues continues today with a look at the Heart of Tioga Pregnancy Center in Tioga County, PA and the support it gets from parishioners at Holy Child Catholic Church in the Diocese of Scranton. https://fb.watch/bHgvkXjO3Z/

Our series on Maternal & Early Childhood Issues continues today with a look at the Tri-State Pregnancy Center in northeastern PA. The facility gets help from local Catholics and on-the-spot advice from above! https://fb.watch/bHh3c7Z-Hu/

Our series on Maternal & Early Childhood Issues continues today with a look at the extensive work being done by the Community Based Services segment of Catholic Social Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. https://fb.watch/bHhrh-1oe7/

Here are some of our postings for Monday’s PA March for Life. https://www.facebook.com/share/v/KNZfyjbgaMeFPfj3/?mibextid=WC7FNe https://www.facebook.com/share/v/gp5xVu7y8kxW49kv/?mibextid=WC7FNe https://www.facebook.com/share/v/YpxiCotA4v22Q7tb/?mibextid=WC7FNe https://www.facebook.com/share/v/uNFWLVKh3vcTHH7u/?mibextid=WC7FNe https://www.facebook.com/share/v/ZJmyUxQnDzEUQs1N/?mibextid=WC7FNe  

We continue our series on Maternal & Early Childhood Issues with more on the subject of breastfeeding. For the next several days we will look at the important work being done by the Mid-Atlantic Mothers’ Milk Bank and how the PCC is looking to help them. https://fb.watch/dv4YBuc3qS/ https://twitter.com/PAcatholic/status/1532416678121857025?s=20&t=6XAnUbQUJooExYYWxkr1WQ  

6-10-22 Our focus on breastfeeding continues with a look at the increase in public accommodations for breastfeeding moms. https://fb.watch/dz7s3mmxy1/ https://twitter.com/PAcatholic/status/1535283771251085313?s=20&t=d8Pb52gE3vOjcBIAujH0rQ   6-9-22 Our series on Maternal & Early Childhood Issues continues with a look back at the passage of the PA law to permit breastfeeding in public. https://fb.watch/dz7zQTeSHv/ https://twitter.com/PAcatholic/status/1534961334323904512?s=20&t=d8Pb52gE3vOjcBIAujH0rQ  

6-16-22 Interesting story here on one person’s belief that the COVID lockdowns are to blame for many moms turning away from breastfeeding and, in turn, contributing to the current shortage in baby formula. pic.twitter.com/1iU3XYFbZF — PAcatholic (@PAcatholic) June 16, 2022 https://fb.watch/dHdtLvKsVG/ 6-14-22 Sharing an article that came out Tuesday for our series on breastfeeding about trying to still do it while returning to work. Sharing an article that came out Tuesday for our series on breastfeeding about trying to still do it while returning to work. pic.twitter.com/Fb43upYGpy — PAcatholic (@PAcatholic) June 15, 2022 https://fb.watch/dHdp5IzKNN/   6-13-22 Continuing our series on breastfeeding for June. Women of color are less likely to breastfeed than those of other races and that has made them more vulnerable to the baby formula shortage. We look at some of the societal factors involved. https://fb.watch/dHdd4Kl8j6/ https://twitter.com/PAcatholic/status/1536404428735094788?s=20&t=K3d74k2cioFdzcdNNHbHTg

6-30-22 We finish up our stories on breastfeeding by talking again with Colette Acker of the Breastfeeding Resource Center about the culture that exists towards BF in the U.S. https://twitter.com/PAcatholic/status/1542502773232631808?s=20&t=y-vWAw8jWy_JOJQb9YkGAw https://fb.watch/dZztlqwT-k/ 6-29-22 As we’ve focused this month on issues involved in breastfeeding, we’ve talked with our advocates and moms about the challenges involved in doing so while going back to work full time. Colette Acker of the Breastfeeding Resource Center shares her views on what’s involved. https://twitter.com/PAcatholic/status/1542181083462221833?s=20&t=y-vWAw8jWy_JOJQb9YkGAw https://fb.watch/dZzB2MlLo-/ 6-28-22 Colette Acker of the Breastfeeding Resource Center talks with us about why many new moms give up on breastfeeding within the first several weeks after the birth of their child. https://twitter.com/PAcatholic/status/1541812970275180546?s=20&t=y-vWAw8jWy_JOJQb9YkGAw https://fb.watch/dZzHsbhiOH/ 6-27-22 We begin today a series of stories with Colette Acker of the Breastfeeding Resource Center in Montgomery County. They’ve been providing vital support for new moms for nearly 20 years. https://twitter.com/PAcatholic/status/1541447488065966082?s=20&t=y-vWAw8jWy_JOJQb9YkGAw https://fb.watch/dZA4NAhnvc/ 6-24-22 We wrap up our conversation on breastfeeding with Amy Wilt by talking about two potential problems that may affect moms during breastfeeding. https://twitter.com/PAcatholic/status/1540366512262975488?s=20&t=y-vWAw8jWy_JOJQb9YkGAw https://fb.watch/dZAjWQcR-8/ 6-23-22 We continue our June focus on breastfeeding by talking with doula Amy Wilt about the challenges involved in breastfeeding while returning to work. https://twitter.com/PAcatholic/status/1540060616722989056?s=20&t=y-vWAw8jWy_JOJQb9YkGAw https://fb.watch/dZApmYqCFR/ 6-22-22 We continue our chat with Amy Wilt about breastfeeding. Today’s focus is on relactation. A total education for many of us. https://twitter.com/PAcatholic/status/1539653795398836224?s=20&t=y-vWAw8jWy_JOJQb9YkGAw https://fb.watch/dZAyeP5WNk/ 6-21-22 We continue the conversation with our doula consultant, Amy Wilt, about the influence and pressure that moms get from those closest to them when trying to decide whether or not to breastfeed their newborns. https://twitter.com/PAcatholic/status/1539255591914328065?s=20&t=y-vWAw8jWy_JOJQb9YkGAw https://fb.watch/dZAFgKarE-/ 6-20-22 We continue our series on breastfeeding by talking again with Amy Wilt of Dauphin County Doulas. She has provided a ton of information for us in our nine-month long focus on Maternal & Early Childhood Issues. Today Amy talks about ”the latch.” https://twitter.com/PAcatholic/status/1538962868414169094?s=20&t=y-vWAw8jWy_JOJQb9YkGAw https://fb.watch/dZAMmSazHv/  

July 18th We continue our look at Early Childhood Screenings by talking with Kris Bowman of Ramsey Educational and Development Institute, or REDI. They administer the PA Early Intervention Program in Montgomery County. https://twitter.com/PAcatholic/status/1549094658478903299?s=20&t=bfxurJPODSGTJUaDird-pg https://fb.watch/elp1XOaQ3p/   July 15th As part of look at Early Childhood Screenings, we are looking to find out about screenings in PA for newborns suffering from their mothers’ drug addiction. We’d love to talk with the state task force created to help those children but haven’t had much help from the Wolf Admin. https://twitter.com/PAcatholic/status/1548004337758060544?s=20&t=bfxurJPODSGTJUaDird-pg https://fb.watch/elp7An1dbk/   July 14th Continuing our series for July on Early Childhood Screenings with a quick look at the first big test for the newborn, the blood test. https://twitter.com/PAcatholic/status/1547690893766930437?s=20&t=bfxurJPODSGTJUaDird-pg https://fb.watch/elpe8tHA1I/   July 13th Continuing our series on Early Childhood Screenings… it was a crisis in Michigan that sparked lawmakers here in Pennsylvania to put an emphasis on testing children for the presence of lead. https://twitter.com/PAcatholic/status/1547429183864840192?s=20&t=bfxurJPODSGTJUaDird-pg https://fb.watch/elpkHkI4mB/   July 12th  We wrap up the conversation with our friend Victoria about the tests, screenings and milestones designed for children after they come home from the hospital. It’s part of our July focus on Early Childhood Screenings. https://twitter.com/PAcatholic/status/1546897353843539968?s=20&t=bfxurJPODSGTJUaDird-pg https://fb.watch/elpDdGWIN8/ July 11th As part of our continuing look at Early Childhood Screenings for July, we talk with a young mother about all the tests that we went through. https://twitter.com/PAcatholic/status/1546491903083945984?s=20&t=bfxurJPODSGTJUaDird-pg    

The PA House Health Committee today unanimously passed Senate Bill 500, which calls for Medicaid coverage of human donor milk. The milk is vitally important for many newborns suffering from health issues. The PCC supports this issue. It has already passed the Senate and just needs approval by the full House. Here are the Facebook and X links for the two stories we ran. https://fb.watch/nLLsZciiLe/?mibextid=cr9u03 https://fb.watch/nLLsZciiLe/?mibextid=cr9u03 https://x.com/pacatholic/status/1714669965268193289?s=46&t=BhvQl7L4iZmDeA-ftim4Og https://x.com/pacatholic/status/1714667221551587757?s=46&t=BhvQl7L4iZmDeA-ftim4Og    

There was a lot going on this week at the PA Capitol and work continues to try to get a budget in place by the Sunday deadline. Here are some highlights from the week as posted on our Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1aqPW3tYtMySPUcY/?mibextid=WC7FNe https://www.facebook.com/share/v/iPW4XyHKBf3oNVpA/?mibextid=WC7FNe https://www.facebook.com/share/v/MRTAq999kpMtkhv9/?mibextid=WC7FNe https://www.facebook.com/share/v/7ZdipDQTXzD21sM1/?mibextid=WC7FNe https://www.facebook.com/share/v/HMNCDYPoBPLBkMHn/?mibextid=WC7FNe https://www.facebook.com/share/v/2R5HH7NwBWVfMptZ/?mibextid=WC7FNe https://www.facebook.com/share/v/EhG7jnpXiU6wgbM9/?mibextid=WC7FNe https://www.facebook.com/share/v/ZpTH7M8RmkWASUTD/?mibextid=WC7FNe https://www.facebook.com/share/v/s2DhksEQn8eiyWhR/?mibextid=WC7FNe https://www.facebook.com/share/v/RwnUBVxxYpHCEds3/?mibextid=WC7FNe https://www.facebook.com/share/v/HGy8LvPkMrWfaUSQ/?mibextid=WC7FNe https://www.facebook.com/share/v/GZB94RZN77WXGCkq/?mibextid=WC7FNe https://www.facebook.com/share/v/8dkx16UsiGUsi7y1/?mibextid=WC7FNe

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The PA House and Senate were both in session this past week at the PA Capitol in Harrisburg. Here are a few highlights that were posted on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/share/v/kpVrbTF41UPcBL54/?mibextid=WC7FNe https://www.facebook.com/share/v/uik5nA16bt1GWLqq/?mibextid=WC7FNe https://www.facebook.com/share/v/QazY1igbzN39gMnp/?mibextid=WC7FNe https://www.facebook.com/share/v/xErRDMW4up3xqnUd/?mibextid=WC7FNe https://www.facebook.com/share/v/BTANcczmJ8tWi1nF/?mibextid=WC7FNe https://www.facebook.com/share/v/Gir5L55U3Jmbjwbe/?mibextid=WC7FNe https://www.facebook.com/share/v/jkV5K1hAcJqWgv8R/?mibextid=WC7FNe https://www.facebook.com/share/p/Qyo2YZxaYrJzf5wh/?mibextid=WC7FNe    

The PA House and Senate were both in session this week in Harrisburg. Here are a few highlights, as posted on our Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/share/v/XacBkpVDrM8KK2wk/?mibextid=WC7FNe https://www.facebook.com/share/v/43GWBfQD9Ug8vQrn/?mibextid=WC7FNe https://www.facebook.com/share/v/pVnfMZ3LweFitSdt/?mibextid=WC7FNe https://www.facebook.com/share/v/XJ3jW2v9GmqTdYoH/?mibextid=WC7FNe https://www.facebook.com/share/v/kzUokt3YHpaa1AvD/?mibextid=WC7FNe https://www.facebook.com/share/v/QH6Gs5ErWZecLbtX/?mibextid=WC7FNe https://www.facebook.com/share/v/oE5iuzdYKwQpNqBs/?mibextid=WC7FNe https://www.facebook.com/share/v/V14dd8txoWRGF477/?mibextid=WC7FNe  

It was a week of long days and late nights at the PA Capitol in Harrisburg. The House and Senate passed a $47.6-billiion budget Thursday night and the Governor quickly signed it. Here are some of the highlights from the week as we posted on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/share/v/jB4x3LorzSqsLGGH/?mibextid=WC7FNe https://www.facebook.com/share/v/e6znUQoeEmS8bEVb/?mibextid=WC7FNe https://www.facebook.com/share/v/xRefuvWNigC7J8Yr/?mibextid=WC7FNe https://www.facebook.com/share/v/3XkX2ARAsyAwBKq4/?mibextid=WC7FNe https://www.facebook.com/share/v/7UMepHi21UzpeVFP/?mibextid=WC7FNe https://www.facebook.com/share/v/xWuE2TTU16vzTbGr/?mibextid=WC7FNe https://www.facebook.com/share/v/VhN9DPhZXAQfNshK/?mibextid=WC7FNe https://www.facebook.com/share/v/TjJfE13g46cUwRSt/?mibextid=WC7FNe https://www.facebook.com/share/v/zSvyP6CHK366W8hp/?mibextid=WC7FNe    

We talked with Jim Lee of Susquehanna Polling & Research about his latest poll on the Presidential race. Here is how we shared the comments on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/share/v/eFvLAT1aT9FYqFRY/?mibextid=WC7FNe https://www.facebook.com/share/v/NdQXTChmWarrunmi/?mibextid=WC7FNe https://www.facebook.com/share/v/hjjie61Pso2UFX7A/?mibextid=WC7FNe https://www.facebook.com/share/v/ztTnwXpFqx7Leb6u/?mibextid=WC7FNe    

There were actually a few things happening this past week at the PA Capitol, including a committee meeting. Here are the postings we featured on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/share/v/AzvyoRbqGz9T9eUb/?mibextid=WC7FNe https://www.facebook.com/share/v/ZuZMKFaYECxAHEb4/?mibextid=WC7FNe https://www.facebook.com/share/v/64FEnHSzn7y465JV/?mibextid=WC7FNe https://www.facebook.com/share/v/iHxcnGq66i1m4mtY/?mibextid=WC7FNe

In January Brian Lynch founded the South Central PA Chapter of the Young Catholic Professionals. We talked with Brian about the group. https://www.facebook.com/share/v/kwRbNff8kzdAxMAv/?mibextid=WC7FNe https://www.facebook.com/share/v/8NpLfyUb7crA35JB/?mibextid=WC7FNe https://www.facebook.com/share/v/7twzgWxPv2LaUsab/?mibextid=WC7FNe  

The PA Senate returned to the Capitol for full sessions and committee meetings. The Bishop of Harrisburg, Timothy Senior gave the opening prayer on Tuesday. That is in the first of our Facebook posts offered here. https://www.facebook.com/share/v/gji9z8diELbaWi5E/?mibextid=WC7FNe https://www.facebook.com/share/v/JLLp8LZNLFuBAyrH/?mibextid=WC7FNe https://www.facebook.com/share/v/XRs363N9Mvpog1pe/?mibextid=WC7FNe https://www.facebook.com/share/v/wGTgGutdEcf6vX6V/?mibextid=WC7FNe https://www.facebook.com/share/v/JRyWvi2KkipabkwQ/?mibextid=WC7FNe https://www.facebook.com/share/v/3aBxFaPwQxATNBJj/?mibextid=WC7FNe https://www.facebook.com/share/v/L7H8rK475qyztwnM/?mibextid=WC7FNe

It was a very light week for activity inside the PA Capitol in Harrisburg. https://www.facebook.com/share/v/2twZhe3eUW5ZJvvj/?mibextid=WC7FNe https://www.facebook.com/share/v/WYgvZG5kRNGm5doS/?mibextid=WC7FNe https://www.facebook.com/share/p/qK1GmVTnFY4xtKu1/?mibextid=WC7FNe https://www.facebook.com/share/v/DAmTVrp7ytqHbrYM/?mibextid=WC7FNe  

The PA House and Senate were both in session this past week at the PA Capitol. Here are the highlights as we posted them on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/share/v/91gte3oN22z3gcvd/?mibextid=WC7FNe https://www.facebook.com/share/v/36rT8WAJXtqMrdDR/?mibextid=WC7FNe https://www.facebook.com/share/v/Mipw7kCWijArooH3/?mibextid=WC7FNe https://www.facebook.com/share/v/jmdqNWHwEFRMbsej/?mibextid=WC7FNe https://www.facebook.com/share/v/jmdqNWHwEFRMbsej/?mibextid=WC7FNe https://www.facebook.com/share/v/8a8QBvQ6KecfTUNp/?mibextid=WC7FNe https://www.facebook.com/share/v/sDwrwx4tiJfEw4qx/?mibextid=WC7FNe https://www.facebook.com/share/v/sDwrwx4tiJfEw4qx/?mibextid=WC7FNe https://www.facebook.com/share/v/hWRi35AmpYPNWqMH/?mibextid=WC7FNe https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1RCQUhW2Tkq3kuyN/?mibextid=WC7FNe https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1RCQUhW2Tkq3kuyN/?mibextid=WC7FNe https://www.facebook.com/share/v/H5sgwM6UTcTyqekr/?mibextid=WC7FNe https://www.facebook.com/share/v/QwZ9hNGA6rr9V1gz/?mibextid=WC7FNe https://www.facebook.com/share/v/3dCRP1MuPDNskLA1/?mibextid=WC7FNe  

You will never guess where you can find a wide selection of biblical quotations when you visit Harrisburg. Well, yeah, the bible. But I’m talking a building. It’s the State Capitol of all places–hard to believe in this day and age where there is always someone looking to be offended. PA Rep. Kathy Rapp, a Republican out of the northwestern part of the state, put out a nice booklet that is complete with the verses and the scenes that accompany those verses. Many are in the Governor’s reception room, House chambers and Senate chambers. Rapp stated in the first page of her book “Pennsylvania’s history and heritage is rooted in religious significance. From William Penn’s own vision and statement of establishing a Holy Experiment, to the first laws proposed by the General Assembly, to the first section of the first Constitution, the Charter of Privileges, entitled the freedom of conscience, our founders based their way of life on religious convictions. There are verses from the Old Testament, including Isaiah 42:1,4,7,10 “Behold my servant whom I uphold to pen the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house. Sing unto the Lord a new song ye that go down to the sea.” There are also several from the New Testament and the Gospels, like Matthew 5:10 “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness sake.” No, this would not happen today. Not with the hyper-politically correct world we live in. In fact, it’s kind of surprising no one has fought to take it down. Maybe they have and I don’t know it. For example… There’s a case involving Lehigh County and the cross on its county seal that was added in 1944. It was fine then, but of course it had to offend somebody eventually. Yep. It did. The Wisconsin-based Freedom From Religion Foundation—how they came across the symbol is beyond me—joined four Lehigh County residents and filed a lawsuit. According to the Morning Call, they argued “the seal was a violation of their first amendment rights.” U.S. District Judge Edward G. Smith agreed with the folks who were offended. He ruled in September that Lehigh Co. would have to change it on flags, cars or other property but could keep it on older documents. The County appealed to the Third Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals, which is waiting for the U.S. Supreme Court to act on a similar case before it makes a ruling.  

  The Pennsylvania Catholic Conference applauds the Supreme Court’s decisions in Little Sisters of the Poor v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and in Our Lady of Guadalupe School v. Morrissey-Berru and St. James Catholic School v. Biel. In both cases, the Court reaffirmed the religious liberties guaranteed in the United States’ Constitution. “These are incredibly important rulings for so many groups across the country,” said Eric Failing, the Executive Director of the PCC. “They take a big stand for religious liberty as a First Amendment freedom, which is continually being threatened. We are happy the Court has clearly recognized the importance of religious liberty to our nation.”

Both the House and Senate were in session this week in Harrisburg. The PA Catholic Conference saw a number of bills passed that we support. That included–in the House– a package of 8 bills to combat human trafficking and a bill to assure that clergy members would not be prevented from visiting long-term care facilities during any future government emergencies.  There were also 3 pro-life bills that passed the House Health Committee. Here are the postings that we made this week as these events occurred. Lawmakers are back at the Capitol today! Just underway…this joint public hearing by the Education and Human Services Committees on mental health services provided to PA’s secondary students in the wake of the pandemic and resulting shutdown. @PAHouseGOP @PaHouseDems pic.twitter.com/sypuExY2TR — PAcatholic (@PAcatholic) May 24, 2021 Rep. Curt Sonney and Rep. Stephen Kinsey ask Sherri Smith of the PA Dept. of Education about the issue of ‘chronic absenteeism’ over the past year or so. Smith says some students thrived on remote learning while others had problems with it. @PAHouseGOP @PaHouseDems pic.twitter.com/5ol4gjyxgT — PAcatholic (@PAcatholic) May 24, 2021 Many lawmakers and just as many interested/frustrated residents attend this public hearing on issues facing unemployment compensation in Pennsylvania. Lawmakers have also been sharing their frustrations with the system for several months. @PaHouseDems @PAHouseGOP pic.twitter.com/tW8QCHHGFf — PAcatholic (@PAcatholic) May 24, 2021 The PA House Transportation Committee unanimously passes SB 445 by Sen. Bob Mensch that will provide for contributions to breast cancer research during vehicle registration. The vote was welcomed by members of the PA Breast Cancer Coalition. @PAHouseGOP @PaHouseDems pic.twitter.com/yIFS7myHYj — PAcatholic (@PAcatholic) May 24, 2021 It’s not often you get total consensus with PA lawmakers and residents on any issue. Maybe ever. But that’s the case with the answering of unemployment claims over the past several months. The House Labor & Industry Comm. is hearing from state officials. @PaHouseDems @PAHouseGOP pic.twitter.com/ccFU47ALbC — PAcatholic (@PAcatholic) May 24, 2021 PA House Transportation Comm. debates, then passes Senate Bill 114 by Sen. Lisa Boscola. It would require drivers to make reasonable efforts to clear snow and ice from their cars & trucks before driving. The bill had passed the senate last session. @SenLisaBoscola @PaSenateDems pic.twitter.com/SzeH1hrm9B — PAcatholic (@PAcatholic) May 24, 2021 Today in PA House: the second reading for eight bills designed to combat human trafficking. While no vote was taken, it paves the way for a final vote as early as tomorrow. The PCC supports these bills in our continued efforts to fight human trafficking. @PAHouseGOP @PaHouseDems pic.twitter.com/QoeA29Jswm — PAcatholic (@PAcatholic) May 24, 2021 Just underway at the PA Capitol….House Health Committee is discussing and and then voting on three pro-life bills. @PAHouseGOP @PaHouseDems pic.twitter.com/tPw8QNFari — PAcatholic (@PAcatholic) May 25, 2021 Rep. Kate Klunk is giving comments on her HB 1500–the Down Syndrome Protection Act. It would protect an unborn child from being aborted solely on the basis of a diagnosis of Down syndrome. House Health Comm. will vote on it after member comments. @RepKateKlunk @PAHouseGOP pic.twitter.com/3TXpMa9YFy — PAcatholic (@PAcatholic) May 25, 2021 HB 1500 passes along party lines. @PaHouseDems @PAHouseGOP pic.twitter.com/1fFsvhFhdu — PAcatholic (@PAcatholic) May 25, 2021 Rep. Frank Ryan’s addresses the PA House Health Committee on his HB 118, which would give parents the option of burial or cremation after the death of their unborn baby. @FrankRyanCPA @PAHouseGOP pic.twitter.com/fZbUluEd02 — PAcatholic (@PAcatholic) May 25, 2021 Rep. Stephanie Borowicz talks about her HB 904, the Fetal Heartbeat Bill, which would prohibit an abortion once a heartbeat is detected in the unborn baby. A vote is pending in the PA House Health Committee. @PAHouseGOP pic.twitter.com/8mwEcZtz32 — PAcatholic (@PAcatholic) May 25, 2021 PA House Health Committee passes HB 118. On party lines. @PAHouseGOP pic.twitter.com/ZHBSIfY7FJ — PAcatholic (@PAcatholic) May 25, 2021 PA House Judiciary Comm. has passed HB 1095. It calls for a life sentence for anyone convicted of 3rd-degree murder of an unborn child who has been convicted of murder, voluntary manslaughter, murder of an unborn child or voluntary manslaughter of an unborn child. @PAHouseGOP pic.twitter.com/IJquQHkI2g — PAcatholic (@PAcatholic) May 25, 2021 PA House Judiciary Comm. debates HB 659, which removes requirement for law-abiding individuals to obtain a concealed handgun permit before being allowed to carry concealed for self-defense. Sponsor Rep. Aaron Bernstine answers questions about the bill. @PAHouseGOP @PaHouseDems pic.twitter.com/iBkQ8A4qlI — PAcatholic (@PAcatholic) May 25, 2021 PA House Judiciary Comm. debates HB 659, which removes requirement for law-abiding individuals to obtain a concealed handgun permit before being allowed to carry concealed for self-defense. Sponsor Rep. Aaron Bernstine answers questions about the bill. @PAHouseGOP @PaHouseDems pic.twitter.com/iBkQ8A4qlI — PAcatholic (@PAcatholic) May 25, 2021 BEST PART OF THE WEEK HERE!! Great to see members of the Bishop Guilfoyle girls basketball team at the Capitol today!! State champions, by the way. Great job ladies!! ??? @BishopGuilfoyle @BG_LadyHoops pic.twitter.com/tiNaHM4go3 — PAcatholic (@PAcatholic) May 25, 2021 The PA House Judiciary Comm. passes HB 1095. It would add the murder of someone’s unborn child to the offenses that are considered in order for a convicted defendant to be sentenced to life imprisonment. Rep. Rob Kauffman answered a question about his bill. @PAHouseGOP pic.twitter.com/2BxP71pRCB — PAcatholic (@PAcatholic) May 25, 2021 Extensive debate this afternoon on the PA House floor on HB 1144, which would create separate regulations for the conventional oil and gas industry and the unconventional type, aka fracking. Rep. Kathy Rapp speaks in support by answering some of the criticism. @PAHouseGOP pic.twitter.com/KrJ2xm7lQ1 — PAcatholic (@PAcatholic) May 25, 2021 The PA House is now passing a package of bills designed to fight human trafficking. The PCC supports these measures. They include HB 246, which prohibits evidence based on the victim’s past sexual history. Rep. Natalie Mihalek spoke on her bill. @PaHouseDems @PAHouseGOP pic.twitter.com/I9B7dwALpr — PAcatholic (@PAcatholic) May 25, 2021 The PA House also passes HB 1130 by Rep. Craig Williams, which would require convicted human traffickers to register as sex offenders. Rep. Williams talked about his bill @PaHouseDems @PAHouseGOP pic.twitter.com/gYotE5myKH — PAcatholic (@PAcatholic) May 25, 2021 The PA House has completed the passage of bills […]

The Pennsylvania General Assembly is taking a mid-session break and will resume session late in January 2018. 2017 was a very busy year and more issues are on the horizon for 2018. Here is the status of the several high priority bills that are on the legislative agenda of the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference. Bills That Made It Through Several bills made it all the way through the legislative process in 2017. One bright spot in the difficult, prolonged budget debate was a $10 million expansion of Educational Improvement Tax Credits (EITC) which will benefit more students in Catholic schools. The Pennsylvania General Assembly took a strong pro-life stand to ban barbaric dismemberment abortions and abortions when the unborn baby is able to feel pain (20 weeks). Both the Senate and the House passed Senate Bill 3 with overwhelming majorities. Unfortunately, Governor Tom Wolf vetoed the measure and there was no vote to override. Governor Wolf did however sign House Bill 1139 into law. This law adds fire stations to the list of safe places where a newborn baby may be placed without penalty. Police stations and hospitals are also safe havens. Incubators will be placed in participating locations to hopefully prevent babies being abandoned in dumpsters or public restrooms. The legislature reauthorized the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), but not without controversy. An amendment to correct regulations that allow coverage for sex reassignment surgeries for children was taken out of the final bill that went to the governor’s desk. The Pennsylvania Catholic Health Association and PCC will look for ways to address this again without compromising a valuable program that has given thousands of children access to health care. Legislation to address the statewide opioid crisis was signed into law by Governor Tom Wolf. Senate Bill 446 establishes state-regulated minimum quality standards for the licensure of recovery houses that receive funding or referrals from government agencies. This new law is welcomed by the recovery houses operated by many Catholic Charities agencies within Pennsylvania’s Catholic dioceses. The governor also signed the “Right to Try” Act into law which will provide terminally ill patients the opportunity to try experimental treatments, such as investigatory drugs, biological products and medical devices. It will allow access to treatments that have not been fully approved by U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Issues Left To Do There is much more work left to do in 2018. Legislation to create Education Savings Accounts (ESA) is being considered. Senate Bill 2 would give families that live in the boundaries of a chronically underperforming school a grant in the amount of the average state funding per pupil if they withdraw their students from public school. The money could only be used for tuition and expenses in a participating private school, for tutors, or other education expenses. The money would come out of the local school’s state subsidy; any unused dollars would return to the local school. Senate Resolution 174 and House Resolution 609 each condemn the practice of selectively aborting babies with Down syndrome. Although resolutions do not have the force of law, they are useful gestures for raising awareness. Another resolution, HR 519, condemns the free availability of pornography because of the public health hazard it causes to children and families across the Commonwealth. It passed the House Health Committee in November and should be taken up on the House floor soon. The Pennsylvania Catholic Health Association is reviewing legislation that would govern the use of POLST, Physician’s Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment. Senate Bill 623 and House Bill 1196 similarly outline how and when someone would use a POLST in an end-of-life situation. The concern lies in whether or not a qualifying condition must be present for a POLST order to be signed. Beyond these moral issues, the PCC is tracking legislation that tackles social justice concerns as well. House Bill 1076 would create a land bank of blighted properties and transform them into safe housing for the homeless. With opioid addiction continuing its terrible toll on every community, more legislation will be considered including House Bill 825. This bill provides for a central registry of existing emergency drug and alcohol detoxification beds so health care facilities can better serve people with a substance abuse crisis. This is by no means an exhaustive list of public policy issues that the Catholic Conference will review and advocate. Sexual orientation non-discrimination, access to health care, threats to religious liberty, and other proposals are all potential issues on the radar. For a list of the PCC’s positions on specific legislative proposals, log on and check out: www.pacatholic.org/legislative-review.

There will be a shift at the helm of the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference beginning June 1, 2018. Eric A. Failing, PCC’s current social concerns director, will assume the role upon the retirement of Robert J. O’Hara, Jr. after his 21 years as executive director. Prior to joining the PCC staff as social concerns director, Failing was vice president of sales, marketing and development for Pennsylvania Legislative Services. In his year since joining the PCC team, he has spearheaded efforts to pass bills that would ban the practice of abortion for a Down syndrome diagnosis in the womb, expand services to the poor, address the crisis of drug addiction, and other issues. When he announced his plans to retire in March, O’Hara told CatholicPhilly.com that he counts programs that benefit Catholic school families, namely expanding the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) and Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit (OSTC), among his proudest accomplishments.  He has also worked tirelessly to promote social concerns, access to health care for the poor, pro-life issues and the ability of religious organizations to operate according to their beliefs without government interference. The Pennsylvania Catholic Conference was established in 1960 to give witness to spiritual values in public affairs and to provide an agency for corporate Catholic service to the statewide community. It serves as the public affairs agency of Pennsylvania’s Catholic bishops and the Catholic dioceses of Pennsylvania. Its mission is to formulate positions on public policy issues, officially represent the Church before state government, and to foster a public understanding of the Church’s teaching and concern about morality, health, welfare, human rights, education and the common good. The PCC gets involved with a wide variety of issues that span across the political spectrum. Visit www.pacatholic.org for the latest news and legislative updates, to lend your voice to advancing the Church’s position in the State Capitol through the PA Catholic Advocacy Network. Congratulations, Eric Failing, on your new job, and Bob O’Hara upon your retirement. Godspeed to you both!

Religious News Service reporter Bobby Ross, Jr. recently asked this question, “When adoption agencies can turn away gay prospective parents, what happens to the kids?” With conflicts between religious based adoption and foster care agencies and government non-discrimination regulations playing out across the country including the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, this is an important question. In March, the City of Philadelphia issued an urgent call for 300 new foster parents to provide loving homes for some of the over 6,000 kids in Philadelphia foster care. That same month, the City abruptly barred Catholic Social Services, one of the city’s top-rated foster agencies, from placing children with foster families. This decision makes it exponentially harder for hundreds of children in need of foster care to find homes. Foster homes are sitting empty, even as the city begs for more families to help in its foster care crisis. Catholic Social Services and the Archdiocese of Philadelphia have been serving children throughout Philadelphia for over a century. Their Catholic mission drives them to find loving homes for all children in their care, regardless of the child’s race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation or gender identity. Catholic Social Services currently serves over 100 children in foster homes. No family or individual has ever complained that the agency’s Catholic mission prevented them from fostering or adopting a child. Sharonell Fulton from Overbrook Farms has been a foster parent for over 25 years. She has opened her home to over 40 children, including two children currently in her care. She strives to provide a loving, stable home and treat each child as if they were her own. To do that, Fulton relies on Catholic Social Services’ help, including around-the-clock support and access to information and resources. “What justice is there in taking stable, loving homes away from children?” Fulton said in a statement to CatholicPhilly.com. “If the city cuts off Catholic Social Services from foster care, foster moms like me won’t have the help and support they need to care for the special-needs kids.” By freezing and threatening to cancel its foster care contract with the CSS, the city is “taking away this help and causing harm and heartache to countless families like mine,” Fulton said. The children will suffer if parents like Fulton do not have the support they need. In May, The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty filed the lawsuit in the United States District Court in Philadelphia on behalf of archdiocesan Catholic Social Services (CSS), Sharonell Fulton and two other women caregivers associated with the archdiocesan agency. They asked the court to halt the city’s harmful policy. A hearing is expected later this year.

Catholic adoption agencies across the state have been curtailing or stopping their work altogether as a result of a policy by the Wolf Administration that would take away a lot of their power to decide who would be the best parents for adoption. PA Rep. Dave Zimmerman (R-Lancaster) says there is still hope that a religious exemption will be granted by lawmakers for organizations. “A number of us in the House actually held up the budget because of a religious exemption, related to the Foster care and adoption,” Zimmerman told me in his Lancaster district office. Despite their determined efforts the Governor held firm and it was kept out. “They took the religious exemption out, which means an adoption agency would have to work with any type of family arrangements, whether it’s a man and wife, or an LGBT couple. They would have to work with all of those.” Zimmerman and several of his colleagues would like to see the exemption established. They have an agreement from House and Senate leadership to run bills in the fall to make that happen. “This is just one area. So the question is ‘what’s next?’” Zimmerman said. “I believe that our country and our state were established on religious liberty, religious freedom. We need to have these religious exemptions available to business and family throughout our state. It’s very important.” Zimmerman said another issue that drew debate in the last session was the compulsory age for education. The current law requires children between the ages of eight and 17 to be in school. But new regulations installed in one of the budget codes would expand that from six to 18. Zimmerman was one of the lawmakers who opposed the change. “There are a lot of issues with that,” he said. “Some children are just not ready at six. What about someone who graduates early? What about—in our district—the Plain community that gets work permits at 15?  None of that has been really addressed at this point, so there are some real concerns about the compulsory age.” The age change was something that was being pushed by the Governor, Zimmerman said. Even though it was placed in the budget, he says there will be an effort in the fall to get the change modified. ‘I also look at it as a liberties issue,” Zimmerman added. “The parents can probably make a better decision on their children than government.” Zimmerman remains very committed to pro-life issues. He voted for the Down Syndrome Protection Act and has signed on as a co-sponsor to Rep. Stephanie Borowicz’s (R-Centre, Clinton) “heartbeat” abortion bill, which he hopes to see introduced in the fall.

PA CATHOLIC CONFERENCE APPLAUDS HOUSE PASSAGE OF MARRIAGE ACT HARRISBURG, PA — The Pennsylvania Catholic Conference applauds today’s passage of House Bill 360, which, in addition to addressing some covid-19 related concerns, establishes 18 as the minimum age for marriage in Pennsylvania. The bill has been supported by the PCC since its inception, particularly as a means to help fight human trafficking. “This is good legislation for a number of reasons—first and foremost that it will help to end a problem in the law that has allowed girls as young as 12 to be married in PA,” said PCC Executive Director Eric Failing. “This can place them in a dangerous situation where they can be victims of domestic violence and exploited in sex trafficking. Advocates believe there are over 2,000 children who have been married in Pennsylvania.” The PCC has supported several measures designed to fight human trafficking, including the Safe-Harbor law that passed last session and the Buyer Beware act that passed earlier this session. Failing thanked the sponsor of the bill, Sen. Jesse Topper (R-Bedford, Franklin, Fulton) for his leadership and persistence on seeing the bill through.   Pennsylvania is one of 27 states that do not have a minimum age to marry. Currently, the state permits a minor under age 16 to marry with parental consent and a court determination that the marriage is in the best interest of the minor. The law also permits a 16 or 17 year old to marry with only parental consent.   The Pennsylvania Catholic Conference is based in Harrisburg and is the public affairs arm of Pennsylvania’s Catholic bishops  

The 4th installment of our series on Maternal and Early Childhood Issues looks at the role the Wolf Administration has played in curtailing Catholic adoption efforts in Pennsylvania. https://fb.watch/bBXX1F6m97/ A woman we’ll call Kelly talked with me about her adoption a number of years ago through Catholic charities. She learned details of what happened as she got older. Kelly says it could have worked out any better. Kelly’s story was a familiar one for decades, but one that is happening less and less in many states across the country, as officials have placed restrictions on adoption agencies that contradict their long-held beliefs. Pennsylvania governor Tom Wolf several years ago joined Democratic governors in other states to require adoption agencies to place children with same-sex parents in order to get funding. That requirement by Governor Wolf would be in direct contrast with the long-standing Catholic belief that a marriage is between a man and a woman. It is that parental combination, Catholics believe, that is the best way to raise a child. The Pennsylvania Catholic Conference appealed to the Wolf Administration for a religious exemption. It was denied in 2018, basically causing most adoption efforts by Catholic organizations in PA to grind to a halt. Similar regulations have been shutting down Catholic adoption agencies across the U.S. ever since Boston Catholic Charities did so in 2006. The efforts by the PCC to remove this burden continued on both the state and federal level. We sent an appeal to the Department of Health and Human Services in Washington to grant us a religious exemption. We worked closely with U.S. Congressman Mike Kelly on getting federal relief. A number of state senators sent a letter to President Trump asking him to provide relief for our efforts. We’re hoping that a recent Supreme Court ruling involving foster care services by Catholic Charities in Philadelphia. Fulton vs. the City of Philadelphia started when the city said it would no longer contract with Catholic Social Services because CSS would not certify same-sex couples to be foster parents In response, two foster mothers—Sharonell Fulton and Toni Simms-Busch—and the CSS sued the city, arguing that severing the contract violated their religious freedom. Fulton and Simms-Busch, the mothers who are plaintiffs, claim it was their Catholic faith that inspired them to be foster mothers.After losing in two lower courts, they petitioned the Supreme Court, which first agreed to hear the case in February 2020. Over a year later  the Court ruled that the city’s refusal due to the agency’s same-sex couple policy violated the Free Exercise Clause. Great news and a big win for religious liberty. The PCC is hoping the principal will carry over into adoptions, but the damage may have already been done. In 2019 the Diocese of Greensburg closed its adoption and foster care program after 65 years because of the decision by the Wolf Administration. Adoptions were halted by Catholic agencies in other parts of the state.  Will the adoption work done by these organizations ever return to what it once was? We can only hope and pray.

Our series on Maternal & Early Childhood Issues continues today with a look the work being done by Morning Star Pregnancy Services in Harrisburg to help kids build a foundation for strong relationships and avoid problems down the road. https://fb.watch/bECfSEse06/ We’ve all had our fair share of relationships that have not gone well over the years, whether they were romantic or just friendly in nature. Wouldn’t it be nice to have gotten some advice before sailing on those waters and crashing into the rocks? The folks at Morning Star Pregnancy Services in Harrisburg are offering just such advice to teenagers and also actually to moms and dads through a program called Unfiltered Truth. Leslie Moyer is the Director of Educational Programs at Morning Star. She works with Ann Deegan from an established curriculum called “Real Essentials” to present different lessons to try to teach kids to build a foundation for strong relationships. Leslie Moyer : “So what are people expecting and what are your boundaries and do you have boundaries and how do you make sure the person knows?” The program is –not- lecture based. Moyer says that would never work. They have discussions so the kids will take ownership of the concepts they are presented and make them their own.  They are getting a lot of positive feedback. Moyer :  “I believe it was woman, she said I wish I’d had this when I was younger. I needed to know about those relationship red flags, the break up skills, which is two lessons that we do. I needed that two years ago when I was in a really bad relationship.” One of the lessons is on living together, which is something that many young people see as the go-to route for couples in love. Ann Deegan : “So many people are living together and so we talk about what are the benefits and what it really looks like and what are some of the myths surrounding living together and why it isn’t a good thing to do. Most of the classes have been with high school students. Moyer says they’re hoping to get more time with middle school kids to help them build their skills by the time they get to high school. There are also classes for adults. Deegan  : “The focus isn’t just on mothering skills, like taking care of a baby. The focus is on what do your relationships look like? And what do you want to pass on to your children? What is the legacy? What do you want to pass on to your children and have your children receive from you?” There is also the goal of having kids take a more deliberate and thoughtful approach to having sex. It may prevent many problems down the road, not the least of which being an unwanted pregnancy. Moyer shares a recurring sentiment that she hears from returning clients. Moyer  : “Over and over again I will hear ‘I would not change the fact that I had my child. But I wish I had waited. I wish I had waited just a little bit longer. I wish I was married. I can’t tell you how many times I hear that.”

Professor Hannah Chang Crowdfunding is changing how entrepreneurs finance their innovation. As the number of crowdfunding platforms continues to rise, competition for investor attention also intensifies. What can entrepreneurs and communicators do to heighten attention and strengthen persuasion, in order to secure greater success for their crowdfunding campaign? Associate Professor of Marketing Hannah Chang from SMU's Lee Kong Chian School of Business specialises in consumer behaviour. In this podcast, she shares a recent research where she and her collaborators investigated all product-pitch videos on online crowdfunding portal, Kickstarter using a dataset with more than 30,000 project videos and millions of support from the crowd. They observed a phenomenon that has yet been documented in prior literature, that is: having multiple voices in the videos enhances persuasion and leads to increased funding.