John P.John P.

Jr.Jr.SABATISABATINANA

FALL 2016WWW.SENATORSABATINA.COM

KEEPING OUR NEIGHBORHOODS SAFEKEEPING OUR NEIGHBORHOODS SAFE

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INSI

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INVASION BILLREMAINS IN THE HOUSE

RIVER TRAIL PROJECT LANDS KEYFUNDING

CHILD PROTECTION BILL PROGRESSES

he Delaware River has been a vital partof Philadelphia’s economic andrecreational life since the city was

founded. But, over the years, the criticalbalance between the economy and theenvironment had been lost. That’s why Sen. Sabatina supported TheDelaware River City Corporation in its effort tosecure state funding for planning a greenerfuture along the waterway in NortheastPhiladelphia. The organization will receive$125,000 to update the master plan for theDelaware River Greenway Plan. “There is keen competition amongorganizations seeking state funding for projectsacross the state and The Delaware River CityCorporation should be congratulated onsecuring this grant,” Sabatina said. The Greenway Plan for the North Delawarestretches 11 miles, from Pulaski Park in PortRichmond to Glen Foerd in Torresdale. The project is transforming former industrial propertyalong the river into a destination waterfront. “This greenway is creating a new gateway for NortheastPhiladelphia and the entire region,” Sabatina said. “It’sreplacing the blight of abandoned industrial areas with neededrecreational opportunities that will attract residents and visitors.” Gateway entrances, like Lardner’s Point Park (top photo)will include parking lots, as well as improvements to “green connector” streets that will enable residentsto have direct access from areas west of I-95 to the river trail.

ore than 20,000 drivers cross the new Holme AvenueBridge across Roosevelt Boulevard every day, many ofthem headed to nearby Nazareth Hospital. Sen.

Sabatina, along with Lt. Gov. Mike Stack and PennDOT officials,cut the ribbon for the new bridge in a recent ceremony. The new layout eliminates the traffic circle configuration andreplaces it with two signalized intersections. Improvements includenew traffic signals and crosswalks, new street lights, new curbs and sidewalks and a new storm drainage system. The $16 million project wrapped up seven months ahead ofschedule, and should make life easier for patients and staff atNazareth Hospital.

RIVER TRAIL PROJECT LANDS KEY FUNDING

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RIVER TRAIL PROJECT LANDS KEY FUNDING

NEW HOLME AVENUE BRIDGEFINISHED AHEAD OF SCHEDULENEW HOLME AVENUE BRIDGEFINISHED AHEAD OF SCHEDULE

hree days after the Senate passed a bill intended to crack down on home invasion crimes, Phila-delphia police reported that an elderly Somerton couple was tied up and robbed by violent intruders.The May 13 incident should underline the importance of passing Senate Bill 1062, which now sits

in the House Judiciary Committee. “The latest incident shows that anyone can be a target,” Sabatina said. “These increasingly brazencriminals are violent and indiscriminate. We have to give judges the tools they need to send a strongmessage to anyone believing they can target homes this way.”

Senate Bill 1062, co-authored by Sabatina, a Philadelphia Democrat, passed the Senate unanimouslyand now sits in the House Judiciary Committee. The bill will expand the maximum penalty for homeinvasions, giving judges the option of sentencing perpetrators to up to 40 years in prison. Sabatina’s legislation creates a distinction for home invasion – a robbery committed with the intent toinflict bodily harm – and gives judges discretion by expanding sentencing parameters. It was co-authored bystate Sen. John Rafferty, who represents suburban Philadelphia counties. The lawmakers worked with the PA District Attorneys Association as well as the PA Commission onSentencing to bolster current law. The bill does not create a mandatory minimum for those convicted of a home invasion. However itprovides the judges with latitude of a sentencing enhancement under “Burglary and Serious Bodily Injury”(under the PA Crimes Code) when making their decisions.

THOME INVASION BILL REMAINS IN THE HOUSEHOME INVASION BILL REMAINS IN THE HOUSE

oth the Senate and the House have passed Sen. Sabatina’s bill that is aimed at bolsteringPennsylvania’s child-protection statutes, but minor House amendments have sent the bill back tothe Senate for concurrence.

Senate Bill 1156 clarifies changes that were made to Pennsylvania law in the wake of the JerrySandusky child abuse case, to ensure that health-care workers who have contact with children are subjectto background checks. The bill returns to the Senate with a House amendment requiring certain university employees, whowere exempted in the original version, to get background clearances as well. In the past, the Child Protective Services Law (CPSL) required certain health-care personnel to havechild abuse and criminal history certifications when their job involved “regular contact with children.” However, in amendments made to the CPSL in 2015, an attempt to clarify who was required to getclearances resulted in confusion. Much of the confusion centered on whether medical personnel, hospitalpersonnel and clergy are required to get clearances. Senate Bill 1156 clarifies that certain health-care personnel – including health-care providers,employees of health-care facilities, and emergency medical services providers – are required to have achild abuse clearance if they are responsible for a child’s welfare or have direct contact with children.

CHILD PROTECTION BILL PROGRESSESCHILD PROTECTION BILL PROGRESSES

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…talking to 8th District Police Officer Randall Craig (center) on his last day on the street after 35 years as a Philly cop. On the left

is Officer Walter Nejman.

…welcoming to the Capitol the St. Hubert's High SchoolCheerleading Squad, which won first place in the “Large Junior Varsity” division at the National High School Cheerleading Championships. The event took place at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando.

…listening to young people with big ideas at theWashington Center at Temple University. The studentswere planning careers and making preparations for

the Democratic National Convention.

…encouraging the staff at a Spin Inc. group home. Spin is a leading provider of services to children and adults with autism and intellectual disability in the Greater Philadelphia and Lehigh Valley regions.

…introducing judicial nominee Vincent W.Furlong to the Senate Judiciary Committeebefore he was unanimously approved

for the Court of Common Pleas.

around the 5th district . . .SABATINAJohn P.

…meeting the Catholic League Champion Archbishop Ryan High School Girls Softball team at the state Capitol. Archbishop

Ryan defeated Cardinal O’Hara 4-2 on May 25 at Arcadia University to secure the school’s third straight title.

Veterans ServiceOfficer will be availableby appointment at

Sen. Sabatina’s BustletonAvenue District Office on thefirst and third Thursdays ofevery month. The officer is arepresentative of Pennsyl-vania’s Department of VeteransAffairs and can assist onvarious issues facing thosewho have served their country.The service is available byappointment only. Please call(215) 695-1020 to arrange ameeting.

MS units in Sen. Sabatina’s district will getstate grants to help them buy equipment,reduce debt, or pay for training.

Sabatina said the money for Northeast FirstAid Corps and Rhawnhurst Bustleton AmbulanceAssociation comes from the state’s Fire Company,Volunteer Ambulance Service Grant Program. “Our first responders are tops in saving livesand protecting our homes and property,” Sabatinasaid. “The grants will help them even more.” The EMS units will each get grants totaling$7,201.70.

HELP AVAILABLE FOR LOCAL VETS

ELOCAL VOLUNTEERS GET STATE GRANTSLOCAL VOLUNTEERS GET STATE GRANTS

HELP AVAILABLE FOR LOCAL VETS

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STATE SENATORJOHN P. SABATINA JR.

Senate Box 203005Harrisburg, PA 17120-3005

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PAIDHARRISBURG, PAPERMIT NO. 603

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CITY OFPHILADELPHIA

Pennypack Cree

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Woodhaven Rd

Philmont Rd

Grant Ave

Cottman Ave

Aramin

go Ave

Castor Ave

Allegheny Ave

Levick St

Bridge StCa

stor A

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Cottman Ave

Welsh Rd

Bustl

eton A

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Vietn

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Veteran

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Red Lion Rd

Roos

evelt B

lvd

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

OFFICES TO SERVE YOUDISTRICT OFFICES

12361 Academy RoadPhiladelphia, PA 19154-1927

(215) 281-2539Fax: (215) 281-2798

8016 Bustleton AvenuePhiladelphia, PA 19152-2802

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

www.SenatorSabatina.com

John P. Sabatina Jr.Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

5thSENATE DISTRICT

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