 |  | | The 101st Annual Pennsylvania Farm Show | | Every year, my family and I have a great time visiting the Pennsylvania Farm Show. Founded in 1917, the Farm Show has become our nation's largest indoor agricultural exposition. Whether it's showcasing Pennsylvania's farmers and the products they grow like mushrooms and cranberries, the numerous agricultural-based competitions, or the exhibits detailing the latest advances in agri-science, there truly is something for everyone at the Farm Show. Perhaps the most popular area of the Farm Show though is its incredible food court which features, among other things, delicious milkshakes, potato donuts, and pulled pork sandwiches. The Farm Show runs through this weekend in Harrisburg. Admission is free. If you have the opportunity, I suggest you stop by!
| | |  | | Transitioning to a Better Health Care System | | This week, the Senate began the process of repealing Obamacare. In Pennsylvania, Obamacare has inflicted high health care costs and limited choices for tens of thousands of families. This is because the heart of Obamacare - the individual health care market - is failing. Insurers are abandoning the market, premiums are skyrocketing, and people are losing the coverage they were promised they could keep. Pennsylvanians deserve a health care system that empowers families and individuals to access the care they need, at a price they can afford, from a doctor they choose. With this week's action in the Senate, they are on their way to getting it. As Obamacare is repealed and we transition to a better health care system, we cannot pull the rug out from under anyone who is currently covered by Obamacare. This means federal taxpayer subsidies should be maintained for a period of time until an affordable, consumer-driven alternative is permitted.
| | |  | | Standing with Law Enforcement
| | Jon Adler, President, and Don Mihalek, VP & Director Legislative Affairs, for the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, present Senator Toomey with the 2016 Legislator of the Year award. I deeply admire and respect Pennsylvania's law enforcement officers and the sacrifices they make every day to keep our streets safe. In the Senate, I have worked hard on behalf of law enforcement to ensure they have tools they need to defend themselves and our communities. This week, I was honored to be recognized by the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association as their 2016 Legislator of the Year.
| | |  | | Ending Dangerous Sanctuary City Policies
| | This week, I re-introduced my legislation which addresses the problem of dangerous "sanctuary cities" -- jurisdictions that forbid their local law enforcement officers from cooperating with federal immigration officials. Too often, local police want to work with federal officers to take dangerous criminals and suspected terrorists off the streets, but are forbidden from doing so by local politicians who impose sanctuary city policies. We have seen the dangers imposed by such policies. Philadelphia's sanctuary city policy has led to the release of at least three illegal immigrants charged with child rape. And 18 months ago, we saw 32-year-old Kate Steinle pay the ultimate price for San Francisco's sanctuary city policy. The Stop Dangerous Sanctuary Cities Act withholds certain federal funds from sanctuary cities while addressing recent court decisions that may leave local police liable for errors by the Department of Homeland Security. It is past time for Congress to act to end dangerous sanctuary city policies and I am calling on Congress to enact the Stop Dangerous Sanctuary Cities Act. To learn more, read my op-ed published in the Philadelphia Inquirer.
| | |  | | Spotlighting Pennsylvania's Confectioners | | Finally, on a sweeter note, I am pleased to announce that I will once again be responsible for stocking the Senate's candy desk. Our state is home to the best confectioners in the world. More than 200 confectioners employing 10,000 people call Pennsylvania home. Needless to say, I am proud to spotlight Pennsylvania's finest treats in the Candy Desk. Check out the York Dispatch's coverage of the candy desk!
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