Cartwright legislation would overcome barriers for deafblind population

WILKES-BARRE — In honor of Deafblind Awareness Week and Helen Keller’s birthday, U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright this week introduced bipartisan legislation to help overcome barriers and identify policy gaps for individuals with combined hearing and vision loss.

The Deafblind Disabled Americans Table Approximation (DATA) or Deafblind DATA Act, would require the U.S. Census Bureau to publish data on the deafblind population.

Currently, the U.S. Census Bureau only collects and publishes data about individual disabilities, such as hearing difficulty and vision difficulty, but does not publish data about people who experience multiple disabilities. As a result, there is limited data on the number of Americans experiencing the combination of hearing loss and vision loss, also known as deafblindness.

Cartwright, D-Moosic, said deafblindness can pose communication challenges, limit information access, and hinder social and emotional well-being. In children, it may significantly impact development and educational attainment. For deafblind adults, it can be difficult to secure employment opportunities or live independently.

“As members of Congress, it is our responsibility to ensure that all of our constituents have access to the resources and opportunities available to them,” Cartwright said. “Without a comprehensive national picture of the deafblind population, these individuals may not receive the support needed to thrive. My commonsense legislation represents a significant and meaningful step towards identifying policy gaps for deafblind individuals, which will ensure that all members of our communities are being represented.”

National estimates of individuals experiencing deafblindness vary – ranging from 40,000 to 100,000 individuals — because, to date, there is no national mechanism to collect data on the deafblind population.

Specifically, the Deafblind DATA Act would:

• Require the Census Bureau to publish a summary of those who answered “yes” to experiencing both hearing and vision loss on its American Community Survey, an annual household survey the Census Bureau administers:

• Require the Census Bureau to submit a report to Congress outlining the feasibility of publishing this table and expanding data collection on the deafblind population as a unique disability category.

The legislation is endorsed by the American Association for the DeafBlind, the Helen Keller National Center (HKNC), the National Coalition on Deafblindness, the National Family Association for DeafBlind (NFADB), the National Intervener and Advocate Association, and the Lackawanna Blind Association.

Casey, Fetterman, Brown urge

blocking of U.S. Steel acquisition

U.S. Senators Bob Casey, D-Scranton, John Fetterman, D-Braddock, and Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, this week raised the alarm that Nippon’s proposed purchase of U.S. Steel would destabilize America’s trade enforcement system — and in the process, threaten American industry, workers, and national security.

The Senators wrote, “Nippon’s acquisition of U.S. Steel poses a grave threat to the international trade system that seeks to protect American manufacturers and workers from those who would unfairly dump steel into the American market. Given the clear and present threats that a Nippon Steel acquisition poses to American workers and a critical industry, we believe executive action to block this deal is urgent.”

In a letter to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, and U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai, Casey, Fetterman, and Brown warn that Nippon Steel’s well-documented record of dumping steel products in the U.S. presents a clear conflict with our ability to continue to defend our domestic steel industry — and call on the Biden Administration to urgently block the deal.

The Senators raised several concerns about the pending sale, including how Nippon could use U.S. Steel’s status as an American company to destabilize the trade enforcement system. The sale could not only impact domestic steel prices and cost Americans their jobs, but could potentially grant foreign steelmakers unprecedented and unchecked access to the U.S. market.

Senators Casey, Fetterman, and Brown have raised concerns about Nippon Steel’s proposed purchase of U.S. Steel since it was announced. Citing national security concerns, the Senators immediately pressed the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States to block the sale.

Casey and Fetterman voiced their concern about how the acquisition may harm Pennsylvania workers and demanded Nippon to declare the company’s commitment to Pennsylvania.

Casey and Fetterman also have pressed Nippon on their commitments to Pennsylvania workers and families who could be negatively impacted by the sale.

The Senators also pushed the Biden Administration to oppose the acquisition, and applauded President Biden’s opposition of the sale.

Pennsylvania receives additional $28.6M to restore

abandoned mine land for economic development

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) this week announced that it has received $28.6 million in federal funding for the 2024 Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization (AMLER) Program, which will put abandoned mine lands across the Commonwealth to good use by funding economic and community development projects on reclaimed sites.

Previous AMLER projects include public parks, public waterlines to ensure clean and safe water, recreational trails for fishing and biking, and more.

Pennsylvania has more abandoned coal mines than any other state in the country. With the support of federal and state funding, Pennsylvania has already rehabilitated 150,000 acres of abandoned mine lands.

“Remediation of abandoned mine lands is critical for the health, safety, and well-being of communities across Pennsylvania,” said DEP Acting Secretary Jessica Shirley. “With this federal funding, we will be able to continue this vital work that protects public health and safety, and put reclaimed land to good use with eligible economic development initiatives.”

Pennsylvania has a roughly $5 billion need for reclamation and stream restoration. More than 5,000 miles of streams in Pennsylvania are impacted by acid mine drainage from abandoned mining sites — these toxic chemicals can harm our water sources and result in issues like erosion.

VFW Service Officer available for veterans

at Sen. Baker’s Dallas Office in July

State Sen. Lisa Baker, R-Lehman Township, invites veterans to schedule an appointment to meet with a VFW Service Officer at her Dallas and Nanticoke office locations in July.

Sen. Baker encourages veterans of all ages and from all service eras to utilize the Pennsylvania Veterans of Foreign Wars Service Officer Network, to receive free information and assistance for government benefits.

This assistance may include VA healthcare, compensation, pension, education and dependent benefits. Surviving spouses can also use these Service Officers at no charge to learn about their eligibility for VA benefits.

“Veterans are the heart and soul of America and we appreciate their many sacrifices to make this nation a beacon of freedom and hope,” Sen. Baker said. “During challenging economic times, many veterans continue to need our assistance. I encourage any veteran or spouse with questions regarding benefits, to schedule a time to meet with a Service Officer.”

• On Friday, July 12, the VFW Service Officer will be available for scheduled appointments at Sen. Baker’s Dallas office, 22 Dallas Shopping Center, Memorial Highway. All veterans, not just VFW members, can request appointments between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. To schedule an appointment at this location, call 570-675-3931.

• A representative from MyCIL (Northeast PA Center for Independent Living) will be at Sen. Baker’s Dallas office on Friday July 26, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Information and resources will be offered to people with disabilities and their families to help them obtain home and community-based services, transportation, housing, and other assistance to promote greater independence in the community.

“It is imperative that we provide education on available benefits to ensure individuals with disabilities can strengthen and maintain their self-sufficiency,” Baker said. “I have been honored to work on programs to help them exercise more control over their lives, including creating ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) accounts to help save for the future, and establishing the IWantToWork program to aid in entering the job market.”

To schedule an appointment, contact Sen. Baker’s Dallas office at 570-675-3931.

• Sen. Baker invites veterans to schedule an appointment to meet with a VFW Service Officer at her Nanticoke office location. Appointments with a Service Officer are available at no charge on the third Wednesday of every month.

On Wednesday, July 17, the VFW Service Officer will be available for scheduled appointments at Sen. Baker’s office, 50 North Walnut St., Suite105, Nanticoke.

All veterans, not just VFW members, can request appointments between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. To schedule an appointment at this location, call 570-740-2432.