Mike Schlossberg for State Representative
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About Mike
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Improving Schools and Slowing Property Taxes
Protecting the Vulnerable
Protecting Our Democracy
A Bipartisan Leader
Standing Up For All Americans
132nd Legislative District
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PROTECTING THE VULNERABLE

I've been guided by one principle during the COVID-19 crisis: Ignore the politics. Let science lead. That's why I've supported masks in schools, targeted mitigation measures, and efforts to vaccine our population.

However, as we have all seen, COVID has made life so much more difficult for countless Americans. This has helped to push me to continue my efforts to protect the mentally ill, the downtrodden, and those who suffer from addiction.

  • Removing Barriers to Mental Health Care: I recently worked with Speaker Bryan Cutler and Human Services Chairman Frank Farry to pass legislation that would remove insurance barriers to health care. Such a bill would make it easier for people to get the care that they need. The legislation recently passed the House of Representatives and is now awaiting action in the State Senate.

  • Suicide & Opioid Review Team: I recently had legislation pass the House that would create Suicide & Opioid Death Review teams. This process would make it easier for local counties to create such teams that could better determine the causes of suicide or opioid overdose. From there, public policy could be changed to better stop these tragedies.

  • Mental Health: This issue is more than just policy; it’s personal. In August 2014, I wrote about my fifteen year struggle with depression and anxiety. I did so because I was tired of hearing about the stigma that surrounds people with mental health challenges. I have spoken regularly about the issue, including on the House floor. I will continue to speak on this, because one out of every four Americans actively suffer from some sort of mental health challenge. The more people like me can speak, the more we can, hopefully, encourage others to seek treatment. I also cofounded the Mental Health Caucus. This Caucus seeks to advocate for mental health issues, including funding and anti-stigma efforts.

  • Helping mothers and children with depression: As part of these efforts, I am sponsoring legislation that would make it easier for mothers whose children were in the Commonwealth’s Early Intervention program to get treatment.

  • Restoring our investments to Human Services: Human service funding took an absolutely devastating hit under Tom Corbett’s tenure, and we have still not replaced that money. We must restore these critical funds in order to make sure that those who have the least can get the assistance they need to live.

  • Helping seniors stay in their homes: I recently introduced two bills designed to help seniors stay in their homes longer. The first would create the Caregiver Tax Credit, which would allow caregivers to take a state tax credit if they also qualify for the federal dependent care credit, making it more affordable for adults to stay home and tax care of a senior or disabled adult. The second would create a Livable Home Tax Credit, which would allow for seniors to take a tax credit for making accessibility-related renovations in their home. Furthermore, I have consistently voted for property tax relief, voting for legislation which would have increased the Property Tax/Rent Rebate program, and voting for plans which would have reduced or eliminated property taxes for seniors, disabled adults and veterans.

  • Protecting sexual harassment victims: If we’ve learned anything from the #MeToo era, it’s that government must do a better job of protecting people – especially women – from sexual harassment. That’s why I’ve sponsored legislation which would require that state contractors have sexual harassment policies in place.

  • Protecting rape victims: Before the Rape Victims Protection Act had passed, rape victims were in a terrible situation. Under previous Pennsylvania law, a rape victim who had a child as a result of the rape could only do one of two things: Sue the rapist for child support, or have the rapist’s child custody rights revoked. She could not do both. This was an unacceptable loophole, and legislation which I wrote closed it. My portion of this law allowed a woman to seek child support while terminating parental rights. I am proud to say that the bill was signed into law by Governor Wolf earlier this year.

  • Protecting domestic violence victims:  I am the author of House Bill 12, which was signed into law by Governor Wolf in April 2016. That bill does two things:

    • Allow a spouse whose spouse had been convicted of a crime against them to get a divorce in 90 days instead of the standard two years.

    • Remove the ability of a judge to mandate counseling when one party had a Protection from Abuse order against the other.

  • Protecting kids in cars: Working with Senator Browne, I wrote a law which requires children who are two and under to be in a rear-facing childseat; previously, no such requirements existed. Multiple studies show that riding this way makes kids safer, and I'm proud to say, once again, that Governor Wolf signed this bill into law earlier this year.

  • Protecting kids in daycares: Certain types of Pennsylvania daycares had an unacceptable loophole: Other residents of a home daycare did not have to undergo the same type of background checks as people who worked in a daycare, creating a situation whereby criminals could have easy access to children. I proposed a bill last year which would close that loophole, and I am pleased to say that the Governor’s office took that bill and turned it into a regulation, ensuring that children will be protected regardless of where they go to daycare.

  • Fighting for stricter vaccine laws: Pennsylvania has one of the worst vaccination rates in the entire country. Working with my Republican friend, Becky Corbin (R-Chester), we proposed a bill that would eliminate the philosophical exemption for vaccinations, making sure that all kids who are medically able go to school vaccinated. Portions of that change are now being enacted into new regulation proposed by Governor Wolf.

 

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Home | About Mike | Accomplishments | Platform
Improving Schools and Slowing Property Taxes
Protecting the Vulnerable | Protecting Our Democracy
A Bipartisan Leader | Standing Up For All Americans
132nd Legislative District
Volunteer | Contributions | Contact

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P.O. Box 1537; Allentown, PA 18105
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