Senators Vincent Hughes and Christine Tartaglione have introduced a package of bills (SB 1234, 1235 and 1236) to create more than 40,000 transitional jobs statewide over two years.

Once passed, the legislation would provide community service jobs that employ Pennsylvanians through a nine-month contract paying $10 per hour for up to 30 hours per week for adults. A youth employment component would create six-week summer positions at $9 per hour for 25 hours per week.

The Jobs program would be funded by federal funding and by instituting a tax on the wholesale price of smokeless tobacco products. The federal funding was allocated to Pennsylvania as part of a $5 billion emergency fund created by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Sens. Hughes and Tartaglione said that after the two years of TANF money has run out, the estimated $80 million per year from the smokeless tobacco tax which Governor Rendell proposed in his February budget address would fund a continuing state-wide job-creation program. Rather than storing the revenue from the proposed tax on smokeless tobacco products in a reserve fund to fill future budget holes, Senate Democrats are proposing to use this tax revenue immediately to create jobs.

Jobs Initiative

Sens. Hughes and Tartaglione recently presented the proposed jobs legislation to local employers and business leaders at the Community Academy of Philadelphia Charter School.

State Sens. Costa, Stack, Hughes and Logan listen attentively as Sen. Tartaglione (above) and Labor Secretary Sandi Vito (below) explain various components of the proposed jobs legislation at a
press conference in Harrisburg.

Sen. Hughes Secures Funds for $69 Million Project

The Salvation Army Kroc Center is situated on 12.4 acres located at 4200 Wissahickon Avenue in North Philadelphia. Giving life to the Army’s tenet of “ministering to the whole person,” the center will house numerous programs that address the economic, educational, health, recreational and spiritual needs of the communities it will serve. The programs will be provided in an inclusive manner and regardless of ability to pay. The center is scheduled to open later this year.

The $3.45 million state grant that Senator Hughes, working with Governor Rendell, secured to anchor the $69 million construction of the Salvation Army Ray and Joan Kroc Family Center at 4200 Wissahickon Avenue, in North Philadelphia, has gone a long way in helping to transform a once struggling community.

	Stimulated $75 million in economic activity
	Supported more than 320 jobs
	Will generate $12 million annually in economic activity after opening
	Will support 170 jobs annually, and,
	Serve as an anchor to spur other community redevelopment efforts

The Kroc Center's numerous assets include:

COMMUNITY FARM & HORTICULTURAL
EDUCATION/JOB-TRAINING CENTER

	Group Exercise/Multi-purpose Rooms
	Multi-sport Athletic Field
	Playground

HUMAN SERVICES

	Early Childhood Education Center
	Health Services
	Social Services Center
	Youth and Senior Drop-in Rooms

VISUAL & PERFORMING ARTS

	Performing Arts Center/Worship Center
	Dance Studio
	Music Studios
	Rehearsal Rooms
	Film Production Room

EDUCATION & JOB TRAINING

	Classrooms for after-school, adult education, and job-training programs
	Sunoco Learning Center
	Computer Lab
	Culinary Arts Training Kitchen with fully functioning public café

FITNESS AND RECREATION

	Aquatic Center—Indoor water park, lap pool and therapy pool
	Gymnasium
	Fitness Center

At the Kroc Center’s final beam hoisting celebration, Senator Hughes is flanked by (l. to r.) Commissioner Robert A. Watson, retired national commander, The Salvation Army; Philadelphia City Councilman Curtis Jones Jr.; Envoy Anita Hinson, commanding officer, The Salvation Army; Elaine Kennel, Nicetown resident; Mayor Michael Nutter; Senator Hughes; Lt. Colonel William R. Carlson, divisional commander, The Salvation Army; and Mario Zacharjasz, principal, PZS Architects.

Senator Hughes Honored for Breast Cancer Advocacy Efforts

At the awards program, Senator Hughes is flanked by (left) Pat Halpin-Murphy, President, Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition and Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz.

To get the message out about Pennsylvania’s Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention and Treatment Program, Senator Hughes partnered with the Coalition to host “You’re Covered” a celebration and community awareness event at the Park Town West Retail Plaza.

Senator Hughes was honored with the coveted “Pink Ribbon Award” for his breast cancer advocacy work at the annual conference of the Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition.

Among the programs that he has championed with the Coalition is the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention and Treatment Program (BCCPT) which provides free treatment to eligible women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. To be eligible for this FREE treatment, you must be underinsured or uninsured; reside in PA; a U.S. citizen or an eligible alien; under the age 65, and meet applicable income guidelines.

FOR MORE INFORMATION
call the PA Department of Health’s Healthy Woman program at
1-800-215-7494
or visit the PA Breast Cancer Coalition’s website:
www.pabreastcancer.org
or call 1-800-377-8828.

REDUCE YOUR RISK

Making the proper lifestyle choices could prevent breast cancer or reduce the severity of the disease. Some ways to help lower your risks include:

	Getting regular screenings and doing breast self exams at home
	Controlling your weight and decreasing daily fat intake
	Limiting alcohol and tobacco
	Increasing fiber and fresh fruit and vegetables in your diet
	Staying active
	Knowing your family history of breast cancer

STAY VIGILANT

Early detection means receiving life-saving treatment earlier. Mammograms are the best way to find breast cancer early, before it can be felt, and when it is easier to treat. The CDC provides these warning signs:*

	New lump in the breast or underarm (armpit).
	Thickening or swelling of part of the breast.
	Irritation or dimpling of breast skin.
	Redness or flaky skin in the nipple area or the breast.
	Pulling in of the nipple or pain in the nipple area.
	Nipple discharge other than breast milk, including blood.
	Any change in the size or the shape of the breast.
	Pain in any area of the breast. *Some warning signs can happen with other conditions that are not cancer.

Mark Your Calendar: JUNE 27—National HIV Testing Day

Test Together Sunday, June 27th is National HIV Testing Day. After 28 years since it was first diagnosed, AIDS continues to wreak havoc around the world. In Philadelphia alone, two thirds of all new infections are in African-American women.

We have the power to fight AIDS in our community with four simple steps:

GET INFORMED. • GET TESTED. • GET TREATED. • GET INVOLVED.

Visit www.testtogether.org or call 1-215-985-AIDS

Do Your Part!
GET COUNTED!

It’s everyone’s responsibility to help make our communities strong, vibrant places in which to live, work and raise our families. Participating in the 2010 Census helps us do just that!

Now that the census questionnaire mail campaign has ended, hundreds of Census Takers have hit the streets to collect information through July from those who did not respond.

If you haven’t completed the form, it’s imperative that you respond to the census takers. Answer the phone when they call, open the door when they knock!

Remember, an accurate count of residents translates into billions of dollars of federal funding for better infrastructure, more services, major other public-works projects, and emergency services.

So let’s stop being reactive about what our communities don’t have and start being proactive by participating in the 2010 Census process. It’s our right, it’s our duty!

Test Together Remember: Any personal data provided in the census is confidential and protected under federal law!

The Whitemarsh Township Police Department has enhanced its law enforcement capabilities with the addition of two new, specially equipped motorcycles thanks to state dollars that Senator Hughes secured. These state-of-the art motorcycles also have an important link to the department’s history. Back is the 1920’s Constable Harry S. Steinmetz, a resident of Church Road in Barren Hill first patrolled the township in a Ford Model-A touring car and a motorcycle with sidecar. Sgt. Francis Wheatley, shown here with Senator Hughes, is one of five motorcycle unit officers. Senator Hughes salutes the dedication and the hard work of the Whitemarsh Township Police Department under the direction of Chief Eileen W. Behr.

Offices of State Senator Vincent Hughes

www.senatorhughes.com