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Newsweek
02-06-2025
- Automotive
- Newsweek
Laws to Change for 9 Million Drivers this Week
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A new law goes into effect this week in Pennsylvania that will make it illegal for drivers to hold a phone or other device while operating a vehicle. Why It Matters The new law addresses a safety concern that contributed to more than 11,000 crashes in Pennsylvania in 2023, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. That same year, there were 3,275 deaths tied to distracted driving across the country, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Pennsylvania's new hands-free driving law—officially known as Paul Miller's Law—will go into effect on Thursday, making it illegal for drivers to hold any electronic device while behind the wheel. The law, which Governor Josh Shapiro signed last year, aims to reduce distracted driving incidents throughout the state. There are 31 states across the country that have already implemented hands-free driving bans, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. What To Know Under the new Pennsylvania law, drivers are prohibited from holding any electronic device for calls, texting, emailing, or using the internet while driving. The new law states that even "supporting" a phone "with another part of the body" or "reaching" for a phone "in a manner that requires a driver to maneuver so that the driver is no longer in a seated driving position" will now be illegal in the Keystone State. A driver uses a cellphone while behind the wheel in New York City on April 30, 2016. A driver uses a cellphone while behind the wheel in New York City on April 30, are exceptions for emergency situations where contacting first responders is necessary but in other cases drivers must operate devices vocally via Bluetooth connections. State Senator Rosemary Brown, a Republican who sponsored the bill, told Newsweek in a statement on Monday that the law—named in memory of Paul Miller Jr, a Pennsylvanian who was killed in a crash involving a distracted driver in 2010—is a "major step forward in improving safety on Pennsylvania's roads." "This law is not about punishing drivers," Brown said. "It's about protecting every Pennsylvanian who gets behind the wheel or crosses the street. I'm grateful to PennDOT and all the dedicated partners who helped bring this legislation to the finish line." She said the law taking effect is "deeply meaningful and long overdue" after more than a decade of advocacy. A Pennsylvania state police spokesperson told Newsweek that Pennsylvanians are encouraged to use hands-free systems or voice-assist features while driving and explain to young drivers the risks and legal consequences of distracted driving. Joel Feldman, an advocate for ending distracted driving who founded the organization EndDD after his daughter Casey Feldman died in a crash involving a distracted driver, told Newsweek the law is a "start," but that there will continue to be "preventable" crashes involving distracted drivers. "Laws help, but will not effect the societal change necessary to make distracted driving socially unacceptable. We hate it when we see others driving distracted, yet we drive distracted," he said. "If we treated others the way we wanted to be treated we would not drive distracted." In total, 31 states fully ban holding phones while driving, while others may ban the use of phones while driving in certain situations, such as when driving through a school zone or for teenage drivers. All of Pennsylvania's neighbors also have handheld bans. Only one state—Montana—does not prohibit texting and driving. What People Are Saying Governor Shapiro wrote in a statement last year: "This commonsense, bipartisan legislation—passed and signed into law in honor of Paul Miller's legacy—empowers our state and local police to stop distracted driving and make our roads and communities safer. This law also increases transparency and ensures accountability at traffic stops while providing crucial public safety data to keep our roads safe. This is an example of what we can accomplish when we work together—senators and representatives from both parties came together to pass commonsense legislation that will save lives across Pennsylvania." Eileen Miller, mother of Paul Miller Jr, wrote in a statement: "My son did everything right—he was killed by someone else's unsafe choices behind the wheel. This law is for every family in Pennsylvania that doesn't have to experience two state troopers knocking on their door to tell them that their loved one was killed by distracted driving. Paul Miller's Law will be a beacon of protection for every driver and passenger in Pennsylvania." Feldman said: "Distracted driving is selfish and disrespectful and inconsistent with everyone's values. If we think about who we are, our values and the example we want to be for others, particularly our children, we would give up our driving distractions." What Happens Next Failure to comply with the law could result in a $50 fine. There will also be a one-year "warning period" as public officials and officers continue to educate the public and enforce the new hands-free law statewide.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Brown to introduce charter school legislation
State Sen. Rosemary Brown hopes to change the way school districts fund cyber charter schools. The legislation, which has not yet formally been introduced, would adjust payments public school districts are burdened with when students opt into cyber charter education. Brown, R-40, Middle Smithfield Twp., said she has 'long believed that supporting school choice must go hand-in-hand with ensuring fairness and fiscal responsibility.' The legislation says districts that offer an in-house cyber charter school, equal in scope to a third-party charter, will only be required to pay tuition up to the amount it spends per pupil in its own cyber program. 'This proposal builds on my earlier work to reform special education funding for cyber and charter schools,' Brown added, citing a policy first introduced by the state senator in 2022 when she was a state representative, which earned her the Pennsylvania School Boards Association Champion of Public Education Award. 'These efforts represent a comprehensive, commonsense approach to improving accountability, protecting taxpayer dollars, and supporting both public education and parental choice.' Under the current law, when a student chooses to attend a cyber charter school, their home district must pay tuition and other costs to the charter school of a family's choosing, which is calculated based on the district's per-student spending. Costs to educate a special education student are higher . School districts' per-student costs shape the tuition cyber charters receive from the district. Brown's legislation proposes that if a school district offers its own cyber charter school comparable in scope and content to external cyber charter schools, the district would only be required to pay tuition up to the amount it spends per pupil in its own cyber program. The change, said Brown in the legislation memo, will hopefully provide a more equitable funding structure and reduce the burden placed on public schools. Brown's plan, titled, School District Cyber Charter School Funding, and circulated on May 6, will take an additional step to protect tax dollars. 'This legislation will also add a requirement that IP addresses may be validated by a home district before reimbursement is released, ensuring local taxpayer dollars are appropriately distributed,' Brown said in the legislative memo. Validating the IP addresses would prevent fraud. According to a report by Pennsylvania School Boards Association, school districts in the Commonwealth spend an estimated $3 billion annually in charter tuition, and 92% of school boards across the state are calling for charter school reform, expressing the need for changes such as the legislation Brown is introducing. In the 2023-2024 year, Scranton School District spent $11.3 million on cyber charters, said Pat Laffey, the Scranton School District's Assistant to the Superintendent for Finance and Operations 'The proposed legislation if adopted would have a significant impact, potentially reducing the cost by 50%,' Laffey explained, adding that it would allow for investments in additional resources for the district's students. Dr. Erin Keating, the Superintendent of Scranton School District, said any step in reforming the current cyber charter funding system is a benefit to the district. 'We would see significant savings with this legislation that we would be able to invest in our students and our schools,' Keating said. 'Legislation that supports any child staying in their home district is a benefit to the district and the student.' She added that there is currently 'no oversight regarding how cyber charter schools are funded.' Warren Acker, president of the Abington Heights School Board, said reform needs to take place around the current funding formula used by school districts to pay tuition for students and families who opt for charter schools. 'There is a tremendous amount of inequity with the charter schools situation in Pennsylvania, and it's really not fair, because public schools are all struggling to pay the bills,' Acker said. 'And charter schools are doing just wonderfully because of the funding formulas.' Rebekah King, a teacher at West Scranton High School, said the funding formula is outdated, leading to overspending by school districts. 'We're astronomically overpaying, especially for special education students,' King said. 'The formula has to be readjusted.' She added that she believes that families should get to choose the right learning environment for their child, but that some costs should be applicable to parents.
Yahoo
22-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Politicians discuss major issues in the Poconos
POCONO TOWNSHIP, MONROE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)—Pennsylvania elected officials spent the day shining a light on their constituents big issues in the Poconos Friday. The Pocono Chamber of Commerce hosted a legislative luncheon at the Camelback Resort this afternoon. There, Congressman Rob Bresnahan, Senator Rosemary Brown, and State Representatives Maureen Madden and Tarah Probst spoke. Meals on Wheels helps out seniors on Monroe County They each gave presentations and also held a q-and-a after where business owners and local leaders were able to ask questions, something they say is very important. 'I'm gonna hit a little bit of education. I'm gonna talk a little bit about energy, which I think is really critical that subject that I think often the everyday person who's turning on their light switch or charging their phones not really thinking about, but we have some very critical energy issues happening in pennsylvania,' said Rosemary Brown, Senator, 40th district. While each lawmaker was mainly focused on their own constituents, many of the issues addressed today can possibly affect the everyone throughout the commonwealth. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Animal Protection Caucus adds Sen. Brown as co-chair, legislates for wild and domestic animals
Dogs, cats, pigeons, pigs, cows and other animals will now have even more representation in the state Senate. Sen. Rosemary Brown, R-40, Middle Smithfield Twp., who represents parts of Lackawanna, Monroe and Wayne counties, was added as a co-chair of the 'bipartisan, bicameral' Animal Protection Caucus for the 2025-2026 legislative session. The caucus was founded during the 2021-2022 legislative session. The caucus's recent legislative priorities include supporting animal adoption, targeting sources of animal cruelty and instilling preventive measures, and providing needs for the 'Commonwealth's furred, feathered and scaled friends,' per a press release issued by the Pennsylvania House Democrats. Brown says the caucus will consider prior legislative concerns before venturing into any new legislation. 'As a group, we want to look at everything that's been on the plate before any new initiatives,' Brown explained. 'I personally am looking for commonsense humane treatment of our animals and our wildlife, so, that's my mission of being a co-chair on the caucus, and I think there's a lot of agreement across our community and our residents of our values.' Brown, who is the owner of a 'disabled puppy' and as such is no stranger to the special needs of animals, expressed love for her own pet and all animals. * Sen. Rosemary Brown poses with her puppy, Charlie, who is paralyzed in his two hind legs. Brown serves on the Animal Protection Caucus, serving wild and domestic animals of Lackawanna, Monroe and Wayne counties. (ROSEMARY BROWN / SUBMITTED) * Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski is a member of the Animal Protection Caucus, providing support to animals across Luzerne county. (FILE PHOTO) Show Caption 1 of 2 Sen. Rosemary Brown poses with her puppy, Charlie, who is paralyzed in his two hind legs. Brown serves on the Animal Protection Caucus, serving wild and domestic animals of Lackawanna, Monroe and Wayne counties. (ROSEMARY BROWN / SUBMITTED) Expand 'I can't even tell you, I care for that dog. He's part of my family,' she said. 'He's just a loving, beautiful puppy, but a disabled puppy, and I have to take care of him; he can't do things normally. I am an animal lover through and through.' Brown hopes to help animals across the state in myriad ways. 'Some of the things you've seen and stories where we've seen houses with animals that are just being abused or not fed, different types of situations that have happened over the years, you know they're not right, and you have to do your best to try to prevent them in the future,' she said, adding that legislation around puppy mills has been reintroduced. 'That is a continued conversation, and we're going to become more and more educated on how we can look at that deeper.' Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski, D-121, Wilkes-Barre, a member of the Animal Protection Caucus, said his goals are to make sure animals get the treatment they deserve. 'So often, we see and hear about the kind of cruelty that's out there, and I think each and every one of us … have a wonderful experience with a cat or a dog or some other pet that not only provided you some affection and warmth, or protection … and they're precious,' Pashinski said. 'Treat them the way you would like to be treated, and be humane. That's the whole purpose … making sure to make that point.' He added that it's important for pet owners to be responsible. 'They say, 'They're so cute, I want to buy one,' they don't realize the responsibility that goes with it, and taking care of them,' said Pashinski, who shared that he has kept pets in past years. 'We've always had a dog. The last dog passed away. Two stray cats were born underneath our patio, and we ended up taking them in,' Pashinski said. The two cats later died, but Pashinski said there might be room in the future for a new pet. In the meantime, his work with the caucus will bring him close to animals and their needs across Pennsylvania. In the last legislative session, the Animal Protection Caucus focused on improving the enforcement of breeding standards, dog licensing and protection for pets belonging to those who experienced domestic violence, and progress was made toward ending pigeon shoots in Pennsylvania. Additional recent animal-related legislation in the works includes: • HB97, which asks that divorce proceedings allow for judges to make special considerations and rulings about what would be best for pets involved. • HB400, which presents a call for legislation proposing passenger pigeons as the official 'extinct species' of Pennsylvania, based on the bird's last appearance in the commonwealth occurring in 1890, when 'Jasper Fincher, while on a picnic in woods … killed a 'handsome male,'' per the house co-sponsorship memoranda. • HR37, a House resolution that would designate March 13 as 'K9 Veterans Awareness and Services Day' across the state, to raise awareness of 'the important services dogs and their handlers, trainers, and other helpers provide in the military, law enforcement,' and more. • HB406, which institutes tough penalties for criminals who kidnap animals, including 'any dog, cat, equine animal, swine, or cattle for the purpose of general resale, sale to a laboratory, or animal fighting,' per the House co-sponsorship memoranda. Indra Lahiri, the founder of Indraloka Animal Sanctuary in Dalton, is optimistic about the caucus. 'I am thrilled that Pennsylvania has a dedicated Animal Protection Caucus,' Lahiri said. 'I recognize the challenge lawmakers face in balancing the needs of various constituents. Yet, I have faith that they will stand up for the animals, putting partisan politics aside to protect those more vulnerable than ourselves, the animals with whom we share this Earth. I hope they will champion animal welfare fearlessly, because other animals make us better humans. So, if they do, we will be a stronger and more compassionate commonwealth.'
