Letters to the Editor for May 1
Extend OSHA to public sector workers
Did you know that every hour, 11 workers die as a result of a catastrophic workplace injury or an occupational disease? This translates to 275 preventable deaths a day.
More than 50 years ago — on April 28, 1970, Workers Memorial Day — the federal Occupational Safety and Health Act went into effect. OSHA created workplace safety standards to reinforce the fundamental right of workers to have the safest worksites possible.
Unfortunately, federal OSHA protections do not cover public sector workers in Pennsylvania. This means that hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvania's public sector workers today are still not afforded the same rights and protections as their private sector counterparts in the same jobs.
Example: Private sanitation workers (Waste Management) are covered by OSHA. Public sanitation workers (Plymouth Township) are not covered by OSHA.
The pandemic exposed weak laws that have prevented workers from organizing in their workplaces to demand safer working conditions. It has also uplifted awareness of weak job safety laws and the lack of resources that would ensure OSHA and the Mine Safety and Health Administration can adequately protect workers.
Events all over our commonwealth were held last week to remember those workers who went to work and never made it home. These events remembered those lost on the job this year, while spreading awareness around the lack of worker safety standards in Pennsylvania.
Additionally, we call for legislators to take action in support of House Bill 1976 (PA Rep. Patrick J. Harkins, D-1, Erie) and Senate Bill 310 (Sen. Christine M. Tartaglione, D-2, Philadelphia), which will extend OSHA protections to public sector workers.
Tom Tosti, director AFSCME District Council 88
Middletown Township
Gubernatorial debate a disquieting bellwether
Yes, the “debate” demands of Lou Barletta, Jake Corman, Bill McSwain and Dave White may in some ways smack of white male fragility, and their supposed inability or (more likely) unwillingness to field hard questions may seem absurd, but do not be fooled. What may appear to be something easily mocked is in reality something to be watched and of which to be wary.
These Republican gubernatorial candidates are seeking a debate format that is intended to silence voices of dissent while allowing them to indulge in their own personal political theater — without inconvenient truths, pesky facts or difficult questions. This contrived debate is a bellwether of how these candidates would govern. Facts don’t matter. Hard questions are to be eliminated. Any voice that doesn’t fall into the Republican line? Fuggetabouttit.
At face value, this “debate” seems silly, little more than a stage for Ted Cruz-like grandstanding. But make no mistake, there is method to this debate madness. The signs are there, the seeds of censorship are being sown.
It is up to the rest of us to pay attention, to vote, to make sure these bad seeds do not take root and strangle anyone who would dare to voice an opposing point of view.
Deborah DiMicco
Newtown
Fitzpatrick isn't for all of us
Many of Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick’s signs placed along Route 413 include the statement that he is “For All of Us”, which is patently false.
How the congressman can make such a claim when he does not support women’s freedom to control their own bodies is beyond my comprehension. Fitzpatrick has stated time and again that he is against women’s right to choose an abortion, a right decided by Roe v. Wade 49 years ago. A right that is, as we speak, being cut to shreds in states like Texas, Florida, and Mississippi and could be completely overturned by the Trump-stacked Supreme Court.
This is not O.K. I demand that Congressman Fitzpatrick take down these signs. He is not “for” his constituents who support a woman’s right to choose. He is not for all of us.
Gayle Share-Raab
Newtown Township
Why dogs need Goldie's Act
Dogs hold a special place in our lives; they are true and loving companions that many of us count as family. We can no longer allow them to suffer in federally licensed puppy mills, so we need Goldie’s Act (H.R. 6100) now. This bill is an important piece of federal legislation aimed at ensuring that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) fulfills its mandate to protect dogs in USDA-licensed puppy mills.
The USDA is required to inspect commercial breeders to ensure compliance with the Animal Welfare Act — a law that gives USDA authority to enforce bare minimum standards of care for these animals. Yet the agency fails to act, allowing horrific cruelty to unfold in large scale operations.
Last year an Iowa breeder surrendered over 500 dogs and puppies after racking up more than 190 AWA violations documented by inspectors. Dogs were suffering and dying at this puppy mill while the USDA sat idly by. To date, the agency has still levied no penalty for this treatment of vulnerable dogs and puppies.
Goldie’s Act would ensure the USDA does its job to prevent the suffering and death of dogs trapped in the commercial breeding industry. Congress must pass Goldie’s Act to ensure that the USDA honors its responsibility to these vulnerable animals.
I sincerely thank Representative Brian Fitzpatrick for cosponsoring Goldie’s Act, and urge readers to contact their own lawmakers to support this vital bill.
Adele Rizzuto
Yardley
More guns = more deaths
Unsurprisingly news reports last month week show that the leading cause of death among children and young people now is guns. The direct result of the increase in gun purchases since 2019 is the surge of gun violence across the country. The purpose of guns is death and they do it very efficiently.
Remember that the operative clause in the Second Amendment is “well-regulated”. We need to stand up to the gun promoters. No one is safe. The bottom line is that more guns equal more deaths.
Bill Brosius
Sellersville
A new appreciation for constituent services
So grateful for the huge help I received from Dan at State Senator Steve Santarsiero’s Doylestown office. I had no idea what constituent services were, let alone the important role they play.
This experience has opened my eyes to the importance of our elected officials. From now on I will participate in every single election and encourage others to do the same. Many thanks to Senator Santarsiero and his awesome staff.
Lisa Doherty
Doylestown
This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Letters: OSHA should cover public sector; GOP debate demands worrisome
