Letters: Time for Harrisburg to pass gift ban; Remember to get a mammogram

Time to vote gift ban into law

HB 1945, Gift Restrictions for Public Officers, passed out of The House State Government Committee by a unanimous vote last year. This bill, banning legalized bribery, would be a first step in reigning in the culture of corruption that saturates our state government.

Rep. Garth Everett’s gift ban was first available for the House’s consideration in November 2019. Pennsylvanians from all over the state have contacted their Representatives about the need for this gift ban to become law. Despite this, HB 1945 has languished, unmoved, for over 10 months.

Public trust in their elected officials continues to erode. The influence of lobbyists representing multi-million dollar industries has been left unchecked for decades and has become an accepted part of the way business is done in Harrisburg.

This is not acceptable. It is wrong on a moral level. When the needs of the many become silenced by the wishes of the few who hold great wealth, we cannot rightly call Pennsylvania a commonwealth.

The people of Pennsylvania want the gift ban passed into law. Rep. Kerry Benninghoff, bring HB 1945 to the House floor for a full vote this month — before it is too late — and let our representatives vote.

Carbon fee could cut emissions, save economy

Earlier this month, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, a financial regulatory body of the U.S. federal government, warned that climate change could impair the productivity of the U.S. economy and undermine employment.

The stern CFTC warning was issued in a report entitled “Managing Climate Risk in the U.S. Financial System,” which was prepared by contributors who included representatives of industry, finance, agriculture, and government.

After evaluating the effects of climate change on components of the economy, the report made 53 recommendations. These included incorporating climate change-related risks into the financial assessments and risk management procedures of regulators and companies, including banks and insurance companies. The report also stated that its single most important recommendation is for the U.S. to implement a price on carbon to help markets efficiently price climate risks.

One readily available way to address the CFTC report’s primary recommendation would be to pass the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act (HR 763). This bill is currently before the U.S. House of Representatives, and would charge a fee on carbon and return the revenues to U.S. taxpayers. The starting fee is low (equivalent to about 12 cents a gallon of gasoline) and rises annually by about 8 to 12 cents a gallon. Economists predict the bill would reduce carbon dioxide emissions by about 37% in 10 years.

Mammograms save lives

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month — a perfect time to note that cancer hasn’t stopped for COVID-19. While many rightfully delayed mammograms due to immediate COVID-related concerns, medical imaging centers have resumed offering mammograms and are taking all possible steps to keep patients safe.

For those who have put off scheduling your annual mammogram, now is the time to check with your doctor, ask what risk-reduction procedures they have in place, and reschedule your appointment.

It’s smart to know your risk factors and play it safe — but now that means getting your mammogram and other preventive health screenings that may save your life.