Gov. Wolf Can’t Be Serious about this. Oh no, he is!

Marijuana Minute: Wolf Taking the “High” Road

This week, Gov. Wolf held yet another press conference without much advance notice to the public or the legislature. And no, this time it was not another surprise change in the COVID-19 recommendations on schools, sports or another round of business shutdowns. He announced his fall legislative agenda, which includes a wish list of spending measures and — wait for it — includes a push to legalize marijuana for recreational use. That's right, while families and businesses are grappling to get back on their feet, Gov. Wolf is making legalizing pot his priority for the short three months remaining in our legislative session.

Thankfully, House and Senate Republican leaders seem to have no appetite for this dangerous proposal, issuing scathing statements to the media in response. Read our reaction here and a column published the same day (in the York Dispatch) from the head of the PA Chiefs of Police Association opposing legalization.

Friends, because this is such a dangerous proposal, we encourage you to get up to speed on the issue, because it won’t go away easily. Read more here and at TruthonWeed.com. Take action here and tell your representative and senator you want to keep marijuana out of the state budget. Finally, learn more on the issue by watching our webinar with Luke Niforatos from SAM (Smart Approaches to Marijuana).

We're Watching Your State Capitol

School choice has been a big topic this week at the RNC -- and in this era of education disruption the appetite for expanded schooling options has only increased. And we’re happy to be backing "Back on Track" legislation that would create Education Scholarship Accounts for students whose education was impacted by the Coronavirus pandemic, for parents to help their children get the specific help they need.

Back on Track ESAs can be used by families for students’ education-related needs like tutoring, online classes, curriculum, tuition, counseling, and services for students with special needs. They require no new state spending, because the program will use federal CARES Act funding already provided to Pennsylvania. House Bill 2696 introduced by Rep. Clint Owlett (R-Tioga) and Senate Bill 1230 by State Sen. Judy Ward (R-Blair). Parents (really, everyone!) should let their State Representative and State Senator know you want to see this legislation pass now, when we need the help the most. Click here to take action. Read more in this national story from the Heritage Foundation.

Pre-Order General Election Voter Guides

Who has the time these days to painstakingly find out the values and relevant policies of all the candidates on your ballot? Turns out that Pennsylvania Family Institute does, so you don’t have to! Make sure you pre-order your Voter Guide for the General Election here. We can’t overstate just how much your vote and your voice count. Elections don’t just affect our personal lives; they also have a profound impact on the sanctity of life, religious freedom, and the family. You can make a difference for the better.

Victory for Churches!

We love sharing good news, so we’re thrilled to share a victory our Independence Law Center won on behalf of churches in PA! This victory is just one of many examples of how your investment in our work pays long-lasting dividends!

Our legal team went to court this summer representing a Monroe County church (NE PA) against county officials who had been forcing the church to pay taxes on their property as if they were a for-profit corporation - something no church should have to do. The result: a big win in court, which means that rather than the church paying this unfair tax, those funds can go directly to advancing the church’s mission. Read more about this case and see our post-trial interview with the pastor here.

Like you, we want the church to be the church - saving lives with the Gospel, and not using precious resources to pay unjust taxes -- or expensive attorney fees to fight them. Thanks to your support, we’re able to offer our services in these key cases at no cost to the client, and thereby help keep the door to the Gospel open across Pennsylvania and throughout our society. What’s great about a win like this is that it sends a message to other local and county officials -- don’t try and tax churches in your community. If you’d like to invest more into your partnership with us, you may make a secure online contribution here or contact our office at 717-657-4990.

CAN Praying with Leaders and Equipping Churches

The exciting growth of our Church Ambassador Network (CAN) continues, as we lead pastors to meet with lawmakers in their district for prayer and relationship. We love being able to lift up our leaders, alongside local churches, in prayer. This week we also had the privilege of bringing a group of local pastors together to meet with and pray for a US Congressman and a couple of our State Legislators.

Also, in the coming weeks we will be providing resources that equip them with the information they need to Honor God in the upcoming election. Learn more about the work of the Church Ambassador Network by watching an interview of our CAN director, Kurt Weaver on the exciting new television show, “State of Independence with Joe Watkins.” Check your station guide for WBPH-60 and WLYH-49 (Philly, Central PA, MD, and DE markets) on Friday at 8PM ET, Saturday at 5:30PM ET, or Monday 8:00PM ET. If you're outside the coverage area, they'll be posting the interview at Joe Watkins TV!

Can You See Me Now?

Our great friend and partner Focus on the Family has always been good at communicating a pro-life, pro-family message, and they hit it out of the park this week with this ad, “Hello, World! Can You See Me?” The ad ran nationally on Wednesday and Thursday nights in this week’s Republican National Convention. The convention also featured strong pro-life messages from former Planned Parenthood abortion clinic director Abby Johnson (Unplanned); former Notre Dame football coach Lou Holtz; and from Catholic nun and physician, Sister Dede Byrne. The pro-life message was also loud and clear in a speech in support of school choice by Tera Myers, the mom of a son with Down syndrome.

Prayer and Praise

Pray for those impacted by the violence and unrest in cities across our nation, that God would move to bring justice, mercy and peace.
Pray for our efforts to build an even more vibrant and effective coalition of pro-family legislators to advance positive policies in our legislature.
Pray for our legislators and representatives as they seek wisdom to make the best decisions on behalf of their constituents, and to do what is right and just.
Pray for our ILC attorneys as they deliberate legal strategies to protect privacy in PA.

If you have any prayer requests, we would be glad to pray for you. Please forward them to mail@pafamily.org.

Mark your calendars

October 19, 2020 - Last day to register to vote. Visit VotesPA.com to register.

October 27, 2020 - Last day to request a mail-in ballot. Visit VotesPA.com to apply.

November 3, 2020 - General Elections.