July 31, 2024 - Scranton, PA
Lt. Gov. Austin Davis heard from state and local leaders, as well as local law enforcement officials and victim service providers, at a roundtable discussion in Lackawanna County today about how the newly signed, bipartisan state budget will help keep Pennsylvania communities safe and address the epidemic of gun violence."Firearms are the number one cause of death for young people in America, and we need to be doing more to keep our young people safe and help them make better choices," said Lt. Gov. Davis, who chairs the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD). "That's why I'm proud of the bipartisan state budget, which includes more resources for community-based programs that reduce violence and a new statewide program to fund afterschool programs that can provide kids with learning and enrichment opportunities in a safe, supportive environment. We're taking a comprehensive approach, that addresses the root causes of violence, to make Pennsylvania communities safer."List of Speakers:Peg Ruddy, Executive Director of Women's Resource CenterState Rep. Bridget KosierowskiCounty Commissioner Matt McGloinCounty Commissioner Bill GaughanPolice Chief Tom CarrollDistrict Attorney Mark PowellState Senator Marty FlynnTricia Thomas, Executive Director of Boys & Girls Club of Northeastern Pennsylvania