Pennsylvania Nurse, Front Page 2017 Issue 2 | Page 5
Happenings on the Hill
My name is Alex Bonner and I am honored to be PSNA’s government relations specialist. I am
excited to work with PSNA members, visit nursing students, and connect with legislators.
In May 2017, I graduated from Temple University after studying journalism and political
science. In 2016, I interned with a lobbying and association management firm in Harrisburg.
These experiences encouraged me to pursue a career in the government relations field.
Advocacy and government relations are vital aspects of PSNA’s diligent work. Without grass-
roots advocacy, it would be difficult to successfully move legislation forward to benefit RNs
and patients. Even the smallest participation in legislative activities will play an important
role in helping to further the association’s professional efforts. I invite you to get involved.
We’ve made it easy. Feel free to reach out to me ([email protected]) or explore our options:
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Advocacy: Click on the Advocacy tab on PSNA’s website to learn about our top three legislative issues (staffing, CNO,
delegation), priorities (including nurse violence protection and neonatal abstinence syndrome), and victories (including
indoor tanning, nurse title protection, and medical cannabis).
Alerts: Quickly contact legislators through PSNA’s Advocacy page. Clicking on the button at the bottom of the page
will register you for alerts and action items.
Connect: Are you interested in adding
your name to lists for Government Rela-
tions Committee or PSNA-PAC? Would
you like to learn more about PSNA’s
2018 class of Legislative Ambassadors?
Contact me at [email protected].
Our members have used the Action Alert
several times to reach legislators regarding
legislation. In July, the Senate attempted to
pass a skinny repeal of the ACA. In August,
Senator Cory Booker introduced legislation
that would legalize marijuana as a part of his
new racial justice bill. The bill, which would
remove marijuana from the federal Controlled
Substances Act, would allow states to set
their own policies. PSNA members used the
Action Alert to urge legislators to support
Senator Corey Booker’s legislation. To date,
1,142 emails have been sent to legislators
through the Action Alert program.
This September, the 2017 Legislative Ambas-
sador program kicked off with more than 15
participants. This program welcomes ambi-
tious PSNA members to represent nursing’s
voice to our legislature. Ambassadors play
a crucial role in advancing the association’s
legislative agenda. This program offers
Ambassadors the opportunity to participate
in a broad range of advocacy initiatives
while building relationships with elected of-
ficials. Participants are readily informed and
prepared through education, talking points,
policy briefs, and position papers. PSNA
encourages nurses with all levels of advocacy
experience to get involved.
I look forward to working with you in the
coming months. I hope to meet you in-person
at our annual meeting on October 27.
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Issue 2 2017 Pennsylvania Nurse 3