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Dear Friends,
Hello! Thank you for subscribing to my E-newsletter. I am honored to serve the 23rd Senate District and look forward to working with you toward building a better future for Pennsylvania!
This E-newsletter serves to keep you updated on what is happening throughout Bradford, Lycoming, Sullivan, Tioga and Union counties and what I am doing as your state senator in Harrisburg. I hope that you will find this E-newsletter helpful, and if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me.
Gene Yaw
State Senator
www.SenatorGeneYaw.com
Multimodal Funding Awarded in Lycoming, Bradford Counties
Earlier this week, I was pleased to join my House colleagues to announce funding awarded to transportation improvement projects in Lycoming and Bradford counties through Pennsylvania’s Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA). The awards were considered at Monday’s CFA Board meeting and approved through the Authority’s Multimodal Transportation Fund (MTF) Program.
The following projects in Lycoming County were awarded funding:
- Loyalsock Township Board of Supervisors: $416,000 for preliminary engineering for a pedestrian bridge over East Third Street and Miller’s Run in Loyalsock Township.
- South Williamsport Development, LLC: $390,236 to install a traffic signal at the intersection of U.S. Route 15 and Fairmont Avenue to support the development of a Wawa gas station located in South Williamsport Borough.
- City of Williamsport: $200,000 for a transportation enhancement project located along West Third Street and Elmira Street.
Additionally, Sayre Borough in Bradford County was awarded $508,080 for Phase III of the Borough’s streetscape project. Plans include new curbing and sidewalks, as well as roadway paving on several streets.
Read more from Rep. Flick and I HERE.
Read more from Rep. Pickett and I HERE.
My Latest Op-Ed:
Iceberg Ahead: Pennsylvania’s Looming Power Crisis
Nearly a year has passed since Gov. Josh Shapiro first announced a “new era” of leadership in energy with a program he claimed would create 15,000 jobs, save energy customers $664 million and generate $11.4 billion in investments in “clean, reliable energy resources.” He’s traveled the state making promises of lowering utility costs while touting questionable agreements and feel-good programs that are nothing more than a band-aid for a broken bone.
Time and time again, the governor fails to address, or recognize, the root cause of the price increases all Pennsylvanians are facing – the lingering threat of his RGGI electricity tax and the premature, misguided shuttering of thermal baseload generation facilities without a plan for adequate replacement. It is as simple as supply and demand. And, when supply does not meet the anticipated demand, prices increase.
Read more HERE…
Discussing Rising Well-Plugging Costs During DEP Budget Hearing
During a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing to examine the budget for the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), I expressed concerns over the rising costs of well-plugging in Pennsylvania. Particularly, I’m concerned about the sharp increase in expenses since the involvement of federal funding under the Inflation Reduction Act. With state money, DEP paid $6,285 to plug a well. However, with additional federal funding, it suddenly cost the department $100,000 per well.
I also discussed permitting reform, grid reliability and improvements to the Chesapeake Bay Watershed through focus on local water qualities. The Senate Appropriations Committee will continue its series of hearings to closely examine Gov. Shapiro’s massive spending plan through March 6.
Read more HERE.
House Policy Committee on Stopping New Energy Taxes
I was recently invited to testify before the House Republican Policy Committee for a hearing focused on stopping new energy taxes. As chairman of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, I provided testimony on Senate Bill 186, legislation I sponsored to prevent a new electricity tax by repealing Pennsylvania’s participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI).
RGGI, a multi-state compact, would increase electricity rates for consumers, cut energy and manufacturing jobs and lead to the closure of Pennsylvania power plants. My legislation formally repeals Pennsylvania’s participation in RGGI, ensuring that any decision to impose electricity taxes or emissions programs must go through the legislative process rather than being enacted unilaterally by the executive branch.
Read more HERE.
Central PA Chamber of Commerce Legislative Breakfast
Last week, I joined the Central PA Chamber of Commerce for their legislative breakfast to give an update on energy, grid reliability, the newly established Rural Population Revitalization Commission and other initiatives I’m working on in Harrisburg. It was great to connect with so many chamber members and local business owners to hear about the issues most important to them.
REMINDER: Grow PA Scholarships Available SOON
Grow PA Scholarship Grant Program for Pennsylvania Students
Beginning in the 2025-26 academic year, Grow PA scholarships of $5,000 will be available each year on a first-come, first-served basis to students who meet the following criteria:
- Must be a resident of Pennsylvania.
- Must be enrolled in a post-secondary education institution in Pennsylvania.
- Must pursue an educational program in an in-demand occupation.
- Must be willing to agree to live and work in Pennsylvania in an in-demand occupation for at least one year for each year they accept the scholarship.
If a student receives a scholarship but does not complete the educational program or fails to meet other terms of the agreement, the scholarship is converted to a loan and must be repaid by the student.
Grow PA Merit Scholarship Program for Out-of-State Students
Beginning in the 2025-26 academic year, the Grow PA Merit Scholarship Program will allow eligible students to pay in-state tuition rates. Criteria to receive the scholarship include:
- Must be a non-resident of Pennsylvania.
- Must be enrolled in a Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education school.
- Must pursue an educational program in an in-demand occupation.
- Must be willing to agree to live and work in Pennsylvania in an in-demand occupation for at least one year for each year they accept the scholarship.
If a student receives a scholarship, but does not complete the educational program or fails to meet other terms of the agreement, the scholarship is converted to a loan and must be repaid by the student.
Applications are expected to be available for students early in 2025 through the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA).
Check Out Bradford County’s Tourism Guide
The Bradford County Tourism Promotion Agency offers the guide in a paper copy, which they can mail directly to your address, or you can view the guide on your computer or mobile device HERE.
Upcoming Commonwealth Job Fair
Job seekers are invited to explore rewarding careers and benefits of public service at the Commonwealth Job Fair on Wednesday, March 5th from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex’s Cameron Street Lobby, 2300 Cameron St., Harrisburg.
Representatives from over 35 state agencies will be on hand to talk to job seekers about hundreds of job openings across the state, how to apply, career pathways, and employee benefits. Interested job seekers are encouraged to pre-register for easy entrance; walk-ins are also welcome. Visitors should park in the North Lot, which includes an accessible entrance and parking spots.
Support for Veterans Struggling with Substance Use
Adapting from military life to civilian life comes with serious challenges. Most veterans, with the support of their loved ones, overcome these difficulties. Others, sadly, resort to using substances as a coping mechanism and develop substance use disorder.
More than one in 10 veterans have been diagnosed with a substance use disorder, which is higher than the general population. Help is available for veterans, family members and their advocates at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). Find local treatment options here.
The Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs is active in communities throughout the state to connect troubled veterans to the resources they need for recovery. In a partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs, the state agencies work together to provide supportive services that are person-centered and focused on achieving overall wellness.
Tips to Protect Your Family in a Power Outage
More than just an inconvenience, power outages can also present safety threats. In extreme cold temperatures, do not use a gas stove or oven to heat your home as it increases the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, fires and burns. It’s best to go to a community location with power – particularly for those at greatest risk.
Another concern is keeping food at the proper temperature. Keep freezers and fridges closed; a fridge will keep food cold for about four hours, and a full freezer will maintain the temperature for about 48 hours. Dispose of food if the temperature exceeds 40 degrees. Find out how long refrigerated medication can be stored at higher temperatures and contact your doctor for a new supply if necessary.
Generators can minimize the challenges associated with power outages, but they present their own risks if not used properly. Read more about how to use them safely to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning and other hazards.
Emergency Alerts Keep You Safe and Prepared
You can sign up to receive CodeRed alerts about severe weather and emergencies at your chosen locations, building alerts, health notifications and other timely updates from state and federal agencies.
A CodeRed weather warning will automatically alert you if your address falls in the path of severe weather, as determined by the National Weather Service.
Get alerts by phone, text or email and using your home address and/or work by signing up online. If you no longer wish to receive alerts, you may opt out of certain or all alerts from CodeRed at any time.
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