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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
Pennsylvania Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program Assistance
My office is available to assist you with processing Pennsylvania Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program forms! Call 570-322-6457 (Williamsport) or 570-724-5231 (Wellsboro) to schedule an appointment. OP-ED: Maryland Puts the Grid to the Test While Pennsylvania Pays the BillBy Sen. Gene Yaw
Across the United States, the knee-jerk reaction to move to so-called “green energy” is occurring without considering the ramifications of what powers our daily lives. In Maryland, the decision to close the Brandon Shores coal-fired power plant will threaten our region’s grid reliability and cost Pennsylvania ratepayers millions of dollars in transmission line upgrades. Read more HERE… Legislative Update
Last month, the Senate Appropriations Committee began public hearings on the proposed 2024-25 state budget. On Thursday, Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Acting Secretary, Jessica Shirley, was before the committee to discuss the department’s spending plan, as well as critical energy and environmental issues facing Pennsylvania. Watch the full hearing HERE.
In the next 15 years, electricity demands are projected to rise and the rush to shutter fossil fuel–fired power plants is directly impacting our bulk power supply and the reliability of the electric grid. Retirements are happening faster than expected and at the current course, we are not going to have sufficient power to meet the demands of consumers. I asked Acting Secretary Shirley if DEP has had conversations with PJM Interconnection, the organization that manages the mid-Atlantic power grid, to prevent blackouts and restrictions on when we can use electricity.
The delays in PA’s permitting process continue to be a major issue, discouraging companies from operating in our state. I also discussed this with DEP officials at last week’s budget hearing. District Meetings and Updates…
On Monday evening I attended the Lycoming County Medical Society Legislative Forum to discuss local and regional healthcare issues with our elected officials and medical professionals.
Last week, I had a great discussion with Wes Miller of A.M. Logging on the status of the logging industry in Pennsylvania.
Recently, staff members from my offices in Williamsport and Wellsboro successfully completed the UPMC Minutes Matter program. Through the program, they were trained in CPR, “Stop the Bleed”, Naloxone administration, and Crisis Management. Training was led by Susquehanna Regional EMS Chief and UPMC Susquehanna Director of Prehospital Services, Tony Bixby, and his team. In an emergency, minutes matter. You never know when you might find yourself at the scene of an accident, cardiac arrest, overdose, or other crisis situation. From calling 911 – and knowing what to say – to clearing a path for emergency professionals, even the most basic knowledge can save lives and improve outcomes. More information on trainings and events HERE. PennDOT District 3 – County Maintenance Municipal Outreach Programs 2024The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) Engineering District 3 is hosting seven County Maintenance Municipal Outreach Programs throughout the 23rd District this spring. These programs are a great way for county and district staff to provide information about PennDOT and meet with municipal partners to answer any questions they may have about PennDOT. Dates and Times –
Wills for Heroes
Funding for Solid Waste ProjectsThe United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Water and Waste Disposal Program provides financing for solid waste projects to rural areas with populations of 10,000 or less. Local public bodies, nonprofit corporations, and federally recognized tribes may apply. Applications and information on financing HERE. USDA staff is available to answer questions on eligibility. Contact State Offices to learn more. Senate Continues Detailed Review of Shapiro’s Budget
Officials struggled to answer questions about Gov. Josh Shapiro’s broad higher education concepts and wide discrepancies in K-12 education funding during the Department of Education hearing with the Senate Appropriations Committee this week. He proposes increasing Basic Education spending by nearly $1.1 billion in his 2024-25 spending plan, but his proposed budget shows no increases in Basic Education funding after this year – raising concerns that the administration cannot pay for the billions of dollars in promised new education spending without raising taxes. The hearing was one of a series held by the committee to analyze the governor’s proposed $45.8 billion 2024-25 state budget. His plan would boost state spending by more than $1.3 billion above the current year’s budget. It requires thoughtful consideration so tax dollars are spent wisely without eliminating the state’s Rainy Day Fund in five years as projections indicate would happen with Shapiro’s budget. At the Department of Agriculture budget hearing, discussion included state efforts to combat avian influenza, farming education initiatives and the performance of tax credit programs for PA farmers. Concerns were also raised about Gov. Shapiro’s plan to legalize adult-use marijuana. At the hearing for the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) and Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC), members discussed how to make the most efficient use of existing resources as both agencies have considerable reserves and the PGC’s budget increased from approximately $130 million in 2019-20 to approximately $350 million in 2024-25. Thursday’s hearings include the Department of Environmental Protection and the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board. Find the hearings schedule, livestreams of budget hearings, daily recaps and video from prior hearings at PASenateGOP.com. Scholarship Grants Available for EMS Professionals
To recruit and retain emergency medical services (EMS) professionals, a tuition assistance program offers up to $5,000 for reimbursement of EMS state certification training for permanent Pennsylvania residents. Up to $300 is available for emergency medical responders, up to $800 for emergency medical technicians, up to $1,000 for advanced emergency medical technicians and up to $5,000 for paramedics. Pennsylvania-licensed EMS agencies are eligible to receive up to $1,250 of recruitment and retention expenses per fiscal year (July 1 to June 30). Reimbursement will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis until funding is exhausted. Learn more. Find Lost Life Insurance Policies and Annuity Contracts
Individuals who believe they are beneficiaries, executors or legal representatives of a family member or friend can locate lost life insurance policies and annuity contracts through the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). When a request is received, the NAIC will give participating companies that have policy information access to respond to you as the designated beneficiary or if you are authorized to receive information. It will also allow participating companies to search their records to determine whether they have a life insurance policy or annuity contract in the name of the deceased person. Access NAIC’s life insurance policy locator. Supporting Agriculture, PA’s Top Industry
To bolster agriculture – the state’s top industry – $500,000 in grants is available to help Pennsylvania farms pursue growth opportunities. Funding will be used to benefit economic development, job creation and innovation. The Farm Vitality Planning Grant Program will help fund professional services for those planning for the future of a farm. The program is designed to enhance the long-term vitality of Pennsylvania’s farms through sound business planning, efficient transitions of farm ownership, strategic farm expansion, diversification of agricultural production and building a team of financial and technical experts as a resource for the state’s farmers. The maximum grant amount is $7,500 and is limited to 75% of project costs. Learn more about guidelines and how to apply. |
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