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Senate Acts to Meet PA’s Power Needs

Acting to establish a sweeping, new energy framework for Pennsylvania, the Senate approved legislation I sponsored creating the Independent Energy Office (IEO) and Pennsylvania’s Opportunity with Energy Reliability (POWER) Board.

Under Senate Bill 832, the IEO will provide data-driven analysis and ensure lawmakers have the reliable information necessary to review and implement energy strategies as well as be at the forefront of new innovative technologies. The POWER Board will be a public clearinghouse for energy development in Pennsylvania and allow residents to see public accountability on decisions that impact energy prices in Pennsylvania.

Read more HERE…

Unveiling the Rural Population Revitalization Commission Proposal for PA

As chairman of the Center for Rural Pennsylvania, I was pleased to join vice chairman, state Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski (D-121), and state Rep. Dan Moul (R-91), for a news conference unveiling legislative efforts to establish a Rural Population Revitalization Commission. The commission would report on rural population changes and make recommendations for attracting and retaining residents in rural Pennsylvania.

Read more HERE…

Celebrating “Conservation District Week”

The Senate celebrated our county conservation districts by declaring the week of April 28^th through May 4^th, 2024, “Conservation District Week” in Pennsylvania. I sponsored Senate Resolution 276 along with Sen. Elder Vogel (R-47) to recognize all that county conservation districts do to protect our natural resources. They are the boots on the ground, and they work to develop programs and projects consistent with environmental stewardship.

Around the Capitol

I had a great meeting with Susan Kefover from the Fund for Northern Tier Development and Brad Scovill of C&N Bank on workforce training initiatives in our region.

Thank you to Dr. Christina Steinbacher-Reed, Executive Director of BLaST IU 17 for stopping by my office to discuss educational services to families, schools, and communities throughout our region.

Thank you to the students from Ward L. Myers Elementary School in Muncy and Hartleton Mennonite School in Millmont for visiting our beautiful state Capitol Building during your trip to Harrisburg!

Out and About

I had a great evening with the Pennsylvania Rural Electric Association (PREA) at their annual legislative reception. PREA serves as the unified voice for electric cooperatives in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Together, these cooperatives represent more than 600,000 consumers in over 230,000 rural households, businesses, and industries in the two states.

It was great to see so many familiar faces from the 23^rd District in Harrisburg!

Awards and Recognitions

The Bucknell Small Business Development Center (SBDC) was recently presented with the 2024 Pennsylvania Small Business Development Center Excellence and Innovation Award.

The event showcased many of the SBDC’s current clients, and the award was accepted by Director Steven Stumbris and his staff. Congratulations!

Photo Credit: Sun-Gazette

Montoursville Little League recently celebrated the momentous occasion of its 75^th anniversary. Founded in 1947 and officially chartered in 1949 with five teams, the league currently consists of 34 teams with more than 300 children.

Thank you to all players, coaches, and community volunteers, past and present, for your dedication to our region’s young athletes!

Wellsboro Students Compete in State PennDOT Innovations Challenge

Students from Wellsboro Area High School competed at the state level in the PennDOT Innovations Challenge at the Capitol on May 1 after advancing from the regional level.

PennDOT asked student participants to come up with solutions to “reunite a town that was divided by a highway.” Carter Knowlton, Natalie Cleveland, and Ian Hoose, along with school moderator Francis Novak, traveled to Harrisburg to present their solution for a highway cap that reunited the town physically, as well as to provide amenities for the community such as a park, food vendors, and natural areas. 

Variety – Children’s Charity Mobility Presentation

Last week, BLaST IU 17’s Williamsport Office celebrated as four children received their new mobility equipment and were fitted for adaptive bikes thanks to Variety the Children’s Charity.

With a mission to empower children with disabilities to live life to the fullest, Variety the Children’s Charity provides life-changing mobility and communication equipment to ensure our most vulnerable kids are no longer left out, left behind, or excluded.

Variety also held an event at BLaST’s Canton location and in partnership with BLaST IU 17 and Blackburn’s, they were able to present a total of 11 adaptive strollers to local kids with disabilities and their families. They also fit 14 children for their own adaptive bikes.

U.S. 15 Corridor Study Update

Area transportation leaders are inviting the public to review the US 15 Corridor Study at an upcoming public meeting on transportation conditions along a nearly 10-mile section of the US 15 corridor, stretching from PA 54 in Clinton Township to PA 44 in Allenwood. The study evaluated traffic safety and operations at eight intersections as well as land use and development impacts so that those areas may be improved in the future.

The public meeting to share concerns will be held at 6:00 p.m. on May 21^st at the Warrior Run Fire Hall, 188 White Deer Ave., Allenwood. A presentation will be given at 6:30 p.m. which will include a review of the study process, existing conditions, and study recommendations.

Bill to Improve Safety, Combat Illegal Street Racing Passes Senate

To address how the erratic driving of illegal street racers endangers the safety of other motorists and pedestrians, the Senate passed legislation that would increase street racing fines for first offenses to $500 and all additional infractions to $2,000. Senate Bill 998 also calls for impoundment orders for vehicles used in the offense and would hold event organizers accountable using fines, suspension of driving privileges, classification as habitual offenders, impoundment of vehicles and imprisonment.

Additionally, the bill would impose penalties for drifting on highways or trafficways and for organizing street racing or drifting events. Drifting is a driving technique that involves steering a car to make a controlled skid sideways through a turn.

Senate Bill 998 is part of the Senate Republican effort to improve community safety across Pennsylvania. It now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration.

Senate Approves Bill to Get Pennsylvanians Off UC and Back to Work

Unemployed Pennsylvanians who engage in job dodging by sabotaging their own efforts to get hired would jeopardize their Unemployment Compensation benefits under a bill approved by the Senate.

Job dodging is the process used by some Unemployment Compensation recipients to avoid obtaining a job and to continue to collect benefits. Job dodgers may skip a job interview or refuse employment or a referral for employment to continue receiving Unemployment Compensation benefits.

Senate Bill 1109 is intended to prevent Unemployment Compensation recipients who apply for a job from unreasonably discouraging their own hiring. It would require the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry to create or update forms enabling employers to report Unemployment Compensation claimants who discourage their own hiring through job dodging. The bill moves to the House of Representatives for consideration.

 Celebrating Historic Breast Cancer Screening Law

One year ago, a first-of-its-kind in the nation comprehensive breast cancer screening bill was signed into law as Act 1 of 2023. Senate Republicans supported the bill that eliminated out-of-pocket costs associated with BRCA-related genetic testing and counseling as well as supplemental screening such as breast MRI and ultrasound for women at high risk.

High-risk conditions covered by the law include dense breast tissue, personal history of breast cancer, family history of breast cancer, genetic predisposition and prior radiation therapy.

Act 1 covers individuals whose insurance is state-regulated, including plans purchased through the Pennie marketplace or employer-provided insurance. The law takes effect for many plans between 2024 and 2025. All state-regulated plans must be in place before the end of 2025. Learn more.

Beware of Ticks and Lyme Disease

Pennsylvania leads the nation with the number of Lyme disease cases. While we are lucky to have access to the many outdoor recreational opportunities in the commonwealth, they come with the risks of tickborne diseases.

National Lyme Disease Awareness Month is an opportunity to learn how to protect your family and pets against Lyme. Use insect repellent when spending time outdoors, treat your clothing and gear with permethrin and conduct a tick check when you come inside.

There are three stages of Lyme disease with distinct signs and symptoms occurring in each stage, including a bullseye rash, headaches, nerve pain, heart palpitations and fever. If you discover a tick, safely remove it, put it in a plastic bag and mail it to the Pennsylvania Tick Research Lab for free testing. Within three business days, you will know if the tick carried Lyme disease and other diseases – valuable information for you and your health care provider.

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