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SAVE THE DATE: State Services & Veteran Recognition Day

During the event, State Treasurer Stacy Garrity and her staff will be providing unclaimed property services to constituents. The PA Department of Military and Veterans Affairs will also be present with their Mobile Veterans’ Outreach Van to provide services to veterans. Host offices will also provide some limited state services.

Attendees should bring their photo ID with them.

Registration is encouraged, but not required. Register HERE.

Op-Ed: Rendell Recycles Casino Industry Talking Points; Misses Key Distinction

In an opinion piece published on June 13, former Gov. Ed Rendell suggests “skill games” should be taxed at the same rate as slot machines. His diatribe echoes the false, misleading rhetoric on skill games being pushed by the Pennsylvania casino industry. These arguments ignore both the facts and the law, displaying either ignorance or lack of effort in understanding what skill games are, as defined by Pennsylvania Courts. As the prime sponsor of Senate Bill 706, legislation to tax and regulate skill games, I will give the governor the benefit of the doubt and premise my comments on what is proposed and why. 

Read more HERE…

Share your support for skill games HERE..

Natural Gas and Oil Day at the Capitol

On Tuesday, American Petroleum Institute Pennsylvania (API PA) hosted “Natural Gas and Oil Day” at the state capitol to spotlight Pennsylvania’s energy advantage and advocate for policies that strengthen our robust national gas and oil industry. API was joined by legislators, energy companies, and business and labor leaders for a press conference to kick off the day’s events.

Following the press conference, over 10 energy industry and technology related vendors showcased the advanced technologies and engineering practices being applied to produce and deliver natural gas and oil safely and efficiently, including virtual reality, drones and other technologies.

Awards and Recognitions

Congratulations to Jayden Slaughter, son of Williamsport Mayor Derek Slaughter, on receiving a 2024 Good Citizenship Award! This award is presented to students throughout the 23^rd Senatorial District who display outstanding character, leadership and scholarship and demonstrate the willingness to accept responsibility and challenges.

Leonard Harrison State Park Welcome Center Ribbon Cutting

Last week, a ribbon cutting was held at Leonard Harrison State Park in the Pennsylvania Wilds to dedicate new facilities to welcome visitors to the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon.

Improvements include:

• Changes to the entrance to provide visitors direct access to the overlook through a relocated breezeway by the restroom areas
• A new patio area and entrance to the center
• Improved parking and traffic flow with safer pedestrian access from parking areas by concrete walkways and established crossings
• Improved bus and accessible drop off and parking area
• Expanded parking areas, with one way access around the area for safety
• At the park entrance, a roundabout to improve traffic flow during the peak visitation seasons

Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn was on hand for the event, along with other DCNR officials, Tioga County Commissioners, Chuck Dillion of my Wellsboro Office, Rep. Clint Owlett, representatives of the PA Wilds, Lumber Heritage, Route 6 Alliance, PA Parks & Forest, Wellsboro Chamber and Visit Potter-Tioga.

Whitetail Recreational Access Parking Area Ribbon Cutting

Also last week was a ribbon cutting to celebrate the opening of the Whitetail Recreational Access Parking Area along the Pine Creek Rail Trail. DCNR Secretary was once again on hand, along with my District Director, Matt Wise, Rep. Joe Hamm, Rep. Jamie Flick, local and DCNR officials and the Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce.

Pine Creek Seed Farm Recognized by Pennsylvania Small Business Administration

Pine Creek Seed Farm near Jersey Shore was chosen as the recipient of the Eastern Pennsylvania Family-Owned Small Business of the Year award, presented during a ceremony last week.

Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding was there to celebrate, along with Deb Rudy of my Wellsboro office, local elected officials, Clinton County Commissioners, the Penn State Small Business Development Center and other friends and community members.

Congratulations to the McCracken family and president, Chris McCracken, on this fantastic recognition!

Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority Application Period Now Open

The Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority (PBDA) announced that the application period for the new Digital Connectivity Technology Program is open now through Monday, August 19, 2024.

Through the new program, the PBDA will purchase and distribute $20 million in laptops for eligible public-facing institutions such as libraries, municipalities, workforce training organizations, not-for-profit organizations, and other community anchor institutions located in areas where affordability has been identified as a barrier to broadband adoption and use who will then make them available to individuals who lack the technology needed to access the internet.

The PBDA will begin reviewing Digital Connectivity Technology Program applications on August 20 and anticipates announcing the grant awards in November. Projects are expected to begin in early 2025. Grant recipients are required to make digital skills training available through their own program or the free options on the PBDA website, however end users are not required to participate in a training program.

Online applications can be made HERE.

PSP Informational Cards Available

To enhance interaction with law enforcement, the Pennsylvania State Police announced that people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can now print out an informational card to present to police officers. These cards list a person’s name, emergency contact, and descriptions of situations that may bother those diagnosed with ASD.

Cards can be carried physically or saved to a cell phone. To print a card, visit the PSP website.

Senate Approves Bill to Improve Workforce Development Programs

The Senate passed legislation to make Pennsylvania more attractive to employers and improve workforce development programs.

Senate Bill 761 would require the Department of Labor and Industry and the Center for Workforce Information and Analysis to share data that is already collected with local workforce development boards in a timely fashion. Delayed information and data sharing limit these boards in efficiently analyzing programs and policy. Having access to workforce data on wages, new hires and unemployment claimants enables programs to be modified so Pennsylvanians can succeed professionally.

The bill also calls for technical assistance and support for the improved data sharing model so local workforce development boards can use the information.

Bill to Improve Early Literacy Receives Senate Support

To give students the best chance of success, the Senate passed a bill that would improve early literacy using a three-pronged approach.

Senate Bill 801 would:

• Bolster reading instruction with evidence-based reading curricula,
• Identify struggling readers via universal screening within the first 30 days of school and
• Use screening data to implement intervention plans to prevent children from falling behind.

Half of Pennsylvania’s fourth grade students read below their grade level. Studies show that childhood reading difficulties can produce long-term effects and dramatically impact someone’s ability to succeed.

Senate Votes to Expand Access to Benefits for Disabled Veterans

Legislation to exempt 100% of disabled veterans’ benefit payments from income calculations for any commonwealth programs or benefits received Senate support.

Senate Bill 126 would ensure veterans who receive disability compensation would not have those payments counted against them when applying to programs such as the Real Estate Property Tax Exemption, Education Gratuity Program, Veterans Temporary Assistance Program and Military Relief Assistance Program.

The bill would also extend the exclusion of the veterans’ compensation benefits to their unmarried surviving spouses.

Antlerless Deer Licenses Now for Sale

Antlerless deer licenses are now on sale and will be guaranteed until July 7. Unsold licenses will be available for nonresidents on July 8 at 8 a.m.

One tag will be available per hunter in the first round of sales. The second round of sales begins July 22 at 8 a.m. for residents and nonresidents alike on a first come, first served basis. Read more about all four rounds of license purchase.

Resident antlerless deer licenses cost $6.97, and nonresident antlerless deer licenses cost $26.97. Purchase a license online or in-store at a license issuing agent.

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