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SATURDAY: 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.

2024-25 State Budget Passed by Senate, Signed into Law

On Thursday, the Pennsylvania Senate approved a fiscally responsible 2024-25 state budget that is honest with taxpayers, creates new job opportunities for state residents, includes no new taxes and addresses the economic and demographic challenges the state faces in the years ahead.  That same evening, the budget was signed by Gov. Josh Shapiro.

The $47.59 billion spending plan is $740 million less than the proposal Shapiro presented in February and also adds $740 million to the state’s Rainy Day Fund, a key priority of Senate Republicans to prevent painful tax hikes or service cuts in future years.

The budget includes key measures to boost Pennsylvania’s economy and improve environmental permitting processes. It also increases investments in education and funding for career and technical programs, including a $4 million increase for the Pennsylvania College of Technology.

Read more HERE.

Recently Approved State Budget Includes Increase in Clean Streams Funding

I am pleased to report this year’s budget includes a $50 million annual recurring investment in the state’s Clean Streams Fund to address agricultural conservation, nutrient management, clean water procurement and stormwater management. 

This landmark fund which I introduced last session, along with Sen. Scott Martin (R-13), and Sen. Dan Laughlin (R-49), also created the Agricultural Conservation Assistance Program (ACAP), designed to share costs to farmers for farm management practices that reduce sediment in waterways, keeping the nutrients out of waterways, and on the farm to build soil health.

Yaw Measure Establishing Carbon Capture Framework in PA Headed to Governor’s Desk

Legislation I sponsored to establish the legal and regulatory framework for potential carbon dioxide capture, utilization, and sequestration (CCUS) in Pennsylvania was sent to Gov. Shapiro last week.

The Senate concurred on Senate Bill 831 after it was overwhelmingly approved by the House of Representatives. The bill now awaits the governor’s approval.

This legislation is a proactive step to secure Pennsylvania’s future as a hub for carbon capture and sequestration. It’s a pragmatic solution to a problem that we all want to solve – reducing our carbon emissions without crippling the reliability of our existing power grid. Read more HERE.

2023/2024 Chesapeake Bay & Watershed Report Card Released

This year’s report from the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science (UMCES) showed notable progress, with the overall health of the Chesapeake Bay receiving its best grade in more than two decades.

As chairman of the Chesapeake Bay Pennsylvania Delegation, I believe this speaks to the commitment of our local, state and federal partners, as well as the private partnerships and collaboration with the agriculture community in Pennsylvania.

The report illustrates the tremendous progress being made in the upper Chesapeake Bay, with a B-, a score second only to the lower Bay which is influenced by the Atlantic Ocean. It also reinforces the importance of the funding for our Clean Streams Fund program, which is quickly drawing down federal ARPA dollars and has been positively transforming the Bay watershed since its inception only a few years ago.

Celebrating 200 Years of Kelly Township

It was a great evening celebrating the 200^th anniversary of Kelly Township in Union County! Residents and local officials joined in to mark the occasion at the Community Center with a chicken barbecue, games and music. Congratulations!

Penn College Awarded $4 Million Grant for Apprenticeship Expansion

The Pennsylvania College of Technology was recently awarded $4 million for its apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs by the U.S. Department of Labor. This funding will help the college continue serving as a key provider of these training programs statewide and beyond in response to employer demand for more workers in advanced manufacturing.

Known as MIDAS+, the college’s grant, a successor to an $8 million MIDAS (Modular, Industry-Driven Apprenticeship Strategies) grant that expires this month, will expand the scope of Penn College’s apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs, with the ultimate goal of enrolling 865 new pre-apprentices and 486 apprentices over four years.

Fairs, Festivals and Celebrations

The Lycoming County Fair continues this week! Rides for all ages, carnival food, games, and events. Schedule, ticketing, and more information HERE.

The 2024 Endless Mountains Music Festival will begin this Friday, July 19^th, and run through August 4 throughout the Pennsylvania Wilds, including in Wellsboro. More information, program, and ticket information HERE.

The Lewisburg Farmers Market will hold the first Family Fun Festival this Saturday, July 20^th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the market, 499 Fairground Rd., Lewisburg. Activities, food, music and more!

PA Turnpike Commission Warns of Smishing Scam

The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC) advised of a smishing scam being sent to mobile users which aims to get them to share personal financial information to settle outstanding toll amounts.

The texts are from “Pennsylvania Turnpike Toll Services” and are urgent requests with an account that would result in additional charges if the overdue balance is not settled. The PTC said people who receive an unsolicited text, email or other form or message that suggests it is from the PA Turnpike, or another toll agency should not click the link.

Those who have received a fraudulent text can file a complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center here.

PPL Electric Utilities is Trimming Trees to Improve Reliability

Fallen trees and branches are the leading cause of power outages when storms strike. PPL Electric Utilities works year-round to maintain trees and other vegetation near its power lines to provide the most reliable power possible.

In the program, PPL Electric:

• Trims trees and removes hazardous trees along 28,000 miles of overhead distribution power lines across 29 counties in the state.
• Uses a pruning method known as directional pruning, which encourages trees to grow away from power lines.
• Prunes trees and other vegetation within our right of way on a cyclical basis.
• May remove trees determined to be hazardous or unhealthy.

What customers can do:

• Plant the tree in the right place. Avoid planting near any power lines.
• Call 811 at least three business days before planting a tree.
• Plant tall-growing trees at least 50 feet from power lines.
• Leave the tree pruning work near power lines to qualified professionals.
• Keep a safe distance from crews when you see them out working. Visit pplelectric.com/reliability/line-clearing for more information.

PHMC Opens 2024-25 Cultural and Historical Support Grants

The Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission (PHMC) announced that the application window is open for Cultural and Historical Support Grants. Subject to the availability of funding, the program offers nearly $2 million in funding to eligible museums and historical societies across the Commonwealth.

 The goals of the Cultural and Historical Support Grants Program include:

• Strengthening the Pennsylvania museum community.
• Providing general operating support to museums and official county historical societies that are not supported by other state agency funding programs.
• Allowing applicants to determine and describe how they will use funds within the scope of the grant program.
• Keeping the application process fair and simple.
• Achieving geographical balance in the distribution of grants.

The Cultural and Historical Support Grants Program is available to:

• Eligible museums located in Pennsylvania with annual operating budgets exceeding $100,000 and at least one full-time professional staff person with the maximum award being $65,000.
  • Note: This grant is not available to museums that are eligible for support from other state agencies.
• Official county historical societies, with awards up to $4,000.

All applications must be completed by midnight on Friday, August 23, 2024. Please note that all PHMC grant applications are now submitted on the Commonwealth’s Single Application for Assistance system. The PHMC website has eligibility information and grant guidelines.

Program Connecting Veterans with Benefits Receives Senate Approval

The Senate unanimously approved legislation to establish in law the PA VETConnect program to help Pennsylvania veterans access programs, services and benefits in their communities.

Senate Bill 447 would establish in law the PA VETConnect program, which is administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and helps the commonwealth’s more than 700,000 veterans access services in their communities.

The database of resources enables local veteran advocates – including staff at county veterans affairs offices – to point veterans to information, resources, programs and services in their area and across the commonwealth.

Senate Votes to Expand Authority of Hospice Licensed Practical Nurses

The Senate unanimously approved Senate Bill 1080 to enable licensed practical nurses (LPNs) working in a hospice setting to make death pronouncements, saving money and limiting unnecessary emotional distress for the patient’s family.

Pennsylvania law currently allows registered nurses (RNs), medical doctors, physician assistants and coroners to make death pronouncements.

Many hospice facilities across Pennsylvania face workforce shortages. Giving LPNs the authority to make death pronouncements can help hospice facilities address their staffing issues.

Online Dashboard Shows Tick Hot Spots

Tick season is in full swing, but there are ways to continue to enjoy the many benefits of the Great Outdoors while minimizing the risk of becoming a victim of a tickborne disease. Pennsylvanians should take precautions every time they spend time outside as the state leads the nation in the number of Lyme disease cases.

A new Pennsylvania Department of Health online dashboard shows where ticks are prevalent and the latest data on tickborne disease activity, such as Lyme disease.

Tick bites can be limited using preventative measures. Treat clothing and gear with products containing 0.5% permethrin. Use Environmental Protection Agency-registered insect repellents. Walk in the center of trails and avoid wooded and brushy areas with high grass and leaf litter. When returning indoors, check your clothing, gear and pets for ticks. Shower within two hours and check your body using a full-length mirror.

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