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FREE Senior Expo to be Held THURSDAY

Rep. Joe Hamm and I will host our annual FREE Senior Expo on September 19^th at Community Baptist Church, Montoursville.

This event includes door prizes, health screenings, and refreshments. Over 75 exhibitors from government agencies and non-profit organizations will be on hand! We encourage all seniors and their caretakers to come gather information and take advantage of these essential services.

Major Disaster Declaration Approved for Local Counties

Last week, the federal government approved a major disaster declaration for Individual Assistance in Pennsylvania, making aid available to those impacted by catastrophic flooding from the remnants of Tropical Storm Debby.

Impacted residents in Lycoming, Tioga and Union counties in my district will have the opportunity to apply for assistance, grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover.

In the coming days, the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) will work with its partners at FEMA, as well as with county governments, to organize and open several Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) in impacted communities. FEMA will have staff available at these centers to assist residents with reviews of required documentation and expedite the process of applying for recovery aid.

Residents can also apply online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or call the application phone number at 1-800- 621-3362 (TTY: 800-462-7585).

Declaration Number: FEMA-4815-DR

Senate Convenes This Week

Session Calendar and Schedule HERE.

Watch Session and Committees LIVE.

Update from Harrisburg

Last week, I joined the American Council of Engineering Companies of PA (ACEC) for their annual conference in Harrisburg. This year’s focus was emerging technologies. I participated in the “Data and Technology Driven Developments for Intelligent Hydraulic Fracturing” portion and discussed Act 87, legislation I sponsored to establish the legal and regulatory framework for carbon capture in Pennsylvania.

This event brings top executives from some of the Commonwealth’s largest engineering firms together for updates from PennDOT, industry representatives and other public and private ACEC members. Thank you for having me!

On Thursday, the Senate Majority Policy Committee held a hearing on orphan and abandoned well plugging. The committee discussed the identification and inventory process, ideas to streamline the plugging process and a funding mechanism to help ensure that plugging efforts are effective, sustainable and aligned with broader safety and environmental concerns.

You can watch the full hearing HERE.

This morning, the Center for Rural Pennsylvania Board of Directors, where I serve as chairman, held its September meeting in Harrisburg. We were pleased to welcome a new Board member, Dr. Jeffrey Hyde. Dr. Hyde is an associate dean within Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences and serves as the director of Penn State Extension. 

Bucknell University Receives PCCD Funding

Bucknell University recently received $186,943 in funding from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) to improve crime reporting, help law enforcement upgrade equipment, support victims of crime and victim service providers and support county jail-based medication-assisted treatment for individuals with substance use disorder.

The Commission approved $80 million to 68 entities statewide in a variety of grants to support these law enforcement equipment upgrades and support victims of crime.

Montoursville Kiwanis to Hold Fall Festival This Weekend

Join the Montoursville Kiwanis for food, games, family activities, live music and fireworks. Admission is FREE. Information on parking, schedule of events and more can be found HERE.

Penn College Dedicates New Architecture Suite

Recently, Penn College’s architecture and sustainable design program dedicated a newly renovated space that enhances student workspaces and provides room for the growing program to expand its enrollment.

The renovation was funded by a portion of a $1.4 million donation from Coterra Energy through the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development’s Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP). NAP provides tax credits to businesses that contribute to nonprofit organizations’ efforts to revitalize communities.

A Closer Look at Energy Affordability and Reliability

Pennsylvanians face rising energy costs. Grid reliability continues to be a threat that may cause devastating outages like the major power crisis Texas experienced in 2021 when more than 4.5 million homes and businesses were without power for days.

Rising costs and compromised reliability would be worsened by a unilateral decision former Gov. Tom Wolf made to join the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). Joining RGGI will increase electricity rates for consumers, cut energy and manufacturing jobs, and lead to the closure of Pennsylvania power plants. Rolling blackouts will become commonplace when energy production cannot keep up with demand.

Senate Republicans are actively fighting against Pennsylvania’s entry into RGGI, obtaining a court order that prevents the commonwealth from implementing the program because the court agreed that Wolf lacked the authority to join RGGI. Gov. Josh Shapiro appealed that court order to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, where the case is pending and briefs were filed this week by the Senate Republicans to prevent RGGI implementation. Senate Republicans stand ready to pass legislation to repeal the RGGI Energy Tax that has already been introduced if the legal process isn’t successful.

We also passed bills that would ensure Pennsylvanians have options regarding fuel availability, help to secure the state’s future as a hub for carbon capture and sequestration and most effectively capitalize on the state’s abundant natural resources through the creation of the Independent Energy Office to provide impartial data.

How to File a Banking Complaint

Consumers who have unsuccessfully attempted to resolve disputes with their financial institutions regarding services or products have options.

Complaints may be submitted to the Department of Banking and Securities Consumer Services Office online or toll-free by calling 1-800-PA-BANKS (1-800-722-2657) Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The department aims to provide responses to consumer complaints within 10 days of receipt.

While the Consumer Services Office will make the effort to address consumer complaints, there is no guarantee the matter can or will be resolved. However, complaints are important because they allow the Department of Banking and Securities to identify patterns of unfair or deceptive practices that may result in further action.

Free Webinars Provide Useful College Financial Aid Info

The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency is holding free webinars to assist college-bound students and their families with navigating the financial aid process.

On Tuesday, Sept. 24, at noon, speakers will discuss the financial aid timeline. On Thursday, Sept. 26, at 6:30 p.m., speakers will focus on how to search for scholarships and pay for any remaining costs.

Register to attend the one-hour webinars.

National Voter Registration Day is a Great Reminder

Tuesday, Sept. 17, is National Voter Registration Day. It’s a wonderful time to confirm that you are registered to vote at your current address or to register if you have moved or would be a first-time voter.

The last day to register to vote in Pennsylvania before the Nov. 5 election is Monday, Oct. 21. You may submit your application online, by mail to your county voter registration office or in person at your county voter registration office. Active-duty military members or veterans who are hospitalized or bedridden may register at any time. Learn more about that option.

Please note: if you are not a United States citizen and a resident of Pennsylvania at least 30 days before the election, you cannot register to vote.

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