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September 20, 2019

“Individual commitment to a group effort – that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work.”

-Vince Lombardi

Senate Returns to Session Next Week

WATCH LIVE

The state Senate will reconvene on Monday, September 23^rd, 2019 at 1PM for another busy week at the State Capitol. The Senate’s Legislative Calendar is updated each day the Senate is in Session. The calendar identifies bills and resolutions awaiting Senate floor action. To preview all committee meetings and hearings scheduled for next week, visit online.

On The Horizon

Gun debate returns to PA Capitol…..The Senate Judiciary Committee will be holding two public hearings to discuss “behavioral health, Second Amendment rights, and other gun-related issues” on Tues., Sept. 24^th and Wed, 25^th. Advocates and opponents will have the chance to make their respective cases in full spotlight and answer the hard questions about their positions. TUNE-IN at www.SenatorGeneYaw.com.

The Senate Environmental Resources & Energy Committee will be holding a meeting on Tuesday, to consider two bills:  Senate Bill 790 (Conventional Oil and Gas Wells Act) and House Bill 374 (Keystone Tree Restricted Account Legislation).

Another hearing sure to garner some attention is being hosted by the Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee on Tues., Sept. 24^th, 10AM, to discuss Senate Bill 798 (Dog Law).  TUNE-IN, click here.

On Wed., Sept. 25^th, the Board of the Center for Rural Pennsylvania will continue its work on the impact of the heroin/opioid crisis and will be holding a public hearing to discuss the state’s Prescription Drug Monitoring Program. It has been several years since its enactment, with some amendments, and there has been interest in expanding access to PDMP data for greater local coordination of education, intervention and treatment referral services. TUNE-IN, click here.

Heritage Fest Set for Sept. 21 and 22

The Pennsylvania Heritage Festival is set for Sept. 21 and 22 on the grounds of the Heritage Village and Farm Museum, Alparon Park, Troy, PA. Admission is FREE. Hours are Saturday 10AM -5PM & Sunday 10AM -4PM.

Local Grants Approved to Bolster Jobs, Recreation, Watershed Protection in Bradford, Lycoming Counties

This week, I announced four important projects, which received funding through DCED’s Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA). The projects will aid in job creation, improve recreational opportunities, further protect our area streams and waterways, and were funded by natural gas impact fee dollars.

• The City of Williamsport has been awarded a $200,000 state grant for the renovation of the Memorial Park Playground.
• Loyalsock Township, Lycoming County, has been awarded a $100,000 state grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Act 13 Watershed Restoration Protection Program (WRPP).
• A project to expand natural gas service and add 35 full-time positions in Standing Stone Township, Bradford County, received funding through the state’s Pipeline Investment Program (PIPE).
• Efforts to restore the site of the former Camptown Elementary School in Wyalusing Township, Bradford County, received a financial boost.

Farming for Our Future

[ FFA Students from Athens High School pose for a picture during Senator Yaw’s Breakfast Meeting on Agriculture.  From L to R: Seanna Geiger, Shelby Bruce, Luke Romberger, Lexi Harnish, Evan Wrisley. ]

[Senator Yaw discusses various legislative measures being considered before the General Assembly during the event]

[Marcus Kohl, North Central Regional Director for the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) talks to the crowd during the event]

This week, I hosted my annual “Breakfast Meeting on Agriculture” with over 120 participants representing agriculture and agribusinesses in Bradford, Sullivan and Susquehanna counties.  I am so impressed with the passion of those involved in agriculture, especially from our local FFA students at Athens, Canton, Northeast Bradford and Troy High School(s) who attended the event.

The featured speaker for the event was Marcus Kohl, North Central Regional Director for the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).

Each year, the discussion is intended to create a friendly dialogue and exchange of ideas on important agricultural and environmental topics impacting our region. The meeting is also designed to listen to concerns and answer questions. I was glad Marcus (Kohl) was able to join us this year and highlight many important issues under DEP’s jurisdiction.

During his discussion, Marcus highlighted stream maintenance guidelines, and efforts farmers and landowners can undertake to work in or adjacent to streams impacted by flooding. “We want people to work with us and not be afraid of us,” he said. Kohl urged area residents to review the Department’s guidelines, as well as to reach out to DEP officials when they have questions or concerns about how to best maintain local waterways.

Free Health Screenings and Resources Offered at Senator Yaw’s Annual ‘Senior Expo’

More than 100 exhibitors provided the most current information on programs and services available to Pennsylvania’s older residents during a Senior Citizen Expo and Health Fair Thursday hosted by Rep. Garth Everett and me. The free informational event was held in Lycoming County at the Community Baptist Church along Route 87 Highway, Montoursville.

The event broke previous attendance records and provided seniors with a “one-stop resource” for information on a wide range of services. In addition, representatives from several state agencies including the Attorney General’s Office, Pennsylvania Department of Health, Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, and Pennsylvania Department of Insurance, were on-hand to discuss a number of government-related programs. A representative from the Attorney General’s Office was also on-hand to specifically answer questions relating to consumer / senior scam prevention.

THIS WEEKEND: Montoursville Fall Festival

Second Round of Dairy Investment Program Grants Opens

This week, the Department of Agriculture opened the second round of $5 million in funding available through the Pennsylvania Dairy Investment Program. The announcement came during the second annual Dairy Innovation Forum, bringing resources and opportunities to dairy producers to sustain and grow their businesses in a challenging marketplace.

Grants support on-farm innovation, research and development, organic transition, and value-added processing of products like cheese, yogurt and ice cream. The summit included insights from March 2019 recipients of Dairy Investment Program grants, as well as information on how the program works and how to apply.

Funding to support a second year of the grant program was made possible by the PA Farm Bill, a package of legislation I supported providing support for and continued investments in the commonwealth’s agriculture industry.

For more information about the PA Farm Bill, and investments to support Pennsylvania agriculture, visit agriculture.pa.gov.

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