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In this Update:
Remembering D-Day
It has been 80 years since June 6, 1944, a fateful day we must never forget. Thousands of Americans lost their lives storming the beaches of Normandy in France, sacrificing their lives to liberate Europe from fascism. At the time, the D-Day invasion was the largest naval, air, and land operation in history. In 2014, I had the opportunity to tour the Normandy beaches as part of a Lycoming College alumni tour to honor the living and the dead. When you are there, looking out over the beaches and seeing the crosses and stars of David that mark those who did not return home, it’s hard not to be overcome by emotion, knowing that you are in the company of heroes. In the words of General Dwight D. Eisenhower, “You are about to embark upon the Great Crusade, toward which we have striven these many months. The eyes of the world are upon you. The hopes and prayers of liberty-loving people everywhere march with you.” Tax Cuts or More Spending?
In February, Gov. Josh Shapiro proposed a massive $3.2 billion increase in state spending. Last month, Senate Republicans unveiled an alternative approach that would reduce taxes by approximately $3 billion annually. These historic tax cuts would provide relief to every Pennsylvanian who earns a paycheck by reducing the personal income tax rate from 3.07% to 2.8%, and every person paying an electric bill by eliminating the Gross Receipts Tax on energy. Learn more about the process of enacting the 2024-25 state budget and watch the Senate in session here. Training First Responders in Carbon County
I was invited to visit the Carbon County Emergency Operations Training Center last weekend for a demonstration of how they use the facility, including a live burn class. It was very impressive to see the first responders in action! I recently worked with Rep. Doyle Heffley to secure $68,423 in state funding to purchase propane training equipment to prepare first responders for how to safely navigate propane and natural gas emergencies. This funding will further prepare first responders in Carbon County for their dangerous work. Thank you to Sheriff Dan Zeigler and Carbon County Commissioners Wayne Nothstein and Michael Sofranko for showcasing this great facility. Replace Damaged License Plates in Pine Grove
Is your license plate worn out? You can get it replaced for free at an event I’m hosting with Rep. JoAnne Stehr on June 21 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Pine Grove Borough Building. A local police officer will be on hand to inspect your plate to determine if it’s illegible. For more information or to RSVP, call 570-773-0891. I will be hosting more of these events in Schuylkill, Carbon, and Luzerne counites soon – stay tuned! Supporting Long-Term Care Professionals
The Senate approved two bills I authored this week that would update training procedures and remove employment barriers so more people can join the long-term care workforce. Both received bipartisan support. Too many of our families, including mine, have faced the difficult decision of moving a parent or grandparent into a long-term care center. The professionals who make sure they are cared for and respected have an extremely important job yet are facing increasing challenges because of workforce shortages. These bills are essential. Public Hearing Reviews Innovative, Hands-On Learning Program
The Senate Education and Appropriations Committees held a joint public hearing on the Total Experience Learning program this week. This program is making a real impact on student growth and teacher retention in Berks County. Learning more about successful programs like Total Experience Learning is key as we consider how to better prepare our students for the realities of the 21st century workforce. I visited the Governor Mifflin School District to see the program in action. I was very impressed! Wednesday: Join my Telephone Town HallI will be hosting a telephone town hall on Wednesday, June 12 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. You’ll have the chance to ask me any question you may have about our state government—education funding and taxes, roads and bridges that need repairs, bills to fight crime in our communities, or 101 other topics. The choice is up to you! If you’re interested in participating and don’t receive the automated call at 5:30, dial toll free at 877-229-8493 and use this pin number when prompted: 111786. Patchtown Days Celebrates Coal Mining Heritage at Eckley Miners’ Village
Don’t miss Patchtown Days at Eckley Miners’ Village on June 15 and 16 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. It’s one of my favorite annual celebrations of the coal region, featuring folk arts, music, and food at the site of the only remaining authentic 19th-century company mining village. Just like neighboring White Haven, Jim Thorpe, Pottsville, and Tamaqua, Eckley showcases the history of our region. It’s one of the many attractions that continues to bring visitors to the area to appreciate the unique culture of the region that helped drive the Industrial Revolution. Commission on Latino Affairs to Host Open House in Hazleton
I met at the Capitol with Guillermo “Memmo” Lara, Obany Bedoya, and Edwin Segarra, three members of the Governor’s Commission on Latino Affairs. Memmo is a Hazleton resident advocating on behalf of the region as a member of the commission. The commission gathers information about the experiences and need of Latino Pennsylvanians, reviews programs, and provides recommendations about how to best meet their needs. We discussed the childcare crisis, the need for more market-rate housing, and language barriers faced by the Latino community. The commission will hold an open house on Friday, June 14 at 4 p.m. at Iglesia Buenas Nuevas, 91 N. Laurel St., Hazleton so that local people can share their concerns. If you’re interested, please join us! Protecting Afterschool Programs in Schuylkill, Carbon, and Luzerne Counties
Rep. Heffley and I were invited to speak about the serious need for funding for afterschool programs at a press conference in the Capitol this week. I’m incredibly proud of our afterschool programs, including SHINE and Schuylkill ACHIEVE. Families rely on them to provide a safe environment for their children while they finish out the workday. Students rely on them for additional academic and extracurricular opportunities. Employers depend upon them so their employees can focus on their jobs. Unfortunately, our local funding was cut – sent to the Philadelphia area by the PA Department of Education, for the first time in decades – leaving thousands of our local students and their families searching for a solution. We have to work together – schools, providers, the business community, the House, the Senate, Republicans and Democrats – to find a better way to support these important programs. Congrats to Eagle Scouts Robert Ellis-Williams and Collin Adams!Congratulations to Robert Ellis-Williams and Collin Adams, who both achieved the rank of Eagle Scout this weekend!
Robert is a member of Troop 765, Lansford. For his service project, he poured a concrete slab and built and installed an accessible picnic table at the Lansford Pool. I congratulated him as his new State Senator and on behalf of Rep. Heffley.
Collin is a member of Troop 650, Pine Grove. For his service project, he restored the book return box located at the Tremont Area Free Public Library. Collin also graduated from Pine Grove Area High School this weekend and will be attending the University of Pittsburgh. Seth Hubler of my staff, a fellow Eagle Scout, Rep. Stehr, and Commissioner Gary Hess were on hand to congratulate him. New Distracted Driving Law Bans Use of Handheld Devices
A new law prohibits the use of handheld cellular and other devices while operating a vehicle on a Pennsylvania highway or traffic way. Drivers may still use their phone if they are using hands-free technology, such as a docking station, Bluetooth or speaker technology. For the first year, only warnings will be issued for violations. After that, there will be a $50 fine. Distracted driving fatalities in Pennsylvania surged to a decade high in 2022, claiming 80 lives. The AAA Traffic Safety Culture Index found that the majority of drivers believe distracted driving has outpaced all other traffic-related issues as a growing safety concern. Legislation Giving Disabled Veterans Financial Relief Receives Senate Support
To provide financial relief to more disabled veterans, the Senate passed Senate Bill 194 to exclude U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and Attendance benefits as income when calculating eligibility for Pennsylvania’s 100% Disabled Veterans’ Property Tax Exemption. Federal Aid and Attendance benefits provide monthly payments to disabled veterans who are housebound or need help with daily activities. Without the exclusion of this federal benefit, some disabled veterans are prevented from qualifying for property tax reductions. The bill now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration. |
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