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Capitol Report
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#Listrak\DateStampLong#
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The latest news from the State Capitol
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Please do not reply directly to this email, as it returns to an unmanned account.
You are welcome to contact me through this link.
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Upcoming District Events
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Around the 139th
It was my pleasure hosting my first “Java with Jeff” at the Gouldsboro Volunteer Fire Company, Inc. Thanks to all that attended. I enjoyed our conversations about local concerns and issues. A big thank you to the Gouldsboro Fire Company for allowing my district staff and I the use of their fire hall.
We had a great turnout for our Hard-to-Read License Plate event this weekend. If you were unable to make it - don't worry - we are hosting another plate event on Aug. 10.
July 21 was National Ice Cream Day - and I had a great time celebrating with Lori and Kelly at Lori's Corner Kitchen. Lori has been serving some of the best ice cream in the Hamlin area for the past nine years!
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Voter ID Efforts Stalled
Despite our best efforts, House Democrats have refused to advance legislation that would give you the final say on whether voters must present identification each time they cast their ballots in the Commonwealth.
In late March, House Republicans launched a discharge petition in hopes of forcing action on House Bill 891, which proposes to amend the state Constitution to require presentation of an accepted form of identification by those who seek to vote. House operating rules require 25 members from each caucus to sign a discharge petition. Unfortunately, of the 101 members who signed, only one Democrat has chosen to do the right thing in supporting it.
As a result, this simple yet very important election integrity measure will NOT make it onto the ballot in November. If House Democrat leaders, who control the voting calendar, choose to move the bill when session resumes in the fall, it could conceivably be on the ballot in the spring, but most likely we will be back to square one when the 2025-26 Legislative Session begins. In order to amend the Pennsylvania Constitution, identical bills must be approved in two consecutive legislative sessions before being presented to the voters as a referendum.
Nearly three-quarters of the Commonwealth’s voters, regardless of party affiliation, support voter ID. I will continue to advocate for this initiative until it becomes a reality.
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Resolution Calls for Select Committee to Probe Trump Assassination Attempt
House Republican Leader Bryan Cutler (R-Lancaster) last week introduced a resolution calling for formation of a House Select Committee to probe the actions and response of state and local law enforcement relative to the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump at a rally in Butler, Pa., earlier this month. Tragically, one man died and two others were critically wounded in the incident.
Under House Resolution 501, the select committee would be comprised of three Republicans and three Democrats, who would be charged with probing how state and local law enforcement planned, responded to and coordinated with federal agencies at the Trump campaign event on July 13. The goal is not to assign blame but to give state and local law enforcement a voice so we can collectively identify what happened and learn to improve upon current practices.
As a major political battleground state, our Commonwealth will likely see many high-level campaign events during the remainder of the 2024 election season. The effort will also help prepare for events the state will host in 2026 as part of the nation’s Semiquincentennial.
A report from the select committee would be due no later than Nov. 30.
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Ensuring Veterans Access to Services
The state’s successful PA VetConnect program, which serves our more than 700,000 veterans, is now established under state law.
Administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA), PA VetConnect is designed to help determine the needs of veterans and their beneficiaries, find resources that meet those needs and connect veterans with those resources.
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.
Act 70 of 2024 takes effect in mid-September.
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Do You Have Unclaimed Property Coming Your Way?
With more than one in 10 Pennsylvanians owed some of the state’s $4.5 billion in unclaimed property, the General Assembly has adopted a new law to streamline the return of certain properties.
The Pennsylvania Money Match program authorizes Treasury to automatically return single-owner properties valued up to $500 after a thorough identification and verification process. At least 14 other states have successfully implemented similar programs.
Pennsylvania Money Match will not affect claims for properties valued above $500 or those that have multiple owners or other complexities. Those claimants will still need to file a claim and provide any required supporting documentation. You can check to see if you have unclaimed property by visiting Treasury’s website at www.patreasury.gov. If you need assistance with filing a claim, please contact my office. You do not need to pay anyone to help claim what is yours.
Act 81 of 2024 takes effect in mid-January.
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PennDOT Seeking Workers for Winter Maintenance Program
While we are still feeling the summer heat, PennDOT is preparing for cooler temperatures by gearing up for its winter maintenance program.
Positions available may include CDL equipment operators, mechanics, dispatchers, tradesman helpers and semi-skilled laborers. The positions pay between $16.04 per hour to $27.75 per hour. The winter maintenance program runs from September through April.
Anyone wishing to apply should visit www.employment.pa.gov and go to the PennDOT Winter Maintenance Program posting under the “Open Jobs” section of the website.
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