|
|
| |
|
Capitol Report
|
#Listrak\DateStampLong#
|
The latest news from the State Capitol
|
Please do not reply directly to this email, as it returns to an unmanned account.
You are welcome to contact me through this link.
|
In the District
I was honored to attend and speak at the Chamber of the Northern Poconos annual legislative luncheon, held at the Central House Family Resort in Beach Lake. Sen Rosemary Brown, Rep. Jonathan Fritz and I took questions from the audience on a variety of issues. Pictured with us are a representative of Johnson Technical College, Chamber Board President Joe Reginski and Chamber Executive Director Debbie Gillette.
|
Upcoming Date Changes
|
Tackling Crime in Our Communities
From rural to urban Pennsylvania, no community has been spared from the crime crisis. It has exhausted police and prosecutors, as well as local and state resources. In response, state House Republicans will soon introduce a package of bills to tackle the effects of the national crime crisis in Pennsylvania.
I am proud to be a co-sponsor of this legislative package. It will take a four-pillared approach to addressing crime and violent crime in Pennsylvania with focuses on prevention, policing, prosecution and punishment.
With regard to prevention, the bills aim to empower communities and neighborhoods with the ability to spot and prevent crime with their own resources and new legal structures. As to policing, the measures would target organized crime and street gangs, as well as create a new offense for those who conceal their identity during commission of a crime.
Additional elements of the package will be highlighted next week. To read more, or watch video of this week’s news conference, click here.
|
Policy Committee Hosts Hearing on PA’s Energy Crisis
What if you flipped the light switch and nothing happened? The House Republican Policy Committee held a hearing at the state Capitol this week highlighting the looming energy crisis facing the Commonwealth and the nation.
The hearing, titled “Fighting to Keep the Lights On in PA,” featured testimony from Stephen Bennett, senior manager of regulatory and legislative affairs at PJM Interconnection.
Supplying electricity to more than 65 million people in 13 states and Washington, D.C., PJM has been outlining reliability concerns if we are unable to meet the growing demand for electricity. PJM’s latest capacity auction revealed a severe spike in capacity prices, which is indicative of an increase in demand and a reduction in supply.
House Republicans continue to fight for policies to capitalize on the Commonwealth’s vast energy resources, while House Democrat policies aim to squash long-time reliable energy sources, such as coal, oil and natural gas, in favor of subsidizing far less reliable solar and wind energy development. Consumers need and deserve reliable and affordable energy.
Watch the hearing here.
|
Are You Registered to Vote?
The 2024 General Election is just a few weeks away. It’s always a good idea to check your registration status to make sure all your details are up to date before you try to cast your ballot. You can do that online here.
Recently moved? Changed your name? Want to change your party affiliation? You can update your voter registration online here.
If you are not already registered to vote, the deadline to do so is Monday, Oct. 21. You can register in person at your county elections office, by mail or by visiting the state’s online voter registration website.
On Tuesday, Nov. 5 (or sooner if you choose to vote by mail), voters across the Commonwealth will have the opportunity to elect the next president and vice president; members of the U.S. House and Senate; members of the state House and state Senate (in odd-numbered senatorial districts); and state row offices, including attorney general, auditor general and treasurer.
For more information about voting in the Commonwealth, visit www.vote.pa.gov.
|
PennDOT Announces ‘Innovations Challenge’ for PA High School Students
Pennsylvania High school students are invited to participate in the eighth annual PennDOT Innovations Challenge, which encourages students in grades 9-12 to present their solutions to real-world transportation challenges in a statewide competition.
According to PennDOT, Pennsylvania averages more than 350 unrestrained fatalities on its roadways each year. For this year’s challenge, students will be asked to develop a cost-effective, innovative solution that can help PennDOT more effectively increase awareness of seat belt safety and change behavior to improve roadway safety.
Regional Innovations Challenge winners will be selected and invited to present their solutions to the PennDOT secretary and a panel of judges, who will determine the statewide winner. For this year’s challenge, four different organizations are providing a combined award of $6,000 to the statewide winning team. For complete details, click here. The submission deadline is Jan. 31.
|
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month
To honor those who have fought breast cancer or who are fighting it now, the fountain at the Pennsylvania State Capitol’s East Wing has been dyed pink again this year in recognition of October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women in the United States. It is the second leading cause of cancer death in women, second only to lung cancer.
The pink fountain is also a reminder to all women of the importance of mammograms and early detection. People with low to moderate income who are uninsured or underinsured and meet certain age requirements may qualify for testing through the Pennsylvania Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program. To learn about the program and eligibility, click here.
|
Smoke Alarms Focus of Fire Prevention Week
National Fire Prevention Week kicks off this Sunday, Oct. 6, with the theme, “Smoke Alarms: Make them Work for You.”
The National Fire Protection Association offers these tips to ensure your smoke alarms will protect you and your loved ones in case of fire:
| |
• |
Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each separate sleeping area (like a hallway), and on each level of the home, including the basement. |
| |
• |
Test smoke alarms at least once a month by pushing the test button. |
| |
• |
Replace all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old or stop responding when tested. |
Click here for more smoke alarm tips.
|
|
|
