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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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District Highlights
We had a great weekend out and about across the district, starting with the Wayne County Fair, stopping by the Salem Lodge No. 330F&M picnic and Rockport Hunting Club’s annual pig and beef roast, and walking in the Hamlin Fire and Rescue parade. We wrapped things up with a great pancake breakfast at the Ledgedale Volunteer Fire Company - and I even got to put my pancake-flipping skills to the test!
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Upcoming District Events
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More Money Headed to the District
I'm excited to share with you that schools serving the 139th Legislative District will receive more than $1 million for behavioral health support and safer learning environments.
These investments reflect a strong commitment to ensuring that every student and staff member has a safe, supportive environment where they can learn, work and thrive. Strengthening behavioral health resources and school security measures is essential to meeting the needs of our communities today and into the future.
The award amount for each school district is as follows:
• Delaware Valley School District - $280,098.
• North Pocono School District - $225,258.
• Wallenpaupack Area School District - $217,734.
• Wayne Highlands School District - $203,092.
• Western Wayne School District - $176,564.
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Hearing Highlights Need for Accountability in Second-Degree Murder Sentencing
Pennsylvania’s lack of a clear sentencing framework for second-degree murder could produce inconsistent sentences, overwhelm courts and force victims’ families to repeatedly relive the murders of their loved ones, prosecutors testified during a House Republican Policy Committee hearing last week.
The hearing, “Protecting Pennsylvania: Accountability and Justice in Second-Degree Murder Sentencing,” was held after House Democrat leaders failed to allow consideration of a bipartisan solution to a March ruling by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court that found a mandatory sentence of life in prison without parole was unconstitutional in second-degree murder cases.
As part of its decision, the court set a deadline of July 24 for the General Assembly to rectify the issue. The House was called into session July 23, and I was prepared to vote in favor of a bipartisan plan that would have set clear guidelines to ensure justice and protect public safety. It would have immediately gone to the governor and likely would have been signed into law.
Instead, House Democrats, who control the agenda in the House, amended a bill to significantly water down the sentences in these cases – cases where real people lost their lives and families and loved ones continue to suffer because of those actions. The bill also provides loopholes through which these criminals could avoid serving their sentences.
I will always stand up for public safety and the rights of victims and their families. Video of the full hearing is available here.
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Data Center Update
You likely heard the news the governor signed an executive order related to data center development in the Commonwealth earlier this week.
The order seeks to implement what he calls the Governor’s Responsible Infrastructure Development (GRID) program. The order would require potential data center developers to fully fund the cost of powering the facility, commit to transparent engagement with potential host communities during the planning process, hire local workers, and agree to strict water conservation and other environmental protection efforts. You may read the entirety of the order here.
The good news about this executive order is it still leaves these important decisions up to local leaders who know their constituency best. As your State Representative, I will continue to advocate for local control.
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Headed to the Little League World Series? Check Out 511PA!
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is encouraging motorists traveling to the Little League World Series in Williamsport to plan their trip using the enhanced real-time travel and alternate-route information available on a specialized web page at www.511PA.com/map/page/LLWS.
The website is dedicated to monitoring traffic conditions on the primary travel routes to the event, providing average travel times for those routes, as well as one or two alternates. Users will also see incidents, construction, traffic cameras and traffic speeds on the map.
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Treasury Announces Bonus for Families’ Education Savings
Pennsylvania families with qualified PA 529 College and Career Saving Program Guaranteed Savings Plan (GSP) accounts could receive a $1,000 bonus contribution, enhancing education savings for about 107,000 Pennsylvania families.
The bonus is being paid for through surplus dollars in the GSP Fund. As of June 30, the GSP fund was 156.04% funded, reflecting a surplus of $1.06 billion. Nearly 107 million in surplus funds will be distributed across 106,914 PA 529 GSP accounts, representing 89% of participants in the plan.
PA 529 GSP savers with at least a $1,000 account balance, or those with at least a $100 balance with contributions made since 2022, as of July 31, are eligible for this bonus deposit. Account owners will see this deposit reflected in their third-quarter statement.
Visit pa529.com to learn more.
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Applications Open for Motorized Trails and Recreation Grants
The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) announced it is accepting applications for snowmobile, all-terrain vehicle, motorized trails and facilities-related project grants.
The program, now named the Motorized Trails and Recreation Program, awards grants from the ATV and Snowmobile Management Restricted Accounts for projects proposing land acquisition, planning, development, rehabilitation, maintenance, equipment purchase or relevant educational programs.
Eligible applicants include for-profit organizations, nonprofit organizations, and counties and municipalities in the Commonwealth.
Proposals must be submitted via DCNR’s online grant application portal by Wednesday, Sept. 30. Click here for additional information.
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Good Luck Students!
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