Author: kgordon

HARRISBURG – Sen. Kristin Phillips-Hill (R-York) supported a measure on Wednesday that would give Pennsylvania voters the ultimate decision on voter identification requirements through a proposed constitutional amendment.

Senate Bill 1 proposes distinct, separate constitutional amendments that would provide for voter identification requirements, a two-year civil window on child sexual abuse cases, and legislative review of regulations. The language that advanced is identical to the language passed last session and published throughout the Commonwealth for voters to read, review, and provide feedback to legislators.

“It should be left up to the people of Pennsylvania,” said Sen. Phillips-Hill. “And with this proposed constitutional amendment, we are giving the people the power to amend their state constitution.”

The General Assembly recently eliminated the financial barriers preventing the most vulnerable Pennsylvanians from obtaining a photo ID, which allows homeless individuals to qualify for a free identification card. Additionally, other states require some form of voter ID, with academic studies and actual election turnout overwhelmingly illustrating voter ID does not depress voter turnout.

A Franklin and Marshall College poll found that 74% of Pennsylvanians support requiring voters to present identification to vote. A Monmouth University poll found that 80% of Americans favor voter ID nationwide.

“Let’s give the voters the chance to weigh in on this long, overdue issue and maybe, we will be the 36th state to have voter identification requirement laws on our books,” she added. 

The legislation heads to the House of Representatives for its consideration. Should the House approve of the measure, it will head to the voters for their approval.

Contact:
Jon Hopcraft
717.787.7085

YORK – York County will move from having four state senators dividing the county to only two after the state’s Legislative Reapportionment Commission maps go into effect on Dec. 1, 2022.

Sens. Kristin Phillips-Hill (R-York) and Mike Regan (R-York/Cumberland) will serve as the two state senators for York Countians in the Senate of Pennsylvania for the 2023-24 session.

Through the reapportionment process, Phillips-Hill’s district will cover southern York County while Regan’s district will include the northern half of the county, as well as several municipalities in southern Cumberland County.

Phillips-Hill’s district moves her out of the following municipalities: York City, Manchester Township, West Manchester Township, and West York Borough, which will all be represented by Regan. Phillips-Hill will also pick up Jackson Township from Regan, as well as Hanover Borough, Penn Township and West Manheim Township, currently represented by Sen. Doug Mastriano (R-Franklin), and Springettsbury Township, represented by Sen. Chris Gebhard (R-Lebanon).

Regan’s district will now include the following municipalities currently represented by Sen. Gebhard: Conewago Township, East Manchester Township, Goldsboro, Lewisberry, Manchester Borough, Mount Wolf Borough, Newberry Township and York Haven.

“It is bittersweet to shift out of the City of York, West York Borough, Manchester and West Manchester townships as part of this process given the inroads we have made, but I know those residents will be well-served by Sen. Regan,” Phillips-Hill said. “I am very eager to get to work for the residents in Hanover Borough, and Jackson, Penn, Springettsbury, and West Manheim townships and continue to build on what we’ve been able to accomplish for southern York County.”

“I have been a resident of York County for over 25 years, and I look forward to continuing to represent York and Cumberland Counties in the Senate of Pennsylvania,” Regan said. “Since I was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2012, York County has been the pillar of my district, and I am excited about the new municipalities that fall in into the 31st Senatorial District and the work that lies ahead.”

More information on the 28th Senatorial District, represented by Phillips-Hill, here.

More information on the 31st Senatorial District, represented by Regan, here.

SPRINGFIELD TWP – Sen. Kristin Phillips-Hill (R-York), as a member of the Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority, is encouraging residents, businesses, and local governments to provide feedback to recently released maps by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) that show areas served and unserved by high-speed internet.

“This is the first step in ensuring tax dollars are not squandered to overbuild broadband in areas that are already served, and, more importantly, to instead target those investments for individuals who lack access to high-speed internet,” Phillips-Hill said.

The Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority, which is the state’s single point-of contact for the Commonwealth to drive out taxpayer dollars to eligible projects to improve access to high-speed internet in unserved and underserved communities. The FCC will dedicate resources based on states and areas with the greatest need based on data collected throughout the challenge process. 

The FCC map can be accessed at https://broadbandmap.fcc.gov/home. Residents, businesses, local governments, and broadband providers can submit challenges through the website.

The challenge process will run through January 13, 2023.

HARRISBURG – Northern York County Regional Police received funding for a new facility through a state grant program, Senators Mike Regan (R-York/Cumberland) and Kristin Phillips-Hill (R-York), Rep. Seth Grove (R-Dover), Rep. Keith Gillespie (R-Hellam), Rep. Kate Klunk (R-Hanover) announced.

The $4.5 million Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) grant will be used for a new

Northern York County Regional Police Department headquarters to be built in Manchester Township. The new facility will be used to increase staffing capacity, create space for specialized police operations and provide facilities necessary to maintain the health and wellness of officers.

“At a time when our police officers are embattled on all fronts, it is important we ensure officers have the tools, training space and facilities to do the job,” the lawmakers said. “This is an investment not only in a building for police officers, but one which will be a benefit to the entire community.”

Northern York County Regional Police Department is the oldest regional police department in Pennsylvania and the first department created through regionalization. Today, the departments boasts more than 60 sworn officers providing police services to 11 municipalities.

RACP is a Commonwealth grant program administered by the Office of the Budget for the acquisition and construction of regional economic, cultural, civic, recreational and historical improvement projects. RACP projects are state-funded and cannot obtain primary funding under other state programs.

HARRISBURG – Sen. Kristin Phillips-Hill (R-York) was elected by her Republican colleagues to serve as the Majority Caucus Chair of the Senate Republican Caucus for the 2023-24 legislative session.

The role plays a pivotal part in determining the agenda for the Senate of Pennsylvania. Phillips-Hill will preside over Senate Republican Caucus meetings to review legislation and amendments.

As Caucus Chair, Phillips-Hill will also work with newly elected Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman (R-Indiana) and Senate Majority Whip Ryan Aument (R-Lancaster) on the Senate’s voting calendar.

“I am grateful for the trust of my colleagues to serve in this capacity,” Phillips-Hill said. “I look forward to working with my colleagues to find commonsense solutions that benefit all Pennsylvanians and will make our Commonwealth a better place to live, work and raise a family.”

Prior to serving in this role, Phillips-Hill chaired the Senate Communications and Technology Committee, which addressed measures related to broadband expansion, removal of regulations impeding access to high-speed internet, data breaches at the state and local levels, and the modernization of state information technology services.

Phillips-Hill is the first senator in leadership from the 28th District since former Sen. Mike Waugh held the same position from 2006 to 2014.

DALLASTOWN – A $250,000 grant was awarded to Dallastown Borough to assist with improvements to the Dallastown Community Park, according to Sen. Kristin Phillips-Hill (R-York).

The funding will be used to address issues with storm water, safety, and accessibility, including adding handicapped parking at two locations and constructing an accessible path from the spaces to the recreational fields. It will also install new fencing around the baseball field.

“I am thankful to have played a part in securing this grant funding, which will help to preserve the park so many more children can use it. Playing sports is a wonderful form of exercise and a way to develop character. We do not want to lose a great park by not giving it the care it needs to remain a viable resource for the community,” Phillips-Hill said.

The 11-acre park is used by local sports organizations and is also home to several events that are held in the summer, leading to its regional draw.

The grant was awarded by the Commonwealth Financing Authority under its Greenways, Trails, and Recreation Program. The program is funded through the state’s Impact Fee, which is paid by the state’s unconventional natural gas producers.