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In this update:
New Podcast with Special Guest Jennifer Storm, PA’s Victim AdvocateEarlier this week, I released a new episode of my podcast, titled “Kristin’s Corner,” with special guest Jennifer Storm. Jennifer is the Commonwealth’s Victim Advocate. Our discussion focuses on her work on behalf of victims in Pennsylvania as well as her feedback on efforts to combat human trafficking in Pennsylvania. As a result of more stories both statewide and nationally about the evils of human trafficking, the issue has received a lot more attention – and rightfully so!
I’m working with Reps. Seth Grove (R-York) and Wendi Thomas (R-Bucks) on legislation called the Buyer Beware Act. Our legislation would increase penalties on those individuals who solicit services from victims of human trafficking. You can learn more about our bicameral efforts here. I strongly encourage you to take a few minutes to learn about Jennifer Storm’s role as Pennsylvania’s Victim Advocate as well as an in-depth discussion on human trafficking.
You can listen to my latest podcast here. You can listen to my earlier podcast on school property tax elimination efforts in the General Assembly by visiting www.SenatorKristin.com/podcast. Please feel free to let me know what you think of the latest episode and if you have suggestions for any future episodes you’d like to hear. Simply reply to this email and let me know! Sunday hunting survey shows nearly split opinionI recently concluded a survey on my website soliciting your feedback and opinions on a controversial matter advancing through the state Senate that paves the way for allowing Sunday hunting in Pennsylvania. Senate Bill 147 was approved by the Senate Game and Fisheries Committee by a vote of 8 to 3 on February 5, 2019. This is the most substantial step this issue has ever taken in Pennsylvania. We are one of seven states that bans most hunting on Sundays. The results were nearly divided equally with opponents of the bill slightly outnumbering supporters of the bill. Below is a breakdown of the results:
Below is a map that shows the feedback I’ve received from across the 28th Senatorial District:
If you did not have the opportunity to take the survey and want to let me know your stance on this issue, please feel free to contact me. Where do you stand on recreational marijuana? Make your opinion known on TuesdayOn Tuesday, March 19, Lieutenant Governor John Fetterman is bringing his statewide listening tour on recreational marijuana to York County.
I’ve heard from several local residents who have provided their very strong opinions on the matter – both supporting and opposing the legalization of recreational marijuana. The details for next week’s event are as follows: Tuesday, March 19 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Whether you support the legalization of recreational marijuana or oppose it, please let the lieutenant governor know where you stand at the event next week. I plan to attend the event to hear from local residents on the issue. As always, feel free to contact me and let me know your stance on the matter. Honoring local firefightersOver the last few weeks, I’ve had the great fortune of congratulating some very dedicated individuals in our communities.
Congratulations to York City Department of Fire/Rescue Services’ Chief David Michaels on his retirement after 28 years of dedicated public service answering the call to protect and serve! It was an honor to present Chief Michaels on March 2nd with a citation from the Senate of Pennsylvania to thank him for his dedication and commitment to our community.
Last Sunday, I attended Loganville Fire Company’s 16th Annual Appreciation Banquet and presented a citation to Rick Markle for 40 years of dedicated and distinguished service to the Loganville area community on behalf of the Pennsylvania State Senate. Thank you to all of the officers and members for their selfless service and sacrifice – our community is truly grateful! Springtime is excellent time to visit state Capitol, MuseumWe are blessed to have the most beautiful Capitol building in the entire country, and it’s a treasure that should be explored by local residents. The state Museum also has several items on display that offer a rare look into the rich history of the Commonwealth. The Senate of Pennsylvania’s library features “Spirit and Substance: 100 Years of Violet Oakley, Capitol Muralist.” The exhibition is a celebration of Oakley’s Senate chamber mural as well as her contributions to artwork throughout the Capitol. Oakley was the first female artist to receive a large commission to paint murals throughout a state capitol building in the United States. The celebration of her contributions to the Commonwealth coincide with Women’s History Month. If you would like more information or would like to arrange for a tour of the state Capitol, please contact me at 717-787-7085 or complete a tour form on her website at www.SenatorKristin.com/contact-me and select the option: Schedule a Capitol Tour.
Discussing unfunded mandates, education improvements with Red Lion SuperintendentOn Thursday, I had the opportunity to meet with Dr. Scott Deisley, Superintendent of Red Lion Area School District. Dr. Deisley was a gracious host and we had a great discussion on unfunded mandates, flexible instruction days, state funding as well as other efforts to improve educational outcomes in Red Lion School District and across the commonwealth. I appreciate the school district’s efforts to address our skilled labor crisis by providing students with the skills and tools to thrive in our workforce.
New Eagle Scouts from Troop 205 in ShrewsburyCongratulations to Alex Nadobny and Andrew Weaver of Troop 205 in Shrewsbury on achieving the rank of Eagle Scout! It was an honor for Jacob Taylor of Congressman Lloyd Smucker’s office and me to join their family, friends, and fellow scouts to celebrate their significant achievements!
Alex, the son of Ted and Stephanie Nadobny, enclosed two stairwells at Grace Church Shrewsbury and Andrew, the son of Mike and Dawn Weaver, landscaped the playground at the Faith and Fun Preschool for their Eagle Scout community service projects. Well done, Alex and Andrew! Efforts to place new gaming revenues into school property tax reliefI recently sat down with ABC 27 reporter Matt Heckel to outline a proposal I’m working on that would drive all additional revenue from gambling towards school property tax relief.
Matt came to the local office to discuss my bill, Senate Bill 269, which would amend the state’s Gaming Code requiring additional revenue to be used for property tax relief. Specifically, my legislation will add a provision to the law to direct all new revenue generated from the expansion of gaming into the Property Tax Relief Fund. Watch our segment on ABC 27 here. Watch our segment on YourErie/WJET TV here. When the Pennsylvania Gaming Act was passed in 2004, it was intended to provide the residents with property tax relief using the revenue generated from slot machines. The Commonwealth, at that time, estimated $1 billion in annual revenue would be generated, a figure which has never been realized. The Property Tax Relief Fund currently provides a little more than $500 million in relief. When the Commonwealth authorized the expansion of gaming to include table games, contrary to the original promise made with slot revenue, there was no additional property tax relief for Pennsylvanians. As the state continues to debate expansion of gaming, Senate Bill 269 honors the original intent of the Gaming Act by ensuring new gaming revenue is used to provide much-needed property tax relief. Let me make one thing crystal clear: I am supportive of eliminating school property taxes and have signed on as co-prime sponsor to Senate Bill 76. This gaming revenue is one of the funding streams for Senate Bill 76. We must exhaust every possible new revenue source to provide additional school property tax relief. I continue to work with House and Senate colleagues to get Senate Bill 76 onto the Governor’s desk. You can read about my support for the elimination of school property taxes here. Volunteering with the Dallastown Area Intermediate Unit PTOLast weekend, I was grateful to be part of the team that helped pack 11,000 meals for children in our community that struggle with hunger!
Thank you to the Dallastown Area Intermediate Unit PTO for putting this amazing event together and Generosity Feeds for helping to make it happen! PA’s opioid challengesOn Wednesday, I had the opportunity to hear an update from my friend and former colleague in the House of Representatives, Matt Baker, at our weekly Rotary meeting. Matt is now the Regional Director of the Office of Intergovernmental and External Affairs, Office of the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. He was able to discuss the opioid crisis, federal efforts the Administration is taking to curb opioid abuse and heroin overdoses in communities like York, and the results of those efforts to combat the opioid epidemic. I’m pictured below with Matt Baker and former Representative Bev Mackereth. Bev also served as the Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services.
PennDOT repairing more than 6 miles on I-83
I want to share an update I received from PennDOT about upcoming roadwork in Interstate 83: Starting at 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 24, PennDOT’s contractor will begin a nighttime milling, base repair and accelerated concrete patching operation marking the start of a project to repair and resurface a 6.9-mile section of Interstate 83 in York County from 2,000 feet south of Exit 10 for Route 214 (Loganville) in Springfield Township to just south of Exit 18 for Route 124 (Mount Rose Avenue) in York Township. You can read more about this upcoming PennDOT project here. On deckThe Senate of Pennsylvania reconvenes for voting on Monday, March 18 at 1 p.m.
You can find out more about next week’s Senate session by visiting www.SenatorKristin.com/session. |
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