Senator Phillips-Hill E-Newsletter

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In this update:

  • New podcast with Treasurer Garrity: Saving for the future
  • Ribbon cutting at the Residence at Fitz Farm
  • Growing greener watershed grant program opens today
  • How to apply for a Veterans ID card
  • Commemorating Connor Dietz’s Eagle Scout achievement
  • Giving a transportation update to the American Traffic Safety Services Association
  • Touring Hollywood Casino
  • Keystone State ChalleNGe Academy for at-risk youth accepting applications
  • Celebrating 100 years of delivering the dream of homeownership
  • Check out a state park near you
  • Recognizing the vital role of volunteers
  • Upcoming PennDOT maintenance projects
  • On deck

New podcast with Treasurer Garrity: Saving for the future 

I was honored sit down with our state treasurer, Stacy Garrity, for my latest podcast episode.

LISTEN HERE!

We discussed her thoughts on the state budget, Treasury’s move to ban TikTok on its devices and networks, the importance of checking to see if Pennsylvanians have unclaimed property, and more.

You can listen to our conversation on Apple, Spotify, Google or wherever you get your podcasts.

Ribbon cutting at the Residence at Fitz Farm 

Yesterday, the Residence at Fitz Farm had their grand opening and ribbon cutting! Located on Springwood Road in York Township, the facility offers 130 new apartments with independent living areas, as well as personal and memory care services.

What used to be home to the Fitz Family Farm for nearly a century, the property is now home to the Residence at Fitz Farm.  I commend the Fitz family for ensuring that the land, even though not being farmed, is continuing to serve our local community by providing a much needed resource for our local seniors. 

Congratulations to all involved with this project as I am grateful for the expansion into York County to provide this incredible resource to our community!  

Growing greener watershed grant program opens today 

Beginning today, April 21, organizations involved in water resource restoration and protection can apply for the next round of Growing Greener grants through the Department of Environmental Protection’s Growing Greener Plus Grants Program.

Growing Greener grants are designed to improve or protect this Commonwealth’s waters from nonpoint source pollution associated with agricultural activities, acid mine drainage, stormwater runoff, energy resource extraction and streambank and shoreline degradation.

Counties, municipalities, municipal authorities, county conservation districts, watershed organizations, councils of governments, educational institutions and other organizations dedicated to water clean-up and preservation can apply. The application deadline is June 23.

How to apply for a Veterans ID card 

Many former service members are unsure how to prove they are a veteran to take advantage of discounts offered by businesses. These include restaurants, hotels, stores, recreational activities, home improvement retailers, and more!

The easiest way is to apply for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ Veterans ID Card (VIC), which is a digital photo ID you can use to get those discounts. Since September 2022, all new Veterans ID cards have been digital. A veteran with a physical ID card can continue using it to get discounts. The VIC is separate from the VA health care ID, which a veteran receives when enrolling in VA health care.

Find out how to apply for a card here. If you have any questions or need help, email VA’s VIC program at vetidcard@va.gov.

Commemorating Connor Dietz’s Eagle Scout achievement 

Congratulations to Connor Dietz of Troop 155 in Red Lion on achieving the rank of Eagle Scout! It was an honor to present him with a congratulatory citation from the Senate of Pennsylvania.

Connor, the son of Jane Dietz, constructed a prayer garden for Saint Patrick Church for his Eagle Scout community service project. Well done, Connor!

Giving a transportation update to the American Traffic Safety Services Association

It was an honor to provide a quick update on state-related action on highway and traffic improvement efforts at the state level as part of the Pennsylvania chapter of the American Traffic Safety Services Association’s meeting in Harrisburg this week.

Our roadways are more dangerous now than when the pandemic began (up 22%, per the National Safety Council). We had a meaningful conversation on better protecting workers along our roads, bridges and highways. We also discussed future funding challenges with electric vehicles rising in popularity, but owners paying disproportionately less than their gas-vehicle driving counterparts.

Thank you to Colleen Gemmill of D.E. Gemmill Inc., based in York County, for the invitation!

Touring Hollywood Casino  

This week, I had the opportunity to visit the Hollywood Casino York in Springettsbury Township and meet with general manager, Reuben Warren.

I appreciated the tour of the gaming floor and taking a look at what happens in the back of the house, including a chance to meet the staff from the Gaming Control Board who work on site.

This Category 4 Casino is very popular and very proud of the casino’s commitment to our first responders as well as the men and women who have served in our armed forces!

Keystone State ChalleNGe Academy for at-risk youth accepting applications

The Keystone State ChalleNGe Academy (KSCA) is accepting applications for its third class of cadets, which begins in July. KSCA is designed to give academically challenged teens a second chance at obtaining their basic education, as well as learning leadership, self-discipline, and responsibility.

The program is open to 16- to 18-year-old male and female Pennsylvania residents who are failing to progress in high school or may not be on a clear path to graduating. Applicants must be willing to be drug free, free of felony convictions and voluntarily commit to the program. The program lasts for 17 months, with the first five months consisting of residential training at Fort Indiantown Gap in Lebanon County, followed by a year of mentorship back in the community.

Learn more about eligibility requirements and begin the application process here. Anyone who prefers to have an application mailed or would like to talk with someone about the program may contact the academy by emailing RA-MVPAChallenge@pa.gov or calling 717-861-7767 or 717-861-8831.

Celebrating 100 years of delivering the dream of homeownership 

Congratulations to the Realtors Association of York and Adams Counties on a century (!!) of delivering the dream of homeownership to our friends, families, and neighbors! It was a pleasure to celebrate with your members this past week and present a Senate of Pennsylvania citation to commemorate this significant milestone.

York County’s thriving real estate market is a result of local realtors’ high standards of professionalism and the simple fact that it’s a great place to live, work, and raise a family!

Check out a state park near you  

Now that spring has arrived, the nicer weather will allow Pennsylvanians more opportunities to explore our state’s 124 beautiful state parks, operated by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Pennsylvania’s state parks system manages more than 300,000 acres for popular recreation activities, such as hiking, picnicking, camping, fishing, hunting and boating.

Pennsylvania state parks do not charge an entrance fee; however, fees do apply for some activities.

If you like to enjoy the outdoors with your dog, 56 of our state parks offer dog-friendly campgrounds. Learn more or find a park nearby here. Make reservations online here to secure campsites, cabins, picnic pavilions, whitewater boating launch time permits and more.

Recognizing the vital role of volunteers

The strength of America is found not in the relationship between citizens and government, but between citizens themselves: Neighbors helping neighbors through the act of volunteering. 

An estimated 23.2% of Americans or more than 60.7 million people formally volunteered with organizations between September 2020 and 2021. For everyone who steps up and gives time, effort and more, you have my deep appreciation.

Upcoming PennDOT maintenance projects  

You can view PennDOT’s list of scheduled maintenance projects for next week below. If you have trouble viewing the schedule, please click here.

On deck

The Senate of Pennsylvania reconvenes on Monday, April 24, at 1 p.m. Follow me on Twitter for all of the latest updates on session convening times. You can watch all of the Senate votes and view our agenda here.

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