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In this update:
Kicking off America250 PA in York CountyThe America250 PA Infrastructure Improvements and Projects Committee held its first of 12 hearings this week, kicking things off in York County. This committee is tasked with identifying infrastructure and projects that highlight each region of our commonwealth’s history and contributions to our nation’s history leading up to the semi quincentennial in 2026. Testifiers included the York County History Center, York County Trail Towns, Friends of Camp Security and Downtown York. Thank you to the York County Economic Alliance and the historical Yorktowne Hotel for hosting today’s event. You can watch the hearing here, and find more photos from the event on my Instagram. While the committee was in the area, I was also able to participate in American250 PA’s Keystone Classroom Initiative We visited Southern Elementary School, and I had a great time being a guest reader. Thank you to the students and teachers for an exciting afternoon! The committee’s next public hearing is scheduled for June 2 in Centre County. The committee will be back in South Central PA in July! Senate Republicans work to strengthen PennsylvaniaAs the 2023-24 legislative session is in full swing, my colleagues and I are working to protect Pennsylvania jobs, empower Pennsylvania families and defend Pennsylvania freedoms. These initiatives are reflected in our agenda, and many relevant bills have already passed. Protecting jobs requires a multifaceted approach that includes energy independence, workforce development and infrastructure advancement. Families — not government — are the heart of our commonwealth. To empower families, we must provide healthy and safe communities, address mental and behavioral health needs and guarantee access to high-quality schools. Defending freedom means keeping government out of citizens’ lives and pockets as much as possible and allowing them to be confident in the election process. To do that, we want to reduce the tax burden, cut government red tape, and improve election integrity. Need a new license plate? Come to my drive-through replacement eventReps. Joe D’Orsie, Wendy Fink, and I will be co-hosting a drive-through license plate replacement event on Thursday, June 1, at York Area United Fire & Rescue, Station 891. According to PennDOT, any plate that has one or more letters or numbers that cannot be recognized from 50 feet away, or plate that shows any blistering, peeling, discoloration, or loss of reflectivity is considered illegible. You can actually be pulled over and even fined for having an illegible plate! We will have law enforcement present to help determine if your license plate is deemed illegible and staff onsite to assist in the paperwork. I hope to see you there! Hearing explores workforce challenges in rural PennsylvaniaThe Senate Majority Policy Committee held a public hearing in Williamsport to explore workforce challenges in rural Pennsylvania. The hearing focused on population decline and labor and housing shortages, and their economic impact on communities and businesses. The Center for Rural Pennsylvania submitted data that showed the stagnation of Pennsylvania’s rural population, primarily due to more deaths than births, and a steady rural labor force decline, which predates the COVID-19 pandemic. Additional testifiers included Acting Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry Secretary Nancy Walker, area business leaders and others. You can view the hearing and written testimony here. Monthly Appropriations update hints at moderation of state revenuesEach month, the Senate Appropriations Committee, of which I am a member, prepares an update about the state’s financial health. The most recent report shows that tax revenues in April were $15.3 million below estimate, indicating a potential moderation of state revenues. Personal Income Tax collections were also below estimate: $322 million, which is 10% lower than projected. For the 2022-23 Fiscal Year, revenue collections remain $1.2 billion higher than estimates, driven largely by corporation taxes that are nearly 19% above projections. The full update, including the monthly revenue report, is available here. Farm-to-table freshness at Nine Pine FarmI had a great start to my week in Jackson Township visiting Nine Pine Farms! They raise non-GMO poultry and pork on pasture and cultivate beautiful flowers. Farmers James and Becky Cornwell are proud to offer high-quality products at an affordable price, and they don’t use any chemical pesticides, fertilizers, preservatives, hormones, or antibiotics with any of their products. James is a veteran of the U.S. Navy, and they are both York College of Pennsylvania graduates living their dream of full-time farming! There are so many excellent reasons to support local farmers, and nothing beats farm-to-table freshness! To learn more about Nine Pines Farm, please check out their website. Win $5,290 to celebrate 529 dayMay 29 is 529 Day, and the Pennsylvania Treasury Department is celebrating with the opportunity to win financial awards for new PA 529 College and Career Savings Program Guaranteed Savings Plan (GSP) account owners. The PA 529 GSP allows you to save at today’s tuition rates to meet tomorrow’s tuition costs. PA 529 plans have state and federal tax advantages and can be used for a wide variety of qualifying technical, collegiate and apprenticeship educational expenses. One new PA 529 GSP account owner will be awarded a $5,290 GSP contribution – enough to cover a year of tuition at a Pennsylvania Community College. There will also be 10 additional regional winners across the state who will each receive a GSP contribution of $2,529. To be eligible for awards, open a new PA 529 GSP account with at least $10 before May 31. Beneficiaries must be Pennsylvania residents and may not already be the beneficiary of an active PA 529 GSP or PA 529 Investment Plan account. Additional conditions apply; read the official rules here. Spring Grove brothers achieve rank of Eagle ScoutCongratulations to Levi Malcolm Highlands and Luke David Highlands of Troop 30 in Spring Grove on achieving the rank of Eagle Scout! It was an honor to present them with citations from the Senate of Pennsylvania in recognition of their significant achievements. Levi and Luke are the twin sons of David and Alecia Highlands. Levi installed five turf tee boxes and painted a sixth tee box on the front nine holes of the Spring Grove Area School District’s public disc golf course. Luke installed six turf tee boxes on the back nine holes of the Spring Grove Area School District’s public disc golf course. Both Levi and Luke mulched around all nine baskets to complete their Eagle Projects. Well done, Levi and Luke! ICYM: Talking about PA’s “generational opportunity” in my latest podcastLast week, I sat down and discussed Pennsylvania’s “generational opportunity” on permitting reform with Luke Bernstein of the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry. We talked about what is happening in the state that is driving residents and businesses away and possible solutions to allow Pennsylvania’s economy to thrive. You can listen to our conversation on Apple, Spotify, Google or wherever you get your podcasts. National safe boating week: May 20-26National Safe Boating Week reminds all boaters to brush up on boating safety skills and prepare for the boating season. In recognition of Safe Boating Week, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission is offering free events to introduce people to boating, paddling and kayaking. Learn more here. Tune in Sunday morning, Face the State on CBS 21This Sunday, May 21, at 8:30 a.m., I will be on Face the State talking about my appointment as co-chair of the bipartisan Basic Education Funding Commission. I hope you can tune in! |
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