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In this update:
Gov. Wolf sues to prevent voters from deciding critical issues
Recently, the General Assembly approved a measure that would put several proposed amendments to the state constitution on the ballot for voters to decide. Unfortunately, Gov. Tom Wolf has filed a lawsuit to keep these crucial questions off the ballot. His lawsuit seeks to prevent Pennsylvanians from voting on the following:
Given the people have already overridden Gov. Wolf once – restricting his pandemic emergency powers – it comes as no surprise he would use the courts to bypass the people to achieve his goals. It is my hope the courts will reject his maneuver to subvert the will of the people and, if approved again in the 2023-24 legislative session, these critical questions will go before the voters. In-person service resumes for unemployment compensation claimantsIn-person services for Unemployment Compensation (UC) claimants are now available by appointment at all PA CareerLink centers throughout the commonwealth, according to the Department of Labor and Industry. In-person services are designed to assist individuals who do not have online access or technical skills or have limited English proficiency. To schedule an appointment, please contact the nearest PA CareerLink site, which can be found at the bottom of the homepage. Touring Air Dynamics in YorkLast month, I had the opportunity to meet with the senior leadership to review ongoing efforts by Air Dynamics to continue to be a global leader in its respective industry. Our visit focused on the future of Air Dynamics, workforce development, and opportunities to grow their existing presence in the old York Industries Building in downtown York. Thank you to the entire team for the informative tour and ongoing commitment to creating more opportunities for York Countians. York County Junior Livestock Sale highlights bright future for agriculture in PAI recently attended the 28th Annual Junior Livestock Sale at the York State Fair, and I can tell you that the future of York County agriculture is in very good hands! Congratulations to all of the York County 4H and FFA members who participated and thanks to all of the buyers who supported them – many of whom donated their purchases to the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank to help our neighbors struggling with hunger. Avian Influenza Recovery Grants AvailableRecovery assistance is now available for poultry farmers and integrators impacted by highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). The grant program, administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, will provide reimbursement to farms, integrators and allied industries directly impacted by HPAI by suffering demonstrable financial losses due to inclusion in a control or quarantine zone. The number of farms directly impacted by HPAI is currently limited to 17 in Lancaster and Berks counties, which experienced losses of more than 4.2 million birds. Pennsylvania’s $7.1 billion poultry industry employs 26,600 workers. Meeting with constituents in Spring GroveI joined Rep. Seth Grove’s team at Smoke in the Grove BBQ Festival where we had a shared legislative table showcasing ways we can assist constituents cut through the bureaucracy and get answers to the most pressing questions in YOUR state government. It was great to catch up with so many local residents who were enjoying Spring Grove’s festival featuring the Pennsylvania State BBQ Championship. It was hard to decide how to cast my vote in the People’s Choice Pork BBQ competition! Worth a read: Household debt tops $16 trillion for first time in history due to rampant inflationCNBC recently published an article with the latest statistic that American household debt eclipsed $16 trillion for the first time in our nation’s history. CNBC attributes most of this to the skyrocketing inflation our country is experiencing – which topped 40-year records. It shows how the rampant government spending at the federal level is having an adverse impact on all of us in York County and across the nation as the cost of goods and services have increased drastically over the last three years. You can read the article here. Community comes together to help Amish family in AirvilleThe entire York County community has pulled together to assist with the tragedy when five innocent lives were claimed in a horrific accident last weekend. Later today, New Bridgeville Memorial Fire Company will host a food truck festival to benefit the three families who lost loved ones in last weekend’s accident. The event runs today, Friday, Aug. 5, from 4-8 p.m. You can find more details here. Thank you to all of the community members who have stepped forward to help these three families during this most difficult time. Please keep these families in your prayers as they grieve the lives of loved ones lost. Business owners targeted with fraudulent lettersBusiness owners should be alert for fraudulent letters trying to trick them into turning over their accounting records. The fraudulent letters include the Department of Revenue’s name and logo and leads recipients to believe that they are under investigation for “alleged violation of delinquent sales tax liability.” The letter includes contact information for a “Resolution Officer” and urges the business owner to provide accounting records prepared by a licensed professional. You can find tips on avoiding this scam and verifying information from the state here. If you are concerned about a potentially fraudulent notice, please visit the department’s Verifying Contact page for a verified phone number and contact information. One-time bonus for people qualifying for rent or property tax assistanceOlder Pennsylvanians and Pennsylvanians with disabilities who qualify for a rebate on rent or property taxes paid in 2021 will receive a one-time bonus equal to 70% of their original rebate amount. The total amount a claimant will receive could be as much as $1,657.50, up from the previous maximum of $975. Eligible claimants of the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program who have already filed an application for a rebate on property taxes or rent paid in 2021 do not need to take any further action. Those who have not yet filed an application are encouraged to do so. Bonus rebates will start being mailed and sent via direct deposit in early September. The processing of rebates and bonus rebates will continue through the end of the year as additional applications are received. While this is not complete school property tax elimination or reform, I am hopeful this is the first of many steps to address this long-standing issue plaguing homeowners all across York County. Read more here. Local job openings + PennDOT Job Fair next weekPA CareerLink shared with me its latest list of local job openings, which you can view here. You can also find job postings shared with the York County Economic Alliance (YCEA) here. PennDOT is also hosting a job fair on Monday, Aug. 8, from noon – 4 p.m. Positions start at $20.49/hour. The department is seeking CDL operators, and diesel and construction equipment mechanics. They will have on-the-spot applications, interviews and driving skill tests. Applicants are asked to bring their current CDL license. If you have any questions, please call 717-848-6230. The hiring event will take place at the York County Maintenance Office, 1920 Susquehanna Trail North, York, PA 17404. Upcoming PennDOT maintenance projectsYou can view PennDOT’s list of scheduled maintenance projects for next week below. In addition to the projects listed above, PennDOT this week began replacing the bridge on Springwood Road (Route 2002) at the intersection of Chapel Road in York Township. The project is expected to be completed by Oct. 25. The detour will use Route 74, Main Street, Lombard Street and Lombard Road. More details can be found here. |
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