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In this update:
- Senate committee explores school property tax elimination solutions in York County
- Shadow John Deveraux takes a behind-the-scenes look at the state Senate
- Meeting with South Western and West York Area School Districts
- Sign up to be a York County Court Appointed Special Advocate/volunteer
- Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) dates for York County
- Great seeing Red Lion residents during 43rd annual Red Lion Street Fair
- Upcoming PennDOT projects
Senate committee explores school property tax elimination solutions in York County
Pennsylvanians from the 28th District and from all over the commonwealth came to Spring Garden Township for a public workshop hosted by the Senate Majority Policy Committee. I was pleased to see approximately 150 local residents attend our public event, which was the first formal Senate event to outline school property tax elimination efforts.
You can view all photos from the event here. Also, please check out my Instagram for more pictures.
Based on the correspondence I’ve received to date, including emails, calls and letters, school property tax elimination is the number one priority for local residents.
The workshop conducted this past Tuesday was an important first step to build consensus and support for a plan that will achieve that goal.
I was extremely grateful that, in addition to a strong community presence, five of my colleagues in the Senate participated in this important discussion. Senators attending included Senator Argall, Senator Folmer, Senator Mastriano, Senator DiSanto and Senator Scavello. Also joining us were Representatives Keith Gillespie, Dawn Keefer and Frank Ryan.
During my opening remarks, I noted how important the issue is for the vast majority of local residents. You can watch those remarks below.
I challenged school district officials, who are concerned about cost-drivers in public education, to work with me on ways we can reduce the cost of public education. I stated that educational excellence and fiscal responsibility are not mutually exclusive goals. You can watch my Q&A below.
If you are interested in watching the public workshop in its entirety, you can find the video here. You can view our agenda here.
Shadow John Deveraux takes a behind-the-scenes look at the state Senate
In addition to hosting a Senate Majority Policy Committee public workshop, I was pleased to have Kennard-Dale sophomore, Eagle Scout, and Honors student John Deveraux shadow me for the day.
John was helpful in setting up for the event as well as greeting residents. John said he is interested in earning a medical degree. He plays soccer and is a cello player.
It was an honor to have such a bright young man join me for the day.
Here is a photo of me presenting John, left, with a Senate citation congratulating him on his Eagle Scout. He’s joined by his brother in this photo.
Meeting with South Western and West York Area School Districts
Earlier this week, I had several productive conversations with local education leaders, including Dr. Davies of West York Area School District (pictured below).
Dr. Davies and I had a good conversation on a variety of state issues, including our budget, cost-mandates, education reforms and possible events to allow students to participate in a mock legislature.
I also had a meeting at South Western School District with Superintendents from York Suburban, Spring Grove and South Eastern School Districts. We had a productive conversation about school property tax elimination plans that are floating around in the General Assembly and how we can work together to achieve that ultimate goal taxpayers are demanding.
In the coming weeks, I will meet the remaining school districts in the 28th District. Next week, I look forward to meeting with the superintendents of Dallastown and York Suburban as well as York County School of Technology.
Sign up to be a York County Court Appointed Special Advocate/volunteer
With more than 400 local children in foster care or out-of-home placement, there is an urgent need for volunteers to step forward to serve as advocates for these children. In order to be a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), you receive an appointment by a judge, gather information and develop recommendations that are in the best interest of the child and provide a detailed report to the court.
Potential volunteers go through an application and screening process and then are selected for training. The next training session will begin on September 17 with applications due September 3. If you are interested, please visit yorkcountycasa.org.
Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) dates for York County
The York County Area Agency on Aging will be at the following locations from 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. to distribute SFMNP fruit and vegetable vouchers:
Brown’s Orchard on Tuesday, August 20
Springettsbury Twp Office on Wednesday, August 21
West Manchester Twp Office on Wednesday, August 28
White Rose Senior Center on Tuesday, September 10
50plus Expo (York Fairgrounds) on Wednesday, September 25 from 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
To see if you are or someone you know is eligible for this program, which provides our local senior citizens with access to local fruits and vegetables, please call the York County Area Agency on Aging at 717-771-9610.
Great seeing Red Lion residents during 43rd annual Red Lion Street Fair
Thank you to everyone who stopped by our legislative table at last week’s 43rd annual Red Lion Street Fair!
My staff and I really enjoyed connecting with so many residents and appreciated the opportunity to partner with Representative Stan Saylor and his team to have a state legislative table to provide information and materials from the legislature.
 Upcoming PennDOT projects
You can see PennDOT’s maintenance projects planned for next week here.
In addition to routine maintenance projects included in the link above, PennDOT will begin nighttime roadway base repair and bridge deck repair on I-83 northbound just north of Exit 18 to Exit 22.
You can learn more about this upcoming project, which starts on Monday, August 19, here.
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