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In this update:
Two public hearings planned next week on broadband accessNext week, I will be traveling to Monroe and Fayette counties for two public hearings as the chair of the Senate Communications and Technology Committee. On Tuesday, the committee will hold a public hearing at the Monroe County Safety Center in Stroudsburg on the topic of how limited access to high-speed internet is affecting local emergency responders and our healthcare. This public hearing will feature testifiers from the medical community, as well as the State Police, Department of Human Services and other key stakeholders. You can read more about this hearing here. The committee will then travel to Penn State’s Fayette Campus to hear from the state’s leading experts from the agriculture and education communities to learn how internet access impacts their respective industries. You can read more about this hearing here. I spoke with WITF earlier this week about the purpose of these public hearings and my message was clear: You cannot just throw money at a problem that is not quantified. That is what leads to a waste of taxpayer resources and private sector resources. You can read the full interview here. You can see all of my efforts with the Senate Communications and Technology Committee by visiting our committee’s website here. New fluorescent orange requirements simplified for huntersThis year, hunters will find simplified rules when it comes to wearing fluorescent orange during the 2019-2020 license year, according to the Pennsylvania Game Commission. Now that the 2019-2020 Hunting and Fishing Digest is available online, there are new examples of meeting the Game Commission’s orange requirements. You can find those here. If you would prefer a physical copy of the 2019-2020 Digest, please feel free to stop by my office and pick up a copy. Quantities are limited.
Budgetary changes could be up to youEarlier this week, Matthew Brouillette and Jonathan Goldstein penned a jointly written op-ed on how their lawsuit against the Wolf Administration is bringing about substantive changes to Pennsylvania’s budgeting ways. One of the points they make in their op-ed is their optimism for a piece of legislation I am working on with Representative Seth Grove to allow you – the voters – to have the ultimate say on budget processes in Harrisburg. I want to share a quote from the op-ed: “Just recently, several legislators announced plans to introduce a constitutional amendment to implement transparency in supplemental appropriations. Now, the governor can simply run up budget deficits by expanding entitlement spending through the course of the year without legislative approval, and then fold this deficit spending into the following year’s budget. Proposed reforms would instead require the General Assembly to approve all such spending as standalone legislation.” You can read their full op-ed here, which appeared in the Penn Capital-Star. Fish for $1 on Labor DayIn my last email to you, I let you know that on Labor Day – this Monday, September 2 – you can fish for $1 (plus $1.90 processing and vendor fee). This is a friendly reminder to all budding and seasoned anglers that if you want to get out and explore our local lakes and streams, you can do it for a discount.
For more information, you can visit the commission’s website here. Appointment to Subcommittee on Infrastructure and Government OperationsEarlier this week, Senator Pat Browne (R-Lehigh/Northampton), who serves as the chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, appointed me to serve on the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Infrastructure and Government Operations. The Subcommittee will be chaired by Senator Gene Yaw (R-Bradford/Lycoming/Sullivan/Susquehanna/Union) and has oversight over the state’s Executive Offices, Lieutenant Governor, Auditor General, Treasury, Historical & Museum Commission, and the following departments:
I am extremely pleased to be placed on this important subcommittee as we look to make good government reforms. I am hopeful to explore topics that are important to the residents of the 28th District. Out and about meeting with residents at the Hellam CarnivalThis past weekend, my staff and I met with many local residents in the northern part of the 28th District at the Hellam Carnival.
At the event, Rep. Gillespie and I had the opportunity to speak about many state-related issues, including hearing positive feedback and suggestions on efforts to eliminate school property taxes.
Stay tuned for a survey I will be conducting to solicit feedback from anyone who wants to share their perspectives about various school property tax elimination and reform plans that are now pending before the General Assembly. WellSpan breaks ground on $45 million expansion of cancer centerWellSpan representatives and community leaders commenced a two-year expansion project totaling $45 million that will provide York County with a major cancer center at WellSpan’s campus. WellSpan’s expansion will bring a 67,100 square foot addition to the already existing cancer center. The new cancer center will consolidate several oncology services that are currently provided at multiple locations in the York area under one roof, including radiation oncology, outpatient infusion, infusion pharmacy, clinical trials and research, patient navigators and social workers, among others. So often, you hear that people who are fighting a battle with cancer need to have treatment in other places. I was pleased to take part in the groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday.
You can read more about this expansion project here. Office hours over Labor Day weekendPlease be advised that due to the Labor Day weekend, my offices will close at 1 p.m. today (Friday, August 30) and will remain closed on Monday, September 2. We will reopen at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, September 3. I hope you and your family have a safe and happy Labor Day weekend!
As always, you can visit my online office 24/7 at www.SenatorKristin.com. Upcoming PennDOT projectsYou can see PennDOT’s maintenance projects planned for next week here. In addition to routine maintenance projects included in the link above, motorists who are traveling north of the 28th District in Springettsbury Township need to be aware that starting on Wednesday, September 4, PennDOT will restrict traffic to one lane along North Hill Road in order to widen and resurface the roadway. They anticipate the total project will be completed mid-November of next year. To find out if this will impact your commute or future travels, you can read more information here.
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