Senator Phillips-Hill E-Newsletter

View this email in a browser

In this update:

  • Eliminating Waste and Fraud in State Government
  • Jobs Available with PennDOT’s Winter Maintenance Program
  • Sign Up for my Veterans Email Updates
  • Help for Caregivers: PA CareKit
  • Learn Skills with the Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps
  • National Crime Prevention Week
  • ICYMI: On the Right Track
  • Shredding & Drug Take Back Event Coming Sept. 20
  • On Deck
  • Upcoming PennDOT Maintenance Projects

Eliminating Waste and Fraud in State Government

Reforming the way state government operates includes removing barriers to creating good jobs and preventing fraud and waste of taxpayer dollars.

This year, we passed legislation to implement stricter oversight to block regulations that will cost employers or taxpayers more than $1 million, and require automatic review of these kinds of regulations after three years to ensure they remain in the public interest.

I shared this update, along with progress we’ve made in the last year to “SPEED” up the time it takes an applicant to receive a permit to put a shovel in the ground, during an Americans for Prosperity event in Harrisburg on Wednesday. It’s one of the reasons I co-chair the legislative Competitiveness Caucus – to make sure we continue to look at all ways to reform state government as states continue to compete to attract hardworking families and good-paying jobs. You can learn more here.

You will not want to miss my upcoming discussion on my podcast with Alex Halper of the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry where we talk about the need to evaluate what is working and not working in our neighboring states to make our state is more competitive. Subscribe on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube.

In addition to streamlining our permitting process and reducing regulatory burdens, other bills passed by the Senate require the Department of Human Services to prevent fraud in public assistance, prevent dead people from receiving benefits, and ensure unemployment compensation benefits don’t go to claimants who try to avoid work. To reduce the risk of data breaches in taxpayer-funded systems, we passed legislation requiring all state IT contracts to meet national cybersecurity standards.

You can review all the notable bills we’ve passed in 2025 here.

Jobs Available with PennDOT’s Winter Maintenance Program

The coming end of summer means job opportunities for those with the skills to maintain and clear Pennsylvania’s roadways in the winter with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT).

Positions and hourly pay include CDL equipment operator ($23), dispatcher ($17.38), diesel and automotive mechanic ($24.97 – $28.37 based on title), tradesman helper and semi-skilled laborer ($18.46), and more.

These temporary positions could be a pathway to a permanent PennDOT career. You can find more background information and links to job openings here.

Sign Up for my Veterans Email Updates

On Saturday, Sept. 6, I will send out my monthly installment of my Veterans email update. If you or someone you know is interested in receiving these specific updates, please sign up here.

Help for Caregivers: PA CareKit

Caring for a loved one is a selfless act that strengthens family bonds but can be difficult for the caregiver. The PA CareKit can be a great help.

From the Pennsylvania Department of Aging, the PA CareKit is a collection of tools and information to help you manage stress, navigate the health care system, stay connected and find support.

Topics include the First Five Steps, Understanding Your Needs, Key Caregiving Terms and Concepts, and Caregiving Resources. If you’re a caregiver, I hope you find this information useful for this challenging but lifechanging role.  

Learn Skills with the Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps

Residents ages 15 to 25 can learn new skills, gain job experience and improve public lands with the Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps.

Skills-building and training opportunities include infrastructure maintenance, habitat restoration, CPR and first aid and more.

Interested individuals can learn how to get paid fixing trails, planting trees and more here.

National Crime Prevention Week

A key role as lawmaker is passing legislation to combat crime and keep our communities safe. We rely on police to enforce those laws and the justice system to impose punishment when appropriate.

National Crime Prevention Week is a reminder of the role citizens play in keeping their neighborhoods safe. The National Crime Prevention Council offers these crime prevention and personal safety tips to help you and your community outsmart potential lawbreakers.

ICYMI: On the Right Track

Listen to my latest podcast, On the Right Track, where I sat down with Gwen Loose and Frank Kempf from the York County Rail Trail Authority to talk about the vision and growth of our trail system. From the Heritage Rail Trail to the Hanover Trolley Trail, our trails connect communities, power local economies, and preserve York County’s history.

Now’s the perfect time to get outside, enjoy the trails, and snap a few photos to enter the 2026 Rail Trail Calendar Photo Contest! Don’t forget to turn your phone sideways for landscape shots. Submit entries by Sept. 15.

Catch the podcast on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple.

Shredding & Drug Take Back Event Coming Sept. 20 

I am teaming up with the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) to host a Shredding & Drug Take Back Event on Saturday, Sept. 20, from 9 a.m. to noon at the PSP York Barracks located at 101 N Main St., in York.

This event gives citizens the opportunity to safely dispose of unwanted prescription drugs and securely shred personal documents. By participating, you can help protect your identity, reduce the risk of prescription drug misuse, and support a safer community.

Acceptable Items for Shredding:

  • White/colored paper
  • Checks
  • Envelopes
  • Fax paper
  • File folders
  • Green bar
  • Staples and paper clips are okay with papers

Items Not Accepted:

  • Binder clips
  • Three-ring binders
  • Hard drives
  • X-Rays/microfiche
  • CDs
  • Electronics/batteries
  • Syringes/medical waste
  • Glass/cans
  • Cardboard/Styrofoam
  • Ink cartridges/toner
  • Food and trash
  • Hardback books

I encourage everyone to take advantage of this opportunity to clean out old files and medications in a safe and responsible way.

On Deck

The Senate of Pennsylvania reconvenes on Monday, Sept. 8, at 1 p.m. Follow me on X for all the latest updates on session convening times. You can watch all the Senate votes and view our agenda here.

Upcoming PennDOT Maintenance Projects   

Most weeks, PennDOT provides me with its upcoming maintenance schedule. While my team and I aim to keep this information up to date, please note that the page may not always reflect the latest changes. For the most accurate details, I recommend checking back on Friday afternoons or over the weekend, as we usually receive updates from PennDOT on Fridays. You can view the full list here to see if any roadwork might impact you and your family.

divider

Facebook Twitter/X Instagram LinkdedIn YouTube Website

Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe

2025 © Senate of Pennsylvania | https://senatorkristin.com | Privacy Policy