Senator Phillips-Hill E-Newsletter

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In this update:

  • Standing Together in Difficult Times
  • Update: Shredding and Drug Take Back Event Canceled
  • Senate Votes to Help Relieve Long-Term Care Worker Shortage
  • Measure to Help Veteran-Owned Businesses Approved by Senate
  • Fire and EMS Funding Assistance Available
  • Expanding Government Transparency with OpenBookPA
  • Celebrating Our Precious U.S. Constitution
  • Happy Rosh Hashanah
  • Upcoming PennDOT Maintenance Projects

Standing Together in Difficult Times

Our community is hurting in the wake of the tragic events in North Codorus Township. Moments like this remind us just how fragile life is and how important it is to come together as neighbors.

We are truly blessed to live in a place that doesn’t just respect law enforcement but loves them like family. The outpouring of support we witnessed showed once again the heart of our community, full of prayer, encouragement, and gratitude for the men and women who put on the uniform to keep us safe.

Even in our darkest hours, York County shows its strength. We rally together, lean on one another, and remind those on the front lines that they are never alone. As we continue to grieve and pray for the victims, their families, and all those impacted, let us also carry forward the spirit of compassion and support that makes our community so strong.

With that in mind, we as a community will continue to lift one another up and I would like to share some updates with you from across the district.

Update: Shredding and Drug Take Back Event Canceled

The community shredding and drug take-back event scheduled for this Saturday at the Pennsylvania State Police York Barracks has been canceled.

While it might be disappointing that this service won’t be able to be provided as planned, we understand that the hardworking men and women of the Pennsylvania State Police are focused on their first priority, keeping our communities safe.

Our officers put service above self every single day, and we are grateful for their tireless dedication.

We hope to offer another opportunity in the future for residents to safely dispose of unwanted prescription drugs and securely shred personal documents. Please stay tuned for updates.

Senate Votes to Help Relieve Long-Term Care Worker Shortage

The number of Pennsylvania residents ages 65 and over is expected to nearly double by 2040, but even now many nursing facilities are forced to take beds out of service because they can’t fill direct care positions.

The Senate recently passed legislation to tackle this critical problem by making it easier for those seeking employment at long-term care centers while still ensuring employees are well-qualified.

Senate Bill 114 would encourage more employees to join the long-term care workforce by expanding the availability of training courses for nurse aides and the eligibility for individuals to take the nurse aide competency exam. The bill was sent to the House of Representatives for consideration.

Measure to Help Veteran-Owned Businesses Approved by Senate

Beyond serving our nation in the military, many Veterans create jobs through their entrepreneurial spirit. We approved legislation to promote these Veteran-owned businesses.

Senate Bill 64 would authorize the creation of a special logo to promote veteran-owned businesses. To be eligible, a business must be registered with the Department of State and at least 51% of the ownership interest must be held by a Veteran, reservist or member of the National Guard.

To discourage the logo from being used fraudulently, anyone who falsely claims to be a Veteran to obtain this designation would face a misdemeanor of the third degree. The bill was sent to the House of Representatives for consideration.

Fire and EMS Funding Assistance Available

Our local fire and EMS companies are committed to saving lives and protecting property, so I’m pleased to announce they can apply now for assistance through the state Fire Company and Emergency Medical Services Grants program.

The funding is available to volunteer or career fire, rescue and EMS organizations and can be used for facility improvements, equipment purchase and repair, debt reduction, training and certification, and more.

The deadline to apply is Oct. 20. More information, important dates and the online application can be found here.

Honoring Lives at the Kain Memorial

This past Sunday, I joined families, community leaders, and advocates at the Kain Memorial dedication ceremony to honor the lives lost to impaired driving. This year nine additional names were added each – representing a loved one taken too soon and a family forever changed.

The Kain Memorial stands as both a place of remembrance and a call to action. It reminds us of the devastating consequences of impaired driving and the responsibility we all share to keep our roads safe.

I am grateful to the grassroots advocates and the Kain Memorial Committee for their tireless work to strengthen DUI laws and raise awareness. Their efforts ensure that the stories behind these names continue to inspire change and save lives.

Together, we honor those we’ve lost and commit ourselves to preventing future tragedies.

Expanding Government Transparency with OpenBookPA

The Pennsylvania Treasury has launched an expanded portal for state government transparency, providing taxpayers with more tools to explore state finance details.

OpenBookPA’s new features include:

  • An updated dashboard interface with quicker access to state fiscal information including state and federal financial information.
  • A new Local Resources section which shares local government financial reports, school district expenditure and revenue metrics and other local financial metrics with data from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development and the Pennsylvania Office of the Budget.
  • Upgraded charts with enhanced security.

Announced by Treasurer Stacy Garrity earlier this month, OpenBookPA also links to the Treasury Checkbook, which includes payments made by Treasury to vendors and the Contracts e-Library, which makes available state contracts, purchase orders and amendments valued at $5,000 or more for public review.

Celebrating Our U.S. Constitution

National Constitution Week runs through Sept. 23, commemorating the signing of the U.S. Constitution on September 17, 1787, nine years after the Pennsylvania Constitution.

Our nation’s most important document, the U.S. Constitution has provided Americans throughout history the power to maintain their liberties, freedoms and inalienable rights. Its stature is evident in the fact that every Pennsylvania legislator takes a solemn oath to “support, obey and defend” both constitutions as a condition for holding public office.

Happy Rosh Hashanah

Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, begins at sundown on Monday. To those observing, I extend my heartfelt wishes for thoughtful reflection, personal renewal, and a year filled with peace and hope.

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.

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