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In this update:
No Tricks, All Treats – Unclaimed Property Event Huge SuccessOn Oct. 10, my team partnered with Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity’s team to assist dozens of southern York Countians claim more than $200,000 in unclaimed property. We were thrilled to assist with complicated cases, including claims that require a notary. Under her leadership, Treasurer Garrity has worked to streamline the process to connect Pennsylvanians with their money sitting at the state treasury. This is the second event I’ve co-hosted with her team. In total, we have brought back more than $200,000 in unclaimed property to our neighbors. If you are interested in seeing if you have unclaimed property, please visit the Treasury’s website. If you have any questions about the program and next steps, please do not hesitate to reach out to my team and me. Junior Pheasant Season Kicks Off in PennsylvaniaWe recently joined Pennsylvania Game Commission Executive Director Steve Smith and staff to help stock pheasants on State Game Lands 83 in the Brogue, preparing for the 2024 Junior Pheasant Season, which runs through Oct. 19. This special season offers junior hunters and mentored hunters of any age the chance to gain valuable hunting experience. By law, all junior hunters must be accompanied by an adult. Permits are required to hunt pheasants but are FREE for junior and mentored hunters. Get yours online at huntfish.pa.gov or at any in-store licensing agent. In preparation, the Pennsylvania Game Commission has stocked more than 15,000 pheasants across the state, including more than 200 in York County. Mark your calendars: the statewide pheasant season opens Saturday, Oct. 26. For complete hunting details, visit the Pennsylvania Game Commission website. Good luck to all participants, and please remember to hunt safely! You can find more photos from the event on my Facebook. Bill to Improve Early Literacy Sent to Governor’s DeskThe Senate and House unanimously passed and sent to the governor legislation to give students the best chance at lifelong success through a strong, evidence-based reading program. Senate Bill 801 would provide schools with resources to dramatically improve early literacy in Pennsylvania. First, it would bolster reading instruction by giving schools a comprehensive list of evidence-based reading curricula. Second, it would help schools identify struggling readers early via universal screening by providing a list of high-quality screeners. Third, it would ensure educators are properly trained to use the structured literacy curriculum and screeners by creating a list of high-quality professional development programs. Low literacy scores are a problem that spans the geographic and demographic spectrum, with urban cities and rural communities struggling to help their students read proficiently at their age level. Studies show that childhood reading difficulties can produce long-term effects and dramatically impact someone’s chances of success. Senate Passes Bill to Extend Lemon Law Protections to MotorcyclesThe Senate unanimously approved legislation that would extend Pennsylvania’s Lemon Law protections to cover motorcycles. Senate Bill 155 now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration. Pennsylvania’s Lemon Law provides protections for customers who purchase or lease a car that is registered in the commonwealth. The law protects customers who experience defects with their car during the first year or 12,000 miles of leasing or ownership. Manufacturers are given three opportunities within a year to repair the defect. If the problem still cannot be corrected, the customer is eligible for a replacement or refund. The state Lemon Law currently only applies to cars. Guest Shadow Suresh VenkataramanThank you so much to Suresh Venkataraman, a senior at Dallastown, who recently job shadowed me during a session day at the state Capitol. Suresh plans to attend the University of Pittsburgh next year. He witnessed several committee meetings and floor votes during his visit. He brought several great ideas on how to engage the youth in the spirit of bipartisanship across York County. He has a very bright future ahead of him. If you or someone you know is interested in shadowing me at the Capitol, please do not hesitate to reach out to me. Bill to Improve Elevator Safety Standards Passes SenateThe Senate unanimously passed legislation to improve elevator safety standards in Pennsylvania. The bill now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration. Following the deaths of a correctional officer and an inmate who plunged down an elevator shaft in a violent confrontation, the Elevator Safety Board was established to address critical issues surrounding elevator construction, maintenance and inspection. The American Society of Mechanical Engineers has revised the national elevator code seven times since 2002, yet Pennsylvania still adheres to outdated standards that don’t reflect current safety practices. The board submitted its recommendations to update these codes to the Department of Labor and Industry in 2020, but the agency has not acted. Senate Bill 1230 requires the Department of Labor and Industry to adopt an updated safety code, effective July 1, 2025. Prior to adoption, the Elevator Safety Board may recommend modifications based upon its professional expertise and industry experience. The legislation would establish timely benchmarks, making sure necessary upgrades will not be delayed further. Touring Innovation at Guardian CSCThank you to Bruce and Melissa for an insightful tour of Guardian CSC, the largest independently owned water treatment and service company in Pennsylvania and one of the fastest growing in the Northeast! Guardian CSC’s expertise covers everything from potable water to wastewater systems, providing custom solutions for commercial and industrial clients. It’s exciting to see such innovation, expertise, and growth happening right here in York County! You can find more photos from the tour on my Instagram. Engaging with Future Leaders at York College of PennsylvaniaI had a great time joining Mr. Snyder’s political science class at York College of Pennsylvania last evening to share my experience serving in the State Legislature. Thank you to the students for being so engaged, well-prepared, and for asking such thoughtful questions. It’s always inspiring to connect with the next generation of leaders! Know Your Breast Cancer RiskUnderstanding your breast cancer risk is vital for protecting your health. Maintaining a healthy weight, engaging in regular physical activity, and eating a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains can lower your risk. Limiting alcohol consumption and avoiding smoking are also important preventive steps. Regular screenings and self-exams are essential for early detection, especially if you have a family history of breast cancer or other risk factors. Discussing your personal risk with a doctor can help you explore further preventive options, such as genetic testing or medications. By implementing these strategies and staying informed, you can take significant steps toward lowering your risk. Learn more about breast cancer risk here. Upcoming PennDOT Maintenance ProjectsMost weeks PennDOT shares with me its maintenance schedule for the week ahead. When it becomes available, you can view the full list here to see if it will impact you and your family. On DeckThe Senate of Pennsylvania reconvenes on Monday, Oct. 21, at 1 p.m. You can watch all of the Senate votes and view our agenda here.
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