|
|||
|
In this update:
Pennsylvania Department of Government Efficiency
As your state senator, I have fought to eliminate needless barriers impacting our community that exist in state government – from taxes to regulations. Last session, I pushed for the Independent Office of Repealer – a temporary entity that would comb through our more than 150,000 regulations and make recommendations on what needs to go or be modified. With President-elect Trump moving forward with a similar effort at the federal level under the Department of Government Efficiency, I am committed to getting this effort across the finish line in Pennsylvania through the Pennsylvania Department of Government Efficiency. The “TRAP Act” – Transparency, Reform and Accountability for PA – would create the Department of Government Efficiency to review existing regulations, receive feedback from the public and make recommendations on which regulations should be eliminated, reformed, or modernized. The measure would also modernize our existing laws and statutes to put them in layman’s terms. The department – after making its recommendations – would expire in five years. You can follow along on X (formerly Twitter) here. Learn more here. Utz Makes Major Investment in York and Adams Counties
Last week, I joined Sen. Doug Mastriano, Reps. Kate Klunk, Seth Grove, and Dan Moul, along with Hanover Mayor Sueann Whitman, along with Gov. Josh Shapiro and PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll to celebrate the grand opening of the new Utz distribution center that is in Conewago Township and Hanover Borough. The new state-of-the-art facility will be able to process 1.1 billion pounds of salty snacks for the rest of our region and country to enjoy. I was pleased to help on local infrastructure upgrades to the area to accommodate the increased volume of traffic in and out of the facility. You can view more photos from the event here. ICYMI: Public Service; Not Self Service
Last week, I announced that I again returned the automatic cost-of-living adjustment that is provided to legislators, the governor, his cabinet and judges every year on Dec. 1. I wrote a check and the Treasury confirmed receipt and noted that the money was deposited back into the General Fund. I spoke about why I make this decision every year, which you can watch here. Visit the State Capitol and see the Christmas Decorations
The Christmas season officially kicked off at the state Capitol this week with the unveiling and lighting of the Capitol Christmas tree. The 24-foot Douglas fir comes from Carbon County and is decorated with hand-made ornaments created by senior citizens and pre-K students from across the Commonwealth. The Capitol is stunningly beautiful all year, but it is especially gorgeous during Christmastime. If you would like to schedule a tour of your state Capitol, please do not hesitate to reach out. Fostering Greater Educational Opportunities for Students
Throughout the 2023-24 legislative session, Senate Republicans advanced numerous initiatives to expand educational opportunities and dedicate record-breaking levels of funding for our students. A newly implemented law now gives schools the option to use funding for resources to limit student smartphone use during school hours to improve students’ mental health and academic performance. Another measure is now working to improve early literacy rates – critical to lifelong success – by bolstering reading instruction, identifying struggling readers and properly training educators. We know skilled and dedicated teachers are vital to providing students with a strong educational foundation. To attract and keep passionate educators in our commonwealth, Grow PA Scholarships are available to in-state students who attend college in Pennsylvania, pursue a degree in a high-demand industry, and agree to live and work here after graduation. Another new law created is the PA Student Teacher Support Program, to provide student teachers with a stipend to alleviate the financial strain caused by student teaching requirements, thereby increasing the likelihood for degree completion. The new program will assist with the goal of reducing teacher shortages in Pennsylvania. Empowering parents when it comes to the education of their children has been and will remain a focus of our caucus. Read more about our efforts to strengthen educational opportunities here. Thank you, Dallastown and Eastern York Students
Last week, Rep. Joe D’Orsie and I welcomed students from Loganville Elementary and Wrightsville Elementary schools to the state Capitol. The students were there to learn about our state’s history and better understand our legislative process. As a special treat, I took the groups to the Senate floor where they could see the remarkable artwork of Violet Oakley, which depicts critical points in the history of our commonwealth and country. You can view more pictures from the visit here. Supporting Students at the York Jewish Community Center
Rutter’s presented the York Jewish Community Center (JCC) with a $25,000 check as part of the state’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit program, which benefits more than 40% of families who send students to the JCC. This local investment, coupled with historic investments, including the largest ever increase in the most recent state budget, allows more families to choose educational options that best meet their needs. I am grateful for local partners, like Rutter’s, that give back to our community. 2025 Fishing Licenses, Permits and Gift Vouchers on Sale
Searching for a stocking stuffer for the angler on your holiday list? Fishing licenses, permits, and vouchers for 2025 purchased now from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission are valid immediately through Dec. 31, 2025. They can be purchased online, through the FishBoatPA mobile app or by visiting one of nearly 700 retail license issuing agents. Customers can choose from annual or multi-year licenses and permits with three-, five- and 10-year options. All documents can be printed immediately after purchase or saved digitally to a smart device which serves as proof of possession. People may also purchase vouchers to be given as gifts and redeemed by recipients. Breaking Ground on New Funeral Home for Wagner-Elfner and Burg
My team celebrated the start of construction on the new Wagner-Elfner and Burg Funeral Home, which will be located in York Township. Katherine, Nathan, and their team look forward to opening this 12,000 square foot facility. This new facility will provide families with a welcoming place to mourn the lives of loved ones. New Treatment Center Option for Those Struggling with Addiction
The Center for Addiction Recovery opened to the patients seeking treatment options. The center is located at 1779 5th Avenue, York. This new facility will treat those who are battling addiction and put them on the path to a clean and healthy lifestyle. Rep. Kate Klunk and I met with local health care professionals to talk about the vital work these talented men and women do every day for those in need in across York County. You can view more photos here. Tips to Stay Safe Throughout the Holiday Season
The holiday season is a special time when many of us spend time with loved ones enjoying long-loved traditions. Because these special activities can come with extra risks, taking some precautions is wise. Candles, which cause the most fires on Christmas day, should be kept at least 12 inches from anything that can burn. Trees should be at least three feet from heat sources like fireplaces, radiators, space heaters, candles, and heat vents. It’s best to dispose of the tree when it’s dry or after the holiday season. Discarding string lights that are worn or damaged also protects against fires. Read more about winter fire prevention. Citizens Police Academy in York – Starting Jan. 22
The Pennsylvania State Police Troop J will host the Citizens’ Police Academy, starting on Jan. 22. This 10-week program, which will run on Wednesdays from 6-8 p.m., will be held in the Springfield Township Municipal Building (9211 Susquehanna Trail South, Seven Valleys). The goal is to expose citizens to the types of training officers receive and general law enforcement concepts and responsibilities. Class participants will have the opportunity to influence the two-way conversation necessary to reveal areas of improvement in partnership between police and the public. Citizens will get a better understanding of traffic enforcement, crash, crime scene and criminal investigations, and specialty positions, as well as general overview of the State Police. The class is limited to 30 participants. If you or someone you know is interested, please contact Trooper James Grothey at jgrothey@pa.gov or 717-525-2802. Help Wanted: Qualified Professionals Needed to Improve DEP Permit Process
To help Pennsylvanians who are tied up by bureaucratic red tape, Senate Republicans passed legislation I sponsored as part of this year’s state budget that created the Streamlining Permits for Economic Expansion and Development (SPEED) Program. The program allows permit applicants to have a Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)-verified professional conduct the initial review of the application, with DEP making its decision based on the qualified professional’s recommendation. Applicants for eligible permits must pay any review fees incurred by the professional in addition to their permit application fees. Qualified professionals who would like to review permits on an expedited basis are encouraged to apply for the specific permits that interest them by Dec. 31. Permits eligible for the SPEED program include air quality plan approvals (state-only) (Chapter 127), earth disturbance permits (Chapter 102), individual water obstruction and encroachment permits (Chapter 105) and dam safety permits (Chapter 105). Please email brfranklin@pa.gov or call 717-787-2471 with any questions. You can learn more about the SPEED program by tuning into my podcast episode, where I sit down with the president of the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry to talk about this game-changer public policy. Listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Wreaths Across America to Honor Veterans on Dec. 14
Each December, Wreaths Across America helps communities remember the fallen, honor those who served in the military and teach the next generation about the value of freedom by laying wreaths on the graves of heroes. These acts of remembrance take place at Arlington National Cemetery, and more than 4,600 locations in all 50 states, at sea and abroad. Ceremonies take place on Saturday, Dec. 14. You can help by sponsoring a veteran’s wreath at a cemetery near you, volunteering or donating to programs. Search for the nearest participating cemetery here. REMINDER: Office Hours in Penn Township next Thursday!
My team will be in Penn Township at the municipal building on Thursday, Dec. 19, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. to assist with all state-related needs and questions. My team can provide you with help on PennDOT-related matters, birth and death certificates, unclaimed property, Property Tax Rent Rebate applications, and more! If you are in the area and would like to meet with my team, please feel free to stop by. Appointments, while not required, are encouraged by calling 717-741-4648. You can learn more here. Take My Survey – Save our Women’s Sports
Thank you to the hundreds of neighbors who have participated in my survey. If you or someone you know is interested in weighing in on whether Pennsylvania should pursue a policy that bans biological men from competing in women’s sports, please let me know! I look forward to sharing the results with you in the coming weeks! 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. |
|||
|
|||
Want to change how you receive these emails? 2024 © Senate of Pennsylvania | https://senatorkristin.com | Privacy Policy |
