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February 1, 2019

“Silence is golden, unless you have kids, then silence is suspicious.” – Anonymous

Senate Returns to Session Feb. 4

Governor’s Joint-Session Budget Address Scheduled for Feb. 5^th at 11:30AM

WATCH LIVE

The state Senate will reconvene on Monday, February 4^th at the State Capitol. The Senate’s Legislative Calendar is updated each day the Senate is in Session. The calendar identifies bills and resolutions awaiting Senate floor actions. To preview the meetings and hearings, visit online.

On Tuesday, Governor Tom Wolf will unveil his 2019-2020 spending plan before a joint session of the Pennsylvania General Assembly. The Governor is expected to promote his Restore Pennsylvania Infrastructure Plan, which will impose a severance tax on Marcellus shale natural gas production to finance a multibillion-dollar capital plan for a wide range of projects.

Improving the Bay Through Our Local Waterways

Effective March 1^st, I have been elected to serve as Chairman of the Pennsylvania Chesapeake Bay Commission delegation. I thank my fellow delegation members, and outgoing Chair Sen. Rich Alloway, for the opportunity to serve in this capacity. As a tri-state legislative assembly representing Maryland, Virginia and Pennsylvania, the Commission is a policy leader in the restoration of the Chesapeake Bay. Right now, we are especially focused on reducing the nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment, the three key sources of Bay impairment, from our local waterways. For more information on Pennsylvania’s Chesapeake Bay Plan, click here.

Election Reform Measures Proposed This Week

Nine bipartisan election reform measures that include three constitutional amendments relating to absentee ballots, poll workers, and judicial retention elections were proposed this week in the State Capitol.

The package, which was drafted after public hearings, workgroup meetings, and many discussions with county election officials and commissioners across the Commonwealth from both sides of the political aisle, will also include legislation addressing a permanent early voting list; vote centers and curbside voting; number of votes to qualify as a write-in winner; number of ballots to be printed, and consolidation of smaller precincts. To view the press conference, click here.

Senate Panel Passes Pension Forfeiture Bill

Legislation to ensure that public employees or public officials who commit job-related felonies are stripped of their taxpayer-funded pension was approved Tuesday by the Senate Finance Committee in a unanimous, bipartisan vote. This legislation, Senate Bill 113, closes the loophole used by unscrupulous public officials whereby they plead guilty to non-forfeiture crimes so they can keep a pension.

Bradford, Sullivan Projects Receive PENNVEST Funding

On Wednesday, Rep. Tina Pickett and I announced two local projects were awarded low-interest loans by the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST).

PENNVEST awarded a $4,736,700 loan for the Towanda Municipal Authority’s Water System Improvement Project and a $394,775 loan for Laporte Borough’s Water Meter Installation Project. To read more, click here. To read more, click here.

Showcasing the Endless Mountains Heritage Region

Stretching across Bradford, Sullivan, Susquehanna, and Wyoming counties, the Endless Mountains Heritage Region (EMHR) is a non-profit organization determined to preserve and promote the mountainous beauty of rural Northeast Pennsylvania.

The program provides recreation and tourism activities that seek to explore the culture and heritage of the region. The area in which the Heritage PA program operates has seen such benefits as environmental restoration, the attraction of business and industry, and several other positive changes to the community. And, since the agency’s formation in 1998, it has provided grants to over 100 environmentally-minded projects and organizations. These actions have led to the further fulfillment of the EMHR’s vision to simultaneously enhance the prosperity of local businesses, communities, and the surrounding scenic landscape.

If you are interested in participating in, contributing to, or learning more about the mission of the EMHR, you can visit their official website here.

Student-Crafted Hellbender Bill Approved by Senate Committee

On Tuesday, the Senate State Government Committee, approved Senate Bill 9, which I sponsored, designating the Eastern Hellbender as the first “State Amphibian” of Pennsylvania.

CBF’s Pennsylvania Student Leadership Council, consisting of high school students, invested many hours studying the Eastern Hellbender and the problems the amphibian is facing within the state. With assistance from Lycoming College in Williamsport, the students drafted the legislation during the 2017-2018 Legislative Session, meeting with elected officials to outline why they felt it should be the state amphibian. The bill is expected to receive a Senate vote on Monday.

In Other News…

DCED will begin accepting applications on February 1^st for Act 13 grants paid for by natural gas drillers. Projects can include: Abandoned Mine Drainage Abatement and Treatment; Baseline Water Quality Data; Greenways, Trails and Recreation; Orphan or Abandoned Well Plugging; Watershed Restoration and Protection; Flood Mitigation and the Sewage Facilities Program. Applications will be accepted until May 31^st, 2019. Eligible applicants with questions should call 717.787.6245.

Municipalities, colleges and community groups have until February 7^th to apply for state grants to boost safety and reduce the risk of violence. The Community Violence Prevention/Reduction grants are part of a program that the General Assembly included in the state budget to improve school safety and combat community violence. Eligible uses include mentoring services and intervention services for at-risk children and families; promoting communication between school entities and law enforcement; linking the community with local trauma support and behavioral health systems; and other programs designed to reduce community violence.

The Pennsylvania Game Commission is recruiting the 32nd class of State Game Warden Cadets at its Ross Leffler School of Conservation in Harrisburg. Application period open until Feb. 23^rd or when 1,000 applications received. The class will report for training in March 2020 and graduate in 2021. Salary range is $35,900 – $53,579.

Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk

Image credit: Kirby Lee/USA Today Sports

Article Submitted by: Kimberly A. Smith | PennDOT District 3-0 Safety Press Officer

As the Super Bowl quickly approaches football fans are reminded that designated drivers are the best defense against the dangers of drunk driving. Super Bowl is a festive night in homes and bars across America, but if your night involves alcohol, plan for a sober ride home. We want to remind everyone that Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk.

If you’re hosting the Super Bowl party:

Want to win the night? Designate a responsible sober driver to help your guests get home safely.

• Ask your guests to designate their sober drivers in advance, or help them coordinate with other partygoers’ designated drivers.
• If you don’t drink, offer to drive guests home.
• Encourage your drinking guests to pace themselves, eat food, and drink plenty of water.
• Serve a selection of non-alcoholic drinks.

If you plan to drive: Don’t drink

Be a designated sober driver, help save lives. Remember these tips on game night:

• Take your role as designated driver seriously. While at the party, enjoy food and non-alcoholic drinks. Refrain from any alcoholic beverages or drugs. People are relying on you.
• Always buckle your seat belt and require your passengers to do the same. Don’t start the car until all passengers’ seat belts are buckled.
• Remember: Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk. If someone you know has been drinking and tries to drive, take their keys and help them get home safely. Even if they make a fuss in the moment, they’ll thank you later.

If you plan to drink: Don’t drive

Before you ever leave the house, make a plan for having a fun, safe night out. Follow these safety tips, and you’ll be on your way to your own Super Bowl win.

• You know the rules—it’s illegal to drive drunk. Before you head out for the Super Bowl party, make a game plan that includes a sober driver—someone who will not drink at all, and will safely bring you home.
• Remember that alcohol isn’t the only substance that can keep you from driving safely: Marijuana, like many other drugs, affects a driver’s ability to react to their surroundings. Driving is a complex task, and marijuana slows reaction times, affecting the driver’s ability to drive safely.
• When you ride home with your sober driver, make sure you—and your driver—wear your seat belts. It’s your best defense in a crash.
• Remember, walking impaired can also be dangerous. Designate a sober friend to walk home with you.
• If you find yourself unable to get home safely, ask the host if you can stay for the night.

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