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July 3, 2019

Dear Friends,

Hello! Thank you for subscribing to my E-newsletter. I am honored to serve the 23rd Senate District and look forward to working with you toward building a better future for Pennsylvania!

This E-newsletter serves to keep you updated on what is happening throughout Bradford, Lycoming, Sullivan, Susquehanna and Union counties and what I am doing as your state senator in Harrisburg. I hope that you will find this E-newsletter helpful, and if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me.

Gene Yaw

“I think patriotism is like charity—it begins at home.” – Henry James

Celebrating the Fourth of July Across the 23rd Senate District!

As most of us enjoy a long weekend of celebrations and cookouts with family and friends, let us be proud not only because we are Americans, but also because of what America stands for, the many freedoms we enjoy and those freedoms that have made this country the greatest in the world.

May God bless everyone and have a wonderful and safe Independence Day.

Area Fireworks & Events Schedule: #CelebrateSafely

BRADFORD:

Wednesday, July 3, Herrickville, Lent Farm, Dusk

Saturday, July 13, Laceyville, Hidden Creek Vineyard, 9 pm

LYCOMING:

Wednesday, July 3, Montgomery, Montgomery Park, Dusk, Rain Date 7/5/2019 at Dusk

Thursday, July 4, Williamsport, Downtown, 9:45 pm

SUSQUEHANNA:

Thursday, July 4, Monument Square, Montrose- Activities include 125 arts & craft vendors, 5k & 10K races, Patriotic Parade 11am, food, and fireworks at dusk.

Thursday, July 4 Montrose, Montrose High School, Dusk

Saturday, July 6, Thompson, Thompson Hose Co, 10 pm, Rain Date 7/7/2019 at 10 pm

Friday, July 12, Union Dale, Union Dale Vol. Fire, 10:15 pm, Rain Date 7/13/2019 at 10:15 pm

SULLIVAN:

Thursday, July 4, The Repasz Band Patriotic Concert, Eagles Mere Village Green (in case of rain, The DeWire Center, 891 Laporte Ave.), Eagles Mere Avenue at Pennsylvania Avenue – A medley of patriotic tunes and Broadway melodies to celebrate Independence Day.

Saturday, July 6, Endless Mountains War Memorial Museum, 109 Main St., Sonestown – Veterans Tribute (all wars); WWII/Vietnam veteran speakers; museum open for touring.

UNION:

Thursday, July 4, Mifflinburg, Mifflinburg Community Park, 9:45 pm

Thursday, July 4, New Berlin, The Commons on Penn Creek, 10 pm

*Click here to view current state law on fireworks use*

UPDATE:  Gov. Wolf Vetoes Bill to Allow Milk Trucks to Operate During Weather-Related Commercial Vehicle Travel Bans

Yesterday, Gov. Wolf vetoed a House Bill, sponsored by Rep. Causer, exempting milk trucks from weather-related commercial vehicle travel bans.  The purpose of the legislation is intended to ensure farmers can get their milk to market regardless of weather; failing to transport their milk, farmers then have to destroy it.

I joined Sen. Judy Ward to sponsor the Senate companion bill.  I’m disappointed to see the governor has made this decision.  It is a critical issue impacting many dairy farmers in the 23rd Senate District, and I will keep working to address these concerns moving forward.

Twenty-Eight Senators to Fetterman: “Your Self-Righteous Defiance of the Rules has scarred the institution” of the State Senate

Yesterday, I joined our Senate Leaders and ALL members of the Senate Republican Caucus, to send the attached letter to Lt. Governor John Fetterman regarding his willful disregard for the Rules of the Senate of Pennsylvania. Our Senate Rules exist to ensure order and civility during debate. The Lt. Governor’s decision to disregard the rules has scarred the institution of the Senate.

Vehicle Emissions Bill With Local Impact Approved by Senate

The Senate has passed a bill that would, if signed into law, impact vehicle owners in Lycoming County. Senate Bill 744 would exempt Lycoming County and 6 other counties across the state from current vehicle emissions testing requirements.

Residents are paying around $40 for each subject vehicle every year under an outdated vehicle emissions testing program. New technologies have allowed vehicles to be increasingly more efficient in reducing emissions, which means that it no longer makes sense to impose this costly testing requirement upon vehicle owners in the county.

To read more, click here.

Senate Sends Voting Machine Funding Legislation to the Governor’s Desk for Signature

Last week, the Senate passed Senate Bill 48, legislation to provide counties with funding for the purchase of new voting machines. This legislation has been sent to the Governor’s desk for his signature.

Senate Bill 48 provides counties with $90 million in funding, enough to cover up to 60 percent of the costs of updating the voting machines. Last year, Governor Wolf ordered counties to replace all voting machines across Pennsylvania with new machines that have verifiable paper trails, before next year’s presidential election. The Governor did not provide a funding source for counties to make these purchases. In total the replacement cost of the machines is about $120 million.

Governor Signs Bill Supporting Farmers, Agriculture Community

Legislation I prime sponsored that will provide added financial and technical assistance to farmers who implement best management practices (BMP’s) on their land was signed into law this week by the governor.

Senate Bill 634, now Act 39 of 2019, establishes a Conservation Excellence Grant Program administered by the State Conservation Commission (SCC), which provides financial and technical assistance for state agricultural operations, with a primary focus on high priority locations designated by the Department of Environmental Protection as Tier 1, Tier 2 and Tier 3 Chesapeake Bay counties.

To read more, click here.

Senate Votes to Open Primary Elections to Independents

The Senate voted last week to approve legislation allowing voters who are registered as independents to vote in Pennsylvania primary elections.

Senate Bill 300 would give over 740,000 registered unaffiliated voters the right to participate in the primary election process. On the day of the primary election, these voters would be able to choose to cast their vote on either the Republican or Democrat ballot. Voters who are registered with either the Republican Party or Democratic Party will continue to be required to vote on their respective ballots.

“Friends of Ag Tailgate” in Troy

Yesterday, I was happy to attend the “Friends of Ag Tailgate” in Troy.  Hosted by the Bradford County Penn State Extension Advisory Council and the Penn State AgSciences Alumni Society, the event celebrates our agricultural heritage in the Northern Tier and shares in the pride we all have for the industry and the people that make it their business.

Antlerless Deer Licenses to Go on Sale July 8

If you haven’t yet purchased your 2019-20 Pennsylvania hunting license, now might be the time.

The new license year began July 1 so only 2019-20 licenses are valid when hunting or using Game Commission shooting ranges. And sales of 2019-20 antlerless deer licenses are about to begin, and only hunters holding valid general licenses may apply.

Pennsylvania residents are given preference in applying for antlerless licenses, and resident hunters may apply for their first antlerless licenses beginning Monday, July 8. Resident applicants need to make checks and money orders payable to “County Treasurer” for $6.90 for each license they seek. The fee for nonresidents is $26.90 per license.

Penn College, NJIT Receive Nearly $8 Million for Apprenticeships

The Pennsylvania College of Technology and New Jersey Institute of Technology have been awarded a $7,996,530 federal grant to develop industry-driven strategies for apprenticeships in advanced manufacturing fields. Penn College is the only Pennsylvania College to receive an award.

Penn College, a leader in innovative apprenticeship programs and a special mission affiliate of Penn State, and NJIT, New Jersey’s public polytechnic university, received the funding as part of the U.S. Department of Labor’s awarding of $183.8 million in grants to 23 academic institutions and consortia nationwide. The goal is to further expand apprenticeships and address the skills gap. The educational institutions are partnering with companies that provide a funding match. The ultimate aim is to satisfy industry’s enormous demand for trained American workers.

To read more, click here.

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