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Supporting Small Businesses and Veterans’ Organizations that Rely on Skill Games

The supplemental income from skill games that so many small businesses and veterans’ organizations rely on is at risk. Proposals are being introduced with tax rates so high, they could drive skill games out of business entirely.

That’s why I introduced Senate Bill 626, which protects these organizations from devastating taxes they can’t afford.

I’ve spoken to operators, business owners, veterans and first responders at several events to showcase the importance of skill games, including one last week in Lebanon County and one last month in Dauphin County. They told me they depend on the games to help pay their staff, pay their bills, maintain their establishments and pay for donations to help their communities.

I asked them to tell their senators and representatives how skill games have helped their organizations and ask them to support Senate Bill 626. Read more HERE.

Penn College, Lycoming College Students Visit Capitol

Last week, students from Penn College, along with President Michael Reed, visited the Capitol as part of Penn State Advocacy Day. Each year, students and staff from Penn State, as well as affiliate schools like Penn College, convene in Harrisburg for meetings with elected officials to talk about their educational experiences.

Students from Lycoming College were also in Harrisburg for the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania Day on the Hill. We had a great discussion on the impact their school and other independent, nonprofit higher education institutions make in Pennsylvania. 

PFBC Northeast Region Office to Close Temporarily for Construction

The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Northeast Region Office, located at 5566 Main Rd., Sweet Valley, PA, is closed temporarily for construction. This office serves Bradford and Sullivan counties.

Anglers and boaters can continue to contact northeast region law enforcement and education staff by calling (570) 477-5717.

More information HERE.

Real ID Mondays

Beginning May 7, Pennsylvanians will need a REAL ID driver’s license/photo ID card or other federally acceptable ID to board domestic flights. PennDOT offers dedicated times at driver license centers to help with the process. Learn more HERE.

America250PA Funding Awarded in Tioga County

The Endless Mountains Music Festival was recently awarded a Semiquincentennial Grant through America250PA. Deb Rudy from my district office was there to celebrate.

These grants are intended to create, uplift, improve and expand programming, projects, and events from eligible Pennsylvania communities and organizations, which contribute to a full calendar of activities, engaging every single Pennsylvanian, around the 250th Anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Guthrie Clinic Introduces K9 Security Team

In another proactive step to promote workplace safety, Guthrie introduced its first-ever K9 Security Team on Friday, April 11. Echo Cardiogram Guthrie — Echo for short — and his handler, K9 Security Officer Jennifer Vaughn, have completed their joint training program and are now on campus.

While based in Sayre, Pa., the K9 team will be deployed throughout the system working with on-sight security teams to promote a safe and secure work environment for caregivers, while also acting as a visual reminder to visitors about Guthrie’s security presence.

Echo is a 106-pound German Shepherd. Before joining the team, Officer Vaughn worked in public safety for 27 years, serving as a correctional officer. Together, they make up the first members of Guthrie’s K9 Security Program, the only K9 Security Program for a health system in its service area.

Liberty Elementary Students Visit Capitol

Thank you to the students from Liberty Elementary School for stopping by our beautiful State Capitol for a tour during your visit to Harrisburg!

Senate Passes Bill Benefitting Career and Technical Schools

Career and technical education prepares students for rewarding, family-sustaining careers, often at a significantly reduced cost compared to attending college. Pennsylvania is in great need of people with this training, and there are many job openings waiting to be filled.

To ensure people have the training needed for these jobs, the Senate unanimously passed Senate Bill 315. The legislation would provide more certainty regarding grant funding for career and technical education equipment by making funding calculations before the school year in which the allocation occurs.

Currently, schools are reimbursed after they have made purchases based on calculations made near the end of the school year. Read more about career and technical education opportunities in the commonwealth.

Program Increasing Digital Connectivity to Provide Laptops

The Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority (PBDA) is accepting applications for its Digital Connectivity Technology Program.

Through the program, the PBDA will purchase and distribute $20 million in devices such as laptops for eligible public-facing institutions including libraries, workforce training organizations, not-for-profit organizations, municipalities, and other institutions that can offer internet access to individuals who lack the technology.

PBDA strongly encourages interested applicants to review the program FAQ before applying. The FAQ, pre-recorded webinar providing an overview of the program, guidelines and online application are available here. Applications must be submitted by Friday, May 30.

School Safety Report Available Now

Students deserve to feel safe while they’re learning, and their families should be confident that extensive efforts are made to ensure that happens. Senate Republicans have prioritized fostering healthy and safe communities, which include schools.

Part of that work includes requiring and conducting a report to evaluate school safety initiatives and how they can be adjusted to more effectively protect students. The Legislative Budget and Finance Committee’s report highlighted the need for security assessments of school buildings and certification requirements for school safety and security coordinators.

Other key findings include collecting and analyzing more relevant data – such as tips made using the Safe2Say Something Program – and improving how the data already being collected is shared. Find the full report here.

Purple Star Schools Support Military Children

Military children face unique challenges as a result of frequent moves and parental deployments. To give them the best chance of success, Senate Republicans passed Act 69 of 2022. The law created the Purple Star designation for schools that demonstrate their commitment to supporting military families.

Many schools have embraced this program and stepped up to help the children of our service members. Purple Star Schools go the extra mile to provide stability, resources and a welcoming community for military children, ensuring they have every opportunity to thrive.

Pennsylvania has 37,000 children with parents serving in the military – and 80% of these children are in kindergarten through grade 12 and attend public schools. Learn more about Purple Star Schools.

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