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June 3, 2019

“Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value.” 

– Albert Einstein

Senate Returns to Session This Week

WATCH LIVE

The state Senate will reconvene on Monday, June 3rd 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.

Broadband Study Released Today at State Capitol

Results from a year-long research project measuring median broadband speeds across Pennsylvania indicate there isn’t a single Pennsylvania county where at least 50 percent of the population received “broadband” connectivity, defined by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) as 25 megabits download speed and 3 megabits upload speed.

The research, Broadband Availability and Access in Rural Pennsylvania, was conducted by Penn State University’s Palmer Chair in Telecommunications Sascha Meinrath and a team of researchers who developed a replicable research methodology using open source tools for collecting broadband data. The research was sponsored by the Center for Rural Pennsylvania, an agency of the Pennsylvania General Assembly.

Click here for the report, as well as links to the research tools and data.

TUNE-IN:  Senate ERE Meeting on Third Party Permit Review

***Watch Live***

The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, which I chair, will be holding an informational meeting on Wednesday, June 5, 2019 | 9:00 a.m. to discuss Third Party Permit Review.

Senators Announce Bills Reforming Pennsylvania’s Vehicle Emissions Testing Program

A group of Senate Republicans have announced a package of bills reforming Pennsylvania’s vehicle emissions testing program, also referred to as the Vehicle Emissions Inspection and Maintenance (I/M) Program.

On May 10th, the Senate Transportation Committee held a hearing on “Exempting Eligible Counties from Vehicle Emissions Testing” and collected testimony from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, the Joint State Government Commission, the Pennsylvania AAA Federation, and an inspection mechanic.

Findings from the hearing paved the way for the introduction of the measures that would:

• Exempt gas-powered passenger cars, vans, and light-duty trucks from the I/M program for the first eight years after manufacture in counties that require emissions testing.
• Change the annual emissions testing to a two-year testing requirement for gas-powered passenger cars, vans, and light-duty trucks older than eight years in counties that require emissions testing.
• Remove Blair, Cambria, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Lycoming, Mercer and Westmoreland counties from the I/M program based on empirical evidence cited by the Joint State Government Commission.
• Replace the outdated tailpipe test in Pittsburgh and the two-speed idle test in the Philadelphia region with a gas cap test and a visual inspection for model year 1994-95 vehicles.
• Extend the transition date for existing emissions inspection stations who are required by PennDOT to obtain new emissions testing equipment by November 1, 2019. 

Joining the Marcellus Shale Coalition, Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce and other regional leaders to discuss benefits of the natural gas impact tax

Pennsylvania’s unique tax on natural gas, the impact tax, is on track to generate nearly $1.7 billion since 2012, including a record $247 million this year in new revenue that directly benefits communities across the Commonwealth.

With nearly $400 million staying in the 10-county Northeast Pennsylvania region since 2012, I joined the Marcellus Shale Coalition, Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce and leaders from across the region last week to discuss the significant benefits this tax has delivered to communities and how additional energy taxes threaten those meaningful benefits.

“The Act 13 impact fee is probably the most important piece of legislation for rural Pennsylvania in my lifetime,” Sen. Yaw said.  “All of us here can attest to the ongoing benefits in our region.

To read more, click here.

Around the 23rd…..

Last week, I joined Rep. Garth Everett during the monthly meeting of the Jersey Shore Area Chamber of Commerce. We had the opportunity to discuss current legislation and the upcoming state budget with our local business leaders. I was also delighted to assist the Chamber in presenting Jersey Shore Area High School FLBA (Future Business Leaders of America) graduating seniors scholarship awards sponsored by the Jersey Shore Area Chamber. Congratulations again to Annalise Eiswerth, 3rd place, Gabrielle Harris, 1st place, and Sean Anderson, 2nd place.

Wellness Program Slated

Honoring Our Veterans with Special License Plates

New this year is an Honoring Our Women Veterans plate

With the warmer weather and longer summer days bringing increased travel, the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) suggests an Honoring Our Veterans or the new Honoring our Women Veterans license plates for your vehicles as a great way to show patriotism and to support veterans in need.

Available for passenger cars and light duty trucks up to 14,000 pounds, and motorcycles, an Honoring Our Veterans license plate costs $36, with $15 dollars benefitting Pennsylvania’s Veterans’ Trust Fund (VTF). The VTF issues grants to statewide charitable organizations that aid veterans service organizations and county directors of veterans affairs. These valuable advocates use available grants to assist veterans in need of shelter and necessities of living, among other services.

To learn more about other VTF programs or to purchase an Honoring Our Veterans or Honoring Our Women Veterans license plate, visit www.vtf.pa.gov or follow DMVA on Facebook at www.facebook.com/padmva.

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