Senator Yaw E-Newsletter

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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, Tioga 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
State Senator
www.SenatorGeneYaw.com

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Click here to find the latest information on coronavirus from the Pennsylvania Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Honoring the Bradford County Conservation District’s 65th Anniversary

Senator Yaw celebrated the 65th anniversary of the Bradford County Conservation District during an event at Mt. Pisgah State Park, Troy PA.   L to R: State Rep. Clint Owlett; Rep. Tina Pickett; Cathy Yeakel, Director BCCD; Senator Yaw.

Two thousand twenty-one marks the Bradford County Conservation District’s (BCCD) 65th anniversary serving the residents of Bradford County.

During a ceremony at Mt. Pisgah State Park on Friday, I was joined by state and local elected officials, conservation district staff and many other supporters who took part in the celebratory event.  Local volunteers and area businesses were also on-hand with music, food, and activities for all ages.

For 65 years, the Bradford County Conservation District staff have worked tirelessly with landowners and communities to promote the conservation and responsible use of natural and agricultural resources all across the region. I applaud them on this significant milestone. READ MORE

L to R: Vanessa Billings-Seyler, Endless Mountains Heritage; Robyn Cummings, Bradford County Tourism; Wylie Norton; Cain Chamberlin, Endless Mountains Heritage; Senator Yaw; and Cathy Yeakel, Director BCCD.

L to R:  Cathy Yeakel, Director BCCD; Sen. Yaw; Shannon Wehinger, PACD

ICYMI:  Williamsport Sun-Gazette (Editorial)

We share chamber chief’s optimism as Digger breaks ground in township (MUST READ)

In late 2020, Digger Specialties, Inc. (DSI), an Indiana-based manufacturer of aluminum and vinyl fencing and railing products, announced its intention to locate at the Timber Run Industrial Park in Brady Township, Lycoming County, in 2021. DSI is anticipated to create approximately 150 jobs upon opening and support an additional 80 jobs in the local economy. This is an important partnership with DSI, the Lycoming County Commissioners and their county staff and the Williamsport / Lycoming Chamber of Commerce.

In addition to the direct economic benefits, DSI will also spur added industrial development within Timber Run. I was pleased to lend my support to this project and I am pleased DSI will become an integral part of Lycoming County’s economy and help strengthen it’s robust manufacturing sector.

#WHATSHAPPENING: Fair Season Is Here!

The 2021 county fair season is here, offering a variety of fun-filled activities for family and friends. From the West End Fair in Union County to the Troy Fair in Bradford County, there will be a number of fairs in our region over the next several weeks.  Whether visiting for the food, livestock competitions or displays, make sure to get out and also support our FFA groups and 4-H programs, as well.
For a list of activities, show times and project judging schedules, visit the Pennsylvania State Association of County Fairs website.

Legislative Reapportionment Commission Update

The Pennsylvania Legislative Reapportionment Commission held an administrative meeting and public hearing last week to focus on staffing, census data, primary election deadlines and reapportionment criteria.

You can view the agenda and video here.

The Pennsylvania Constitution requires that the legislative districts for the state House of Representatives and Senate be redrawn each decade following the federal census. This process is mandated so that each citizen’s vote ultimately carries the same weight in the ballot box. The Legislative Reapportionment Commission consists of five members: two members of both parties and a chair.

Increased Unemployment Compensation Fraud and Identity Theft

According to the Department of Labor and Industry, unemployment phishing attempts are at an all-time high. Before clicking on any link or responding to suspicious messages, claimants are asked to review all verified UC contact methods.

What to do when someone files for unemployment benefits using your identity:

File a form online:

Unemployment compensation fraud

Federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) fraud

File via phone:

Call the PA Fraud Hotline at 800-692-7469.

File a report with police:

Contact police in the municipality you resided in at the time the unemployment fraud occurred/benefits in question were paid. A copy of the filed police report must also be provided to the Office of Unemployment Compensation.

Start a recovery plan with the Federal Trade Commission at identitytheft.gov.

2021 Legislative Roundup: Children & Families 

Among the key bills passed by the Senate in the first half of the year are several that strengthen protections for children and older Pennsylvanians.

They include:

Act 20 of 2021 aligns the Family Caregiver Support Act with federal standards, expands the definition of “care receiver” to add a child being raised by a grandparent and an adult with a disability who is cared for by an older adult, and makes other changes to help families.

Act 42 of 2021 allows a criminal justice agency to share information relating to an allegation or instance of child abuse with a county agency or the Department of Human Services to investigate, or with a children’s advocacy center to provide services to investigating agencies.

Act 48 of 2021 gives the Attorney General’s office concurrent jurisdiction with county district attorneys to investigate individuals who use their position of trust to financially exploit older adults and care-dependent people.

Act 49 of 2021 targets elder abuse by making it a misdemeanor for a professional caretaker to post pictures of care-dependent individuals on social media without permission with the intent to ridicule or demean.

Act 53 of 2021 increases the penalties for those convicted of child pornography and permits the Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing to increase penalties for those convicted of the sexual abuse of children when the victim is known to the defendant.

A complete list of notable bills passed by the Senate this year can be found here.

State Government Merger to Save Taxpayer Dollars

Legislation merging the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections and the Board of Probation and Parole was recently signed into law.

The new law transfers supervision of offenders and certain administrative functions from the Board to the Department, but preserves parole decision–making responsibilities within the Board. The merger is projected to save taxpayers $29.6 million through 2023 when fully implemented by eliminating redundant procedures and sharing of resources and personnel.

Preventing Child Deaths in Hot Cars

Since 1998, an average of one child per year has died in Pennsylvania after being left in a hot car. All of these tragic deaths could have been prevented.

More than half of pediatric vehicular heat stroke deaths involve children under 2 years of age. By far, the leading circumstance is children forgotten by a caregiver.

The National Safety Council advises parents and caregivers to stick to a routine and avoid distractions to reduce the risk of forgetting a child. Place a purse, briefcase or even a left shoe in the back seat to force you to take one last look before walking away. Keep car doors locked so children cannot gain access and teach them that cars are not play areas. And look in the back seat before you leave and lock your vehicle.

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