View this email in a browser

On the Horizon…

I’m excited to join PennDOT and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) to unveil the new Eastern Hellbender license plate to support the Wild Resource Conservation Program on Monday, October 2nd 10:00a.m. These special license plates are available from PennDOT upon request of vehicle owners. Watch live HERE.

PennDOT is hosting a job fair TODAY from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Lycoming County Maintenance Office, 716 Jordan Ave., Montoursville. For more information, please call 570-368-428.

The Mifflinburg Hose Company is hosting their 125th Anniversary Celebration this weekend! Join them on Friday, September 29th from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Saturday, September 30th from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Mifflinburg Community Park. Kids games, food, raffles, nightly entertainment, and fireworks. More information HERE.

Save the date! Williamsport’s October First Friday will be held on October 6 from 5:00p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in Downtown Williamsport. Local artists, bands, food, and events. Read more HERE.

Archery Deer Season to Open Statewide

Archery Season opens this week! The 2023-24 statewide archery season runs from Sept. 30 through Nov. 11, continues on Sunday, Nov. 12, then goes from Nov. 13 to 17. The final stretch for statewide hunting runs from Dec. 26 to Jan. 15, 2024.

Hunters are reminded that they must use long, recurve or compound bows with a peak draw weight of no less than 35 pounds, and crossbows with a draw weight of no less than 125 pounds, and not more than 200 pounds.

Those who plan to hunt on private property on the Sundays open to archers must carry with them written permission from the landowner to be there.

The Pennsylvania Game Commission is providing tips, reinforcing techniques and keeping hunters up to date on what they need to know before heading into the woods this fall HERE.

New PA SITES Pilot Program Launched

This week the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) announced the launch of new pilot program PA SITES (Pennsylvania Strategic Investments to Enhance Sites), which will make $10 million in grant funding available to help more sites across the Commonwealth become “shovel ready” to attract and retain more businesses.

DCED is accepting applications for the grant funding through November 8, 2023. 

Eligible applicants for the PA SITES pilot program include:

• Municipalities – Any county, city, borough, incorporated town, township, or home rule municipality;
• Economic Development Organizations – A nonprofit corporation or association whose purpose is the enhancement of economic conditions in their community;
• Redevelopment Authorities; 
• Municipal Authorities; and 
• Industrial Development Agencies. 

Eligible Projects must be located within the Commonwealth and support the development of competitive sites. These include undeveloped sites and sites that were previously utilized or underutilized (such as former industrial, commercial, military, school, or hospital sites or buildings). 

PA Voters Get Greater Say with Senate Bill

The Senate passed a bill that would give Pennsylvania voters a significant say in presidential elections by moving up the primary election date.

In many presidential elections, the outcome is largely decided before Pennsylvania voters have a chance to cast a ballot. Moving up the spring election date gives voters in the fifth-largest state a better chance of weighing in on the presidential primary.

Currently, the primary takes place on the fourth Tuesday of April. Senate Bill 224 would move the primary to the third Tuesday in March, making the next presidential primary election date March 19, 2024. The change would also prevent a conflict with Passover, during which observant Jewish Pennsylvanians are prohibited from writing, driving or using electricity.

Senate Votes to Streamline and Increase School Safety Measures

Last week, the Senate passed House Bill 27 to more effectively keep Pennsylvania children safe at school by streamlining and increasing school safety measures.

House Bill 27 would consolidate school safety programs and operations under the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) and create a new Executive Committee under PCCD to review school safety issues and to identify current and emerging trends.

The bill would also ensure schools and counties can develop best practices for emergency response by developing a safe schools collaborative, release $100 million that was included in the 2023-24 state budget for K-12 mental health programs and provide greater flexibility for school districts experiencing shortages of substitute teachers. Read More 

Tax Seminars Held Virtually and Across PA

Tax professionals can learn about changes to state tax laws and policies during one-day seminars offered by the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue held across the state and virtually.

The tax seminars will educate tax professionals on Personal Income Tax, sales tax corporate taxes, compliance initiatives and using the department’s website to establish tax accounts for new businesses, file tax returns and pay state taxes.

Find a local or virtual seminar here.

Grants Available to Increase Economic Benefits of Boating Access Along PA Waterways

Communities can apply now for grants to enhance the economic and social benefits of providing convenient boating access along their waterways. Townships, boroughs, municipal and county governments, and nonprofit groups may apply. Private businesses and service clubs are not eligible.

Applicants can seek grants for site acquisition, development, expansion, prevention of the spread of aquatic invasive species and rehabilitation of recreational boat access facilities. Eligible construction projects may include boat ramps, courtesy floats, restrooms, access roads, parking areas and signs. Funds may also be used to make facilities ADA compliant.

While the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission will accept applications from anywhere in the commonwealth, special consideration will be given to projects that provide public boating access in the Delaware River watershed. Learn more or apply online by Dec. 30.

2024 © Senate of Pennsylvania | https://www.senatorgeneyaw.com | Privacy Policy