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The State Senate Will Be Closed on
Monday, February 16th
The Senate Convenes Tuesday, February 17th at 1 PM -----------------------------------Social Media---------------------------------- #StayConnected
Latest on the State’s New Child Protection Law…During the 2013-14 Legislative Session, 23 pieces of legislation were enacted changing how Pennsylvania responds to child abuse. My office has received numerous inquiries from volunteer organizations and school districts discussing how the recent changes will impact them. The new law is the result of a special task force created more than two years ago following the Jerry Sandusky sexual assault scandal that examined current child abuse laws in Pennsylvania. In the coming weeks, I will be meeting with Senate staff to bring to light many of the concerns expressed to me and my office.
For information on changes to the law,
click here. ------------------------------Legislative Update------------------------------- Medical Cannabis Legislation Re-IntroducedSenators Mike Folmer (R-48) and Daylin Leach (D-17) have reintroduced legislation to allow physicians to provide medical cannabis to patients in Pennsylvania. Previously Senate Bill 1182, the medical cannabis legislation is Senate Bill 3 for the 2015-16 legislative session. I voted to support this legislation last session, and I am a co-sponsor of Senate Bill 3 this session.
Senate Bill 3 would allow patients who have a recommendation from their doctor to purchase and use medical cannabis from centers licensed by a
to-be-created State Board of Medical Cannabis Licensing. The entire process would be regulated by licensing: medical cannabis growers, processors and
dispensers. Smoking is prohibited. Purely Public Charities and Senate Bill 4On February 4th, the Senate Finance Committee examined a proposal that would allow the legislature to clearly define the parameters for an organization to qualify as a purely public charity. The bill was introduced in response to a controversial 2012 court ruling, which created a great deal of confusion among charities and led many municipalities to examine whether they could begin levying real estate taxes on charitable organizations who had previously been deemed exempt.
For a recap of the public hearing,
click here. Senate Coal Caucus ReorganizesRecently, I joined Senators from across the Commonwealth for the reorganization meeting of the bipartisan Senate ‘Coal Caucus’, a legislative committee emphasizing the continued importance of coal and coal-driven technologies in the state.
The Coal Caucus will serve as a forum through which legislators and industry representatives can collaborate on the needs of the coal industry, focus on
the utilization and consumption of coal to significantly reduce consumer demands on foreign fuels and highlight new coal technologies within the industry. --------------------------------PCN Interview---------------------------------- On the Issues: Natural Gas Royalties
I recently had the opportunity to sit down with the Pennsylvania Cable Network (PCN) to discuss a number of important issues such as natural gas royalty
payments, possible implementation of a severance tax and more. To watch the interview,
click here. ---------------------------------In the News----------------------------------- Op-Ed: Rural Municipal Pension Plans Faring Well Statewide
February 6, 2015 In a recent Williamsport Sun-Gazette Op-Ed (“Municipal Pensions: The rest of the (untold) story...”), David M. Sanko, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors, accurately outlined Pennsylvania’s pension crisis. He noted that while municipal pension plans in larger cities like Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Scranton are distressed, many of the state’s smaller municipal pension plans are doing just fine. A 2013 study of Pennsylvania municipal pensions, sponsored by the Center for Rural Pennsylvania, dug even deeper and found that many of Pennsylvania’s rural communities are doing it right when it comes to their municipal pension obligations.
To read more,
click here. ----------------------------Just in from the PFBC------------------------------ 2015 PFBC Trout Stocking Guides Now Available
The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) recently announced that the 2015 adult trout stocking schedules are available online at www.fishandboat.com.
Anglers can easily search the trout stocking schedules for locations and dates of interest. To view the list, simply go to
www.fishandboat.com, click on the link for
Trout Stocking Schedules, select a county and enter start and end dates from the calendars at
the top of the page. Then press “Go.” -----------------------------District Outreaches------------------------------- Do You Need Assistance With State Forms?Do you need assistance completing birth certificates, death certificates, PennDOT or other related applications and forms? My staff stands ready to assist you. The following district outreaches have been scheduled, and are updated frequently on my website. February 17, 2015
Canton Library
Allen F. Pierce Library ------------------------------------------------------------------ February 19, 2015
Sayre Library
Spaulding Memorial Library ------------------------------------------------------------------ February 24, 2015
Susquehanna County Conservation ------------------------------------------------------------------ February 26, 2015
Wyalusing Borough Hall
Wyalusing Public Library -----------------------------Student Opportunities-----------------------------
DCNR Invites Students to Apply for
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Harrisburg Office District Offices 1-800-443-5772
1 Elizabeth Street
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