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| Mehaffie Message |
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The latest news from the State Capitol |
In this Edition:
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Three Mile Island Restart Would Bring Jobs |
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Main Street Matters Applications Now Available |
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Important Dates for 2024 General Election |
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DHS Issues Keystone STARS Awards |
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Sept. 11, 2001, Anniversary Approaching |
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Attention Students: House Fellowship Program Taking Applications |
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Sign Up Today for These Upcoming Events! |
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Three Mile Island Restart Would Bring Jobs
As I addressed the news media Tuesday about the rumored potential for Three Mile Island to resume production, I reminded them of the impact the project could have on the regional workforce. The plant directly employed more than 600 people when operational. Restoring it to continuous production and reconnecting it to the power grid would require even more workers in related industries.
The bipartisan, bicameral Pennsylvania Nuclear Energy Caucus, of which I’m a co-chair, stands ready to support the nuclear industry through thoughtful, responsible legislative solutions as we seek to bolster carbon-free contributions to diversify and strengthen the power grid for the future.
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Main Street Matters Applications Now Available
Revitalization organizations can apply until Nov. 15 for the first grants to be distributed under a new, $20 million Main Street Matters program created in the 2024-25 state budget.
Eligible applicants include municipal governments, redevelopment and housing authorities, nonprofit organizations, downtown improvement districts, and others.
As part of June’s budget negotiations, I led Gov. Josh Shapiro and Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Secretary Rick Siger on a tour of Hummelstown’s Main Street businesses.
Our time in Hummelstown reinforced for me how volunteerism, small businesses and beautiful downtowns serve as the heart of a community. As a business owner myself, I am sharply aware of how interconnected retailers, professional services, restaurants and other businesses are with walkable, thriving downtowns.
Established to support community revitalization, Main Street Matters funding can be used for façade and similar aesthetic projects, planning, business support, and safety and security improvements. The program replaces the Keystone Communities initiative.
For more information about Main Street Matters, visit my homepage (RepMehaffie.com) and select the program under the “Resources” tab on the homepage.
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Important Dates for 2024 General Election
The 2024 General Election is coming up on Tuesday, Nov. 5. Voters will have the opportunity to elect the next president and vice president; members of the U.S. House and Senate; members of the state House and state Senate (in odd-numbered senatorial districts); and state row offices, including attorney general, auditor general and treasurer.
If you are not already registered to vote, the deadline to do so is Monday, Oct. 21. You can register in person at your county elections office, by mail or by visiting the state’s online voter registration website.
For more information about voting in the Commonwealth, including how to check your registration, apply for a mail-in ballot, find your voting location and more, visit www.vote.pa.gov.
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Looking for a Career in Law Enforcement?
The Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) recently opened a new application cycle for people considering a rewarding career in public service as a state trooper.
Applicants must have a high school diploma or GED certificate and a valid driver’s license from any state. They must be at least 20 years old at the time of application, and they must be at least 21 years old and cannot have reached age 40 upon entry into the training academy. Cadets must be a Pennsylvania resident and possess a valid Pennsylvania driver’s license at the time of graduation.
Applications should be submitted via the Commonwealth’s employment website by Nov. 27, 2024. Upon completion of the training academy, cadets are promoted to trooper and receive an increase in salary, currently set at $66,911 annually.
For more information on becoming a state trooper, including applicant requirements and job benefits, visit PATrooper.com.
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DHS Issues Keystone STARS Awards
The Department of Human Services recently announced the second round of Keystone STARS Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) Awards for childcare programs. In recent years, I have been directly involved in legislative changes to improve the Keystone STARS program, under which childcare programs can earn a rating from a STAR 1 to a STAR 4. At each level, centers must meet certain quality standards in areas such as staff education, learning environment, leadership/management, and family and community partnerships
The Keystone STARS CQI Award is issued to eligible childcare providers designated with a Keystone STARS 2, 3, and 4 rating through the regional Early Learning Resource Centers. The award is provided with federal Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) funds for childcare programs to maintain and invest in quality activities and expenditures that will positively impact children in care.
Programs can use the Keystone STARS CQI Award funds for eligible expenses in the following categories:
• Staff qualifications and professional development;
• Early childhood education program;
• Partnerships with families and communities.
• Leadership and management; and,
• Accreditation costs.
Centers expecting award letters should look for them in early September 2024. Those letters will include the total award amount they are eligible for. To receive the funds, eligible providers must respond to the letter on or before Dec. 13.
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Attention Students: House Fellowship Program Taking Applications
The Pennsylvania House Legislative Fellowship Program is accepting applications for its spring 2025 semester.
The program is based at Pennsylvania’s Capitol Building in Harrisburg where fellows are assigned to work in House standing committees or leadership offices; are compensated for their work (which may also include college credit); and are provided the opportunities to draft and present their own legislation, attend meet-and-greets with various public officials and staff, and tour some of the Commonwealth’s historic public spaces, to name a few.
Qualified applicants must be undergraduate juniors or seniors, graduate students or law school students; enrolled in a Pennsylvania college/university or a Pennsylvania resident enrolled in an out-of-state institution; and students of any major with a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
For more information or to apply, visit www.pahousefellowship.us. Applications can be submitted via email to pahousefellowship@pabmc.net. The deadline to apply is Oct. 1.
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Sept. 11, 2001, Anniversary Approaching
This coming Wednesday marks the 23rd anniversary of one of the worst days in our nation’s history. On Sept. 11, 2001, nearly 3,000 men and women were killed in devastating terrorist attacks in New York; Washington, D.C.; and Pennsylvania, including more than 400 first responders.
Those we lost on Sept. 11 will be honored and remembered in observances all across the country, including one at Pennsylvania’s own Flight 93 Memorial, near the site where one of the four planes hijacked that day crashed. The remembrance program will begin at 9:45 a.m. and will be streamed live here.
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Sign Up Today for These Upcoming Events!
I am hosting two upcoming events this fall; sign up today to reserve your spot by calling 717-534-1323.
Home Title Protection Seminar, Thursday, Sept. 19, from 10 a.m. to noon at Middletown Volunteer Fire Hall, 10 Adelia St., Middletown. The Dauphin County Recorder of Deeds Office will discuss a fraud alert service to protect your home’s title from theft. Registration is required.
Annual Veterans’ Appreciation Breakfast, Friday, Nov. 8, from 8-10 a.m. at the Lower Swatara Fire Department, 1350 Fulling Mill Road, Middletown. This event is open to active-duty military personnel and veterans. Accommodations can be made for disabled attendees requiring assistance. Bring flags that either need to be properly retired or interment flags to be donated to Indiantown Gap National Cemetery. Registration is required.
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