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The latest news from the State Capitol |
In this Edition:
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It’s Health Expo Time! |
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A Sweet Week |
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Primary Election Day Tuesday, May 20 |
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Supporting Our EMS Providers |
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Armed Forces Day Saturday |
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Busy & Bustling Region |
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It’s Health Expo Time!
I hope to see you Thursday, May 22, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Leader Center for Active Life in Derry Township. I’m hosting my free health expo, where you can undergo screenings for things like blood pressure and learn about resources in our area. Call 717-534-1323 if you have questions.;
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A Sweet Week
My bill to name Hershey’s Kisses the state candy of Pennsylvania passed the House on a 150-53 vote Tuesday. It goes to the Senate on its way to becoming law. Watch a video about the project on my Facebook page.
We’ve made progress on my bill to require voter ID at the polls in every election. This is an initiative I’ve pursued with Reps. Frank Burns (D-Cambria) and K.C. Tomlinson (R-Bucks). There were initial plans to have a final vote on House Bill 771 this week, but some House members have questions they want addressed. Hopefully we’ll get a vote scheduled soon. I’ll be talking about voter ID on PCN’s “On The Issues” in the coming weeks, so watch your cable listings.
The House passed House Bill 500, which is a bipartisan project that featured my input. I worked on the section affecting future tax credits for projects that provide a minimum of 100 megawatts of new power. The tax credits are meant to ensure we have reliable sources of baseload energy for decades to come.
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Primary Election Day Tuesday, May 20
This Tuesday, May 20, is primary election day. Voters will have the opportunity to choose their party’s candidates for vacancies on the Commonwealth and Superior courts, as well as for a variety of municipal positions.
Voters who have chosen to vote by mail-in or civilian absentee ballot must have those ballots back to their county Board of Elections no later than 8 p.m. on election day.
Otherwise, voters may cast their ballots in person at their local polling place. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Additional information about in-person voting is available here.
Only voters registered as Republicans or Democrats are eligible to vote for candidates in the primary election, unless you reside in a community where a special election is taking place or a referendum is on your ballot. Check with your county elections office for details about what is on your ballot. For comprehensive information about the state’s elections, visit vote.pa.gov.
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Supporting Our EMS Providers
Next week, May 18-24, is National EMS Week, an opportunity for each of us to recognize and extend special thanks to the men and women who answer the call every day to help save lives. This year’s theme is “We Care. For Everyone.”
Caring for everyone, though, carries a significant cost. Here in Pennsylvania, more than four dozen emergency medical services (EMS) providers closed their doors since the start of 2023, often due to a shortage of funds, personnel or both.
We all tend to take it for granted that when we call 9-1-1, someone will be there to help. As we mark EMS Week this week, think about how you might be able to help your local ambulance company keep its doors open and keep saving lives.
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Armed Forces Day Saturday
This Saturday, May 17, is Armed Forces Day, a day set aside to recognize and honor the men and women who are currently serving in a branch of our armed forces.
The day was first celebrated in 1950, soon after the branches of the military were united under the leadership of the U.S. Department of Defense. In his proclamation marking the day, President Harry S. Truman called upon fellow citizens to “display the flag of the United States at their homes on Armed Forces Day and to participate in exercises expressive of our recognition of the skill, gallantry, and uncompromising devotion to duty characteristic of the Armed Forces in the carrying out of their missions.”
In other words, seek out opportunities to thank our men and women in uniform, not just this Saturday but every day.
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Busy & Bustling Region
Last week, I visited Werner Ace Hardware. It’s a new, one-stop shop in Derry Township for things like weed killer and paint supplies.
The Eastern Atlantic States Carpenters Technical Centers, Eastern Atlantic States Carpenters and the Carpenter Contractor Trust recently showed me their training facilities in Lebanon County.
My long-time friend Sara Nye came to the district office last week to talk about legislation for integrated workplaces and fair wages. You can read about the bill here.
The State YMCA of Pennsylvania weekend allowed me to meet a number of great young people like Aasher Gaskin from the Philadelphia area, Springfield Township's Serena Choi (who acted as speaker of the House during the mock government exercises), and Raymond Dokholyan and Xavier Babbitt from Hershey. Xavier took over my desk for the weekend!
Hershey’s Venny Brooks, who attends Bishop McDevitt High School, is a standout football player who plans to attend Carnegie Mellon University to study mechanical engineering.
Flags are back up for the season at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery. Kudos to all the volunteers who make sure the driveway is lined with flags.
The plants I purchased at Manada Conservancy’s sale are thriving thanks to the rain we’ve had.
The Dauphin-Lebanon County Boroughs Association recently invited me to provide a Capitol update at its meeting. I talked about legislation affecting municipalities, including changes in recent years to the Property Tax/Rent Rebate, LIHEAP and Whole Home Repairs programs.
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