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The latest news from the State Capitol |
In this Edition:
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House Advances Budget Framework |
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Turn Around, Don’t Drown |
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Know Before You Go! |
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Reducing Food Waste, Helping People in Need |
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PA Full Participant in Interstate Medical, Nurse and Physical Therapy Licensure Compacts |
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RSVP Now for Veterans Breakfast |
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Applications Open for Cultural and Historical Support Grants |
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House Advances Budget Framework
The House on Monday passed a bill that could serve as the foundation for a 2025-26 state budget. Disappointingly, we are already two weeks past the budget deadline, and the leading measure is still likely to meet resistance in the Senate.
I voted “yes” on House Bill 1330 because I wanted to expedite budget talks. When the Legislature doesn’t pass a budget by its deadline (as has happened a dozen times in the past two decades), entities like libraries, school districts and human service agencies suffer without knowing their projected revenue.
Lawmakers from both parties and both chambers need to commit to resolving this impasse in a timely manner.
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Turn Around, Don’t Drown
With all the rain we’ve been seeing in our region and across the Commonwealth, it’s important to remember how dangerous floodwaters can be.
If you approach a flooded roadway, turn your vehicle around. It only takes a few inches of water to sweep a vehicle away, putting your life in danger, as well as the lives of first responders who come to your aid.
Never drive around “road closed” signs and use detours instead. The message is simple. Turn around; don’t drown.
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Know Before You Go!
Whether you are heading out on a summer road trip or simply going to work or to run an errand, you can find out if your route is clear simply by checking 511PA!
511PA is part of a statewide travel information service which provides reliable traffic, weather and transit information to travelers to reduce congestion, and improve safety and mobility in Pennsylvania. 511PA uses real-time traffic data from various sources throughout the state to give all the latest updates.
Information is available through 511PA by dialing 5-1-1 from any phone or by visiting www.511PA.com on your computer or mobile device. You may also follow any of the 511PA regional X (formerly Twitter) pages. 511PA tweets include news releases and traffic advisories, along with all traffic and construction events on the 511PA network in that region. You can access these regional pages from the X link on the 511PA web page.
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Reducing Food Waste, Helping People in Need
A new state law aims to boost food donation and reduce waste by limiting liability for donated food that is past its “best by” date.
Date labels on food generally are established by the manufacturer to indicate the best use-by date for purposes of freshness; however, many potential food donors misinterpret these labels as “expiration dates” or indicators of food safety. The law aims to encourage the donation of surplus food to help the more than 1.2 million people in Pennsylvania who are food insecure, including more than 325,000 children.
Act 13 of 2025 amends the free-standing Donated Food Limited Liability Act to limit criminal and civil liability for persons who donate food that is fit for human consumption but is past a date code on the food item. The donor must make a good faith evaluation that the food is fit for human consumption and a donor has immunity unless damages result from the negligent, reckless or intentional misconduct of the donor.
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PA Full Participant in Interstate Medical, Nurse and Physical Therapy Licensure Compacts
Pennsylvania is now a full participant in three health care licensure compacts that make it easier for qualified doctors, nurses and physical therapists to provide care across state lines.
Act 79 of 2024, which I supported, opened the door to allow the Commonwealth to become a full participant in the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLC), Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) and Physical Therapy Licensure Compact (PT Compact).
Instead of requiring months to complete the full licensure process, as a result of full compact participation, out-of-state practitioners are now able to contribute to Pennsylvania’s health care workforce within days, helping to meet critical staffing needs and improving access to care.
In addition, doctors, nurses and physical therapists licensed in Pennsylvania can now work in other states that are members of the compacts.
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RSVP Now for Veterans Breakfast
Veterans and active-duty military personnel from the 106th District are welcome to join me for a free breakfast Friday, Nov. 7. Attendees must pre-register, as space is limited.
The breakfast will be held from 8 to 10 a.m. at Lower Swatara Fire Department, 1350 Fulling Mill Road, Middletown.
Accommodations can be made for attendees with disabilities. You may bring tattered or damaged flags for proper retirement or internment flags to be flown at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery.
For more information or to register, call 717-534-1323.
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Applications Open for Cultural and Historical Support Grants
The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) is now accepting applications for its Cultural and Historical Support Grants program, which provides funding to eligible museums and official county historical societies in the Commonwealth.
Applications must be submitted by midnight on Friday, Aug. 22. Please note that all PHMC grant applications are now submitted through the Commonwealth’s Single Application for Assistance system.
For detailed eligibility information and grant guidelines, click here.
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