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In this Update:
- Public Hearing on Act 84 of 2022 and Improving Pennsylvania’s Major Bridges
- Upcoming Events in Senate District 35
- Tour with the Cambria County Farm Bureau
- Summerhill Borough Volunteer Fire Department Citation Presentation
- Congratulations to Hollidaysburg Little League
- Veteran Community Initiatives Outreach Event
- Colonel Joseph M. Stine Memorial Bridge Dedication
- Bedford County Chamber of Commerce Luncheon
- UPMC Wound Healing Services Ribbon Cutting
- Schools have Until Aug. 31 to Apply for Security and Mental Health Grants
- Please Watch for Children as Schools Open
- PennDOT Jobs Available for CDL Drivers
- PA ABLE Helps Pennsylvanians with Disabilities
Public Hearing on Act 84 of 2022 and Improving Pennsylvania’s Major Bridges
This week, as Chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee, I hosted a public hearing in Pittsburgh on Act 84 of 2022 and Improving Pennsylvania’s Major Bridges. For more information on the hearing click here.
Upcoming Events in Senate District 35
Is your license plate hard to read? Are the letters on your license plate peeling, blistered, or discolored? We can help you get it replaced for FREE!
Join me at one of my license plate replacement events to get your license plate checked and start the replacement process. Feel free to give my office a call if you have any questions or are unable to make one of the events and need your license plate replaced at 814-266-2277.
Tour with the Cambria County Farm Bureau
This week, I attended the Cambria County Farm Bureau’s Legislative Farm/Agribusiness Tour at the dairy farm of David Myers in Summerhill Township. Thank you for the tour and conversation!
Summerhill Borough Volunteer Fire Department Citation Presentation
I had the honor of presenting the Summerhill Boro. Volunteer Fire Department with a Pennsylvania Senate Citation upon their 70th Anniversary. I would like to express my appreciation to the men and women who have dedicated countless hours over the years to ensure the safety and well-being of their community residents. They have earned the respect and gratitude of all those who have received the benefit of their tireless devotion to duty. Thank you and congratulations!
Congratulations to Hollidaysburg Little League
While the Hollidaysburg Little League team fell just short last night, the team’s tough competitive spirit has made all of Pennsylvania proud. A special shoutout to our Bedford County boys Aspen Anderson and Brody Dull who both played outstanding during the series. Congratulations on a great tournament!
Veteran Community Initiatives Outreach Event
Members of my staff attended the Veteran Community Initiatives, VCI Outreach Event at the 1st Summit Arena at Cambria County War Memorial. Thank you to all our veterans! If you need help with any state-related issue, please contact my office for assistance.
Colonel Joseph M. Stine Memorial Bridge Dedication
It was an honor to have Tonya Clark of my Bedford office attend the Colonel Joseph M. Stine Memorial Bridge Dedication Ceremony hosted by PA State Rep. Jesse Topper last week at the Bloody Run Historical Society, Everett Pa. Colonel Stine joined the United State Air Force after graduating from Everett Area School District. On September 27, 1966, Colonel Stine and Major Dyke Spilman went missing somewhere over North Vietnam while on a photo reconnaissance mission. We can never repay our debt to those who made the ultimate sacrifice, but we can honor their bravery and their service and with this bridge naming we will forever remember Colonel Joseph Stine.
Bedford County Chamber of Commerce Luncheon
This week, my staff attended the Bedford County Chamber of Commerce Luncheon. It was wonderful to have Congressman John Joyce in Bedford. Thank you, Congressman, for your hard work on behalf of your constituents in the 13th Congressional District!
UPMC Wound Healing Services Ribbon Cutting
My staff joined UPMC Bedford Hospital for a ribbon cutting this week celebrating the addition of UPMC Wound Healing Services for comprehensive outpatient wound care, a brand-new service for our Bedford community. I’d like to congratulate and thank the staff, administration, and the UPMC board for their vision and continued efforts to provide quality healthcare for the community!
Schools have Until Aug. 31 to Apply for Security and Mental Health Grants
As part of this year’s budget negotiations, we made a historic investment in the safety of Pennsylvania students. This includes $95 million for school safety and security grants and an additional $95 million for school mental health grants.
School districts have until Aug. 31 to apply for this assistance. Safety and security grants help pay for security assessments, training and more. Mental health grants can be used for counseling, screening, early intervention and other initiatives.
Children need a safe and secure learning environment to succeed in school. These grants provide financial assistance to schools to implement the strategies that work best for them.
Please Watch for Children as Schools Open
With children returning to school, it’s a good time to revisit the state school bus stopping law.
- Motorists must stop at least 10 feet away from school buses that have their red lights flashing and stop arm extended.
- Motorists must stop when they are behind a bus, meeting the bus or approaching an intersection where a bus is stopped.
- Motorists following or traveling alongside a school bus must also stop until the red lights have stopped flashing, the stop arm is withdrawn and all children have reached safety.
- If physical barriers such as grassy medians, guide rails or concrete median barriers separate oncoming traffic from the bus, motorists in the opposing lanes may proceed without stopping.
- Do not proceed until all the children have reached a place of safety.
The penalties if convicted of violating the law include a $250 fine, five points on your driving record and a 60-day license suspension. For your sake and that of students and school employees, please be careful around school buses.
PennDOT Jobs Available for CDL Drivers
The Department of Transportation is hiring Winter CDL Equipment Operators. The job involves operating highway construction and maintenance equipment to perform snow removal duties and related tasks.
This is a seasonal position lasting from September through April, but there are frequent opportunities for promotion that include good benefits and career advancement.
Winter CDL Equipment Operators earn $18.53 to $20.49 per hour, based on location. To see counties where you might be interested in working, view PennDOT’s District map. Watch this video to learn more about this position.
PA ABLE Helps Pennsylvanians with Disabilities
PA ABLE is a savings program that helps to provide increased financial independence for Pennsylvanians with disabilities. Since being created by the General Assembly five years ago, the program has helped nearly 7,000 Pennsylvanians and their families save more than $75 million.
PA ABLE accounts allow individuals and families to save without affecting eligibility for means-tested federal benefits – and they offer tax advantages. Growth in PA ABLE accounts is tax-deferred, and withdrawals are tax-free when used for qualified disability expenses – which can include day-to-day things like groceries or rent, or larger, more long-term expenses such as assistive technology or vehicle modifications.
Eligible Pennsylvanians can open a PA ABLE account and choose from investment options or an interest-bearing checking account to best meet their savings goals. PA ABLE is administered by the Pennsylvania Treasury Department. To learn about program eligibility and how to open a PA ABLE account, visit paable.gov or call 855-529-2253.
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