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The latest news from the State Capitol |
In this Edition:
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Combatting Avian Flu Locally, Statewide |
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Key Investments Featured in Budget Proposal |
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Committee Advances Workplace Safety Bill |
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Community Conservation Partnerships Program Now Accepting Grant Applications |
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Students Invited to Participate in Lyme Disease Awareness Campaign |
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Great American Outdoor Show Ends Sunday |
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Voluntary Driver’s License Fees Support Breast Cancer Research |
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Combatting Avian Flu Locally, Statewide
You may have seen the devastating news out of Lower Swatara Township about chickens being depopulated at Kreider Farms. Avian flu is having terrible effects across Pennsylvania and the northern hemisphere. It affects the health of birds, household pets, wild animals, livestock and even humans. And it certainly affects the price of groceries.
This week, the House and Senate expediently passed legislation to hopefully expand the number of certified poultry technicians in Pennsylvania. House Bill 324 was awaiting the governor’s signature at the time I was writing this e-newsletter for you.
I’m committed to supporting any legislative initiative that addresses limiting the spread of avian flu.
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Key Investments Featured in Budget Proposal
Gov. Josh Shapiro addressed the General Assembly on Tuesday to share his 2025-26 spending wish list, setting up a series of House and Senate budget hearings that will begin soon for the fiscal year that starts July 1. The governor’s address each year serves as a starting point for negotiations.
Shapiro’s remarks are a great foundation for discussions about innovations in early childhood education, healthcare systems, medical research, and mental health programs within schools. It is important we make investments in our young people and healthcare workers.
The budget proposal as presented focuses on increased energy production and accelerated reductions in the Corporate Net Income Tax (CNIT) rate to make Pennsylvania more business friendly. I will always support concepts that seek to support businesses, workforce development and apprenticeship programs.
I have supported past legislation to incrementally lower the CNIT rate from 9.99% to an eventual 4.99%. (It is currently 7.99%.) Shapiro indicated he wants to see the reduction happen more quickly. I agree with the governor that we must close the Delaware loophole in which companies incorporate out of state to avoid paying their fair share of business taxes.
We’ve made great gains in recent months, including offering free breakfasts to K-12 students statewide and hiring more state troopers. We need further investments in avian flu research and containment protocols. (See story above.)
A highlight of the speech was the section focused on Pennsylvania’s energy future.
The governor rightfully acknowledged the state’s role as a major energy producer and exporter. He and I both know that lawmakers need to work across the aisle to cut energy costs, increase generation and control prices on the utility bills consumers receive.
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Committee Advances Workplace Safety Bill
Legislation to extend OSHA-type workplace protections to public sector employees (think of firefighters, corrections officers, public works crews ...) passed the House Labor & Industry Committee this week. It goes to the full House now.
Rep. Pat Harkins (D-Erie) and I introduced House Bill 308 in memory of Jake Schwab, an Erie Metropolitan Transit Authority employee who was fatally injured at work in 2014.
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Community Conservation Partnerships Program Now Accepting Grant Applications
Communities across Pennsylvania can now apply for state grants to fund parks, recreation and conservation projects, as the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) opens its latest round of Community Conservation Partnerships Pogram funding. Applications are open now through April 2 at 4 p.m.
Eligible applicants include local governments and recreation and conservation nonprofit organizations. The grants fund projects such as park and recreation projects, conservation planning, trail planning, land and river conservation, community and streamside tree planting, and more.
Grant applications are only accepted through DCNRrsquo;s Grants Customer Service ortal.
Before starting an application, potential applicants should contact a regional advisor who serves the county where their project will be located. Contact information is available on the Regional Staff Assignment map (PDF).
A grant application overview is availble here.
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Students Invited to Participate in Lyme Disease Awareness Campaign
Pennsylvania students in first through sixth grades are invited to enter the 2025 Lyme Art Contest by creating a short video or poster focusing on the theme: “Protect. Check. Remove.”
The annual contest helps students, Scout troops and community youth programs learn how to prevent Lyme disease by educating them about ticks, including where they live, how to prevent bites and how to remove ticks that do bite.
Pennsylvania has one of the highest annual counts of Lyme disease cases in the nation, which further emphasizes the importance of teaching children about tick awareness and prevention measures.
The deadline for entries is Friday, March 14, at 5 p.m. Click here for details.
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Great American Outdoor Show Ends Sunday
The Great American Outdoor Show features more than 1,000 exhibitors at the Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg. It offers everything for hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation. The show continues through Sunday.
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Voluntary Driver’s License Fees Support Breast Cancer Research
Sen. Patty Kim (D-Dauphin) and I recently partnered with the PA Breast Cancer Coalition to present Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center researchers with a pair of grants for $100,000 each.
Dr. Gail Matters is working on the detection and treatment of stage IV metastatic breast cancer, using nanoparticles that determine if the cancer has spread to the bone. Dr. Chan Shen’s team is working on data and legislation about breast density.
Funding for these grants comes through the optional contributions in driver’s license renewals, vehicle registration renewals and state income tax refunds.
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