|
|||||
|
In this Update:
Update on State Route 225 Closure in Northumberland County
PennDOT has closed State Route 225 in both directions between State Route 890 in Trevorton and State Route 147 near Mandata because of damage to the truss bridge that carries SR 225 over Mahanoy Creek. A detour is in place using SR 147, Brush Valley Road (SR 4018), and SR 890. Following a thorough inspection of the damaged bridge, needed repairs have been identified and a contractor, JD Eckman, has accepted this emergency project. PennDOT has also coordinated with Little Mahanoy Township regarding concerns that motorists are not following the official detour of all state roads and instead using local roads. PennDOT’s Northumberland County Maintenance Organization is working on an agreement with the township for winter maintenance of Creek Road during the bridge closure. Currently, the design consultant is working on developing a materials list so that the contractor can coordinate with a materials supplier to develop an estimated materials delivery date. Once materials have been secured and tested, PennDOT will be able to provide a more accurate schedule of the project. PennDOT anticipates the bridge will be opened in March 2025, dependent on weather and repair materials. Family-Sustaining Jobs Give Pennsylvanians Great Opportunity
Access to family-sustaining jobs give Pennsylvanians the opportunity to thrive, so we focused on creating an environment to attract and retain great employers. We have continued to work to phase-down the jobs-killing Corporate Net Income Tax and began eliminating the start-up penalty that thwarts entrepreneurship. We also funded scholarships to encourage young people to fill high-demand job openings and enacted the Max Manufacturing Initiative so Pennsylvania can produce high-value products and create family-sustaining jobs. Because high energy prices mean fewer jobs, we fought the RGGI electricity tax and streamlined the permit-review process for job creators. The budget we passed ensures business sites are prepared to welcome new jobs and created new Keystone Opportunity Zones to bring new businesses to underutilized parcels of land. Read more about how we have protected PA jobs. Supporting Healthy Communities
To support families, several bills passed in the 2023-24 legislative session that foster healthy communities. Landmark legislation eliminated out-of-pocket costs for breast cancer screening and testing for women at high risk – the first bill of its kind in the nation. Pennsylvanians also have greater access to licensed addiction treatment programs because of a bill we passed. From babies who are just a few days old to people who have lived a long life, new laws help Pennsylvanians with the medical care they need. Struggling babies now have critical access to life-saving care provided by medically prescribed pasteurized human donor milk. Another new law prevents senior citizens using Pennsylvania’s prescription drug programs from losing their benefits due to a Social Security cost-of-living increase. Learn more about our efforts to improve health care, including tackling health care staffing shortages, improving patient care options and reducing administrative burdens for health care providers. Home Heating Assistance Takes the Chill Out
Residents struggling with their home heating bills may apply for assistance from the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) through April 4. LIHEAP is a federally funded program that helps individuals and families pay their heating bills through home heating energy assistance grants. It also provides crisis grants to help in the event of an emergency or if a resident is in danger of losing his or her heat due to broken equipment, lack of fuel or termination of utility service. The income eligibility guidelines for LIHEAP are $22,590 for an individual, $30,660 for a couple and $46,800 for a family of four. Find limits for other family sizes here. Residents may apply for LIHEAP online or by contacting their local county assistance office. Free Drug Overdose Prevention Supplies Available
Naloxone and drug-checking strips designed to detect xylazine and fentanyl are available at no cost through the Pennsylvania Overdose Prevention Program. The program’s goal is to improve community-based distribution and harm reduction efforts while focusing on individuals who face the greatest risk of experiencing overdose. Organizations can use an interactive map, which can be filtered by product, distribution methods and trainings offered. It will display contact information for getting supplies. If organizations aren’t able to get supplies using the map, they’re encouraged to use this form. PA Farm Show Runs Jan. 4-11
As a state where agriculture is one of the top industries, Pennsylvania is proud to host the largest indoor agricultural exposition under one roof in the nation. The Pennsylvania Farm Show runs from Jan. 4-11 in Harrisburg. The Farm Show features nearly 6,000 animals, competitive events and 250 commercial exhibits. There are also educational and entertaining events – and of course the famed Food Court. Admission is free, and parking is $15 per car. Agriculture in PA employs nearly half a million people and contributes $132.5 billion to the state’s economy annually.
For anyone who hasn’t already signed up to receive my e-newsletters, you can get on the mailing list here. |
|||||
|
|||||
Want to change how you receive these emails? 2025 © Senate of Pennsylvania | https://senatorculver.com | Privacy Policy |
