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In this Update:

• April 8 Event to Recycle Unwanted Electronics
• Senate Concludes Week Two of Budget Hearings
• My Questions During Budget Hearings
• Help Our Struggling Military Members
• Veterans: Town Hall about PACT Act on April 4
• State Offers Free Motorcycle Safety Training
• $25,000 Fishing and Boating Grants Available

April 8 Event to Recycle Unwanted Electronics

You’re invited on Saturday, April 8, from 10 a.m. to noon for an e-cycling event at the skating rink parking lot in Sunbury, where you can drop off your old and unwanted electronics to be safely and securely recycled.

The skating rink parking lot is located at 249 Memorial Drive.

You can bring your computers, laptops, smartphones, tablets, servers, routers, firewalls, printers, CD players, radios and more to be recycled.

They cannot accept televisions, washers, dryers, microwaves or freon-related appliances such as air conditioners.

This event is being sponsored by the City of Sunbury Code Enforcement Division who is partnering with KVS Computers, the area’s official Responsible Recycling (R2) certified recycler. KVS will securely sanitize or destroy any hard drives. All donations will be used by the Sunbury Code Enforcement Division to fight blight in the city.

If you have questions, please call the Code Enforcement Division at 570-286-4207.

Senate Concludes Week Two of Budget Hearings

The Senate Appropriations Committee continued public hearings this week on the proposed 2023-24 state budget.

The governor’s $45.8 billion budget seeks to boost state spending by more than $1.3 billion above the current year’s budget. Projections indicate it will nearly wipe out the state’s Rainy Day Fund in five years.

Among the highlights:

The Department of Education hearing focused on the largest proposed Basic Education Funding increase in Pennsylvania history as well as concerns regarding the lack of funding for Lifeline Scholarships, a key provision to help provide families with greater options to meet their educational needs.

At the Department of State budget hearing, the committee sought details about federal and private election funding, county election grants, funding outreach to unregistered voters and publishing constitutional amendments.

At the hearing for the Department of Labor and Industry, members discussed the potential for major job losses if Pennsylvania enters the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. Persistent concerns about Unemployment Compensation (UC) claims processing and preventing UC fraud were also leading topics.

The Department of Agriculture hearing included acknowledgment that the Norfolk Southern train derailment impacted many residents at Pennsylvania’s border with Ohio, including farmers. Testing of livestock and crops will continue following that incident. 

During the Pennsylvania State Police hearing, there was discussion about funding methods, as the state police currently receives money out of the Motor License Fund. The governor proposed phasing in a new Public Safety and Protection Fund.

Find full hearing recaps, video, livestreams and upcoming schedule at PASenateGOP.com.

My Questions During Budget Hearings

As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I participated in the state budget hearings described in the previous article.

I asked a variety of questions during the hearings we held this week.

• Pennsylvania needs to ensure it has enough health care providers to serve residents in our communities. That is why I asked acting Secretary of State Al Schmidt about the operation of the State Board of Medicine, the funding request for it and the replacement of the licensure system.
• Two Highway Loss Data Institute studies showed legalizing recreational marijuana was correlated with increases in collision claims. During the hearing with Pennsylvania State Police Commissioner Christopher Penn, I asked him about the potential increased automobile collision claims in Pennsylvania if the governor’s proposal to legalize recreational adult use of marijuana was implemented.
• Unemployment Compensation claimants can schedule in-person appointments at PA CareerLink locations so they can obtain help with their claims. I asked acting Secretary of the Department of Labor and Industry Nancy Walker about this system and what portion of the department’s requested budget would go toward continuing this successful effort to help claimants.
• During the hearing with Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding, I asked about the efforts to address the Avian Flu and if the department needs more resources to stop it.
• Career and technical education programs link students to in-demand jobs. During the first part of the hearing with Pennsylvania Department of Education Secretary Khalid Numin, I asked about funding for this critical pathway to success.
• During the second part of the hearing with Secretary Numin, I asked about funding levels for equipment to support career and technical schools.
• In an effort to cut down the cost of their higher education, some students begin at a community college and then transfer to one of our state universities. I asked Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) Chancellor Dan Greenstein about this process.

I will continue to provide updates about budget hearings and my participation in them.

Help Our Struggling Military Members

Anyone who is owed a Pennsylvania personal income tax return has a convenient opportunity to support our military members, veterans and their families who are facing tough times.

You can help those who serve our nation and commonwealth by making a gift to the Military Family Relief Assistance Program. All donations will benefit those with a direct and immediate financial need as a result of circumstances beyond their control.

On lines 32 through 36 of the Personal Income Tax Return, fill out Code C. If you do not have an overpayment on your return, you may make a donation by sending a check directly to the Military Family Relief Assistance Program, c/o Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, Building 0-47, Fort Indiantown Gap, Annville, PA 17003-5002.

Veterans: Town Hall about PACT Act on April 4

The Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) will hold an in-person Veteran Town Hall on the Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act on Tuesday, April 4, from 6-8 p.m. at the West View VFW Post 2754, 386 Perry Highway, Pittsburgh. The town hall will also be available by phone.

The new federal PACT Act law expands VA health care and benefits for veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange and other toxic substances. The town hall will enable veterans and their advocates to learn and ask questions about eligibility and applying for benefits related to the PACT Act.

In-person attendees may arrive early to enjoy a dedicated resource fair from 5-6 p.m. People who will be attending any portion of the event in person are asked to register by calling 717-644-3890.

Anyone joining the town hall by phone should call 267-332-8737 and enter Conference ID: 989503340# to participate. Both in-person attendees and callers will be able to ask questions during the town hall.

State Offers Free Motorcycle Safety Training

PennDOT offers free motorcycle training through the Pennsylvania Motorcycle Safety Program.

Free courses for novice through seasoned riders are offered to Pennsylvania residents who have a motorcycle learner’s permit or motorcycle license. Four levels of courses are available – including the 16-hour Basic Rider Course, the eight-hour Intermediate Rider Course, the one-day Advanced Rider Course and the 3 Wheel Rider Course.

For more information or to enroll in a course, visit www.pamsp.com.

$25,000 Fishing and Boating Grants Available

The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) is seeking applicants for grants to support education programs that promote new and renewed interest in fishing and boating. The grants aim to connect Pennsylvanians with the fun of commonwealth waterways by teaching fishing and boating skills and providing quality places for these recreational opportunities.

PFBC will reimburse qualifying organizations up to $25,000 for eligible expenses from July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024. The grants require a minimum 25% match of total project costs. Grant applications must be submitted here by April 14.

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