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In this Update:
Local Residents Celebrate 100th BirthdayI recently celebrated a special occasion with two local residents. Pauline Kohl and Helen Andrews of Sunbury both celebrated their 100th birthdays earlier this year. State Rep. Michael Stender and I presented them with citations to commemorate this major milestone! Happy birthday ladies! SUNCOM Celebrates Its Dedicated TeamLast week I was honored to participate in SUNCOM’s annual meeting. It was a pleasure to be a part of such a special evening and to help honor members of their dedicated team. During the meeting I had the privilege to present Senate citations recognizing Roger Dietz on his retirement after 45 years and Al Reeves who has served on the SUNCOM board for 46 years. Salem Township Trunk or Treat EventMy staff participated this week in the Salem Township, Luzerne County, Trunk or Treat event. It was great handing out candy and activity books to kids of all ages while they showed off their costumes for Halloween. I’d like to thank Chief Michael McNeal of Salem Township for the invite and the participation badge. Thanks also to state Rep. Mike Cabell for co-hosting the Trunk or Treat event. Commonwealth Court Rules Against RGGI, Higher Energy CostsPennsylvanians will be shielded from higher electricity bills because the Commonwealth Court ruled against imposing the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) carbon tax. The ruling supported the Senate Republican perspective that RGGI is a tax on energy. It says: “Stated simply, to pass constitutional muster, the Commonwealth’s participation in RGGI may only be achieved through legislation duly enacted by the Pennsylvania General Assembly.” Instead, we want to focus on efforts to ensure there is sufficient power to meet the demands of customers while avoiding risks of blackouts, restrictions on energy usage and increased prices. Senate Passes Bill to Fight Opioid EpidemicThe Senate recently passed legislation aimed at keeping up with the rapid introduction of new drugs to commonwealth communities. It would be a significant step toward ensuring dangerous substances don’t slip through the cracks into our communities without being controlled. Senate Bill 959 would enable faster prosecution by allowing Pennsylvania to automatically follow the federal government’s Drug Enforcement Administration classification for drugs. Drug traffickers constantly update these chemical compounds, and Pennsylvania scheduling has struggled with inefficiency. Automated scheduling will save the lives of our loved ones and more effectively fight the effects the opioid epidemic has on our communities. As the bill would only apply to new controlled substances, it would not impact Pennsylvania’s scheduling of cannabis or its availability for medical marijuana patients. How Can I Improve This E-Newsletter?One of my goals as a state senator is to provide useful information to constituents in ways that are convenient for them. I would like to know if you find my e-newsletter updates useful. Please take this short survey to share your thoughts about how to make the e-newsletters as beneficial as possible. Grants Available to Organizations Benefitting Veteran EmploymentTo help veterans as they transition from serving our country to resuming civilian life, funding is available for organizations that connect veterans with jobs. The grant opportunity is designed to assist veterans who have received a discharge other than dishonorable, members of the reserves and guard, and spouses of veterans and service members in securing employment. Applications for the Veterans Employment Grant Program must be submitted by Wednesday, Nov. 15, at 4 p.m. Learn more and apply online here. Funding to Improve Local Transportation and Pedestrian SafetyGrants are available to municipalities, businesses and other organizations to improve local transportation and pedestrian safety. The funding aims to ensure a safe and reliable system of transportation is available to Pennsylvania residents. Funding for priority investments is available through the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s Multimodal Transportation Fund. Apply online by Monday, Nov. 13, at 4 p.m. Paid Government Internships Available for UndergraduatesPaid internship opportunities with state executive agencies are available for undergraduate college students interested in politics and government through the James A. Finnegan Fellowship Foundation. Students who want to apply for the fellowship need to submit an essay between 1,500 and 2,500 words about their opinions for the Pennsylvania Award for Student Success (PASS) Program, which would offer students in struggling schools grants to explore other educational opportunities. Essays and other materials must be submitted to the foundation by Jan. 26, 2024. Find more information and the application here. Turn Those Clocks Back This WeekendDaylight saving time will end at 2 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 5, so Pennsylvania residents should turn their clocks back one hour before going to bed on Saturday night. Biannual time changes can be a great reminder to check or change the batteries in smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms. Smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms should be replaced every 10 years and located near bedrooms and on each level of the residence.
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