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In this Update:
Holiday Season Impaired Driving Campaign
This week, I joined Shikellamy School District’s Law Enforcement Club for their holiday season impaired driving campaign. Attendees decorated a tree, and each ornament represented a traffic crash statistic in Northumberland County during 2023. The statistics are humbling:
If you are going to be at the Shikellamy field house attending a public event, please take a moment to stop by and see the tree. As we enter the holiday season, please remember to stay safe and make travel plans with safety in mind. Senior Community Center Grants Available
The Pennsylvania Department of Aging has opened the Senior Community Center Grant Program for the 2024-2025 year! The program provides $2 million in competitive grant funding opportunities for Pennsylvania’s Senior Community Centers to apply for a grant to help increase participation and programming and to attract the ever-growing population of older adults in Pennsylvania. All applications and materials for the competitive grant funding must be received electronically through the Electronic Single Application (ESA) system from eligible AAA-affiliated SCCs no later than Dec. 13. PA Supreme Court Rules Counties Must Comply with State Election Law
The state Supreme Court has reiterated its previous stance and ruled that undated or misdated mail ballots should not be counted in the 2024 election. It upholds prior rulings clarifying mail and absentee ballots that fail to comply with the Pennsylvania Election Code “shall not be counted” for the purposes of the Nov. 5 election. This is a win for voters and the rule of law. As part of the priorities for Senate Republicans, we will continue to work to boost election integrity and ensure free, fair and secure elections. New Law Creates Rape Kit Tracking System
To empower survivors and hold offenders accountable, a bill establishing a statewide rape kit evidence tracking system was signed into law as Act 122 of 2024. Act 122 allows survivors to track the status of their rape kits throughout the testing process, from collection to destruction. The law clarifies existing rights and enshrines new statutory rights for survivors of sexual assault. It also brings Pennsylvania into compliance with the Fairness for Rape Kit Backlog Survivors provision of the recent Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) reauthorization. To comply with VAWA, the law provides a waiver for survivors who file untimely claims for compensation due to delays in rape kit testing. Survivors will not need to undergo an appeal process for consideration of this waiver. Bill Allowing Year-round Motorcycle Inspections Now Law
Legislation giving people who are trying to take safety precautions more convenience is now law after receiving unanimous Senate and House support. It allows year-round motorcycle safety inspections in Pennsylvania. Even though motorcycles can be purchased and driven on Pennsylvania roadways throughout the year, the state Vehicle Code previously only allowed safety inspections to be performed from March to October. The legislation eliminated the old restriction to give motorcycle operators more opportunities to complete required inspections. Motorcycle registration with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation will continue to be tied to the month the vehicle is to be inspected. Senate Passes Bill to Honor Gold Star Families
It’s important to recognize fallen service members and the families they left behind. I supported a bill that was enacted this week to authorize construction of a Gold Star Families Memorial Monument at the State Capitol Complex in Harrisburg. The monument will be sponsored by the Woody Williams Foundation, which was established to honor and support Gold Star Families. It will be built to reflect five main philosophical pillars of the foundation: homeland, family, patriot, sacrifice and legacy. The monument will give Gold Star Families a permanent place to gather, remember and honor their fallen loved ones. It will also remind the public of the ultimate sacrifice made by the country’s bravest patriots. The monument will be constructed south of the Auditorium Forum Building, east of the Irvis Office Building and north of Walnut Street. New Maple Map Paves the Way for a Tasty Treat
Pennsylvania maple is a true taste of fall, and it’s simpler than ever to enjoy maple syrup and related candies, popcorn and sauces produced right here in the commonwealth. The new Maple Map highlights local producers and businesses all across the state. Using the interactive mapping application makes it easy to find delicious snacks to help you enjoy the season. It also provides maple syrup recipes and a list of restaurants and coffee shops with maple menu offerings. November is Child Safety and Protection Month
Our children are our most precious resource. During Child Safety and Protection Month, we focus on the dangers kids face every day and resolve to do our part to minimize these risks and provide support. During this current legislative session a high priority was placed on keeping kids safe, through advancing several bills to improve child safety, including:
Happy Thanksgiving!
From my family to yours, Happy Thanksgiving! Whether you’re with family, friends, or enjoying some well-deserved solo time, let’s all take a moment to reflect on what we have to be grateful for and give thanks.
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