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In this Update:
Impact Fee Tax Brings $23.7 Million Back to 46th District
The Impact Fee tax on unconventional natural gas wells will once again deliver millions of dollars in funding to communities and projects throughout the 46th Senatorial District. Impact Fee taxes are levied in addition to regular business taxes paid by every corporation in Pennsylvania. The disbursements were based on a formula established in Act 13 of 2012 to ensure communities affected by drilling receive their fair share of funding for projects such as road and bridge repairs, housing and other infrastructure needs. The Impact Fee tax provides funding to the Commonwealth Financing Authority, which in turn has generated more than $23.7 million in grants for the district. The 46th District’s impact fee distribution allocates: $495,539 to Beaver County. Out of all 67 counties in the state, Washington and Greene counties are both in the top five for the amount of Impact Fee tax dollars received. Our communities will have significant support that doesn’t burden taxpayers for public infrastructure needs, like stormwater systems, emergency preparedness, environmental programs, tax reductions and social services. With the 2024 distribution, the natural gas industry, which provides thousands of family-sustaining jobs, has paid $2.88 billion in impact fees since 2012. Highlighting Policies to Support PA’s Natural Gas and Oil
This week I joined other leaders of the Gas and Oil Caucus (of which I am the co-chair) and API (American Petroleum Institute) Pennsylvania to spotlight the state’s energy advantage and advocate for policies that support natural gas and oil at the State Capitol in Harrisburg. This event was in conjunction with Natural Gas and Oil Day at the Capitol. To watch the entire press conference, click on the image above. Bill Maximizing Benefit of Tax Dollars Passes Senate
This week the Senate passed my legislation to improve government efficiency and make PA more attractive to employers by sharing critical data with local workforce development boards. Senate Bill 101 would allow for greater analysis of workforce development programs and policy by requiring data that already exists to be shared with Pennsylvania’s 22 local workforce development boards in a timely fashion. The Department of Labor and Industry and the Center for Workforce Information and Analysis would have to share data on wages, new hires and unemployment claimants. Senate Bill 101 now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration. You can watch my floor remarks by clicking the image above. My Interview with PCN about Veteran-Owned Business Logo
I joined PCN’s Capitol Preview show to discuss my effort to support the entrepreneurial efforts of veterans throughout Pennsylvania. Click the image above to watch the interview. Celebrating Solar for Schools Grants in Bipartisan Event
This week lawmakers from both chambers and both parties in the PA General Assembly joined school leaders from across the commonwealth to celebrate the recipients of Solar for Schools grants. The awards were announced earlier this year after the program’s first-ever round of applications. Currently, electricity bills are the second-highest cost for schools in Pennsylvania as energy prices are expected to rise. Solar for Schools provides schools with funding to install solar arrays. I am thrilled that three school districts, a career and technology center and an intermediate unit in the 46th District have been awarded state grants for solar energy projects. Washington County
Greene County
Future funding for Solar for Schools is not guaranteed, as it needs to be renewed annually in the state budget. You can watch the full event by clicking on the image above. Focus on the 46th
I was incredibly excited to present Ellsworth Borough with a Senate Proclamation honoring their upcoming 125th Anniversary! Incorporated on August 20, 1900 – Ellsworth was originally a coal mining town. Throughout its rich history, Ellsworth has been blessed with dedicated civic leaders who have helped it grow and flourish, as well as diligent and productive citizens who have helped it to become an inspiring presence in this Commonwealth. You can help them celebrate this milestone on July 12 at Ellsworth Community Park. There’s so much happening, check out their flier for more details. Pictured with me from left to right is Georgiann Kovacicek, Treasurer of the Ellsworth 125th Celebration Committee; Mayor Bernard Kubitza; Mark Segedi, Borough Council President; Michael Lowther Assistant Chief of the Ellsworth Volunteer Fire Company
Last weekend we celebrated Anthony Post’s Eagle Scout Award, from Troop 1391. Anthony is the son of Ryan and Lisa Post and a recent graduate of Carmichaels Area School District. For his Eagle Scout community service project, Anthony planted trees around the pond at the West Beth Hiking Trail to assist with soil stability, and he also installed posts and rope to delineate the parking area. My staffer, Eric Cowden, presented Anthony with a Senate Proclamation while I was in Harrisburg. Eagle Scout, the highest advancement rank available in Scouting America is only attained by small precenting of Scouts. This monumental achievement represents the great sacrifice and tremendous efforts that have been made by this young man. Congratulations, Anthony.
Don’t forget about my veterans appreciation barbecue picnic on Friday, July 10, from 5-7 p.m. at the Stone Pavilion in Washington Park. This is an opportunity to thank the men and women who have sacrificed their time and put their lives on hold to defend our great country. Of course, it is also about their families, who lived without their loved ones, often in fear for their safety when they were gone. I encourage all veterans and active duty members of the 46th District and their spouses to attend. Space is limited for the picnic, so veterans and their families are asked to RSVP by Wednesday, July 2, online by clicking this link. Call my district office for more information at 724-225-4380. Lifesaving Bill to Eliminate Cost Barriers to Breast Cancer Diagnosis Approved by Senate
Patients who receive abnormal results from supplemental breast cancer screenings will be able to access the necessary follow-up diagnostic imaging at no cost under bipartisan legislation passed by the Senate. This ensures critical continuum of care. Senate Bill 88 builds on the success of Act 1 of 2023, which provided no-cost preventive screenings for individuals at high risk. Senate Bill 88 takes the next step with no-cost follow-up diagnostic imaging and expands eligibility to include individuals at average risk. While 26 other states have followed Pennsylvania’s lead in offering no-cost supplemental breast screening since the passage of Act 1, Pennsylvania remains the only state without guaranteed coverage for diagnostic imaging. The bill now goes to the House of Representatives. Senate Targets PA Opioid Crisis with Expanded Reporting Tool
The Senate voted to incorporate overdose reporting by EMS providers into the statewide Overdose Information Network to make sure first responders, treatment providers and other key parties have the information they need to save lives. Senate Bill 89 would require the Pennsylvania Department of Health to coordinate with the Pennsylvania State Police to ensure real-time overdose reporting by EMS providers is incorporated into the statewide mapping system. The bill now goes to the House of Representatives. EMS providers would report information including the date and time of the overdose, location, substances used by the victim and more. In other action to prevent opioid deaths, Senate Republicans led passage of a measure giving EMS personnel permanent authority to leave behind a dose of lifesaving naloxone at non-fatal overdose scenes. Measure to Prevent Eminent Domain Abuse Approved by Senate
Legislation to protect property owners against eminent domain abuse and ensure they are fully compensated when their property is taken by government was approved by the Senate. Senate Bill 225 would ensure business owners and farmers whose properties are seized through eminent domain are compensated for loss of “goodwill,” which goes beyond the assessed value. For farms, the land may possess characteristics that make it particularly special, such as fertile soil. In the case of another business, goodwill may be because of location, access to utilities and other factors. Farmers, employers and homeowners testified before a Senate committee last year about eminent domain abuse. The bill now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration. School Bus Safety Grant Program Applications Accepted
School districts, school bus companies and municipalities have until July 3 to apply for state grants to improve school bus safety and pay for training and other costs associated with attracting much-needed school bus drivers. Legislation passed by the General Assembly allows school districts to install automated camera systems to enforce the state School Bus Stopping Law and increase safety for school children. A portion of the fines paid by violators are used for the School Bus Safety Grant Program. Details and the online application are available here. Celebrating Great Outdoors Month
The arrival of summer means plenty of opportunities to get outdoors and enjoy what nature has to offer locally and across our commonwealth. Pennsylvania is home to cool, green forests, thousands of pristine lakes and streams, hiking trails and state parks. Find plenty of ways to explore the great outdoors of our region and the state here.
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