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REAL ID Extension to Allow Access Through October 2017
Pennsylvania residents will be able to use their current driver license to access federal facilities through Oct. 10, 2017, under an extension granted by the federal government last week.
The extension was granted after Pennsylvania adopted a plan to comply with REAL ID requirements, known as Act 3 of 2017.
According to PennDOT, REAL ID-compliant driver licenses and identification cards will be available to consumers who wish to obtain them in 2019. This will allow ample time for customers who want a REAL ID license to obtain one before the final federal effective date of Oct. 1, 2020.
More information about REAL ID and Act 3 is available at http://www.pahousegop.com/realid.aspx.
E-Prescribing Bill for Opioids Heads to Senate
Legislation to address the ongoing opioid abuse crisis by preventing paper prescriptions from falling into the wrong hands has been approved by the state House. Under current state law, opioids must be prescribed by hand.
House Bill 353 would require opioids to be prescribed electronically, allowing doctors to send their orders directly to the patient’s pharmacy and preventing handwritten prescriptions from being used fraudulently or stolen. Opioids would be prescribed and transmitted like all other prescriptions.
This change would not have any adverse impact upon prescriptions for legitimate purposes and may even provide greater convenience for patients.
The measure now moves to the state Senate for its review.
June Celebrates Pennsylvania’s Dairy Industry
A measure passed the House this week to salute the men and women who make dairy one of Pennsylvania’s top agriculture sectors.
House Resolution 403 designates June 2017 as Dairy Month and Dairy Farmers Appreciation Month.
Pennsylvania has the second largest number of dairy farms nationally and ranks sixth nationally in total milk production from 2014 to 2016. In fact, 99 percent of Pennsylvania’s dairy farms are family owned.
Protecting Excellent Teachers
Legislation designed to keep excellent teachers in the classroom was endorsed by the House Education Committee this week.
House Bill 1495 would end the mandate that forces local school boards to furlough teachers based on seniority and allow schools to base those decisions on performance evaluations. Reinstatement would also be based on performance, instead of seniority.
Under current law, school boards must eliminate entire education programs – and the educators who are part of them – during times of economic challenges. This may force good teachers with excellent performance out of the classroom.
The measure now moves to the full House for consideration.
Around Our Community
The dedication ceremony for Pennsylvania State Police Troop N Stroudsburg Station was held on Tuesday, June 13. This new state-of-the-art facility is 17,000 square feet and will house 81 enlisted members and 10 civilian employees. This more centrally located barracks will replace the Swiftwater barracks and serve the residents of Monroe County for years to come.
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Last week, I attended a ground-breaking ceremony for the Village Gateway project in Blakeslee. This project will significantly improve Route 115 at the intersection with Interstate 80. This area will also include a new travel plaza. The new intersection should be completed by October and plans call for minimal delay during construction.
Pictured with me are Mark Sincavage; Tobyhanna Township Supervisor Heidi Pickard; Sen. Mario Scavello; Director of the PMEDC-Pocono Mountains Economic Development Corporation Chuck Leonard; Tobyhanna Township Supervisors Brendon Carroll and John Holahan; and Tobyhanna Township Manager John J. Jablowski.
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This week, a ribbon cutting celebrated the opening of a new inpatient rehabilitation center at Lehigh Valley Hospital – Pocono. This new center will include 12 private rooms for patients and a therapy gym. What a great addition to Monroe County!
Mark Your Calendars
Sen. Mario Scavello, Rep. Rosemary Brown and I will be hosting a Senior Expo on Monday, July 17, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Pocono Mountain Swiftwater Elementary Center, 135 Academic Drive, Swiftwater.
This event promises something for everyone – free admission, door prizes, health screenings, educational seminars and refreshments. Exhibitors from government agencies and senior citizen organizations will be on hand.
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