 |
|
|
| [[Opt In Top]] |
| Weekly Roundup |
| #Listrak\DateStampLong# |
The latest news from the State Capitol |
Education, Human Services Focus of Budget Hearings
The House Appropriations Committee wrapped up its three-week series of budget hearings Thursday, with two full days of questions about the education and human services aspects of the governor’s proposal.
Monday’s hearing featured the Department of Education, including details about increased funding for basic and higher education, and whether additional state investments are being directed into the classrooms.
Questions about the opioid crisis, child care, food stamps, Medicaid and specific programs for those with developmental and physical disabilities were the focus of Tuesday’s hearing, with members asking details about the waiting list for services, program eligibility, and federal and state matching funds.
During its appearance, the state police answered questions about the governor’s proposed $25 per person fee for coverage in municipalities without their own police protection.
The final hearing involved the Office of the Budget and included questions about the governor’s overall $32.4 billion spending plan and the estimates on a number of cost-saving initiatives.
The Appropriations Committee will take the testimony gathered from these hearings into negotiations for the 2017-18 budget. All of the hearings and written testimony are available here.
|
Pocono Alliance to Offer Poverty Simulation
The Pocono Alliance is facilitating a poverty simulation at the Pocono Lake United Methodist Church on Saturday, April 22, from 9-11:30 a.m. For more information and to register, call the Pocono Lake United Methodist Church at 570-646-2650.
|
Concealed Carry Seminar Set For May 17
I am pleased to offer a concealed carry seminar, co-hosted by Rep. Doyle Heffley, on Wednesday, May 17, from 6-8 p.m. at the Polk Township Volunteer Fire Company in Kresgeville.
Register today to learn more about Pennsylvania’s gun laws, how to interact safely with a law enforcement officer while carrying a firearm and the Castle Doctrine.
To register, visit RepRader.com or call 570-620-4341.
|
Asking State Employees for Money-Saving Solutions
A new effort to help save taxpayer money by asking state employees for their ideas was announced this week by the House Appropriations Committee.
The program, State Employees Achieving Savings (SEAS), will ask state employees, who can remain anonymous, about their strategies to better streamline services and be more efficient. Retired state employees are also being encouraged to participate.
State employees – from any department anywhere in the state – can click here to submit their ideas. The submissions will then be reviewed and possibly implemented.
The committee emphasized that no idea is too small for consideration.
|
2017 Dave Fleetwood Memorial Scholarship Applications Available
David Fleetwood was a beloved leader and a Chestnuthill Township supervisor who cared about making his community a better place to live in. His life was tragically ended as a result of a senseless act of violence on Aug. 5, 2013, when a gunman entered the Ross Township monthly meeting and ultimately took three lives.
In memory of Dave, two $2,000 scholarships will be awarded to any 2017 graduate of the Pleasant Valley High School who possess some of the outstanding attributes he exemplified throughout his community. Call 570-992-9733 or visit weposc.org for more information. Click here to view the application. The deadline to apply is Friday, April 15.
|
Around the 176th
On Tuesday, employees of Kinsley’s ShopRite in Brodheadsville were recognized for their work raising money to fight hunger through the ShopRite Partners in Caring program.
Local charities receiving donations from Kinsley’s include the Pleasant Valley Ecumenical Network, the East Stroudsburg Salvation Army and the Effort United Methodist Pantry.
The 2016 campaign marked the third year in a row that Kinsley’s ShopRite was one of the top five ShopRites nationwide raising money through the Partners in Caring program.
Pictured are Rhianna Cenci, registered dietitian; Chris Kinsley and Beth Everett.
Over the weekend, I attended Boy Scout Troop 102’s annual Red and White dinner, which was held at American Legion Post 927 in Gilbert.
Pictured with me is Jonathon Smith, the emcee of the event.
|
Miners’ Village in Weatherly Offering Free Admission This Sunday
To help celebrate Pennsylvania Charter Day, Miners’ Village in Weatherly is one of several historic sites offering free admission on Sunday, March 12.
Pennsylvania was created when England’s King Charles II granted a charter to William Penn in 1681. Once each year, the Pennsylvania State Archives displays the original document, for a limited time, at the State Museum of Pennsylvania. For the remainder of the year the charter is safeguarded in a special vault within the archives.
Charter Day celebrates the founding of the Commonwealth and gives visitors to The State Museum of Pennsylvania a rare opportunity to see the original Charter of Pennsylvania written in 1681. The document is on display through March 17.
For a complete list of the participating museums and historic sites in this year’s celebration, click here.
|
Constituent Outreach Opportunities Offered Next Week
A member of my staff will be available at the following locations next week from 10 a.m. to noon:
• Tuesday, March 14, at the Chestnuthill Township municipal building, located at 271 Route 715, Brodheadsville.
• Thursday, March 15, at the Pocono Township municipal building, located at 122 Township Drive, Tannersville.
Services available include assistance with PennDOT, LIHEAP, SNAP and Property Tax/Rent Rebate forms; information regarding state agencies and programs; and more.
|
Spring Ahead: Turn Clocks Ahead One Hour This Weekend
Daylight saving time will begin on Sunday, March 12, at 2 a.m., and residents are reminded to turn their clocks ahead one hour Saturday night.
This is also a good time to check and/or change batteries in both smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms, which should also be replaced every 10 years.
Daylight saving time will end on Nov. 5.
|
Monroe County Roundtable Families For Children to Offer Community Night
The Monroe County Roundtable Families for Children will hold a Community Night event at Northampton Community College’s Monroe Campus in Keystone Hall on Thursday, March 16, from 6-8:30 p.m. This is a family-friendly event with educational workshops, volunteer opportunities, information about summer camps, a kid’s exploration area and more.
|
|
| Office Locations |
| Capitol: Room 423, Irvis Office Building, P.O. Box 202176, Harrisburg, PA 17120-2176 | Phone: (717) 787-7732 |
| Districts: 2785 Route 115, Suite 103, Carriage House Square, Effort, PA 18330 I Phone: (570) 620-4341 |
| Tobyhanna Township Building, 105 Government Center Way, Pocono Pines, Pa 18350 I Phone: (570) 643-7683 |
| Email: jrader@pahousegop.com |
|
|
