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In this Update:
Senate Passes New Law Reducing Educational Challenges for Military Children
A new law passed unanimously by the Senate will help children of military families who face frequent reassignments with the challenges of moving between schools in different states. Children of National Guard and Reserve members now have the same help provided to those of active-duty military families through the Military Interstate Children’s Compact. The compact provides a consistent set of policies that make getting started in a new school, joining extracurricular activities, facilitating enrollment and meeting graduation requirements as easy as possible for military children. The law is designed to minimize educational disruption, making the relocation less stressful for parents and children. New Car Insurance After a Lapse? Remember to Notify PennDOT
Every month, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) suspends more than 15,000 vehicle registrations due to drivers cancelling or switching car insurance and forgetting to provide proof of new car insurance to PennDOT. Pennsylvania law requires all motor vehicle owners to maintain car insurance. A lapse in insurance coverage triggers a potential vehicle suspension for three months or a civil penalty of $500 in lieu of the registration suspension. An insurance provider is only required to notify PennDOT when car insurance is cancelled, not when it is initiated. The vehicle owner is responsible to update PennDOT to avoid a registration suspension and other penalties. PennDOT mails a letter to the registered vehicle owner explaining the lapse in insurance coverage, as well as the consequences for failing to provide new car insurance. To avoid being pulled over for not having car insurance even though your car is insured, remember to share your new car insurance information with PennDOT. Provide proof of insurance on PennDOT’s website, email your new insurance card to PennDOT at frinsurance@pa.gov or call PennDOT’s Financial Responsibility Unit at 717-412-5300. Law Enforcement to Connect with the Community on August 6
To strengthen the community’s relationship with law enforcement, police departments across the country will host National Night Out on Tuesday, Aug. 6. It’s a great way to show children that we are all responsible to work together to preserve the safety of our communities. Across the 30th senatorial district, National Night Out events will be taking place. You can find information for Blair and Huntingdon Counties here and Juniata and Mifflin Counties here. Neighborhoods host block parties, festivals, parades, cookouts and other events with safety demonstrations, seminars, youth events, visits from emergency personnel and exhibits. Senate Republicans continue to work to support the brave men and women who put themselves in harm’s way to protect us. Act 10 of 2023 gave municipal police the statutory authority to conduct fingerprint-based criminal history checks on police applicants. Act 60 of 2023 expanded the list of law enforcement entities covered under the Heart and Lung Act, which provides for salary and medical expenses to be paid when an officer or firefighter is injured on the job. This year’s state budget awards nearly $5 million in new funding to the Attorney General’s Office to support law enforcement in tackling human trafficking ($1 million), organized retail theft ($2.7 million) and crimes on SEPTA properties ($1.2 million). Beware of PA Turnpike Scam
Random individuals have received text messages claiming to be from “Pennsylvania Turnpike Toll Services,” but it’s just a scam trying to obtain personal financial information to settle outstanding toll amounts. The texts center around urgent requests with the account that would result in additional charges if the overdue balance does not get settled. Similar scams have been reported by toll agencies across the country. People who receive an unsolicited text, email or similar message suggesting it is from the PA Turnpike or another toll agency should not click on the link. E-ZPass account holders and Toll By Plate customers can use approved safe methods to check their accounts such as the official PA Turnpike E-ZPass website or the PA Toll Pay app. Anyone who receives a fraudulent text can file a complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center. Schedule Your Free State Capitol Tour
If you’re looking for a fun educational activity for your family this summer, you can tour the state Capitol for free. During a 30-minute guided tour, Capitol tour guides point out architectural and artistic highlights as they make the Capitol’s history come alive. There is also an Interactive Welcome Center and Capitol Gift Shop to enjoy during your visit. Guided tours are offered every half hour Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Weekends and most holidays, tours are offered at 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Schedule a tour online or by calling the Tour Guide Office at 1-800-TOUR-N-PA (868-7672). Groups of 10 or more require advanced reservations. For your safety, group size is limited to 40. Out and AboutCongratulations to Elizabeth Kalista of Blair County on placing second for her artwork submission to the Litter Hawk Youth Award Program, sponsored by Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful! Elizabeth’s piece titled, “Open Your Eyes to Litter,” was on display at the Capitol. She feels we can all do our part at keeping our state beautiful by not littering and cleaning up litter when we see it. Elizabeth is a very special girl!
Thank you to UPMC Altoona and the Blair County Breast Feeding Coalition on the new breast-feeding pod at the Altoona Curve Ballpark to provide a clean and private space for nursing mothers during events!
It was an exciting day in Mount Union as the community celebrated the opening of the Mount Union Senior Lofts, offering affordable housing for adults ages 62 and older. The Ribbon Cutting and Open House gave the community an opportunity to meet the project team, hear about the history of this former school building and its transformation into a beautiful housing facility, and tour the available units and amenities. Congratulations to the entire development team led by Pivotal on their success in bringing this wonderful asset to the Mount Union community!
What a wonderful time seeing so many of my Fulton County friends at the fair this week! It was a pleasure to help sponsor and visit the PA Friends of Agriculture Immersion Lab and to take a virtual tractor ride. I encourage you to visit the lab and check out the many interactive and educational displays.
We had a great turnout for my Senior Expo at the Reedsville Fire Company held in their community room. I want to thank everyone who attended and to our 38 vendors. The vendor participants provided useful information and materials to all our seniors in attendance. I really enjoyed getting to know new constituents and seeing Mayor Deborah Bargo of Lewistown! A special thanks to the Reedsville Fire Company for allowing us the use of the building for this event.
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