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In this Update:
A Closer Look at Supporting Student Safety Initiatives
Families need to be able to trust their children will be protected from harm when they’re at school, and students deserve to focus on their learning. Continuing Senate Republicans’ leadership of efforts to provide safe learning environments for students, $100 million was included in this year’s state budget for all school districts to address school safety, security needs and mental health concerns. An additional $20 million for safety grants is also made available to nonpublic schools that apply by Thursday, Sept. 26. Applications for both grant programs are available online. New this year, schools may use their funding for the purchase of lockable cellphone bags to benefit students’ mental health by giving them a much-needed break from their mobile devices while in school. Over the last decade there has been a sharp drop in children’s mental health, which directly correlates to the increased use of cellphones and social media apps. The cellphone bags are another tool schools may choose to use if they feel it’s appropriate based on their area, school board and parents’ perspective. Recently passed legislation calls for every school district in Pennsylvania to have a school security officer who has completed armed security training to protect students. The security presence will consist of at least one trained and vetted school security officer, which may be either a school police officer, school resource officer or school security guard. See what other steps Senate Republicans are taking in our work to strengthen Pennsylvania here. Senate Approves $75 Million to Expand Educational Opportunities for Students
Parents know best when it comes to the individual needs of their children, which is why Senate Republicans continue to stand up for parental empowerment and involvement in their children’s education. We’ve worked to dedicate an additional $75 million this year to the Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program (EITC). The EITC program helps to provide students with the opportunity to learn in the environment that best meets their specific educational needs. Through a collaborative approach of providing tax credits to businesses making contributions to create additional educational opportunities for Pennsylvania families, more children are able to receive assistance. Eligible contributions are those made to scholarship organizations, educational improvement organizations and pre-kindergarten scholarship organizations. Students are eligible to receive a scholarship if their household’s annual income is no greater than $112,348 plus $19,775 for each dependent member of the household. Learn more about the EITC program here. You Can Now Get Customized Travel Alerts with 511PA
We all want to avoid heavy traffic, road closures and anything else that will delay us on the road, and potential hassles will be different for motorists depending on where they live and where they are going. 511PA now offers the opportunity to sign up for personalized travel alerts based on specific areas and routes, days and times, and road issue (type of trouble and when cleared). On 511PA’s website, navigate to “My 511” at the top to set up an account to begin receiving alerts. Expanded Access to Benefits for PA Disabled Veterans
A new Pennsylvania law that went into effect this month exempts 100% of disabled veterans’ benefit payments from income calculations for any commonwealth program or benefit. Act 27 of 2024 ensures veterans who receive disability compensation will not have those payments counted against them when applying to programs such as the Real Estate Property Tax Exemption, the Educational Gratuity Program, the Veterans Temporary Assistance Program and the Military Family Relief Assistance Program. The exclusion also applies to unspent veterans’ benefit payments and is extended to the unmarried surviving spouse of a veteran upon that veteran’s death. Celebrating Back to School Month by Brushing Up on School Bus Safety
As students head back to school, school buses require additional caution from drivers. School districts are now permitted to use automated cameras on stop signal arms to enforce the school bus stopping law. Learn more and find parent safety tips and a reminder of other laws here. Pennsylvania law requires motorists to stop at least 10 feet away from school buses when their red lights are flashing and their stop arm is extended. Motorists following or traveling alongside a school bus must also stop until the red lights have stopped flashing, the stop arm is withdrawn, and all children have reached safety. Do not proceed until all the children have reached a place of safety. Penalties for failure to obey school bus safety laws can result in a $250 fine and a $35 surcharge to be deposited into the School Bus Safety Grant Program account, five points on a driving record and a 60-day license suspension. Department of Veterans Affairs PACT Act Webinars Available
Join SAP&DC APEX Accelerator and VanZandt Medical Center for free webinars on the PACT Act. You can learn about the Department of Veterans Affairs Healthcare Eligibility overview, the PACT Act Eligibility, the enrollment process along with a question-and-answer opportunity. There will be two sessions offered from 9:30 A.M. to 11 A.M. on September 18 and 25. For the September 18 seminar you can sign up here. For the September 25 seminar you can sign up here. Out and AboutRepresentative Rich Irvin and I toured the Southern Huntingdon County School District’s K-12 facilities and discussed the issues they are facing as they begin the new academic year. It was heartwarming to see the teachers so excited as they prepare their classrooms to welcome the students for a new year of learning.
The Williamsburg Community Farm Show celebrated its 57th year by cutting a ribbon with the Blair County Chamber of Commerce, this week. As part of the fair festivities, Nancy Saylor Grove, was recognized by the PA Department of Agriculture with the Friend of the Fair Award. Nancy has given decades of her life to serving the community and the fair. I was pleased to sponsor a Senate citation for Nancy’s achievement, which my staffer, Amanda Walker, presented to her.
Commissioner Scott Walls, President Judge George Zanic and Chief Clerk Heather Fellman, gave me a tour of the Huntingdon Courthouse to see the great progress on the extensive renovations project which will transform the main courtroom by removing the paneling and exposing the beautiful architecture, make necessary roof repairs, raise the ceiling to invite natural light and make significant security improvements. The county courthouse is going to be a beautiful asset to the community for generations to come because of this project.
I visited Mowrer’s Dairy Farm in Petersburg, to see the positive impact of a recent stream restoration project completed by the Huntingdon County Conservation District (HCCD). Mike Mowrer, owner of this seven-generation dairy farm, along with Tyne Blazier and Jonathan Yoder from the HCCD, explained how the new cattle walkway, stream crossing and riparian forest buffer have benefited the farm and the health of the stream.
Along with Representatives David Rowe and Perry Stambaugh, and Juniata County Commissioners Alice Gary and Mark Partner, we toured the Agronomy Center in Thompsontown with the Juniata County Farm Bureau. We had great discussions with some of the farmers, covering issues with concern to them such as solar farms, crop insurance, implements of husbandry and Commonwealth road closures during snow storms that affect milk haulers.
It was an honor to present a Senate citation to Sergeant First Class Daniel Klingbeil of Blair County for his retirement from the Pennsylvania Army National Guard after forty years of distinguished military service. As a lifelong musician, Officer Klingbeil initially joined the 19th Division Army Band playing trumpet, and later joined the 28th Infantry Division Band, when he enlisted with the National Guard. He continued with the band until his recent retirement. Officer Klingbeil plans to stay active in the community, especially with musical entertainment!
Congratulations to Joe Hurd of Hollidaysburg, on his well-deserved retirement as President/CEO of the Blair County Chamber of Commerce. Joe has been working for the Chamber since 1997, quickly becoming the Executive Director in 1998 and then the President/CEO in 2009. I was honored to present him with a Senate citation at his farewell event at the Peoples Natural Gas Altoona Curve Ballpark, where he was joined by his family, who even have his face on their shirts. Joe has done an incredible job for our community!
The Huntingdon County Farm Bureau legislative farm tour took place at Tuckaway Tree Farm in Petersburg, which is owned and operated by Larry and Ashley Latta. I was delighted to listen in as The Lattas detailed their processes to grow evergreens for Christmas and landscaping, which include Canaan Fir, Concolor Fir, Douglas Fir, Korean Fir, Norway Spruce and White Pine.
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