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In this Update:
Celebrate United States Constitution Week!
Constitution Week is the commemoration of America’s most important document. It is celebrated annually during the week of September 17-23. The United States Constitution stands as a testament to the tenacity of Americans throughout history to maintain their liberties, freedoms and inalienable rights. This celebration of the Constitution was started by the Daughters of the American Revolution. Of the 55 delegates to the Constitutional Convention, only 39 delegates actually signed the Constitution. Of those 39, Pennsylvania had 8 signers of our Constitution, which marked the most representation. The framers of the Constitution from Pennsylvania were George Clymer, Thomas Fitzsimons, Benjamin Franklin; who was the oldest of the convention at 81 years old, Jared Ingersoll, Thomas Mifflin, Gouverneur Morris, Robert Morris and James Wilson. The aims of the Constitution Week celebration are to: ★ Emphasize citizens’ responsibilities for protecting and defending the Constitution. ★ Inform people that the Constitution is the basis for America’s great heritage and the foundation for our way of life. ★ Encourage the study of the historical events which led to the framing of the Constitution in September 1787. Constitution Week is a great time to learn more about this important document and celebrate the freedoms it gives us. Please offer prayers for our country and for those who protect us. A Closer Look at Energy Affordability and Reliability
I have worked alongside my colleagues in the Senate Republican caucus to provide legislative initiatives seeking to offer Pennsylvanians relief as many continue to experience rising energy costs. As the threats towards our power grid reliability grow, we must work together to find solutions. Pennsylvania faces concerns of grid reliability which may cause devastating outages like the major power crisis Texas experienced in 2021 when more than 4.5 million homes and businesses were without power for days. Rising costs and compromised reliability are worsened by a unilateral decision former Gov. Tom Wolf made to join the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). Joining RGGI will increase electricity rates for consumers, cut energy and manufacturing jobs, and lead to the closure of Pennsylvania power plants. Rolling blackouts across the state will become commonplace when energy production cannot keep up with the ever-growing demand. Senate Republicans are actively fighting against Pennsylvania’s entry into RGGI, obtaining a court order that prevents the commonwealth from implementing the program because the Commonwealth Court agreed that Wolf lacked the authority to join RGGI. Gov. Josh Shapiro appealed that court order to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, where the case is pending and briefs were filed this week by the Senate Republicans to prevent RGGI implementation. Senate Republicans stand ready to pass legislation to repeal the RGGI Energy Tax that has already been introduced if the legal process isn’t successful. We also passed bills that would ensure Pennsylvanians have options regarding fuel availability, help to secure the state’s future as a hub for carbon capture and sequestration and most effectively capitalize on the state’s abundant natural resources through the creation of the Independent Energy Office to provide impartial data. Boating Facility Grant Program Available
The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission is now accepting applications for the 2025 Boating Facility Grant Program! The Boating Facility Grant Program provides grants for planning, acquisition, development, expansion and rehabilitation of public boating facilities located on waterways in Pennsylvania. Funding requests require a 50% match. The deadline for applications is November 30. More information can be found at Boating Facility Grant Program. How to File a Banking Complaint
Consumers who have unsuccessfully attempted to resolve disputes with their financial institutions regarding services or products have options. Complaints may be submitted to the Department of Banking and Securities Consumer Services Office online or toll-free by calling 1-800-PA-BANKS (1-800-722-2657) Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The department aims to provide responses to consumer complaints within 10 days of receipt. While the Consumer Services Office will make the effort to address consumer complaints, there is no guarantee the matter can or will be resolved. However, complaints are important because they allow the Department of Banking and Securities to identify patterns of unfair or deceptive practices that may result in further action. Applications Open: Keystone State ChalleNGe Academy for At-Risk Youth
The Keystone State ChalleNGe Academy (KSCA) is accepting applications for its class, which begins in January 2025. KSCA is designed to give academically challenged teens a second chance at obtaining their basic education, as well as learning leadership, self-discipline and responsibility. The program is open to 16- to 18-year-old Pennsylvania residents who are at risk of not graduating from high school, no longer attending any school or have not received a high school diploma or equivalent certificate. Applicants must be willing to be drug free, free of felony convictions and voluntarily commit to the program. If selected, students will attend the 22-week residential phase at Fort Indiantown Gap in Lebanon County. Learn more about eligibility requirements and begin the application process here. Anyone who prefers to have an application mailed or would like to talk with someone about the program may contact the academy by emailing RA-MVPAChallenge@pa.gov or calling 717-861-7767. Free Webinars Provide Useful College Financial Aid Info
The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency is holding free webinars to assist college-bound students and their families with navigating the financial aid process. On Tuesday, Sept. 24, at noon, speakers will discuss the financial aid timeline. On Thursday, Sept. 26, at 6:30 p.m., speakers will focus on how to search for scholarships and pay for any remaining costs. Register to attend the one-hour webinars. 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. National Voter Registration Day is a Great Reminder
Tuesday, Sept. 17, is National Voter Registration Day. It is a great opportunity to confirm that you are registered to vote at your current address, change your registration if you have moved or register as a first-time voter! The last day to register to vote in Pennsylvania before the General Election this year is Monday, Oct. 21. You may submit your application online, by mail to your county voter registration office or in person at your county voter registration office. Active-duty military members or veterans who are hospitalized or bedridden may register at any time. Learn more about that option. Don’t forget the General Election this year is on Tuesday, November 5! Please note: if you are not a United States citizen, you cannot register to vote. If you are not a resident of Pennsylvania at least 30 days before the election, you cannot register to vote. $CAM JAM
Join the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities for $CAM JAM! A fun and interactive event that brings experts in law enforcement and state agencies together to educate target audiences on how to protect their money from financial fraud and abuse. This program is in partnership with AARP Pennsylvania. For more information you can contact Lori Heaton at 814-643-5115 ext. 207 or lheaton@hbfaaa.org. On Tuesday, September 24, from 10 A.M. until noon, $CAM JAM will be held at the McConnellstown Fire Hall located at 6136 Shenecoy Road in Huntingdon. On Wednesday, September 25, from 9:30 A.M. to 11:30 A.M., $CAM JAM will be held at the Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources located at 25185 Great Cove Road in McConnellsburg. Out and AboutMy staff was happy to attend the ribbon cutting of the new Hartman Center Campground located in Milroy. This facility offers rental cabins and camper sites, additionally the site provides a rental dining hall facility, chapel and outdoor pavilion. There is a trail system on this 150-acre site as well as a pool, a pond for fishing and kayaking, and a basketball court for all to enjoy. Check them out today!
The Southern Alleghenies EMS Council (SAEMS) hosted a Legislative Breakfast for area elected officials to share their concerns about issues facing their member agencies. The event included presentations from Representative Lou Schmitt, Pennsylvania Bureau of EMS, Ambulance Association of Pennsylvania and the SAEMS board. The breakfast was also an opportunity for the group to educate legislators about challenges facing emergency medical services across the Commonwealth and share information with these agencies on the legislative process.
The Huntingdon County Association of Township Officials held its 108th Annual Convention at the Smithfield Firehall. In addition to holding its business meeting, the association members received an update on legislative accomplishments and priorities for the upcoming year and heard a presentation from the Huntingdon County Humane Society. I am thankful for these local elected officials and the great work they do serving their communities.
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