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In this Update:
Community Highlights
Congratulations to Mr. Allen Levine, who was named the Bethel Park Outstanding Citizen of the Year by Judge Ron Arnoni! Mr. Levine has been a staple in the Bethel Park community for decades; he started a weekly show with Bethel Park TV and used this platform to fundraise for Alzheimer’s disease in memory of his mother who passed away from the disease. He has also raised funds and advocated for several organizations, including Hillcrest Christian Academy, Special Olympics, and the Joey Fabus Childhood Cancer Foundation. Mr. Arnoni also recognized first responders from the Bethel Park Police Department, Bethel Park Volunteer Fire Company, Upper St. Clair Police Department, and Upper St. Clair Volunteer Fire Department for their dedication to public service. Thank you all for everything you do.
Congratulations to Tim Moury, who was recognized for his 28 years of service to Bethel Park with the dedication of Moury Park. Thank you, Tim, for your incredible service to the community.
I attended the Rotary Club of Bethel-St. Clair’s 64th Annual Pancake Festival at Westminster Presbyterian Church. Thank you to all the volunteers who put on this great event! Irish Ambassador to the United States
I was honored to meet with the Geraldine Byrne Nasan, the Irish Ambassador to the United States. It was great to celebrate the historical connection between our two nations and cultures with the Irish American Chamber of Commerce! Senate Defends Use of Taxpayer Dollars with Careful Budget Review
I continued my work with Senate Appropriations Committee to carefully review Governor Shapiros’ budget proposal in a third week of budget hearings. The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) hearing focused on what the administration is doing to ensure the commonwealth’s power grid can handle increased demand for electricity. On the Appropriations Committee, we asked why the current year’s budget for DEP included funding for 15 new positions specifically to reduce permitting delays but serious waits – a year and a half and longer – still exist. At the Department of Human Services budget hearing, I asked the department to describe the Consolidated Waiver & Community Living Waiver, highlighting their differences. These waivers allocate $34.3 million to provide home and community-based services for individuals on waiting lists. The Department of Transportation hearing covered ongoing concerns about the sustainability of the Motor License Fund and commonwealth transportation funding. I asked Secretary Carroll about the process for collecting delinquent turnpike tolls and taxpayer savings from getting rid of vehicle registration stickers. At the Department of State budget hearing, the committee asked about the department’s requested $5.2 million increase for “Voter Registration and Education” activities throughout the commonwealth. Committee members sought assurances that the outreach would occur in rural areas as well as urban and suburban. $13.8 million allocated for the Department of Health’s 2022-2023 fiscal year is still unused. I asked the department secretary if these funds should be returned to the General Fund or used to avoid emergency shutdowns of nursing homes, including ones in my district, to ensure that residents are never without the care they need and that workers receive the compensation they’ve earned. You can find daily recaps and videos from these hearings at PASenateGOP.com. Help Available to Fight Drug and Alcohol Abuse
State assistance is available for nonprofit organizations, government entities, community groups and parent groups that work to prevent the consequences of drug and alcohol abuse from harming Pennsylvanians. Funding can be used to reduce the demand for, or provide an alternative to, drug and alcohol abuse and the violence and other consequences these substances can cause. It can also be used to prevent drug and alcohol abuse and associated problems through educational programming. Apply for the grant of up to $2,000 through the Office of Attorney General Community Drug Abuse Prevention Grant Program. 2024 Adult Trout Stocking Schedule Available
The 2024 adult trout stocking schedule is now available. The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission will stock approximately 3.2 million adult trout in 695 streams and 128 lakes open to public angling. An additional 1.2 million trout will be stocked by cooperative nurseries. The trout stocking schedule is searchable by county, lists the waterways in alphabetical order, and indicates stocking dates, meeting locations for volunteers, and the species of trout that are planned to be stocked at each location. Pennsylvania’s statewide Opening Day of Trout Season is April 6. A single, statewide Mentored Youth Trout Day will take place March 30. Trout to be stocked will include approximately 2.3 million Rainbow Trout, 702,000 Brown Trout, 132,000 Brook Trout and 14,000 Golden Rainbow Trout. As with past practice, the average size of the trout produced for stocking is 11 inches in length. Cybersecurity Resources for Local Governments
Despite the perception that local governments are too small to be the target of bad actors online, Pennsylvania’s thousands of municipalities are at risk of cyberattack. In fact, 69% of state and local governments reported being hit in 2023 by ransomware – malicious software designed to block access to a computer system until a sum of money is paid. To combat these attacks that often come with costly consequences, local governments should conduct a cyber assessment and make sure municipal employees understand the importance of using strong passwords and spotting suspicious emails. The initiative grew out of a January hearing held by the Senate Communications and Technology Committee and the Senate Local Government Committee focusing on cybersecurity threats faced by local governments and municipal authorities. Funding opportunities exist to support cybersecurity efforts through the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, which administers a program that distributes federal funding. Local governments can learn more at the new Senate Republican Cybersecurity Resources for Local Governments webpage. Daylight Saving Time Begins This Weekend
Daylight Saving Time begins this Sunday, March 10, at 2 a.m. While cell phone and computer clocks usually change automatically, most people move their standard clocks and appliances ahead one hour on Saturday night. It’s also a good time to check smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. If the devices are older than 10 years, experts suggest upgrading to 10-year, sealed battery alarms. They don’t require any battery replacement throughout their lifetime. However, it’s still a good idea to press the test button on the alarms at least once every month.
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