Thank you Veterans!
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| Legislative Headlines: |
Addressing PA’s Heroin Epidemic… I joined other members of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Corrections this week at the second in a series of three public hearings to focus on the law enforcement response to the state’s current heroin epidemic. Earlier this year, the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration collected data about heroin use for five years and used it to estimate heroin use by those age 12 and older throughout the country, state and more locally. Pennsylvania is the state with the third highest number of heroin users, with 40,000 statewide. Education is key. We need to have the conversation with our kids, so that more families don’t tragically lose a child.
Hunting Violation Protection…As the Pennsylvania hunting seasons get into full swing, Gov. Tom Corbett signed into law legislation ensuring that property owners are not held responsible for hunting violations committed by those who are granted permission to hunt on their land. Previously, the law could be interpreted to mean landowners could be held liable for the actions of hunters who committed violations of hunting law on their property. The House amended the bill to protect against liability unless the landowners aid, abet, assist, attempt or conspire in the commission of any unlawful act committed on their land. The new law took effect immediately upon signing.
New PA General Assembly Website Unveiled…A newly revamped comprehensive website for the Pennsylvania General Assembly was activated this week with features that allow residents to follow the activities of the House and Senate. The new website includes information about all members of both chambers, a search engine for all legislation, a record of all votes taken in both chambers, a searchable database of laws and information about the state Constitution. Click here to view the new site.
LIHEAP Now Open…Eligible Pennsylvania residents are encouraged to apply for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). LIHEAP helps low-income people pay their heating bills through home energy assistance grants and crisis grants. Cash grants are awarded based on household income, family size, type of heating fuel and region. Crisis grants are provided in the event of a heating emergency, including broken heating equipment or leaking lines that must be fixed or replaced, lack of fuel, termination of utility service or danger of being without fuel or of having utility service terminated. For more information, click here.
Banning ‘Triple Dipping’…Gov. Tom Corbett signed into law legislation to end the practice of “triple dipping” by state government retirees who return to work following their retirement and then collect unemployment benefits. The practice involves an individual who collects a public pension or private retirement benefit while returning to work, only to collect unemployment compensation when leaving the job. In the past three years, more than 600 state retirees have returned to work on a temporary basis, and have then collected $2 million in benefits while simultaneously receiving a state pension. Passing House Bill 421 is another example of the Legislature’s efforts to reform the Commonwealth’s unemployment compensation system to ensure the system is benefiting only those who truly qualify. The legislation has become Act 75 of 2013.
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| Rep. Delozier in the Community: |
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Every year, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation coordinates a School Bus Safety poster contest as part of National School Bus Safety Week. The theme this year was “At My Stop – You Stop!” and winners are selected from four divisions. I’m very proud to say that three of the 11 winners are from the Mechanicsburg Area School District! They are Morgan Hechler, Mechanicsburg Middle School (first place, division 3); Daniel Hagenbuch, Mechanicsburg Middle School (second place, division 3); and Lauren Mark, Elmwood Elementary School (second place, division 1). Morgan will have her poster entered in the national competition. Although I wasn’t able to attend the awards ceremony because we were in session, a staff member attended on my behalf and presented a personal letter of congratulations to each of them.
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Daniel Hagenbuch-second place in division 3. From L to R: Lt. Raymond Cook, Pennsylvania State Police’s Commercial Vehicle Safety Division director; Daniel Hagenbuch; Brad Mallory, PennDOT executive deputy secretary for administration; and Beverly Kawaller from my district office.
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Lauren Mark-second place in division 1. From L to R: Lt. Raymond Cook, Pennsylvania State Police’s Commercial Vehicle Safety Division director; Lauren Mark; Brad Mallory, PennDOT executive deputy secretary for administration; and Beverly Kawaller from my district office.
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Morgan Hechler-first place in division 3. From L to R: Lt. Raymond Cook, Pennsylvania State Police’s Commercial Vehicle Safety Division director; Morgan Hechler; Brad Mallory, PennDOT executive deputy secretary for administration; and Beverly Kawaller from my district office.
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With our beautiful state Capitol being close to so many school districts in our area, students have the opportunity to easily take a tour or attend events there. Recently, exchange students from the United Kingdom who are attending school at Mechanicsburg Area Senior High School, and fifth-grade students from Saint Joseph Catholic School of Mechanicsburg went on a tour. Also, fourth- and fifth-grade students from St. Stephen’s Episcopal School participated in an archeology program that was held in the atrium at the Capitol.
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Attorneys Peter Ressler and Mark Hipp of Nette, Evans and Woodside volunteered to present information provided by MidPenn Legal Services for the final “Older and Wiser” seminar hosted by me and Sen. Pat Vance. The topic was “Learning about Last Wills and Living Trusts” and it was held at the Woods at Cedar Run. We had a great turnout. Thank you to everyone who participated! |
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I’m always happy to help our Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts in any way that I can. Shallyn Leland of Lower Allen Township is a Webelos 1 Cub Scout den leader. I met with her and the scouts to help them fulfill some of the requirements for their Citizenship badge. Kristen Bernard, also of Lower Allen Township, is a leader for a Brownie troop consisting of 2nd and 3rd graders who are working on their Celebrating Community Try It badge. One of the requirements was to talk to a local community leader. I presented information to both troops on state government. |
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I attended the 5th Wednesday Women’s Networking Luncheon. As always, the conversation was lively and informative and I walked away with their input regarding small businesses. |
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