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Capitol Report
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#Listrak\DateStampLong#
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The latest news from the State Capitol
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Please do not reply directly to this email, as it returns to an unmanned account.
You are welcome to contact me through this link.
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Upcoming Events in the District
Hard to Read License Plate Replacement
Nanticoke District Office
50 North Walnut St., Suite 102, Nanticoke
Thurs., Sept. 14 | 4–7 p.m.
Concealed Carry
R Bar
119 E. Kirmar Ave., Nanticoke, PA 18634
Thurs., Oct. 5 | 6–8 p.m.
LIMITED SEATING, MUST CALL TO ATTEND.
Senior Expo
Jewish Community Center in Kingston
613 S. J Strauss Lane, Kingston
Thurs., Oct. 12 | 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
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Ghost Pole Legislation Getting Traction
Recently, a hearing was held on my legislation to address “ghost” utility poles. My legislation, House Bill 1619, directs the PUC to develop rules to address the need for utility companies to relocate their facilities onto new poles and to help ensure the removal of unused or “ghost” poles, which are often both unsafe and unsightly.
Telephone or electric poles are a common sight in our districts and necessary to provide services that are integral to our constituents’ lives, but they also have a lifespan and need to be replaced due to their age or an accident that renders them to be unstable. Having old, unused and unstable utility poles lingering is unsafe and unsightly, so I have introduced a bill to create a meaningful timeline for the PUC to use its authority to establish reasonable timelines for companies to relocate services to new poles and quickly dispose of poles no longer in service.
This bill is part of a package of six bills aimed at holding telecommunications companies accountable. To view the hearing in its entirety, click here.
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Celebrating our District
Boy Scout Troop 418 from the Nanticoke American Legion Post 350 recently completed their community service at the Welsh Presbyterian Church in Warrior Run PA.
Earlier this month Sen. Lisa Baker and I celebrated National Night Out with Newport Township, Plymouth and Mountaintop.
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Ghost Pole Legislation Getting Traction
Recently, a hearing was held on my legislation to address “ghost” utility poles. My legislation, House Bill 1619, directs the PUC to develop rules to address the need for utility companies to relocate their facilities onto new poles and to help ensure the removal of unused or “ghost” poles, which are often both unsafe and unsightly.
Telephone or electric poles are a common sight in our districts and necessary to provide services that are integral to our constituents’ lives, but they also have a lifespan and need to be replaced due to their age or an accident that renders them to be unstable. Having old, unused and unstable utility poles lingering is unsafe and unsightly, so I have introduced a bill to create a meaningful timeline for the PUC to use its authority to establish reasonable timelines for companies to relocate services to new poles and quickly dispose of poles no longer in service.
This bill is part of a package of six bills aimed at holding telecommunications companies accountable. To view the hearing in its entirety, click here.
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Protect Yourself from Scams
In the wake of recent arrests involving scams against older Pennsylvanians, the Office of Attorney General (OAG) is again reminding people of all ages to be on the lookout for someone trying to cheat them out of their hard-earned money.
Some tips to keep in mind:
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Never send money or gift cards to someone you do not know. Also, gift cards are for gifts, not for paying debts or bills. |
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If you are suspicious or have concerns about a solicitation, call your local police or the OAG hotline at 800-441-2555. |
Additionally, the OAG recommends an acronym to evaluate unsolicited phone calls or emails:
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S: Sudden – The call or email is unexpected. |
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C: Contact – Scammers will contact you by phone, email or in-person. |
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A: Act Now – The request will be urgent and assert penalties if you do not act quickly. |
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M: Money or Information – The scammer will request money or personal information. |
Pennsylvanians who believe they have been victims of a scam should file a complaint with the Office of Attorney General’s Bureau of Consumer Protection by calling 800-441-2555 or emailing scams@attorneygeneral.gov.
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Bills Proposed to Protect PA Kids
As we wait for House Democrats to call us back into session to finish the budget process, two bills aimed at protecting kids in today’s social-media-focused society are in the works.
House Bill 1501, , the Protection of Minors from Unfiltered Devices Act, would ensure children are protected from accessing pornography on mobile devices. Specifically, it would require new smart phones and tablets activated in the Commonwealth to have a filter enabled that would protect children from finding harmful material online such as pornography.
A second bill, not yet formally introduced, would update the state’s Child Labor Law to protect children who earn money as influencers and content-makers, or whose likeness, name or photograph is substantially featured in a parent’s or guardian’s content that generates income for that person.
Both measures are important steps toward protecting the Commonwealth’s children.
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Summer Isn’t Over Yet!
While many kids across the state have returned to school, that doesn’t mean summer weather is behind us. The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) is offering these tips to stay cool and save money during any late summer surges in temperatures.
Some low and no-cost hints stay cooler include:
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Fan Yourself – Fans circulate the air, keeping you feeling cooler, even at higher temps. Circulating air with a fan can help you feel up to 4 degrees cooler, without needing to lower your thermostat. |
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Follow the Shade – Relax in rooms that do not receive direct sunlight. |
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Block the Heat – Use window blinds and coverings at the sunniest time of day to reduce unwanted heat buildup. |
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Don’t Add Extra Heat – Postpone using heat-producing appliances, such as clothes dryers, dishwashers and stoves until it is cooler. |
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Cookout, Anyone? – Consider cooking with outdoor barbecue grills or microwaves, rather than stoves or ovens, which add indoor heat. |
The PUC also offers these tips to save on energy bills:
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Check your Thermostat – The smaller the difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures, the lower your overall cooling bill. Every degree you raise your air conditioning thermostat above 72 degrees can save up to 3% on cooling expenses. |
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Clean is “Green” – Clean and replace air conditioner filters regularly and make sure air circulation paths are clear. |
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Power Off – Turn off non-essential appliances and lights to reduce power use and unwanted heat. |
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Don’t Cool Unneeded Space – Close off unused rooms and adjust air vents or thermostats to avoid unnecessary cooling expenses. |
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Keep the Heat Outside – Seal cracks and openings to prevent warm air from leaking into your home. |
If you’re struggling with utility bills, contact your providers for information on customer assistance programs that may benefit you.
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Attention First-Time Hunters!
Hunter-Trapper Education courses are required for all first-time hunters and trappers before they can buy a license in the Commonwealth. The Pennsylvania Game Commission offers both in-person and online options.
Participants, whether in-person or online, will receive a training certificate recognized throughout North America when they pass a test at the end of the course. The course covers responsible hunting behavior, firearms basics and safety, basic shooting, wildlife conservation and management, outdoor safety and survival, hunting techniques, trapping and furtaking basics, and hunting safety.
Free in-person training is offered in various locations across the Commonwealth and is open to anyone age 11 or older. To find and register for a course near you, click here.
There are several online options.
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The Game Commission’s official online course is available to anyone age 16 and older and costs $34.95 to complete. |
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The Interactive Pennsylvania Hunter-Trapper Education course is open to anyone age 11 and older and costs $50 to complete. |
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The National Rifle Association offers a free online hunter education course open to anyone age 11 and older. |
Learn more about hunter-trapper education here.
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PennDOT Safety Assessment for Cyclists, Pedestrians
PennDOT is seeking feedback to help evaluate the state’s safety performance for pedestrians and cyclists, and to develop a plan to improve safety. Specifically, the department is seeking input on what the Federal Highway Administration terms “high-risk areas” for vulnerable road users across Pennsylvania. Click here to participate.
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How Can We Help?
Did you know one-on-one assistance is available in our district office at no charge? Appointments are required. Check out our services:
Disability Advocacy Program | 2nd Tuesday of the Month
The Center for Independent Living (MyCIL) assists adults 18 and over living with a disability to improve and enhance independent living options including advocacy, skills training, information and referral, peer counseling, home modifications, attendant care and community integration, in addition to deaf and autism services.
Small Business Advocacy Program | 4th Wednesday of the Month
We partner with counselors from the Wilkes University Small Business Development Center (SBDC) to help new and existing business owners to grow their business, explore new markets, plan strategically and operate with confidence.
Veterans Assistance | 3rd Friday of the Month
American Legion representatives will assist veterans, their spouses and their dependents with a range of issues including compensation, pensions, death benefits, education and health care, as well as many other services.
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