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In this Update:
- Pennsylvanians Deserve the Truth about Electricity Costs
- Honoring Firefighter, Army Veteran: Michael Patrick Scott
- REAL ID Deadline Approaching
- Nearly $392,000 in Grants to Improve Parks
- Senate Acts to Fight Waste, Fraud and Abuse in Public Assistance Programs
- Bill Enabling World Cup Team Doctors to Practice in PA Receives Senate Support
- New Law Conveniently Returns Money to Pennsylvanians
- Game Commission Provides Avian Influenza Information
- Happy 100th Birthday to Wonderful Wanda
Pennsylvanians Deserve the Truth about Electricity Costs
This week, Gov. Josh Shapiro made multiple announcements about the cost of electricity in Pennsylvania. One of those claims is that customers will save billions of dollars through an agreement he made with PJM, a regional transmission organization that coordinates the movement of wholesale electricity in all or part of 13 states and the District of Columbia.
The reality is that none of the governor’s announcements will save any of us a single dollar on our electric bills. The truth is that his administration’s misguided policies have directly contributed to higher prices. Now, he’s trying to take credit for lower prices that won’t even happen.
Senate Republicans have prioritized advancement of meaningful legislation to help address rising costs for consumers of electricity. It is unfortunate that many of the measures were not supported by the Shapiro Administration during the last two years. We will continue working to enact energy policies which reduce costs for hardworking Pennsylvanians, ensure the future stability of our power grid, and help expand access to good, family sustaining jobs here in Pennsylvania.
Honoring Firefighter, Army Veteran: Michael Patrick Scott
This week I requested the Pennsylvania Senate pause for a moment of silence to honor Michael Patrick Scott, a U.S. Army veteran and City of Washington firefighter and EMT. Sadly, Michael lost his battle with his Post Traumatic Stress Injury (PTSI) on December 26, 2024.
I rose to posthumously introduce Michael on the Senate floor. Michael’s parents Gary and Melody, along with City of Washington Fire Department Chief Christopher Richer were in attendance.
You can watch this moment from session by clicking this link.
REAL ID Deadline Approaching
Beginning May 7, 2025, you will need a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license/photo ID card, or another form of federally-acceptable identification (such as a valid passport or military ID) to board a domestic commercial flight or enter a federal building or military installation that requires ID.
Click the image above to watch my video on what to expect to be REAL ID ready.
Nearly $392,000 in Grants to Improve Parks
This week state grants totaling nearly $392,000 to improve local parks have been awarded to the 46th District through the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA). The grants were funded using natural gas drilling impact fees, not taxpayer dollars.
Rices Landing Borough in Greene County will receive $250,000 to improve Pumpkin Run Park. The new, state-of-the-art playground equipment will include modern amenities and be ADA compliant.
Independence Township in Washington County will receive $125,000 to construct a natural surface trail at the Independence Township Community Park, a 41-acre multi-use destination for residents and guests of the township. The trail will begin at the existing parking area and loop around the perimeter of the western portion of the park, returning to the parking lot near the gazebo.
Union Township in Washington County will receive $16,970 for Elrama Central Park. Improvements will include installing ADA-compliant sidewalks and handrailing, playground equipment, swing sets, benches and other park amenities. There are plans to build additional accessibility and mobility features.
The impact fees authorized by Act 13 of 2012 are paid by unconventional gas operators throughout the state. The CFA is an independent agency of the Department of Community and Economic Development that administers many of Pennsylvania’s economic development and community improvement programs.
Senate Acts to Fight Waste, Fraud and Abuse in Public Assistance Programs
This week, the Senate passed three bills to stop waste, fraud and abuse in Pennsylvania’s Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) and Medical Assistance program (Medicaid). The bills will be sent to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for consideration.
Senate Bill 155 would prevent deceased people from receiving benefits by requiring the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) to check death certificates at the Bureau of Vital Statistics against recipients of public assistance. A state audit previously found 2,324 deceased public assistance recipients received benefits totaling $700,000 in a 12-month period.
Senate Bill 156 would require DHS to compare wage records held by employers and the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue with public assistance recipients quarterly to prevent fraud. From 2019-23, the Pennsylvania Office of State Inspector General filed more than 2,900 criminal complaints of welfare fraud, with more than $15 million owed in restitution.
Senate Bill 157 would update the Public Assistance Integrity Act to require DHS to issue a yearly report on its efforts to ensure lottery winners are not receiving cash benefits. The Public Assistance Integrity Act, a bipartisan initiative signed into law in 2018, closed a loophole that did not require lottery winnings to be considered as income when determining eligibility for benefits.
Bill Enabling World Cup Team Doctors to Practice in PA Receives Senate Support
With World Cup soccer set to come to Philadelphia, the Senate approved legislation enabling international team doctors to treat their players in the commonwealth. The bill now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration.
Philadelphia will host the FIFA Club World Cup this summer and the FIFA World Cup in 2026. In both of those contests, athletes will be supported by their traveling team doctors. Under current law, each international doctor would be required to obtain a medical license from the Pennsylvania State Board of Medicine to treat players, even for just a single match.
Senate Bill 184 would exempt international team doctors from needing to obtain a Pennsylvania medical license to care for their athletes. Much like how the law treats team physicians licensed in other states, international doctors would be limited to treatment of just their players and would be prohibited from practicing in all health care facilities in the commonwealth.
New Law Conveniently Returns Money to Pennsylvanians
Money you weren’t expecting may soon be coming your way! The Pennsylvania Treasury Department sent the first batch of letters this week to people who have unclaimed property, thanks to legislation passed by Senate Republicans.
The new law, PA Money Match, allows the Pennsylvania Treasury to automatically return certain unclaimed property. Eligible properties must be valued at $500 or less and belong to a single owner. Those with eligible properties will receive a letter in the mail to confirm their address. After doing so, they will receive a check for their property in about 45 days.
Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity announced this week that the first round of PA Money Match has the potential to return more than $2 million to more than 8,000 Pennsylvanians – and more will be coming later this year. Treasury is working to return more than $4.5 billion in unclaimed property, which includes things like dormant bank accounts, uncashed checks, rebates, insurance payments and more. Check if you have unclaimed property, and contact my office if you need any assistance in filing a claim.
Game Commission Provides Avian Influenza Information
Earlier this year, the Pennsylvania Game Commission announced that highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) was the cause of death for wild waterfowl in northeastern Pennsylvania.
To best protect the health of wildlife, domestic animals and humans, the Game Commission asks the public to assist them by doing the following:
- Report sick or dead wild birds to the commission by calling 1-833-PGC-WILD (1-833-742-9453), emailing pgc-wildlifehealth@pa.gov or using the online Wildlife Health Survey tool.
- Dispose of a dead wild bird found on your property – if the commission hasn’t responded within 24 hours – by burial or commercial/residential trash. Both methods will protect scavenging wildlife. If electing to dispose of the carcass, the following guidance is provided:
- Before picking up the wild bird carcass, put on disposable or washable gloves. If gloves are unavailable, a plastic bag can be used as a makeshift glove.
- If performing on-site burial, a burial hole at least two feet deep will discourage scavenging. Do not bury the carcass in an area that could contaminate a water supply.
- If disposing of the carcass in commercial/residential trash, place the carcass in a plastic bag along with any disposal gloves that were used. Then place everything in a second plastic bag before disposal.
- Once disposal is complete, immediately wash your hands and any non-disposable gloves that were used.
Because HPAI impacts more than just wildlife, please also report any sick or dead domestic bird to the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture at 717-772-2852. Anyone who isn’t feeling well after having contact with sick or dead birds is encouraged to contact their primary care physician or the Pennsylvania Department of Health at 877-724-3258.
Happy 100th Birthday to Wonderful Wanda
I would like to wish the Happiest of Birthdays to the Wonderful Wanda Magone of my hometown, Monongahela. Last weekend, her family, friends, members of the community, emergency personnel, and Pittsburgh mascots all held “The Wanda Parade” to celebrate her 100th Birthday. I presented Wanda with a Senate Citation of Congratulations on joining the centenarian club.
Here is something fun; Wanda and Laura Magone, Wanda’s daughter (who happens to be the Monongahela Area Historical Society President) were featured on NBC’s The Today Show for the popularity of Laura’s group, The Wedding Cookie Table Community. You can watch this segment by clicking this link.
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