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In this Update:
Free Professional Development Event on May 19In partnership with Pennsylvania Women Work, I will be hosting Career Kick-Start on Friday, May 19, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Frank Sarris Public Library, 35 N. Jefferson Ave., Canonsburg. The free, one-day workshop will help participants boost their job search. It will offer opportunities to meet with a career coach to refine resumes, take a career assessment, identify professional skills and strengths, learn how to find and apply for jobs, practice and receive feedback on interviews, meet with employers who are hiring, and get a professional headshot. Space is limited. Women who are interested are asked to register online at pawomenwork.org/career-kick-start.html by Tuesday, May 16, at 5 p.m. Please call 412-742-4362 with any questions. Local businesses that may be interested in participating with the job interview portion of the workshop are encouraged to call and reserve their spot as soon as possible.
Happenings in the 46thIt was a gorgeous week for stocking adult trout. I visited Whiteley Creek in Greene County to volunteer and assist the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission distribute beautiful hatchery-raised Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, and Brook Trout compliments of Reynoldsdale State Fish Hatchery.
I had an opportunity to sit down and talk with leadership of Greene County’s Mental Health programs and discuss their challenges and opportunities moving forward. These folks are dedicated to the betterment of the residents of Greene County and I cannot say enough good things about the work they are doing.
I also had fun visiting with Cub Scout Pack 1017 to help fulfill their “Build A Better World” requirement. The scouts and I had a great discussion about the role of being contributing members of a community. Thank you to Owen, an Arrow of Light in Pack 1017, who invited me to visit.
Senate Concludes State Budget Hearings
The Senate Appropriations Committee this week finished three weeks of public hearings about the proposed 2023-24 state budget. Gov. Josh Shapiro proposed a $45.8 billion budget that would increase spending by $1.3 billion and all but deplete the state’s Rainy Day Fund in five years. Among the key points from this week’s hearings: Workforce issues, the state’s tax structure and the need to help businesses grow and stay in Pennsylvania drove the conversation during the Department of Community and Economic Development hearing. The Department of Corrections/Pennsylvania Parole Board hearing covered the state’s recidivism rate and declining inmate population. The costs associated with the 750 vacancies in the Department of Corrections – which results in increased use of overtime – and efforts to protect inmates from human trafficking were also discussed. Questions about how the Department of Human Services is handling reduced federal emergency funding were raised during the hearing. The conversation also covered the Shapiro Administration’s request for state taxpayers to backfill millions of dollars cut by the Biden Administration. The Senate will use findings from the hearings to craft an alternative spending plan to the governor’s, with the aim of enacting a final 2023-24 state budget. You can find video and recaps of every budget hearing at PASenateGOP.com. Monthly Appropriations Update Shows Lagging Sales Tax Collections
Each month, the Senate Appropriations Committee prepares an update about the state’s financial health. The most recent report shows that sales and use tax (SUT) collections were $25 million, or 2.3%, below estimate for the month. Perhaps more importantly, March’s SUT collections were below March 2022’s collections. SUT is the second-largest source of revenue for the General Fund and is mostly due on a “pay-as-you-go” basis throughout the year. Closely monitoring these collections for continued weakness could help signify any potential slowing of the economy. The full update, including the monthly revenue report, is available here. Safely Dispose of Unused Prescriptions on April 22
Conveniently remove opioids and other unused medicines from your home on Saturday, April 22, as part of the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. More than 13 tons of prescription drugs were disposed of across Pennsylvania in the Prescription Drug Take Back Day held last October. Find a location to safely dispose of unused drugs here. Farmers, Help PA Claim Federal Funding
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is collecting responses for the 2022 Census of Agriculture, which impacts funding priorities for numerous programs. Any farmers who have not returned their questionnaires are encouraged to respond by mail or online here. In addition to directing the use of tax dollars, the census data also informs decisions about policy, farm and conservation programs, infrastructure and rural development, research, education and more. State Grant Deadline is May 1 for PA College Students
The deadline for students and families to submit their applications for the 2023-24 Pennsylvania State Grant program is May 1. This deadline applies to all renewal applicants and first-time applicants who plan to enroll in a degree program or other college or university (excluding community colleges). To apply for a Pennsylvania State Grant, applicants must first complete the 2023-24 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Applicants can access the FAFSA online at www.PHEAA.org/FAFSA or www.fafsa.gov. Completing the FAFSA online saves time and reduces application and processing errors. Students and families with questions about the FAFSA or the State Grant Program can call 800-692-7392 for personal assistance. |
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