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In this Update:
$15.5 Million in State Funding for Water System Improvements
This week the Pennsylvania American Water Company (PAWC) will receive $15.5 million from the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST) in the form of two low-interest loans to improve access to drinking water to the Avella Area School District and residents. Students and families will have more reliable access to safe drinking water at a lower cost because of these loans. Together, the loans will save $4.3 million in costs that won’t be passed along to customers on their water bills or taxpayers through the taxes they owe. Being able to make necessary infrastructure improvements while limiting financial strain residents feel as a result is a huge win. The first loan, for $10.4 million, will be used to meet the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission’s June 2025 deadline to provide public water service to the Avella Area School District. The school district has its own supply source for drinking water and fire protection. The second loan, in the amount of $5.1 million, will be used to address poor water quality and low water pressure for more than 1,400 customers by extending approximately 15,000 feet of waterline along Old Steubenville Pike and Campbell Road in Robinson and Smith townships. It will also add approximately 23 residential customers in need of public drinking water. The low-interest loan will provide the grant equivalent of $1.4 million during the life of the loan. Both loans will be repaid over 20 years. Establishing Carbon Capture Framework in PA
Legislation to establish the legal and regulatory framework for potential carbon dioxide capture, utilization, and sequestration (CCUS) in Pennsylvania was signed into law this week. Currently, only the Federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) claims authority for CCUS, a process that removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere emitted from industrial sites for reuse or storage underground. The Great Plains Institute, using data from a 2009 Department of Conservation and Natural Resources report, estimates the state could store about 2.4 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide underground. This is equivalent to the level of greenhouse gases emitted from 517 million gas-powered passenger vehicles annually, according to the EPA. The legislation received support from the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry, as well as the Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce. It is also supported by the Pennsylvania State Building and Construction Trades Council, the Allegheny-Fayette County Labor Council, the Pittsburgh Regional Building Trades Council, the AFL-CIO and numerous other labor and environmental groups and industry representatives. To watch my floor remarks supporting Senate Bill 831, click on the image above. Happenings in the 46th
Please join me next Saturday, August 3 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Fort Cherry High School gymnasium parking lot located at 110 Fort Cherry Road, McDonald, PA 15057 Identity theft prevention information will be provided and an industrial shredder truck will be on site. A maximum of two boxes or bags per vehicle will be shredded. Phone books, newspapers and bound books cannot be accepted. Please remove any binder or paper clips. This event is for individuals only – no businesses, please. For additional information, call 724-225-4380.
It was a wonderful turnout for my third annual free barbecue picnic to show my appreciation for Veterans, Active Duty Members, and their families of the 46th Senatorial District. I was so happy that everyone came out and enjoyed themselves last week. I once again teamed up with Lou Lou’s Smokehouse who always knock it out of the park with their BBQ choices. I want to thank John Koval for volunteering his DJ services to provide an excellent music selection for everyone. I would also like to thank and recognize all of the representatives from AMVETS National Headquarters, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (USVA) VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, USVA Vet Centers, and Washington County Human Services Veterans Affairs Office for coming and making themselves available for our attendees. God Bless America!
Huzzah! I always have so much fun delivering a Senate proclamation (with a little crowd participation) during the Whiskey Rebellion Festival opening ceremonies. The festival was another huge success, wrapping up last Saturday with a performance by The Clarks!
It’s officially Fair Season in the 46th District! This week we celebrated the opening of the 159th Annual Jacktown Fair located in beautiful Wind Ridge, Greene County, with old friends. This year’s fair was dedicated in memoriam to two Fair Board members who passed away this year, Harry “Mike” Gardner and Dana Wilson. These gentlemen were staples of the Jacktown Fair and it was my honor to present their families with Senate Certificates. Following an impressive parade with a packed route, emcee Jamie Dinsmore hosted the Opening Ceremony. I was happy to join other elected officials from across Greene County, as well as the many visiting Royalty. Mary Jane Kent presented scholarships from the Harveys-Aleppo Grange #1444 to Seth Burns and Veronica Lasko. I was pleased to be able to present the outgoing Miss Jacktown Fair, Queen Marissa Tharp, with a Senate of Pennsylvania Certificate of Appreciation for all of her hard work this past year. She has represented her fair and her community with great honor. The family of Bud & Kitty Behm presented Marissa with a scholarship, as well. It was also a thrill to congratulate the new Miss Jacktown Fair, Queen Emmaline Beazell! Emmaline will have a busy week and I look forward to seeing her throughout the year, congratulations again!
Since I was in Harrisburg, I was so glad my staffer, Eric, could stop down to RGB Coffee in Waynesburg to support 2023 Miss Rain Day Abby Ray & the 2024 contestants during Greene County United Way’s Matching Mayhem event. They were guest baristas competing to make the most tips to be the 2024 Tip War Champs, raising money for a great cause. Wonderful job ladies!
My staffer, Debby, visited Monongahela Area Library’s Open House this week. In the picture from left to right is Amanda Gabeletto [Mon Area Library], Debby McKinney, and Joann Naser [Washington County Community Foundation]. The library always has events going on – find out what’s on the calendar by visiting their website. New Law Aims to Limit Student Smartphone Use in Schools
Legislation to improve student mental health, academic performance and social skills by limiting student smartphone use in schools has been signed into law. The measure allows schools the option of using dedicated school safety funding for secure, lockable smartphone bags in which students deposit their mobile devices until the end of the school day. Senate Bill 700, now Act 55 of 2024, amended the School Safety and Mental Health Grant Program to allow for the purchase of these smartphone bags as an eligible use of funding. As part of the grant program, school districts receive an automatic base grant of $100,000 and each intermediate unit, area career and technical school, charter school, regional charter school or cyber charter school is provided an automatic base grant of $70,000. Senate Approves Bill Providing Support to Military Community
The Senate unanimously passed legislation to improve the quality of life for service members, veterans and their families by creating and operating the Service Member Veterans and Their Families Fund (SMVF Fund). Senate Bill 1192 would allow the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs to lease real estate at Fort Indiantown Gap and use the proceeds to support the SMVF Fund. To ensure transparency and accountability in the fund’s operations, the bill also includes provisions for annual reporting on the revenues, expenditures and activities financed by the SMVF Fund. The fund would be dedicated to paying for quality-of-life programs – including physical fitness, personal growth, social interaction and recreational activities – for the military community. The programs would be designed to support the readiness and well-being of the service members, veterans and their families. Easy Ways to Lower Your Energy Costs
Rising energy costs are compounded by the hot temperatures we have been experiencing. If you’ve been shocked by your energy bill and are looking for ways to lower costs, here are some helpful tips from the Public Utility Commission:
Learn more about how to stay cool while keeping your summer power bills manageable. New PA License Plate Coming in 2025
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) has unveiled a new standard license plate for vehicles. The new plate, showcasing Pennsylvania as the birthplace of America, will be available in 2025. It features the Liberty Bell and the text, “Let Freedom Ring.” Military, special organization, special fund and specialty plates without legislatively mandated designs will also be updated with the new design. If you would like to be one of the first to get the new license plate, sign up for updates. You will be notified when the license plate is ready to order. When the plates become available, fee information will be included with replacement instructions on PennDOT’s website and will vary based on plate type and any optional personalization. The department and its partners will use all existing standard issue license plate inventory before transitioning to the new plate design. Recognizing National Hire a Veteran Day
Thursday, July 25, marks National Hire a Veteran Day. The men and women who served our country have many skillsets and experiences – in addition to a high level of dedication – that can benefit employers. Employers who would like to hire veterans and guard members can list their job opening for free on the Pennsylvania National Guard Associations’ Job Board. Veterans can search the board here. National Hire a Veteran Day also serves as a reminder for employers that it’s important to support veterans by providing resources to them as they transition from military life to the civilian workforce.
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