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In this Update:

• Happenings in the 46th
• Senate Passes New Law Reducing Educational Challenges for Military Children
• New Car Insurance After a Lapse? Remember to Notify PennDOT
• Law Enforcement to Connect with the Community on Aug. 6
• Beware of PA Turnpike Scam

Happenings in the 46th

This week I had the pleasure of meeting with the team from REV Renewables. They are planning to make a $300 Million investment in the 46th Senatorial District. This solar field will utilize reclaimed strip mine property and create 250+ construction jobs. The acres of brown land that can’t be used for any other investment will be a way to generate income for the local municipality.

It was wonderful to learn about REV Renewables diverse energy portfolio and their commitment to the communities that they operate in.

Pictured left to right is Mike Vogt [Sr. VP of Development], PA State Rep. Josh Kail, Joel Harrington [Dir. of Government Affairs], Ben Fisher [Sr. Project Manager], and Rick Allan.

I am honored to have been named Legislator of the Year by the Meadows Standardbred Owners Association (MSOA). My District Director, Rennick Remley, attended last week’s annual Delvin Miller Adios Pace for the Orchids at The Hollywood Casino at the Meadows to receive the award as I was unable to attend. I will proudly display the award in my office. Thank you, MSOA.

Thank you to Abby Ray, Miss Rain Day 2023 [pictured above]. You represented yourself and your community with elegance and class. My staffer, Eric Cowden, presented the outgoing Miss Rain Day with a Senate Citation of Congratulations that in part stated, “Abby’s selection as the 2023 Miss Rain Day is testimony to her values, work ethic and incredible drive to achieve her very best.”

Congratulations to Bryn Lahew on being crowned Miss Rain Day 2024. I know you’ll have a fantastic year. I look forward to welcoming you and your family to the State Capitol Building and introducing you from the floor of the Senate. Best of luck!

Last weekend was the 46th annual scholarship pageant held in Waynesburg. Rain Day’s history can be traced back to the late 1800s, when a local farmer began keeping a written record of the fact that it always rained on July 29th. Thus in 1979, the first annual Miss Rain Day Pageant was held to celebrate this occurrence. This event has the bragging distinction of being the only pageant in the world where it is considered a success if it rains.

I would like to wish a very special Happy Birthday to Mr. William “Bill” Fawcett who joined the centenarian club by turning 100 years old this week. Bill served this country with honor and distinction as a member of the Army during World War II. I was honored to present him with a Senate Citation of Congratulations and an American flag that was flown over the Capitol in Harrisburg.

Bill retired in 1985 but has remained active in his community. He’s been a member of the Free and Accepted Masons Charleroi Monongahela Lodge 337 for more than seventy years. Bill is a proud father of one daughter. Sadly his wife of 74 years, Ida, passed. I was very grateful for being invited to wish him a Happy 100th Birthday!

Senate Passes New Law Reducing Educational Challenges for Military Children

A new law passed unanimously by the Senate will help children of military families who face frequent reassignments with the challenges of moving between schools in different states.

Children of National Guard and Reserve members now have the same help provided to those of active-duty military families through the Military Interstate Children’s Compact. The compact provides a consistent set of policies that make getting started in a new school, joining extracurricular activities, facilitating enrollment and meeting graduation requirements as easy as possible for military children.

The law is designed to minimize educational disruption, making the relocation less stressful for parents and children.

New Car Insurance After a Lapse? Remember to Notify PennDOT

Every month, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) suspends more than 15,000 vehicle registrations due to drivers cancelling or switching car insurance and forgetting to provide proof of new car insurance to PennDOT.

Pennsylvania law requires all motor vehicle owners to maintain car insurance. A lapse in insurance coverage triggers a potential vehicle suspension for three months or a civil penalty of $500 in lieu of the registration suspension. An insurance provider is only required to notify PennDOT when car insurance is cancelled, not when it is initiated. The vehicle owner is responsible to update PennDOT to avoid a registration suspension and other penalties.

PennDOT mails a letter to the registered vehicle owner explaining the lapse in insurance coverage, as well as the consequences for failing to provide new car insurance.

To avoid being pulled over for not having car insurance even though your car is insured, remember to share your new car insurance information with PennDOT. Provide proof of insurance on PennDOT’s website, email your new insurance card to PennDOT at frinsurance@pa.gov or call PennDOT’s Financial Responsibility Unit at 717-412-5300.

Law Enforcement to Connect with the Community on Aug. 6

To strengthen the community’s relationship with law enforcement, police departments across the country will host National Night Out on Tuesday, Aug. 6. It’s a great way to show children that we are all responsible to work together to preserve the safety of our communities.

Neighborhoods host block parties, festivals, parades, cookouts and other events with safety demonstrations, seminars, youth events, visits from emergency personnel and exhibits.

Senate Republicans continue to work to support the brave men and women who put themselves in harm’s way to protect us. Act 10 of 2023 gave municipal police the statutory authority to conduct fingerprint-based criminal history checks on police applicants. Act 60 of 2023 expanded the list of law enforcement entities covered under the Heart and Lung Act, which provides for salary and medical expenses to be paid when an officer or firefighter is injured on the job.

This year’s state budget awards nearly $5 million in new funding to the Attorney General’s Office to support law enforcement in tackling human trafficking ($1 million), organized retail theft ($2.7 million) and crimes on SEPTA properties ($1.2 million).

Beware of PA Turnpike Scam

Random individuals have received text messages claiming to be from “Pennsylvania Turnpike Toll Services,” but it’s just a scam trying to obtain personal financial information to settle outstanding toll amounts.

The texts center around urgent requests with the account that would result in additional charges if the overdue balance does not get settled. Similar scams have been reported by toll agencies across the country.

People who receive an unsolicited text, email or similar message suggesting it is from the PA Turnpike or another toll agency should not click on the link. E-ZPass account holders and Toll By Plate customers can use approved safe methods to check their accounts such as the official PA Turnpike E-ZPass website or the PA Toll Pay app. Anyone who receives a fraudulent text can file a complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center.

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