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In this Update:
Senate Approves RGGI Electricity Tax Repeal
The Pennsylvania Senate approved legislation to repeal the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) electricity tax enacted through an executive order by the Wolf administration in 2019. The bill now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration. RGGI, a multi-state compact, would increase electricity rates for consumers, cut energy and manufacturing jobs and lead to the closure of Pennsylvania power plants. No new investments in baseload generation have come to Pennsylvania in the five years since the Wolf administration attempted to enter the state into RGGI. Govs. Tom Wolf and Josh Shapiro have faced sharp criticism for pushing Pennsylvania to participate in RGGI despite bipartisan objections from the General Assembly. Last year, the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court ruled Pennsylvania’s entrance into RGGI may only be achieved through legislation duly enacted by the General Assembly, not merely through rulemaking by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the Environmental Quality Board (EQB). This ruling has been appealed to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court by Shapiro, and that appeal remains pending. Senate Bill 1058 will repeal the CO2 Budget Trading Program regulation that was put into effect by DEP and EQB. 46th District to Receive Grants to Promote Homeownership
Greene and Washington Counties will receive a total of $522,500 in two state grants that will promote home ownership by assisting low-income individuals and improving distressed areas in Pennsylvania communities. A $285,000 grant was awarded to the Pittsburgh Community Reinvestment Group for Washington County to address main street and residential vacancies. As the project is in its final of six years, pedestrian traffic in downtown Washington has already improved. With a core base of volunteers and local leaders, the grant will target blight, support small business stability and attract three new businesses to grow the existing base. It will also be used to repair 15 homes. With a $237,500 grant, the Mon Valley Alliance will continue the Charleroi Neighborhood Partnership Program for the third year of a six-year project. The program will provide down payment assistance to four families, pre-home purchasing counseling to 10 families and foreclosure mitigation for three families. Additionally, two home modifications will be complete, and five consumers will benefit from workforce development and financial coaching services. This funding will refresh our area and help families stay in their homes. It’s important for both children and adults to minimize the stressful disruption of moving. Because of the grants, they can stay anchored in their communities, enjoying the connection to others that’s not nearly as common as it was decades ago. The grants were awarded through the Department of Community and Economic Development’s Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP). Happenings in the 46th
I was recently given a tour to see the current renovations of The Way Community Center of Greene County in Waynesburg. Phase I renovations of the former grocery store located on West High Street began in April 2023. The idea for the main room is to provide low-income members of the community with multipurpose space to host wedding receptions, showers, stage performances, family game nights, holiday celebrations, and so much more. They plan to have a kitchen area, technology space, and a conference room available for non-profit organizations. Phase II will focus on education and classrooms. They are praying to open in November 2024 with a number of events planned to welcome the community inside to see the new facility. It truly is awesome to see the fruits of their gargantuan fundraising efforts. Thank you, Sue Pierce, for taking me on the tour. If you would like to learn more about The Way and some history about the project, check out their website.
Following both the Washington and Greene County Farm Bureau legislative tours, earlier this month my friend and colleague Rep. Anita Kulik hosted a great discussion on deer management for farmers. Thank you to the Pennsylvania Game Commission for attending and listening to the farmers of the 46th Senatorial District and thank you to the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and Hunters Sharing the Harvest for also attending.
This month Arc Human Services of Washington County welcomed Pennsylvania Department of Human Services Secretary Val Arkoosh to celebrate the recent state budget’s investment for individuals with intellectual disabilities and autism. My good friend and Arc CEO, Ed Picchiarini, showed Secretary Arkoosh around the ‘Connecting Through Inspiration Art Gallery.’ The gallery showcases a variety of artists and a portion of proceeds from purchased artwork go to the Arc’s advocacy program to support people with disabilities and their families. Arc is making a difference everyday by serving people of all ages with intellectual and developmental disabilities and mental health challenges. Learn more about them. Senior Expo set for Thursday
Local seniors can learn more about the programs and services available to older Pennsylvanians at the Washington County Senior Expo sponsored by Southwestern PA Area Agency on Aging. The free event will be held THIS Thursday, September 26 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at Washington Crown Center. Come down and enjoy live musical performances by Bobby Shawn and Jack Nicora, get free health screenings, win prizes, and visit more than 100 vendors and representatives from local, state, and federal agencies to answer questions and provide information concerning older adults. I am pleased to help coordinate this year’s event with PA State Rep. Tim O’Neal and the Washington County Board of Commissioners. Some of the areas of interest will include Social Security, transportation, Medicare, legal services, in-home services, long-term care, unclaimed property, prescription drug take-back and more. I hope to see you there! Bill to Establish Safe Exchange Zones Passes Senate
The Senate passed the Denise Williams Act, which would create a grant program to be used to establish Safe Exchange Zones throughout Pennsylvania. The bill advances to the House of Representatives for consideration. Senate Bill 173 is named in memory of Denise Williams of Cambria County, who went to purchase an item found on Facebook Marketplace and was brutally murdered during the exchange. This legislation would help establish safe areas for individuals to exchange goods purchased through an online marketplace, carry out child custody exchanges and conduct similar interactions. These zones will be equipped with video surveillance and be located either within 100 feet of a law enforcement office or near a public area with an active public presence. The establishment of Safe Exchange Zones will be voluntary and contingent upon approval of the participating law enforcement agencies. Senate Passes Juvenile Justice Reform Bills
The Senate passed bills to reform the state’s juvenile justice system by implementing Juvenile Justice Task Force Report recommendations to help streamline the expungement process, provide fair and impartial legal representation for juveniles and improve accountability and oversight in juvenile court proceedings. The two bills now head to the House of Representatives for consideration. Senate Bill 169 would update the juvenile court system by requiring disposition review hearings every three months instead of nine. The hearings are designed to ensure juveniles receive necessary services and treatment, assess their threat to the community and decide if they should remain in placement or be released under supervision. The court would also set the date for the next review hearing. Senate Bill 170 would modify the expungement of juvenile records by reducing the waiting period for expungement from five years to two years for most misdemeanors, while maintaining the five-year period for felonies, misdemeanor firearm offenses and indecent assault. The bill would also standardize the expungement process by requiring the chief juvenile probation officer to initiate expungements for eligible individuals, with the district attorney having the opportunity to object. Exceptions to expungement, such as for sex offenses and cases with subsequent convictions or pending proceedings, would remain unchanged. PA Senate Urges Congress to Pass the TREAT PTSD Act
The state Senate adopted a measure urging Congress to provide lifesaving therapy to Americans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Senate Resolution 311 calls on Congress to pass the Treatment and Relief through Emerging and Accessible Therapy for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Act, also known as the TREAT PTSD Act. The TREAT PTSD Act would require the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and U.S. Department of Defense to provide veterans suffering from PTSD with access to a lifesaving therapy known as stellate ganglion block (SGB). SGB works by applying an injection into the bundle of nerves that send signals of fight or flight to the body. The treatment relieves feelings of stress quickly for those with PTSD and provides them with a renewed chance to heal. This procedure has been used for nearly 100 years for pain conditions, including shingles and phantom limb pain. The federal legislation, House Resolution 3023, is now before the U.S. House Subcommittee on Health. September is College Savings Month
Saving for your child’s higher education can be daunting, but starting early – even if you are only able to set aside a little – can make a big difference. You can prepare for your child’s future and enjoy tax advantages using the PA 529 College and Career Savings Program. The two plans, the PA 529 Guaranteed Savings Plan and the PA 529 Investment Plan, do not impact Pennsylvania state financial aid eligibility. Both plans can be used to pay for education costs like tuition and fees, books, supplies, and room and board at technical schools, community colleges, four-year institutions and apprenticeship programs.
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