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In this Update:
Replace Damaged License Plates for FREE!
PennDOT-issued license plates that have: lost reflectivity, are peeling, blistering, or are discolored, and/or are unreadable from 50 feet away are eligible for FREE replacement. Stop by one of our upcoming events, including one being held this Saturday in Perry County, to have your plate checked and have all necessary paperwork completed. There is no fee for this service. View answers to Frequently Asked Questions and register here. Please note: registration for the event is recommended, in case of event updates, but is not required. We hope to see you Saturday! Senate Votes to Help Fire and EMS Departments
The Senate passed legislation to address Pennsylvania’s volunteer firefighter shortage that, if left unaddressed, threatens to cause local tax hikes to fund paid services. The bill would also fix recent issues with emergency services grant funding. Senate Bill 466 would allow job training credits to count toward Firefighter I Certification, giving volunteer recruits a more flexible pathway to credentialing. It would also correct a recent administrative error that led to a number of Fire Company and Emergency Medical Services grants being rescinded. Many departments had already budgeted for those funds, and the bill would ensure they receive the support they were promised. To prevent similar issues, the bill would also establish a one-time, 15-day grace period – available once every three years – for fire and EMS companies to submit required reports without needing to demonstrate undue hardship. It moves to the House of Representatives for consideration. Beware of Sextortion Blackmail Scams
A disturbing new scam involves organized groups of Nigerian cybercriminals targeting American children online. After befriending them – sometimes even posing as their classmates – and exchanging nude photos, the criminals blackmail them and demand money. Organized Nigerian criminals have increased this practice, known as sextortion, by 1,000% in the last 18 months. It can cause unthinkable consequences, including even suicide after a child is told that the image will be sent to their family, friends and everyone in their school if they don’t pay. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children offers helpful tools to anyone facing this overwhelming scenario. It is my hope that creating awareness of this highly organized scam targeting our children will help to keep kids safe. Win Money for Your Child’s Education
In honor of PA 529 Day on May 29, Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity invites families to contribute $10 or more to their child’s PA 529 account in May to be automatically eligible for one of six regional awards of $5,529. PA 529 plans allow families to use their savings to pay for a wide variety of education expenses, including at any qualified educational institution, from K-12 to college and career training programs. If the child doesn’t pursue education, the beneficiary can be updated to certain family members or used to repay the principal and interest on a qualified education loan for a PA 529 beneficiary or sibling. Anyone – parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and family friends – can contribute to a PA 529 plan. Saving with PA 529 does not impact a student’s eligibility for Pennsylvania state financial aid. Learn more. Around the Capitol
This week, I had the pleasure of welcoming middle and high school Upper Dauphin Area Archery teams back to the PA Senate floor to close out a season full of incredible accomplishments, including state championship titles and an impressive showing at the National Archery in the Schools Program nationals tournament in Louisville, Kentucky. Congratulations, again, to these teams and their coaches! I am honored to represent such an outstanding, dedicated group.
Cumberland Goodwill EMS provides needed, quality care to residents of our community. They are also stepping up to train the next generation of first responders in their Carlisle EMS Academy. I had the pleasure of meeting with Assistant Chief Nathan Harig this week at the state Capitol to discuss how we can work together to support their important mission. Pennsylvania Native Species Day
May 20 is Pennsylvania Native Species Day—a day to celebrate our commonwealth’s native ecosystem. Earlier this week, our office participated in an educational event hosted by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the Department of Agriculture, the Fish and Boat Commission and the Game Commission in Carlisle, to encourage the replacement of invasive plants with native species. Learn more about the many benefits. Check out the native plant guides and resources available here as well and learn how to incorporate them into your landscape here. Election Day is Tuesday, May 20
Election Day is Tuesday, May 20, and polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. If you are in line by 8 p.m., you will be able to vote. If you applied for a mail-in or absentee ballot, your county election office must receive it by Tuesday, May 20, at 8 p.m. Track your ballot to confirm it was received. Any voter who requested to vote using a mail-in or absentee ballot but would prefer to vote in person may do so. Bring the ballot and the envelope to surrender at the polls. If you don’t have those materials, you may vote using a provisional ballot. Call 1-877-VOTESPA (1-877-868-3772) if you experience any issues.
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