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In this Update:

• Senate Passes Public Safety Bills Targeting Opioid Overdoses, Human Trafficking
• Calling on Shapiro to Send PA National Guard to Defend Texas Border
• Meeting with Members of the Lancaster County Chiefs of Police Association
• Lancaster County Students: Applications Due April 30 for Interest-Free Loans
• Visiting Helping Hands Family in East Hempfield Township
• Struggling Homeowners Can Apply for Assistance
• Discussing the Importance of Financial and Career Decisions with Students
• Help Available for High-Priority Specialty Crop Farmers
• Local Students Toured Our State Capitol
• Recognizing Agriculture’s Impact on Our Lives

Senate Passes Public Safety Bills Targeting Opioid Overdoses, Human Trafficking

The Pennsylvania Senate approved two measures this week boosting community safety by targeting opioid overdoses and human trafficking. Both bills, which head to the House of Representatives for consideration, are part of the Senate Republican effort to improve community safety across Pennsylvania.

Senate Bill 1054 strengthens the Overdose Information Network (ODIN) law, which requires all law enforcement in Pennsylvania to input reports of an overdose within 72 hours of the incident into the ODIN system. The ODIN database enables law enforcement agencies to quickly record, analyze, and share information concerning fatal and non-fatal drug overdoses and naloxone administrations. The bill would ensure overdose reporting by EMS providers is incorporated into the statewide mapping system. EMS providers are responsible for handling more than 80% of overdoses annually in Pennsylvania.

Senate Bill 1111 would ensure that individuals who are convicted of certain human trafficking offenses – as well as attempt, conspiracy, or solicitation to commit those offenses – are subject to the same Megan’s Law reporting and evaluation requirements as other sexual offenders.

Calling on Shapiro to Send PA National Guard to Defend Texas Border

The Senate approved a measure calling on Gov. Josh Shapiro to protect Pennsylvania communities by supporting Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s request to respond to America’s illegal immigration crisis.

Senate Resolution 251 implores Shapiro to reverse course and deploy the Pennsylvania National Guard along Texas’s southern border with Mexico as part of Operation Lone Star. The border security initiative has led to more than 500,000 illegal immigrant apprehensions, more than 40,000 criminal arrests, and the seizure of more than 468 million lethal doses of fentanyl, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.

A 2023 report indicates at least 251,000 illegal immigrants reside in Pennsylvania with an annual burden of more than $1.6 billion on taxpayers. That equates to a cost of approximately $318 per Pennsylvania household annually, according to the Federation for American Immigration Reform.

Meeting with Members of the Lancaster County Chiefs of Police Association

Thanks to the Lancaster County Chiefs of Police Association for inviting me to speak to them earlier this week. We discussed members’ concerns with municipal police radar, challenges with recruitment and retention of police officers, Gov. Josh Shapiro’s plan to legalize recreational marijuana, and other issues. I am grateful for the important work they do to keep our communities safe!

Lancaster County Students: Applications Due April 30 for Interest-Free Loans

Lancaster Dollars for Higher Learning is offering interest-free loans valued between $1,800-$2,000 to those who wish to pursue post-secondary education full-time (trade, technical, two-year, four-year, or graduate school).

To qualify, students must be Lancaster County residents attending accredited post-secondary institutions full-time in the 2024-25 academic year. Additionally, students need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students can apply for a maximum of four loans (one each academic year). Checks are sent directly to the students’ schools to be applied to their tuition expenses.

Loan recipients have a six-month grace period after graduation or withdrawal from school; they must then begin their loan repayment at $110 a month. Students may also choose to pay off their loans early.

Applications will be accepted online here through April 30.

Visiting Helping Hands Family in East Hempfield Township

Pictured: Fali Sidhva, chief executive officer; Maggie Mackintosh, clinical director, and Tricia Subers, board-certified behavior analyst.

I recently visited Helping Hands Family in East Hempfield Township to learn more about the care they provide to children with autism through evidence-based, medically prescribed behavior therapy.

Helping Hands Family helps children develop essential life skills such as social skills, behavior management, and learning readiness. The fully staffed Lancaster clinic offers employment to approximately 35 constituents and provides autism therapy to approximately 50 children in the Lancaster community. Learn more here.

Struggling Homeowners Can Apply for Assistance

To help homeowners struggling as a result of pandemic-related financial hardships, the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) reopened a program that had been paused to address a backlog of applicants.

The majority of pending applications has been processed and an assessment of remaining American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 funds has been made, so PHFA is accepting additional applicants until the remaining monies are exhausted.

New applicants can use the funds for pandemic-related mortgage reinstatement, forward mortgage assistance, tax assistance, and delinquent utility bills. Interested Pennsylvania homeowners can find more information, eligibility requirements, and instructions about how to submit an application here.

Discussing the Importance of Financial and Career Decisions with Students

I visited Landisville Middle School in Hempfield School District to see Junior Achievement of South Central Pennsylvania’s YES (Your Economic Success) program in action. This half-day program is a series of four activities intended to help students gain an appreciation for the importance that financial and career decisions will play in their lives as young adults.

Help Available for High-Priority Specialty Crop Farmers

To stimulate market growth or boost the competitive position for high-priority crops, grants are available for projects that benefit Pennsylvania’s growers as a whole, rather than an individual grower.

Specialty crops eligible for Pennsylvania’s grant program and deemed high priority include hardwoods; honey; hemp and flax for fiber; and hops, barley, rye, and wheat for brewing, distilling, and malting.

Proposals must be submitted through the Department of Community and Economic Development’s Electronic Single Application by Friday, April 19, at 5 p.m. Full grant guidelines are available here.

Local Students Toured Our State Capitol

Local students from three different schools recently toured the state Capitol building in Harrisburg to learn more about their state government and the history of this gorgeous building.

East Petersburg Elementary School in Hempfield School District

Petra Home School Support Group

Neff Elementary in Manheim Township School District

To view photos of all the tour groups from Neff Elementary in Manheim Township School District, check out my Instagram post here.

Recognizing Agriculture’s Impact on Our Lives

In Pennsylvania, we are blessed that agriculture is one of our top industries as it helps to provide us with food security without having to rely as much on other states or even other countries.

National Agriculture Week, observed March 17-24, encourages every American to understand how food products are produced; appreciate the role agriculture plays in providing safe, abundant, and affordable products; value the essential role of agriculture in maintaining a strong economy; and consider career opportunities in the agriculture, food, and fiber industries.

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