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In this Update:

• Honoring Local Resident for His Commitment to Conservation
• Senate Passes Bill to Protect Newborns
• Increasing Accountability and Disaster Response Capability
• Senate Votes to Protect Seniors from Financial Exploitation
• Supporting Young People in Our Community
• Happy 100^th Birthday to Two 36^th District Ladies
• Talking Business with the NLC Chamber of Commerce
• PennDOT Announces Local Construction Work
• Register to Vote by May 1

Honoring Local Resident for His Commitment to Conservation

It was a privilege to rename the State Route 772 bridge over Donegal Creek on Anderson Ferry Road in East Donegal Township as the “Kenneth C. Depoe, DFCA, Bridge” in recognition of his long-time commitment to conservation of the Donegal Creek.

Because of his efforts dating back to the early 1960s, Donegal Creek is a destination not only for local trout fishermen but also for anglers from around the state.

Read more about Mr. Depoe’s conservation efforts here.

Senate Passes Bill to Protect Newborns

The Senate unanimously passed legislation to protect babies whose parents are unable to care for them. The bill now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration.

Senate Bill 267 would expand Pennsylvania’s Safe Haven Law to allow parents to surrender their unharmed baby at participating urgent care centers. The urgent care centers will ensure the newborn is transported to a hospital and placed in the care of a health care provider.

Currently, people may bring their newborn (up to 28 days old) to any Pennsylvania hospital, to a police officer at a police station or to an emergency services provider at an EMS station. The Department of Health estimates that 50 babies have been saved by Pennsylvania’s Safe Haven Law since 2003.

Increasing Accountability and Disaster Response Capability

Legislation requiring Senate confirmation of the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) director was approved by a bipartisan Senate vote. Senate Bill 433 would increase accountability and ensure the agency is prepared to deal with emergencies efficiently and effectively.

PEMA is the lead emergency coordination agency in the commonwealth tasked with guaranteeing the safety of 13 million residents. This includes oversight of 911 centers and the Emergency Alert System, as well as hazardous materials and incidents involving five nuclear power plants.

Five state agencies with fewer employees than PEMA require Senate confirmation. The bill is before the House of Representatives for consideration.

Senate Votes to Protect Seniors from Financial Exploitation

The Senate approved a bill to help protect Pennsylvania senior citizens from financial exploitation scams using information that is already available within state government.

Under Senate Bill 137, the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General would notify the Department of Aging about any investigations or enforcement actions involving someone age 65 or older and related to the Pennsylvania Telemarketer Registration Act.

The improved information sharing would enable the Department of Aging to deliver warnings to local area agencies on aging in counties across the commonwealth while ensuring strict adherence to confidentiality rules.

Senate Bill 137 now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration.

Supporting Young People in Our Community

I enjoyed visiting the Boys & Girls Club Columbia Clubhouse. It was a pleasure learning more about the club’s mission and the importance of afterschool programming in our community. By offering a safe place for kids, Boys & Girls aims to help all young people reach their full potential as productive, caring, and responsible citizens.

The Boys & Girls Club of Lancaster has played an integral role in the Lancaster community since 1939, providing daily programs and services to nearly 2,000 young people each year.

Happy 100^th Birthday to Two 36^th District Ladies

Happy 100^th Birthday to two ladies of the 36^th District! I was impressed with them both, and wished them continued health.

I enjoyed visiting with Helen Diffenderfer at her West Hempfield Township home recently. She loves to sing hymns and recite poetry. During our visit, Helen recited a poem from memory that she first memorized as a child.

During WWII, Ephrata resident Roberta Fithian worked at a book bindery, at a dress shop, for Bell Telephone Company, and for Radio Corporation of America. Later, she became a homemaker and served as a volunteer at a local hospital.

Talking Business with the NLC Chamber of Commerce

I recently joined Sen. Chris Gebhard for a Chamber Chat panel discussion with the Northern Lancaster County Chamber of Commerce in Ephrata. My thanks to the community and business leaders who attended and joined the conversation!

The chamber works to benefit local employers, and in turn, the area’s economy.

PennDOT Announces Local Construction Work

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation highlighted projects expected to be in construction status this year.

Locally, an ongoing project is the Centerville Road interchange improvement and widening from Route 23 (Marietta Avenue) to Route 462 (Columbia Avenue) in East Hempfield Township for $36.4 million.

Two projects are expected to begin, including the Route 462 Veteran Memorial Bridge rehabilitation between Columbia and Wrightsville boroughs in Lancaster and York counties with an estimated cost of more than $100 million.

The second anticipated project is Route 222/ Route 30 Interchange improvement and widening in Manheim Township with an estimated cost of $50 million to $100 million.

Register to Vote by May 1

The deadline to register to vote in Pennsylvania’s May 16 primary election is Monday, May 1. Your county election board must receive your application for a mail-in or absentee ballot by Tuesday, May 9.

To legally register, individuals must be a citizen of the United States, reside in their local voting precincts at least 30 days prior to the election and be at least age 18 on Election Day, Tuesday, May 16. Once registered to vote, you are not required to register again unless you change your residence, name or political party affiliation.

Voter registration forms, mail-in ballot applications and absentee ballot applications are available here or from your local county’s Board of Elections. You can also use the site to check your registration status.

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