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In this Update:
Aument Bill to Improve Early Literacy Receives Senate Support
To give students the best chance of success, the Senate passed a bill that would improve early literacy using a three-pronged approach. Senate Bill 801 would:
Half of Pennsylvania’s fourth-grade students are reading below their grade level. Studies show that childhood reading difficulties can produce long-term effects and dramatically impact someone’s chances of success. Senate Approves Bill to Improve Workforce Development Programs
The Senate passed legislation to make Pennsylvania more attractive to employers and improve workforce development programs. Senate Bill 761 would require the Department of Labor and Industry and the Center for Workforce Information and Analysis to share data that is already collected with local workforce development boards in a timely fashion. Delayed information and data sharing limit these boards in efficiently analyzing programs and policy. Having access to workforce data on wages, new hires, and unemployment claimants enables programs to be modified so Pennsylvanians can succeed professionally. The bill also calls for technical assistance and support for the improved data sharing model so local workforce development boards can use the information. Senate Votes to Expand Access to Benefits for Disabled Veterans
Legislation to exempt 100% of disabled veterans’ benefit payments from income calculations for any commonwealth programs or benefits received Senate support. Senate Bill 126 would ensure veterans who receive disability compensation would not have those payments counted against them when applying to programs such as the Real Estate Property Tax Exemption, Education Gratuity Program, Veterans Temporary Assistance Program, and Military Relief Assistance Program. The bill would also extend the exclusion of the veterans’ compensation benefits to their unmarried surviving spouses. Jumpstart Your Child’s Education Savings
Saving for your child’s education can be daunting, but Keystone Scholars can jumpstart education savings for Pennsylvania children. The first program of its kind in the country, Keystone Scholars provides a $100 investment for post-high school education for every child born in Pennsylvania since Jan. 1, 2019. It can be used to pay for collegiate studies, technical school training, and apprenticeship programs. Claim your child’s money, which is funded by surplus investment earnings from the PA 529 Guaranteed Savings Plan. Opening a companion PA 529 College and Career Savings Program account can also help to save for education-related expenses. PA 529 accounts have tax advantages and do not impact eligibility for Pennsylvania state financial aid. Antlerless Deer Licenses for Sale Starting June 24
For wildlife management units (WMUs) 1B, 2G, and 3A, antlerless deer licenses go on sale for residents Monday, June 24, at 8 a.m. Licenses for residents of all other WMUs go on sale Thursday, June 27, at 8 a.m. They will be guaranteed until July 7. Unsold licenses will be available for nonresidents on July 8 at 8 a.m. One tag will be available per hunter in the first round of sales. The second round of sales begins July 22 at 8 a.m. for residents and nonresidents alike on a first come, first served basis. Read more about all four rounds of license purchase. Resident antlerless deer licenses cost $6.97, and nonresident antlerless deer licenses cost $26.97. Purchase a license online or in-store at a license issuing agent. Congratulations to New Eagle Scouts of Lancaster
Congratulations to Pritesh Tanna, Luke Oles, and Owen Troop of Boy Scout Troop 99 in Lancaster upon their tremendous achievement of earning the rank of Eagle Scout, the highest advancement rank attainable in the Boy Scouts of America! Pritesh served his troop as patrol leader. For his Eagle Scout community service project, he built a shaded area for the goats at Lancaster Farm Sanctuary. Luke served as patrol leader and assistant senior patrol leader. For his Eagle Scout community service project, he improved the picnic pavilion at Saint John Neumann Roman Catholic Parish in Lancaster by mulching, building flower beds, and planting flowers, bushes, and shrubs. Owen served as assistant senior patrol leader. For his Eagle Scout community service project, he rebuilt a section of fence at Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum. Wishing Lititz Resident a Wonderful Retirement
It was an honor to present a Senate citation to Barry Lavender commemorating his retirement from the Postal Service after a career in public service spanning more than 38 years! Mr. Lavender began his career as a police officer in the Bronx, New York, where he was employed for 20 years. During his tenure, he served as a first responder on 9/11, and he was stationed at Ground Zero of the World Trade Center. After moving to Lititz in 2003, Mr. Lavender worked as a security guard at Franklin & Marshall College before changing career paths to begin his 18-year tenure with the United States Postal Service at the Lititz Post Office. Congratulations to Barry on a well-deserved retirement! Happy 100th Birthday to Lancaster Resident
Happy belated 100th birthday to Lancaster resident Josephine Bollenbacher! Born in Barree, Huntingdon County, on June 13, 1924, Josephine is the proud mother of two children and has been blessed with six grandchildren and several great-grandchildren. Discussing Music Therapy at Elizabethtown College
It was a pleasure to visit Elizabethtown College to discuss its music therapy program and its request to create a state license for music therapists in Pennsylvania. The college’s work to provide high-quality care through music therapy was fascinating, and I am grateful for their hospitality! Learning About the Challenges of Home Health Care
It was eye-opening and informative to visit the home of Bob and Tina Donahue where I met their daughter, Ashley, and one of her BAYADA Home Health Care nurses. We discussed the challenges the Donahues have in securing consistent care for Ashley and potential solutions to help BAYADA better meet the needs of all its patients. June is Pet Preparedness Month
Just as it’s important to have an emergency plan for our family, it’s also smart to think ahead for our pets so they can be safe even in unforeseen circumstances. Here are some steps to take:
Learn more about how to make sure your pets are prepared and protected.
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