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In this Update:
A Closer Look at Energy Affordability and Reliability
Pennsylvanians face rising energy costs. Grid reliability continues to be a threat that may cause devastating outages like the major power crisis Texas experienced in 2021 when more than 4.5 million homes and businesses were without power for days. Rising costs and compromised reliability would be worsened by a unilateral decision former Gov. Tom Wolf made to join the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). Joining RGGI will increase electricity rates for consumers, cut energy and manufacturing jobs, and lead to the closure of Pennsylvania power plants. Rolling blackouts will become commonplace when energy production cannot keep up with demand. Senate Republicans are actively fighting against Pennsylvania’s entry into RGGI, obtaining a court order that prevents the commonwealth from implementing the program because the court agreed that Wolf lacked the authority to join RGGI. Gov. Josh Shapiro appealed that court order to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, where the case is pending and briefs were filed this week by the Senate Republicans to prevent RGGI implementation. Senate Republicans stand ready to pass legislation to repeal the RGGI Energy Tax that has already been introduced if the legal process isn’t successful. We also passed bills that would ensure Pennsylvanians have options regarding fuel availability, help to secure the state’s future as a hub for carbon capture and sequestration and most effectively capitalize on the state’s abundant natural resources through the creation of the Independent Energy Office to provide impartial data. Dial In for My Sept. 17 Telephone Town Hall
It’s not too late to join my Telephone Town Hall event on Tuesday, Sept. 17, from 6:30-7:30 a.m. The call will enable us to interact just as we would at a traditional town hall meeting – except you don’t have to leave the comfort of your home. Just call in! I look forward to speaking with you about the state-related issues that are important to you. I will also provide information about important legislation and topics that may affect commonwealth residents. If you would like to be invited to join my telephone town hall meeting, please click here to sign up. At the time of the event, you will receive a telephone call from me inviting you to participate. Simply stay on the line, and you will be connected to the call. You can also choose to audio stream the event live via your smartphone or PC here. Help Kids with Their Mental Health and Academics: Sign the Petition
My effort to limit student cellphone use at schools to improve their capacity to learn and mental health is gaining traction. However, to keep the momentum of this movement going, I need your help. Please sign my petition in favor of limiting student cellphone use in Pennsylvania’s public schools so they can get a break from their smartphones and get back to learning and interacting with their peers. If you’re not sure how you feel about this proposal, I encourage you to check out the extensive research I’ve compiled here. Sen. Noah Wenger Memorial Highway Dedication Ceremony to be Held Sept. 22
You are invited to join Sen. Scott Martin and me for a highway dedication ceremony where we will rename a portion of U.S. Route 222 in honor of the late Sen. Noah Wenger and his service to our county. The dedication ceremony will be held rain or shine on Sunday, Sept. 22, at 2 p.m. at Calvary Church, 1051 Landis Valley Road, Lancaster. It will be in the back parking lot near the baseball field. For more information, please call 717-627-0036 or 717-397-1309. Mail-In Ballot Ruling Challenged by GOPThe Republican National Committee and Republican Party of Pennsylvania have appealed a Commonwealth Court ruling that mail-in ballots with incorrect or missing dates on their outer envelopes should be counted. The Republican Party asserted that elections must have rules that cannot be disregarded or rewritten as it is convenient. It noted that the state Supreme Court has already ruled that the law, which specifies that voters must “fill out, date, and sign” a mail-in ballot outer envelope, is constitutional. The appeal is being fast-tracked, as are other election cases this year. Thank You to Everyone Who Attended My License Plate Exchange Event
Thank you to all who came out to the license plate exchange event I held with Rep. Mindy Fee in late August! Special thanks to our local law enforcement who evaluated the legibility of all license plates, which enabled us to help more than 60 Lancaster County residents obtain brand new license plates. The new plates were free and now meet state guidelines. Congratulations to Three Eagle Scouts
Congratulations to three scouts from troops in Mountville who earned the rank of Eagle Scout. Donny Macaulay (left) worked with Bethany Christian Services to collect, fill, and distribute 50 backpacks for children in the foster care system. As a member of Troop 349-B, he served as quartermaster, assistant patrol leader, patrol leader, and assistant senior patrol leader. Avery Like (middle) constructed a gaga pit to play a game that is similar to dodgeball at Lancaster Community Park. Also a member of Troop 349-B, he served his troop as assistant patrol leader, patrol leader, assistant senior patrol leader, and senior patrol leader. Nancy Winand (right) constructed a giant Lite-Brite toy for children at the Schreiber Center for Pediatric Development in Lancaster. As a member of Troop 349, she served her troop as quartermaster, patrol leader, assistant senior patrol leader, and senior patrol leader. PennDOT to Host Open House on Sept. 17PennDOT will be holding a public open house regarding the State Route 462 Veterans Memorial (Columbia-Wrightsville) Bridge Rehabilitation Project on Tuesday, Sept. 17, from 5-8 p.m. at the Columbia Market House, 15 S. 3rd St., Columbia. Project personnel will be available to answer questions on project details and the recommended improvements. The public open house displays and information are available on PennDOT’s website as an additional means for the public to conveniently view the project information both before and after the meeting. How to File a Banking Complaint
Consumers who have unsuccessfully attempted to resolve disputes with their financial institutions regarding services or products have options. Complaints may be submitted to the Department of Banking and Securities Consumer Services Office online or toll-free by calling 1-800-PA-BANKS (1-800-722-2657) Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The department aims to provide responses to consumer complaints within 10 days of receipt. While the Consumer Services Office will make the effort to address consumer complaints, there is no guarantee the matter can or will be resolved. However, complaints are important because they allow the Department of Banking and Securities to identify patterns of unfair or deceptive practices that may result in further action. Applications Open: Keystone State ChalleNGe Academy for At-Risk Youth
The Keystone State ChalleNGe Academy (KSCA) is accepting applications for its class, which begins in January 2025. KSCA is designed to give academically challenged teens a second chance at obtaining their basic education, as well as learning leadership, self-discipline, and responsibility. The program is open to 16- to 18-year-old Pennsylvania residents who are at risk of not graduating from high school, no longer attending any school, or have not received a high school diploma or equivalent certificate. Applicants must be willing to be drug free, free of felony convictions, and voluntarily commit to the program. If selected, students will attend the 22-week residential phase at Fort Indiantown Gap in Lebanon County. Learn more about eligibility requirements and begin the application process here. Anyone who prefers to have an application mailed or would like to talk with someone about the program may contact the academy by emailing RA-MVPAChallenge@pa.gov or calling 717-861-7767. Free Webinars Provide Useful College Financial Aid Info
The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency is holding free webinars to assist college-bound students and their families with navigating the financial aid process. On Tuesday, Sept. 24, at noon, speakers will discuss the financial aid timeline. On Thursday, Sept. 26, at 6:30 p.m., speakers will focus on how to search for scholarships and pay for any remaining costs. Register to attend the one-hour webinars. National Voter Registration Day is a Great Reminder
Tuesday, Sept. 17, is National Voter Registration Day. It’s a wonderful time to confirm that you are registered to vote at your current address or to register if you have moved or would be a first-time voter. The last day to register to vote in Pennsylvania before the Nov. 5 election is Monday, Oct. 21. You may submit your application online, by mail to your county voter registration office, or in person at your county voter registration office. Active-duty military members or veterans who are hospitalized or bedridden may register at any time. Learn more about that option. Please note: if you are not a United States citizen and a resident of Pennsylvania at least 30 days before the election, you cannot register to vote.
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