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Capitol Report
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#Listrak\DateStampLong#
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The latest news from the State Capitol
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Please do not reply directly to this email, as it returns to an unmanned account.
You are welcome to contact me through this link.
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Championship Wildcats Field Hockey Team Visits Harrisburg
This week, Rep. Sheryl Delozier (R-Cumberland) and I welcomed another state championship team to the Capitol. Congratulations to the players and coaches from the Mechanicsburg field hockey team for clinching the PIAA 2A State Championship last season! The community is so proud of your hard work and all you've accomplished. Go Wildcats!
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Learning from Messiah University Graduate Students
Students from Messiah University’s athletic training graduate program visited the Capitol this week to advocate for their profession. We talked about licensure issues and restrictive patient populations. Thanks for taking the time to educate everyone about what you do and good luck finishing your degrees!
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Celebrating National, Pennsylvania Small Business Week
Did you know, it's National Small Business Week and Pennsylvania Small Business Week? In honor of the 87th District's hardworking entrepreneurs, my team made a few small business visits this week. We dropped off some information about our office and had many wonderful conversations with the folks who help make our local community go round.
Small business owners have displayed incredible perseverance and resilience in the face of challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic, staffing shortages and supply chain disruptions. I hope you will join me in thanking and patronizing our small businesses year-round.
Pictured here are Jojo's Pizza and Pasta, Helen and Bill at The Country Nook, the ladies at Amelia Givin Library, Steve, a local veteran at OVH Thrift Store and Ed at Nelson's Barber Shop.
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Grant Funding Awarded to Local Schools
State grant funding totaling over $150,000 has been awarded to South Middleton School District and Cumberland Perry Area Career and Technical Center. Each school will receive $75,000 to create and expand innovative dual credit opportunities for secondary school students, including students experiencing educational instability, enrolled in career and technical education programs, low-income students and historically underserved student groups.
As a former dual enrollment student myself, I understand and appreciate the value these programs bring to schools and the students who choose to pursue them. By creating more opportunities for students to get a jump start on college and technical school credits, we are investing in our future workforce and giving Pennsylvania students the tools they need to succeed. I am happy to see these state dollars invested locally, and I look forward to seeing the positive impact of these dollars on future generations.
Dual enrollment programs help learners prepare for college and set them up for future success in higher education while offering a cost savings. Dual credit offerings also improve academic achievement, high school graduation rates, college enrollment and college completion rates.
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Toast with Thomas
I will be providing breakfast at local diners in our community for constituents who wish to come. Breakfast is provided at no cost. Please join me at my last scheduled Toast with Thomas event and stay tuned for more information on upcoming weekend and early-riser Toast with Thomas events as well.
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Keystone Commitment: A Future-Focused, People-Driven Pledge to All Pennsylvanians
Our Commonwealth and nation are at a crossroads. Inflation continues to soar, and you feel it every time you gas up your car, heat your home, or even just put dinner on the table.
At the same time, communities in Pennsylvania are dealing with violent crime. We can no longer afford to sit back and watch the impact of bad policies; we must lead the way to a better future for everyone. That is the Keystone Commitment, a promise to listen to your concerns and promote policies that will help you and your family during these unprecedented times.
The Keystone Commitment is a people-driven, future-focused platform that delivers hope through the opportunity to experience earned success. It is built on four cornerstones: a thriving economy, affordable living, safer communities, and a child-first, family-focused education.
We need to stop exporting our people and children to other states that are low tax and more competitive, and we need to work on making Pennsylvania stronger and healthier for future generations. I am committed to doing that through The Keystone Commitment. We have the power to make Pennsylvania a thriving and prosperous place to live, own a home, and run a business for the next generation. I look forward to advancing these priorities throughout the session year.
Watch for more in the coming weeks about our commitment and the policies we are working to advance in the state House. Learn more at www.KeystoneCommitment.com. You can also click here to listen to my comments on why making the Keystone Commitment is important to me.
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Prevent Lyme: Check for Ticks
May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month. As you spend time outdoors, it is important to check yourself, loved ones and pets for ticks and be aware of the symptoms of Lyme disease and other tick-related ailments.
The first line of defense against Lyme is to take precautions outdoors by treating clothing and gear with products containing 0.5% permethrin, using insect repellent, and avoiding wooded and brushy areas with high grass or leaf litter. When you return indoors, check your clothing, gear and pets for ticks; shower as soon as possible after being outdoors; and check your body for ticks, particularly in areas such as under the arms, in and around the ears, back of the knees and other similar areas.
If bitten, an individual should monitor the area for the appearance of a bull’s eye rash, though the rash does not develop in all cases. Early symptoms of Lyme disease include fever, fatigue, headache and muscle aches. However, symptoms may progress to arthritic, neurologic and cardiac symptoms if not treated.
Lyme disease is caused by the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi and is transmitted by the bite of a blacklegged tick or deer tick. If you pull a tick from yourself, a loved one or your pet, you may have it tested to determine if it carries Lyme or other tick-borne diseases. More information about how to get a tick tested at the East Stroudsburg University Tick Lab is available here.
Learn more about Lyme disease symptoms, treatment and prevention here.
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May is Bike Safety Month
Did you know anyone under the age of 12 must wear a helmet when riding a bicycle in Pennsylvania? This law applies to anyone operating the bicycle, riding as a passenger, or riding in an attached restraining seat or trailer.
May is Bike Safety Month, and PennDOT is reminding bicycle enthusiasts of the following safety tips:
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Always wear a properly fitted helmet. |
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Ride on the right side of the road or trail, with the flow of traffic. |
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Obey all traffic signs and signals. |
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Slow down when you approach an intersection. |
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Look left, look right, look left again, then look over your shoulder before entering an intersection. |
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Use proper hand signals when turning to communicate with drivers. |
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Wear bright or reflective clothing to help drivers see you. |
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Adjust the bicycle to fit you properly. |
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Maintain your bike regularly to keep it working smoothly. |
Also, Pennsylvania law requires drivers to give bicyclists 4 feet of space when passing them at a reduced speed. When approaching a bike rider, slow down, check for oncoming traffic and decide if you can safely pass while maintaining the 4 feet distance.
Please visit www.penndot.pa.gov for more bicycle safety tips.
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