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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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Mount Holly Bridge Dedicated to Jerome Guise
Last week, members of the Mount Holly Springs community came together to pay tribute to fallen firefighter and community hero Jerome Guise. His fellow firefighters, friends, family, and neighbors gathered to dedicate the Route 34 bridge over Mountain Creek in Mount Holly Springs in his honor. Jerome tragically died when the porch of a house collapsed during a two-alarm fire on March 9, 2020.
It was a privilege to be surrounded by Jerome’s loved ones as we honored his bravery and sacrifice to our community. It is my hope the bridge will continue to inspire gratitude for our first responders for generations to come. It was truly moving to see those whose lives he impacted at the bridge dedication.
To see more photos from the bridge dedication, please click here.
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Thanks for Coming to Toast with Thomas!
It was great to see so many friends and neighbors at Toast with Thomas on Monday. These legislative breakfast events provide a great opportunity to learn more about the latest state and community news, while enjoying time with community members. I am looking forward to our next one!
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House Returns to Session…Finally!
The state House returns to voting session Monday, March 18, and I am eager to dig into legislation for the 87th District.
While we have been waiting to return to the chamber for session, we have been working on the issues that matter to you. The House convened for a non-voting session in the Main Rotunda in early February for the governor’s budget address, and the House Appropriations Committee (of which I am a member) subsequently held three weeks of hearings about the governor’s $48.3 billion plan. The House Republican Policy Committee also has been holding hearings in several communities, highlighting public safety, economic development, permitting reform and more.
For more information, including live streams of voting session and committee meetings, visit www.PAHouseGOP.com.
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Introducing Right to Know Bill to Support Financial Literacy, Student Success
I recently introduced legislation that would strengthen transparency for prospective Pennsylvania students who are shopping for opportunities in higher education.
The bill would require the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) to create a comprehensive comparison tool that would provide valuable data to students who want to learn more about institutions of higher education and equip them to make more informed decisions regarding their post-secondary education.
Choosing a college and degree program are monumental decisions that lay the path for a student’s future and success. By providing students and their families with access to comprehensive and easily comparable information about institutions of higher education, we can help ensure they are able to make well-informed choices about their academic and financial futures.
Under the legislation, the comparison tool would include data about institutions and programs of study, with factors including affordability, student outcomes, employment demand and student loan repayment rates. This would result in improved student success and reduced student loan debt burdens.
PDE is already required to collect the data the comparison tool would feature; this legislation would simply require it’s made available to the public in one easy-to-access location.
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87th District Spotlight: Oak Grove Farms, Thea Restaurant
This week, the 87th District spotlight shines on Oak Grove Farms, Inc. and Thea Restaurant! I had the pleasure of chatting with Dwayne Lebo whose grandfather started Oak Grove Farms in 1963. Since then, his parents owned the farm, before passing it on to Dwayne and his brother.
Pennsylvania is blessed to have multi-generational family farmers who grow food for our communities and restauranteurs like AnnMarie Nelms at Thea who are passionate about creating awesome dishes with locally produced ingredients. Come out to Oak Grove Farms' market and Thea restaurant in Arcona to support these talented local business owners!
To watch the episode featuring Oak Grove Farms, click here.
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Mark Your Calendar for My Shredding Event
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Honoring Our Women Veterans License Plate
In recognition of Women's History Month in March, the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) is reminding drivers that purchasing an “Honoring Our Women Veterans” license plate both recognizes the importance of women who served and supports programs assisting the nearly 64,000 women veterans in Pennsylvania.
Each plate costs $40, with $15 going directly to the Pennsylvania Veterans' Trust Fund (VTF). The VTF regularly issues grants to statewide charitable organizations assisting veterans service organizations and county directors of veterans affairs. The grants are used to aid veterans in need of shelter, essential goods and other services.
The plate is available for passenger cars or trucks with a registered gross weight of not more than 14,000 pounds.
To learn more about how to purchase plates honoring women veterans, or other veterans, visit www.vtf.pa.gov.
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Report Potholes to PennDOT
While it’s always great to welcome the spring thaw, it also brings with it more potholes on our roads and bridges.
Extreme fluctuations in temperatures can contribute to more potholes on our roads.
To help combat potholes and prevent them from becoming a danger to vehicles and drivers on the road, you can report potholes to PennDOT. Simply call 1-800-FIX-ROAD or click here to file a report online.
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