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Dear Friends, When we send our kids to school, we assume that they will be safe. To help better protect our families, the Senate passed legislation to require school districts to have at least one trained security personnel. This legislation helps protect our kids at school and furthers our commitment of fostering healthy and safe communities. Sincerely,
Tracy Pennycuick, MPA In this Update:
Boosting PA’s Economy and Empowering Job Creators
As I noted last week, Pennsylvania recently passed a fiscally responsible 2024-25 state budget that is honest with taxpayers, creates new job opportunities for state residents, includes no new taxes and addresses the economic and demographic challenges the state faces in the years ahead. The $47.59 billion spending plan is $740 million less than the proposal Gov. Josh Shapiro presented in February and allocates $740 million to the state’s Rainy Day Fund – a key priority for me so that we can avoid painful tax hikes or service cuts in future years. The budget includes crucial measures to boost Pennsylvania’s economy by continuing to phase out the Corporate Net Income Tax, a significant barrier to business expansion, and initiating the process of eliminating the Start-Up Penalty, which hampers business creation and relocation to the commonwealth. We also addressed the persistent problem of permitting delays that have chased jobs and investment to other states. A new Streamlining Permits for Economic Expansion and Development (SPEED) Program will be created to establish permit review timelines by DEP and conservation districts. Additionally, a new permit tracking system will be implemented, and applicants will now have the option for third-party review of air, earth disturbance and water permit applications. Each one of these reforms is important individually, but taken together, they send a powerful message that Pennsylvania is ready to compete and bring new opportunities for growth and prosperity to our communities. New Law to Increase School Security
As a mom, I’m pleased to let you know that the Senate voted in favor of legislation that requires every school district in Pennsylvania to have an armed officer. Senate Bill 907 was amended into Senate Bill 700, an omnibus School Code bill that was passed as part of the budget and is now law. The new law states that each school district is required to have at least one school security personnel, who has completed training to be armed, and may be either a school police officer, school resource officer or school security guard. School safety personnel would undergo background investigations, be required to maintain certification, and be annually certified in position-specific training. Local school districts can now use state school safety grants to pay for these new security measures. PASSHE Freezes Tuition for In-State Undergraduates
For the seventh year, the Board of Governors for Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) froze tuition for in-state undergraduates for the 2024-25 academic year. The tuition rate will stay the same at all 10 state-owned public universities. PASSHE schools serve the most in-state students of any four-year college or university in Pennsylvania, at the lowest price. Nearly 90% of PASSHE’s 82,000 students are Pennsylvania residents, many from middle-income families. To make higher education more affordable, Senate Republicans passed Grow PA – a package of bills that creates new programs to recruit the best talent to Pennsylvania schools in industries that will grow the state’s economy while also expanding existing financial assistance programs that are already working. I’m proud to have led the effort to pass Grow PA with some of my Senate colleagues. Read more about the scholarship and tuition waiver programs. Veterans’ Brotherhood Ribbon Cutting
I was excited to be part of the Veterans Brotherhood’s new Pottstown location ribbon cutting! This amazing facility is a huge win for our local vets. Veterans Brotherhood is dedicated to supporting those who’ve served, and this new space is a testament to their commitment to the Pottstown community. Community Health & Dental Care Ribbon Cutting
I was excited to join the TriCounty Area Chamber of Commerce and Building a Better Boyertown in celebrating the grand opening of Community Health & Dental Care’s new facility! Community Health & Dental Care has been a dedicated provider of affordable, high-quality healthcare since 2008. To ensure there are no barriers to care, they also offer medication discounts, free transportation, phlebotomy, and integrated visits. We are proud to welcome them to Boyertown! To schedule an appointment, please call 610-326-9460. Morgan Log House
I had a great time at the Military Might event at the Morgan Log House. It was an honor to raise the flag during the ceremony and to share my experiences in an interview for the Library of Congress Veterans History Project. Reconnecting with the military community and having the opportunity to contribute to such a meaningful project was truly amazing. PUC Schedules August Public Input Hearings for Proposed Rate Increases by Aqua Pennsylvania
Aqua Pennsylvania is seeking to increase its water and wastewater rates by a combined $126.7 million annually. Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) will hold public hearings in August to gather input on the proposed rate hikes, which would amount to an 18.7% increase for water services and a 20.1% increase for wastewater services. Customers can participate in-person or by phone. Program Increasing Digital Connectivity to Provide Laptops
The Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority (PBDA) is accepting applications for its Digital Connectivity Technology Program. Through the new program, the PBDA will purchase and distribute $20 million in laptops for eligible public-facing institutions such as libraries, municipalities, workforce training organizations, not-for-profit organizations and other institutions that can offer internet access to individuals who lack the technology. PBDA strongly encourages interested applicants to review the program frequently asked questions (FAQ), before applying. The FAQ, pre-recorded webinar providing an overview of the program, guidelines and online application are available here. Applications must be submitted by Monday, Aug. 19. Prevent Hot Car Deaths in Children
In 2023, 29 children died of heatstroke because they were left or became trapped in a hot vehicle. This tragedy can happen to anyone, but is preventable. A child’s body temperature rises three to five times faster than an adult’s body temperature. When a child is left in a vehicle, the situation quickly can become dangerous. Heatstroke begins when the core body temperature reaches about 104 degrees, and a child can die when his or her body temperature hits 107 degrees. Never leave a child in a vehicle unattended for any length of time – even with the windows down or when parked in the shade, as it does little to change the interior temperature of the vehicle. Stop to check the back seat and lock the door before leaving a hot car. Store car keys out of a child’s reach and teach kids that a vehicle is not a play area. Read more tips. Fighting Human Trafficking
World Day Against Trafficking in Persons is Tuesday, July 30, and this year’s theme is “Leave No Child Behind in the Fight Against Human Trafficking.” Children represent a significant portion of trafficking victims worldwide, and they are twice as likely as adults are to face violence during trafficking. Traffickers use social media to recruit and exploit children. Senate Republicans worked to support these young victims, unanimously passing a law that ensures sexually exploited children who are human trafficking victims always have full access to appropriate services and support.
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