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March 2019

Dear Friend,

I am pleased to present my electronic newsletter. These e-newsletters enable me to provide information about issues, events and activities in Harrisburg and around the 49^th Senatorial District to you in a timely manner while saving postage costs.   

If you find this e-newsletter useful, I invite you to visit my website www.senatorlaughlin.com for more information about your state government. If you do not wish to receive these e-newsletters, please click the “unsubscribe” button at the bottom of the page. 

Sincerely,

Dan

Hearings Provided Insight on Governor’s Budget Proposals

On February 5, Governor Tom Wolf delivered his annual budget address before a joint session of the General Assembly. For the most part, the Governor talked about his policy proposals in idealistic terms, rather than focusing on the dollars-and-cents line items in his proposed $34.1 billion state General Fund budget for Fiscal Year 2019-20.

Essentially, the in-depth discussions about the Governor’s spending plan kicked off on February 19 when the Senate Appropriations Committee opened a three-week series of budget hearings. These hearings gave the Appropriations Committee an opportunity to hear from – and question — cabinet secretaries and other Administration officials about state spending and various policies.

I was appointed to the committee for this legislative session so these hearings not only gave me a chance to review the specific budget requests from various state departments and agencies, but provided an opportunity for me to bring up issues that directly impact local residents.

For example, during the hearing on the Department of Transportation I discussed the current formula for allocating road improvement funds with Transportation Secretary Leslie Richards and stressed that it needs to be changed for areas with extreme weather, such as Erie. Video

During our hearing with Department of Conservation & Natural Resources, Secretary Cindy Dunn gave me an update on sand replenishment at Presque Isle and efforts to maintain and improve the state park. Video

When we met with the Commissioners from the Public Utility Commission, I discussed the high cost of renewable energy and how making energy more expensive would make Erie businesses less competitive and cost local jobs. While I fully support renewable energy, we need to make the transition as renewables become more economically viable. Video

The hearing for the Department of Corrections gave me the opportunity to discuss my proposal to train eligible inmates to become volunteer firefighters with Secretary of Corrections John Wetzel. Video

During the hearing with the Department of Human Services, I asked about new approaches to help individuals break the cycle of generational poverty through education. I also discussed approaches to improve health care options for elderly Pennsylvanians. Video

These are just a few of the topics I raised with Administration officials during the budget hearings. Videos of these and other discussions are available on my website: www.senatorlaughlin.com. For more information about the budget hearings and to watch complete videos from those sessions please visit www.pasenategop.com.

Veterans Expo Set For April 18 at Mercyhurst University

I am joining with the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial and U.S. Senator Pat Toomey to host the 2019 Veterans Resource and Job Expo on Thursday, April 18, from 1 to 3 p.m. in the Mercyhurst Athletic Center, Mercyhurst University, 501 East 38th Street, Erie.

The free Expo is designed to connect veterans and their families with valuable community resources and prospective employers. All proceeds and donations support local veteran memorials.

There will be a number of great programs and businesses at this Expo, all of which provide excellent services to our local veterans. This Expo is open to all veterans, regardless of their branch of service or when they served. We appreciate their service and I encouraged them to stop by to learn about all of the benefits and services — from education to health care and housing — that are out there for them.

The Expo will also feature my special guest, State Adjutant General (Major General) Anthony Carrelli.  General Carrelli is responsible for the command, control and supervision of Pennsylvania’s Army and Air National Guard units, six state-owned Veterans’ homes, and a variety of programs for Pennsylvania’s 800,000 veterans.  The expo will provide a unique opportunity for residents to meet the General as he honors local veterans. 

REAL IDs Now Available

REAL ID driver’s licenses and photo ID cards are now available to residents who want one. After October 1, 2020, a REAL ID or a federally approved alternative will be required to board commercial flights or enter secure federal buildings. 

Find out how to obtain one from PENNDOT here: https://www.dmv.pa.gov/realid/pages/default.aspx

Exercise Caution to Prevent Wildfires

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is urging Pennsylvania residents to exercise wildfire prevention vigilance throughout a three-month period when major fires are most likely across the state’s forests and brush lands.

Human carelessness continued to lead the list of causes as wildfires across Pennsylvania in 2018. A total of 690 wildfires, ranging from less than one acre in size to almost 690 acres, were reported last year. They consumed 1,843 acres, well below the 10-year average of 4,000 acres.

DCNR statistics show nearly 85 percent of Pennsylvania’s wildfires occur in March, April, and May, before the greening of state woodlands and brushy areas. Named for rapid spread through dormant, dry vegetation, under windy conditions, wildfires often scorch 7,000 or more acres of state and private woodlands.

Anglers, campers, and other state forest visitors are reminded open fires are prohibited on state forestland from March 1 to May 25, and when the fire danger is listed as high, very high, or extreme, unless authorized by district foresters.

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