Capitol Update by Rep. Martin Causer (R-Turtlepoint)
 FacebookWebsiteBioLatest NewsState FormsPhoto GalleryContact Capitol Update You are welcome to contact me through this link. Preparing for Emergencies  Our emergency responders are constantly training to be prepared for any emergency situation. I had the opportunity to stop by the Bradford City Central Fire Station Thursday to observe a simulated training session with a high-tech manikin used by EMS, law enforcement and the military for training purposes. This equipment can be used to simulate medical emergencies as well as traumatic injuries. Thank you to Bradford City Firefighters and their medical director, Dr. Brian Walters, for showing me this equipment. Your life-saving work is very much appreciated!  Veterans Services Available  Area veterans are invited to contact my office to schedule appointments to talk with a representative from the American Legion to ensure they are getting the services and support they need.Due to changes initiated by the American Legion, appointments in the Bradford and Kane offices will be conducted virtually via a tablet. Appointments are required for meetings with the Legion representative, whether they are in person, by phone or by tablet. The schedule is as follows: • Coudersport office: Thursday, April 6, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Coudersport office is located at 107 S. Main St. Please call 814-274-9769 to schedule an appointment. • Bradford office: Wednesday, April 12, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Bradford office is located at 78 Main St., first floor. Please call 814-362-4400 to schedule an appointment. • Kane office: Wednesday, April 26, from 9 a.m. to noon. The Kane office is located at 54 Fraley St., Suite 2. Please call 814-837-0880 to schedule an appointment. Assistance is available with issues such as compensation, education, pension, health care and death benefits. Veterans need not be a member of the American Legion to participate.  Outreach Hours Set forApril 6 To help ensure access to state government information and services, I will host outreach office hours at the Emporium Borough Office on Thursday, April 6, from 9-10 a.m. Services available include assistance with any state-related issues or concerns, driver license and vehicle registration applications, and applications for various state programs, such as the senior citizen Property Tax/Rent Rebate and PACE/PACENET prescription drug assistance programs. EMT Training Opportunity If you are looking for an opportunity to serve our communities, consider becoming an emergency medical technician (EMT). EMTs save lives, and we need more of them! Check out this upcoming training opportunity available through IUP, EMS West and Mt. Jewett Area Ambulance. Preregistration is required at ems-emt@iup.eduPreregistration.  Respecting the Taxpayers Who Foot the Bill  With respect to the individuals, families and business owners who foot the bill for the annual state budget, the House Appropriations Committee continued its examination of the governor’s $45.8 billion spending proposal during budget hearings this week.In the area of public safety, members talked about proposed funding for the Pennsylvania State Police and how the agency will meet recruitment challenges for the next generation of state troopers. With regard to public health, the committee questioned the heads of both the Department of Health and the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs about efforts to meet the needs of the state’s most vulnerable citizens, particularly when it comes to the continuing crisis of opioid abuse and overdose deaths. Members questioned the Department of Aging about its support for senior centers, and the proposed expansion of the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program for seniors and people with disabilities. Additional hearings featured the Department of State, Department of Corrections and Board of Probation and Parole, and the Department of Transportation. No hearings are scheduled next week. They will resume on Tuesday, April 11. All hearings are streamed live at www.PAHouseGOP.com. For a schedule of upcoming hearings and video of completed hearings, click here. Financial Tips for Higher Education Seekers  The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) will once again offer a series of financial aid webinars to assist students seeking a higher education and their families. With the May 1 deadline for filing the Federal Free Application for Student Aid, also known as FAFSA, just around the corner, PHEAA will hold a “FAFSA Overview/Line by Line” webinar on the following dates: • Wednesday, April 5, from 6-7 p.m. • Wednesday, April 19, from 6-7 p.m. Other sessions include: • Paying for College and Options for Balances: Tuesday, April 4, at noon, and Thursday, April 20, at 6:30 p.m. • Financial Aid and Planning Q&A: Thursday, April 6, at 6:30 p.m. and Tuesday, April 18, at noon. Registration is required. Visit www.PHEAA.org/virtual. Apply for Agriculture Energy Efficiency Rebates  The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection is offering rebates to Pennsylvania agricultural producers for energy efficiency projects. Rebates are offered on a first-come, first-served basis as long as funding is available, through June 30.Interested applicants should apply to secure a rebate voucher prior to installing their equipment. Rebates are available for LED lighting, dairy equipment and ventilation equipment. For additional information, or to apply, click here. PennDOT Offers Free Motorcycle Safety Training  The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) reminds residents that free Pennsylvania Motorcycle Safety Program (PAMSP) training opportunities are available to riders across the state.Prospective, experienced and new Pennsylvania riders who have a motorcycle learner’s permit or motorcycle license can develop and refresh operator proficiency through these free training sessions. Successful completion of a basic or intermediate course waives the requirement to take a skills test at a PennDOT Driver License Center for those over the age of 18 and automatically earns the permit holder their motorcycle license. Motorcycle permit holders who complete a three-wheel basic course will earn a motorcycle license with a restriction prohibiting the operation of a two-wheel motorcycle. Click here for more information.  Trout Season Opens April 1!Good luck to all the anglers heading out this weekend for the opening day of trout season on Saturday, April 1. For everything you need to know about fishing in the Commonwealth, including licensing and stocking information, visit www.fishandboat.com or check out the FishBoatPA mobile app.  Celebrating Women’s History Month with Hannah PennAs the month of March, also Women’s History Month, draws to a close, we remember and honor the first and only woman to have ever governed Pennsylvania – Hannah Callowhill Penn. Hannah was wife of Pennsylvania’s founder, William Penn. Watch to learn more about her! |