Capitol Update by Rep. Martin Causer (R-Turtlepoint)
FacebookWebsiteBioLatest NewsState FormsPhoto GalleryContact Capitol Update Friday, May 5, 2023 The latest news from the State Capitol You are welcome to contact me through this link. Solutions to PA’s EMS Crisis Focus of May 11 Town Meeting Ambulance services across our region are struggling with rising costs, declining revenue and a shortage of providers. We all need to work together to ensure our emergency responders can continue providing the life-saving services we depend upon. That’s why I am inviting emergency medical services (EMS) providers, county and local officials, and concerned citizens to the following meeting: Town Meeting: Finding Solutions to PA’s EMS Crisis Thursday, May 11, at 6 p.m. Smethport Fire Department 109 S. Nelson St., Smethport Aaron Rhone, director of the Bureau of EMS within the Pennsylvania Department of Health, is scheduled to attend, as is Heather Sharar, executive director of the Ambulance Association of Pennsylvania, and Tom McElree, executive director of EMS West. RSVPs for the meeting are requested but not required. Those who wish to attend are encouraged to sign up at www.RepCauser.com or call one of my offices in Bradford (814-362-4400), Coudersport (814-274-9769) or Kane (814-837-0880). Congratulations Stretch! Congratulations to Emporium Borough Manager Stretch Reed for earning the 2023 Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs Career Recognition Award through the Governor’s Center for Local Government Services. A member of borough council for 10 years, Stretch became borough manager in 2007. Throughout his time with the borough, he has worked hard on behalf of the community and citizens of Emporium. I was honored to present him with a House citation in recognition of his dedication. Celebrating Civics Day It was a pleasure to welcome students and the principal from Potter County Christian School in Roulette to the state Capitol this week for Civics Day! From left, Principal Bruce Greene and students Sophia Sausser and Jethro Smith. Leadership Elk and Cameron Counties Thank you to the current class of Leadership Elk and Cameron Counties for making the trip to the Capitol this week to talk about state and local issues, as well as the work of state legislators. Rep. Mike Armanini and I enjoyed meeting these outstanding people who are committed to being leaders in their communities. Keep up the good work! 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 rampant violent crime. 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. 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. 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. 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: • Always wear a properly fitted helmet. • Ride on the right side of the road or trail, with the flow of traffic. • Obey all traffic signs and signals. • Slow down when you approach an intersection. • Look left, look right, look left again, then look over your shoulder before entering an intersection. • Use proper hand signals when turning to communicate with drivers. • Wear bright or reflective clothing to help drivers see you. • Adjust the bicycle to fit you properly. • 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. Celebrate Small Businesses As National Small Business Week and Pennsylvania Small Business Week draw to a close on Saturday (May 6), it is important to remember these employers are the backbone of our economy. Pennsylvania is home to 1.1 million small businesses that employ approximately 2.5 million workers. 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. |