Capitol Update by Rep. Martin Causer (R-Turtlepoint)
 FacebookWebsiteBioLatest NewsState FormsPhoto GalleryContactCapitol Update Friday, June 2, 2023The latest news from the State Capitol You are welcome to contact me through this link. Regional ATV Connector Pilot Opens For 2023 Season with New Routes  The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) announced last week the opening of the ATV Regional Trail Connector Pilot for the 2023 riding season, which continues through Sept. 24. The 2023 pilot includes more than 400 miles of township roads, 163 miles of state forest roads and trails, and 33 miles of PennDOT-administered roads. New connections for this year’s pilot include: • Cross Fork to Whiskey Springs ATV Trail. • Cross Fork to North Bend. • Black Forest to Haneyville. A printable version of the trail map is available here. Permits are required and available for in-person sales at Sproul, Susquehannock, Tiadaghton, or Tioga state forest district offices. District office hours are subject to change throughout the riding season. Please check online or call for office hours. This year’s ATV Regional Trail Connector Program is the last season for the program to exist in its pilot phase. DCNR is evaluating the effectiveness of the special permit; the adequacy of funding for continued operation of the trail; and the need for additional education, outreach and trail marketing. DCNR is gathering public input on the pilot through a variety of methods, including webinars, surveys, comment cards, public meetings, and advisory committees. To comment on the ATV Regional Trail Connector Pilot, please send an email to: RA-NR-ATV-Pilot@pa.gov. Visit DCNR’s website for more information about ATV riding opportunities in state forests. Support for Emergency Responders Key to Public Safety  The challenges faced by emergency first responder organizations in Pennsylvania and possible legislative solutions to address them were the focus of a House Republican Policy Committee hearing this week in Lehigh County. Ensuring safe communities is a cornerstone of the Keystone Commitment lawmakers have made to Pennsylvanians, and that goal cannot be met without proper support of our fire and emergency medical services providers. First responders are in a crisis situation across the Commonwealth in terms of the resources they receive to do the job, the lack of manpower and the costs associated with providing their services. Many of the concerns raised mirror what we heard at our EMS Town Meeting last month. We must do more to support our first responders so they can be there to support us when we are in need. Caring for Our Senior Citizens  Working to ensure our senior citizens and the people who love and care for them are properly supported, the Pennsylvania Department of Aging has launched an effort to create a 10-year Master Plan for Older Adults. The stakeholder-driven plan aims to help transform the infrastructure and coordination of services for older Pennsylvanians, reflecting their needs and preferences to live where they choose and access to the supports they need to thrive and age in place. Pennsylvania is ranked fifth among the 50 states in the size of our older adult population (3.4 million) and seventh by percentage (17.8%) of the total population. Our total older adult population percentage grew from 15.4% (1.96 million persons) in 2010 to 17.8% (2.27 million persons) in 2020. All Pennsylvanians are invited to provide input into development of the plan by mail, email or a digital form. Regional events are also planned in Philadelphia and Altoona. Learn more about how to participate here. PGC: Leave Young Wildlife Alone  Whether in their backyards or high on a mountain, it’s almost certain Pennsylvanians will encounter young wildlife this time of year. While some young animals might appear to be abandoned, it is likely their mothers are watching over them from somewhere nearby. That’s why the Pennsylvania Game Commission is urging people who encounter young wildlife, including deer, birds, raccoons or other animals, to simply leave them alone. Contact can be harmful to both people and wildlife. Wild animals can lose their natural fear of humans, making it difficult, even impossible, for them to ever again live normally in the wild. And anytime wildlife is handled, there’s always a risk people could contract diseases or parasites such as fleas, ticks and lice. Only wildlife rehabilitators, who are licensed by the PA Game Commission, are permitted to care for injured or orphaned wildlife for the purposes of eventual release back into the wild. For those who find wildlife truly in need of assistance, a listing of licensed wildlife rehabilitators can be found on the Pennsylvania Association of Wildlife Rehabilitators website, www.pawr.com. If you are unable to identify a wildlife rehabilitator in your area, contact the Game Commission by phone at 1-833-PGC-WILD or 1-833-PGC-HUNT. Update on Farmers Market Nutrition Program Vouchers  Each year, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture operates its Farmers Market Nutrition Program for low-income seniors and Women, Infants and Children (WIC) recipients. The program provides vouchers that can be redeemed at local farmers markets and farm stands for fresh, locally grown fruits, vegetables and herbs. While the vouchers are typically made available at the beginning of June, computer programming and printing delays mean the vouchers may not be available until the end of June. More information about the program and eligibility is available here. Remembering D-Day  June 6 marks the 79th anniversary of the Normandy landings during World War II, otherwise recognized as D-Day. D-Day marked the beginning of the final push across Europe to defeat Axis forces during World War II, with more than 9,000 Allied soldiers killed or wounded in that battle alone. For a full history on D-Day, click here. I wish to extend a special heartfelt thank you to the men and women who served that day, and our gratitude to those who did not come home. Your legacy is not forgotten. |