Capitol Update by Rep. Martin Causer (R-Turtlepoint)
 FacebookWebsiteBioLatest NewsState FormsPhoto GalleryContactCapitol Update Friday, June 30, 2023 The latest news from the State Capitol You are welcome to contact me through this link. Broadband Funding on the Way to PA  The Commonwealth is set to receive more than $1.16 billion in federal funding to expand access to affordable, high-speed internet in unserved and underserved areas. Reliable, high-speed internet access is a necessity for business owners and employees who work remotely, for doctors and patients who use telemedicine, for teachers and students who learn from home, and all Pennsylvanians who wish to stay connected. The funding was awarded through the federal Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program and aims to ensure all Americans have access to broadband service by 2030. Grants through the program here will be administered by the Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority. To ensure the funding is invested wisely, the authority is now working to complete a five-year action plan for Pennsylvania’s BEAD allocation, which must be submitted to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration by Aug. 12. Visit the authority’s website to learn more. 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, July 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, July 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, July 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. EMS Task Force Set to Meet  Continuing the effort to find solutions to the state’s growing EMS crisis, I plan to convene our first EMS Task Force meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday, July 27. The meeting will be held in person at the McKean County Department of Emergency Services in Smethport; however, people who are interested in participating but unable to attend in person will be able to join remotely. The task force is an offshoot of the EMS Town Meeting we held in May. Several people signed up for the task force following that meeting, but others who are interested are welcome to join in. All who plan to attend should RSVP to Rhonda Race in my office at rrace@pahousegop.com. Happy Independence Day!!  I wanted to share a few important reminders as you plan to celebrate our nation’s independence. Fireworks are a great way to celebrate our independence, but with ongoing drought conditions the elevated risk of wildfires, the Office of State Fire Commissioner and Department of Conservation and Natural Resources are urging us to leave the fireworks displays to the professionals this year. Low precipitation has dramatically increased the number of wildfires in the Commonwealth. There have already been 1,400 wildfires reported statewide so far in 2023, compared to 1,036 in all of 2022. This year’s wildfires have burned more than 8,500 acres, compared to 2,700 acres in 2022. Visit DCNR’s website for more information on wildfire danger, maps, forecasts and tips on reducing wildfire risks. If you are going to set off your own fireworks, be smart, be careful and be considerate of your neighbors. The U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission offers the following safety tips: • Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy in case of fire or other mishap. • Never allow children to play with or ignite fireworks, even sparklers. • Light fireworks one at a time, then move back quickly. • Never point or throw fireworks at another person. • Never pick up or try to relight fireworks that have not fully ignited. • Never use fireworks after consuming alcohol or other substances that impair judgement or the ability to act quickly. For details about the state’s fireworks laws, click here. If you are traveling, check out www.511pa.com. Free and available 24 hours a day, the site provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to more than 1,000 traffic cameras. 511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following regional twitter alerts accessible on the 511PA website. PennDOT will close its driver license service centers on Tuesday, July 4. Customers may still obtain a variety of driver and vehicle products and services, including all forms, publications and driver training manuals, online through PennDOT’s Driver and Vehicle Services website, www.dmv.pa.gov. Have a safe and happy July Fourth!  Fish for Free on Independence Day! On Tuesday, July 4, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) will host a Fish for Free day to allow anyone (resident or non-resident) to legally fish on all Pennsylvania waterways. No license is required, but all other fishing regulations still apply. This is a great way to expose the next generation of anglers to the outdoors! More information about fishing in Pennsylvania is available here. We All Scream for Ice Cream!  This summer, you can beat the heat and get a sweet treat by visiting any of the 42 creameries that make up the 2023 Scooped: An Ice Cream Trail. Add to the fun by earning a commemorative stainless-steel ice cream scooper by accruing 600 points on your digital passport. Each ice cream shop check-in is worth 100 points. Simply stop in at six shops, make your purchase, and receive a four-digit code to “check-in” and accrue your points this summer. The trail is a partnership of the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and its PA Preferred® program, the Department of Community and Economic Development’s Tourism Office, and the Center for Dairy Excellence. The trail offers a delicious way to support Pennsylvania’s more than 5,200 dairy farm families and the small businesses that source from them while offering a unique opportunity to explore the Commonwealth by the scoop. A list of participating creameries is available here. |