Capitol Update by Rep. Martin Causer (R-Turtlepoint)
 FacebookWebsiteBioLatest NewsState FormsPhoto GalleryContactCapitol Update Friday, June 23, 2023 The latest news from the State Capitol You are welcome to contact me through this link. Nearly $4 Million in Natural Gas Impact Fees to Benefit Region  In addition to supporting the state’s energy needs and providing good-paying careers, Pennsylvania’s natural gas industry contributed nearly $280 million in impact fees in 2022. This is an increase of about $44 million, or 19%, over the prior year. Locally, Cameron County and its municipalities will receive $1.4 million, McKean County and its municipalities will also receive $1.4 million, and Potter County and its municipalities will receive $1.03 million. Impact fees are distributed to municipalities based on the amount of natural gas drilling occurring there. Since the enactment of impact fees, more than $32 million has been returned to counties and municipalities in the 67th Legislative District. Under Act 13 of 2012, impact fees are collected from natural gas drilling companies with 60% returned to counties and municipalities affected by drilling. The rest of the money goes into a Marcellus Shale Legacy Fund, a portion of which is provided to counties. The remaining funds are used by the state for emergency response planning, training and other activities; water, storm water, and sewer system construction and repair; infrastructure maintenance and repair; as well as statewide environmental initiatives. To view detailed reports of the funding distribution, visit www.PUC.pa.gov. Happy Retirement!  It was a pleasure to recognize former House Parliamentarian Clancy Myer upon his retirement after more than four decades of service to the House of Representatives. Clancy had relatives in Port Allegany and he often asked me about our community and remembered it fondly. Pictured from left: Rep. Kerry Benninghoff, Clancy Myer, me and Rep. Parke Wentling. Higher Mandated Wage = Higher Costs for You  The state House approved legislation this week that would more than double the minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2026. While I remain open to the idea of a reasonable increase in the state’s minimum wage, I believe this measure is too costly and voted “no.” In addition to more than doubling the wage, the measure also would have indexed it to the Consumer Price Index, meaning it would be adjusted annually starting in 2027. A report by the nonpartisan Independent Fiscal Office finds that consumers will end up bearing the brunt of the costs of the wage hike in the form of higher prices on goods and services, negating any benefit someone might see from an increased wage. Employers are also likely to eliminate jobs to make up for the increased costs, robbing mostly young people of the opportunity to enter the workforce. Market forces have already driven most wages far above the current $7.25 minimum, and the minimum wage was never intended to be a living wage. Rather than artificially inflating wages and potentially destroying jobs and opportunities, we should continue to advance policies to enhance job creation in the Commonwealth and better prepare our students and workers for those family-sustaining careers. House Bill 1500 now goes to the Senate for its consideration. Take Part in Statewide Broadband Connectivity, Digital Access Survey  The Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority (PBDA) is encouraging residents across the Commonwealth to take part in a public survey to help identify the areas of greatest need for improved broadband connectivity and digital access. The private, confidential survey is available here and will take approximately 10-15 minutes to complete. The authority was established by the Legislature to create a cohesive, coordinated effort to bring high-speed internet service to unserved and underserved areas of the Commonwealth, and to facilitate the distribution of federal infrastructure funds. More information about PBDA is available here. New Online Resource for Service Members Leaving Active Duty  The Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) has launched “Welcome Home PA,” an online resource to help service members separating or retiring from active duty acclimate to a successful civilian life in Pennsylvania.The Welcome Home PA site includes information about employment opportunities with the Commonwealth and in the private sector, furthering military careers with the Pennsylvania National Guard, guidance on how to use GI Bill benefits to attend post-secondary schooling or begin an apprenticeship, and more. DMVA also encourages returning service members to visit the PA Veterans Registry and PA VETConnect, which helps to connect veterans and their families with programs and services available to them after their service. Veterans can also access the PA Veterans Guide – an extensive resource offering information on veterans’ benefits, housing, information for veterans with disabilities and more. To learn more about programs and services for veterans, visit www.dmva.pa.gov. Attention Hunters: Doe Tags, General Hunting and Furtaker Licenses Available Starting Monday  General hunting and furtaker licenses go on sale this Monday, June 26, starting at 8 a.m. For the first time ever, hunters also will be able to purchase a doe tag at the same time. You have two options in buying your licenses: online at www.huntfish.pa.gov, or at any of the more than 650 issuing agents statewide. Click here to find the agent nearest you. Resident hunters can purchase their first antlerless license next week, while nonresidents can purchase their first antlerless license on Monday, July 10. Additional rounds of sales will begin July 24, Aug. 14 and Aug. 28. License fees for the 2023-24 license year, which begins July 1, remain unchanged. Full details are available here. |