Capitol Update by Rep. Martin Causer (R-Turtlepoint, PA)
 FacebookWebsiteBioLatest NewsState FormsPhoto GalleryContactCapitol UpdateFriday, September 22, 2023 The latest news from the State Capitol Please do not reply directly to this email, as it returns to an unmanned account. You are welcome to contact me through this link. Celebrating Futures Rehabilitation Center  Congratulations to everyone at Futures Rehabilitation Center on the official dedication of the new Blaisdell Center last week! I was happy to join in the ribbon cutting ceremony and tour the new building. This new facility will improve the lives of people with disabilities in our community. Thank you to everyone who supported this important project! Shapiro’s Automatic Voter Registration Plan Should Require Legislation  In another administrative overstep, Gov. Josh Shapiro announced this week he plans to implement an automatic voter registration system in the Commonwealth. Such a policy change should be created through legislation, not executive guidance. While I certainly support more people registering and exercising their right to vote, there are a few factors to consider before implementing an automatic registration system. First and foremost, the upcoming election is likely to be hotly contested, and unilateral actions such as this will further threaten voter confidence in the security and results of our elections. There are questions about how such a system would work practically in terms of voter eligibility. With legislative proposals that would provide driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants, who are not eligible to vote, and the ability to vote taken away from those who commit serious crimes, we need to know how the system would be able to meet those challenges. It is also disappointing and more than a little ironic that the governor wants to automatically register people to vote when they obtain a state-issued identification, but won’t support requiring people to show that identification when they vote. The governor needs to take a step back and allow the people’s representatives to work through these challenges and develop a system that ensures the integrity of our elections. You’re Invited to the Potter County Senior Citizens Expo  Please join us on Friday, Oct. 13, for the Potter County Senior Citizens Expo! Open to senior citizens and their family members and caregivers, the event will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Roulette Fire Hall, 12 River St., from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event is free to attend, and lunch will be provided. State, county and local exhibitors will be on hand to distribute information and answer questions about a variety of issues. Health screenings will also be offered, and door prize drawings will be held at 12:30 p.m. This is the final expo of the year so you don’t want to miss it! PLEASE NOTE: Due to the expo, my offices in Bradford and Coudersport will be closed all day on Friday, Oct. 13. The office in Kane will remain open and may be reached by calling 814-837-0880. Is Your License Plate Unreadable? We’ll Help You Replace It!  If you are dealing with an unreadable license plate on your vehicle, please join us on Thursday, Oct. 26, for an event to help you get that plate replaced at NO CHARGE. The event will be from 4-7 p.m. at the Lewis Run Volunteer Fire Department, 46 Main St., Lewis Run. State law requires PennDOT to replace license plates that are deemed illegible at no cost to the vehicle owner. A plate is considered illegible when one or more numbers or letters cannot be recognized from 50 feet away, typically due to blistering, peeling, discoloration, loss of reflectivity or other damage. The McKean County Sheriff’s Office will be on hand to view driver’s plates, and if the plates are deemed illegible, paperwork to start the replacement process will be completed. Those who plan to attend should bring their vehicle with the affected plate attached, along with their unexpired PA driver’s license and current vehicle registration card. Registration is requested and may be completed online at www.RepCauser.com/Events or by calling the Bradford office at 814-362-4400. Public Input Requested for Broadband Expansion Program  The Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority (PBDA) is asking for public input about its Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program. In August, the authority unanimously approved a multi-year plan key to securing more than $1 billion in federal resources to expand broadband access to hundreds of thousands of locations across the Commonwealth. The plan, known as “Connecting the Commonwealth,” aims to bring affordable broadband access to unserved and underserved areas of Pennsylvania through measures such as expanding infrastructure across the Commonwealth, partnering with community-based institutions to provide digital literacy training, and strengthening existing affordability programs. Review the draft document here. To submit comments about the plan, click here. The deadline for submissions is Tuesday, Oct. 10. Time for Transformational Change in Education Funding  The Basic Education Funding Commission has completed its first week of hearings to gather input about how to best fund education in the Commonwealth. It is clear there are no easy solutions to the challenges we face with our current system of public education, but it is equally clear we have a tremendous opportunity to provide transformational change for our students and our schools. It is important to provide accountability and flexibility in funding, as we recognize no two school districts are alike. However, there are certain standards that must be universal to ensure each and every student has the opportunity to succeed. Student achievement must be the focus as the hearings continue. For more information about upcoming hearings, to watch video of prior hearings or to submit comments to the commission, visit www.basiceducationfundingcommission.com. House Archives Internship Opportunity  The Pennsylvania House of Representatives Archives Internship Program is currently accepting applications for the spring 2024 semester. The 13-week internship is based at the Pennsylvania State Capitol and focuses on teaching archival processes and procedures. Interns also learn techniques for preparing and installing museum displays while working on rotating exhibits in the Capitol Complex. The internship has full- and part-time opportunities and is in-person only. Interns are compensated at a rate of $12 per hour. At the time of the internship, students must be attending a college or university in Pennsylvania OR be a resident of Pennsylvania; be a second-semester junior, senior or graduate student; and have a GPA of at least 3.0. For more information or to fill out the application, click here. Applications are due by Wednesday, Nov. 1. Raising Cancer Awareness  Among many designations, the month of September is recognized as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, and Leukemia and Lymphoma Awareness Month. It is an important reminder for all Pennsylvanians, regardless of age, to be aware of changes in their health that may indicate the development of cancer or other illness or disease. The American Cancer Society offers valuable resources to help people educate themselves on cancer risks and symptoms at www.cancer.org. Of course, you are encouraged to consult with a doctor for a specific diagnosis. |
