|
||||
|
In this Update:
Venango County Resident Earns Farm Show Scholarship
It was my pleasure to join Avah Burke from Emlenton, Venango County, at this year’s Farm Show, where she was recognized with an award from the PA Farm Show Scholarship Foundation. Avah, the daughter of John and Stacy Burke, is a sophomore at Penn State University, majoring in animal science with a business focus to pursue a career in agricultural finance after graduation. She has been an active member of 4-H in both Venango and Clarion counties and has showcased market swine at the Farm Show for three years. Also pictured is Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture, Russell Redding. Majority Policy Committee Spotlights Waste at Vacant State Properties
Last week, Senator David G. Argall, Senator Chris Gebhard, and I shed light on the financial burdens vacant State properties have on our taxpayers. At a Majority Policy Hearing in Hamburg, Pennsylvania, we learned that the state had cost taxpayers $47.2 million by failing to accelerate the sale of three state centers. Meeting with community leaders, business advocates, and the Department of General Services, we discovered the negative impacts that continued state ownership of these properties has on local communities. It is crucial that we collaborate to return these lands to their communities so they can once again serve an economic purpose. Alongside Susan Williams, President and CEO of the Venango Area Chamber of Commerce, we urged the Department of General Services to expedite the sale of the Polk Center, which has stood vacant since its closure in 2018. For six years, this property has remained purposeless, despite interest from private businesses in taking over its management for the benefit of local citizens. It is long overdue for the Polk Center to be returned to its local community. Video of the full hearing can be found here. PennDOT Contest for Students to Improve Roadway Safety
Students are invited to participate in the Innovations Challenge to help the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) increase awareness for seatbelt safety and improve driver behavior for the benefit of our roads. The challenge, which has an award of $6,000 for the winning team, encourages ninth- through twelfth-grade students to use their problem-solving, creative and strategic-thinking abilities to resolve real-world transportation challenges. Regional winners will be invited to present their solutions to the PennDOT secretary and a panel of judges, who will determine the statewide cash prize winner. The submission deadline is Jan. 31. Free Winter Activities at State Parks
Staff at Pennsylvania state parks and forests host free events throughout the year for people of all ages. During winter, snow walks, bird watching, night owl hikes and more are among the activities available. The event listing can be sorted by in-person or virtual events. It can also be filtered by region and date. To make it even more convenient, a personalized list of events can be emailed to you weekly if you build an event digest email to your liking. The email can be customized for your event preferences and when you wish to be notified. REAL ID to be In Effect on May 7
Beginning May 7, Pennsylvanians will need a REAL ID-compliant license/identification card or other federally acceptable identification (such as a valid passport or military ID) to board domestic commercial flights or enter a military installation or federal facility that requires ID. To get a REAL ID, you must bring your documents to a driver licensing center for verification in person. Learn about the specific items that are required to be issued a REAL ID. The website also offers the option to pre-verify online if your documents are already on file with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. REAL ID is optional. It is not required to drive, vote, access hospitals, visit the post office, access federal courts or apply for or receive federal benefits. Help is Available for People Who Want to Quit Smoking
Quitting smoking is difficult, and not just because of the addictive properties of nicotine. Different people experience unique challenges, and personalized resources are available for veterans, women, teens, those who are age 60 and older and others. People can call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (784-8669), text QUIT to 47848 or use the live chat feature on SmokeFree.gov. The website has lots of practical articles, including ones about how to make a plan to quit, manage cravings, cope with stress without smoking and much more. There are resources for people who want to stop using dip and vapes, as well as information about how to support a loved one who is quitting. Jan. 20 is Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Martin Luther King Jr. advocated for peace, even while he worked to instill change. As our country has faced various transitions in the past few years, I hope all Americans can celebrate his commitment to treating each other with decency – even when perspectives may differ. President Ronald Reagan signed legislation into law that made the third Monday in January a federal holiday honoring the life of Martin Luther King Jr.
For anyone who hasn’t already signed up to receive my e-newsletters, you can get on the mailing list here. |
||||
|
||||
Want to change how you receive these emails? 2025 © Senate of Pennsylvania | https://www.senatorscotthutchinson.com | Privacy Policy |
