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In this Update:
Farm Bureau Legislative Day at the Capitol
This week members of the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau converged at the state capitol for their annual Farm Bureau Legislative Day, an occasion for them to meet directly with legislators and share how different economic trends and state policies are affecting Pennsylvania’s largest industry: agriculture. In the morning, before gathering with hundreds of farmers from across Pennsylvania for lunch, my colleagues and I met with Farm Bureau members from Northwest Pennsylvania, including several from the Butler County, Erie County and Clarion-Venango-Forest County Farm Bureaus. This yearly event, coordinated by Sen. Michele Brooks, is a great opportunity for us to hear directly from farmers who live in NWPA about the challenges and advantages that are unique to the agricultural community in our region of Pennsylvania. Earlier in the day I also had the pleasure of joining FFA members from across Pennsylvania at their 35th Annual Legislative Breakfast. This event is hosted by the FFA’s State Legislative Leadership Conference, comprised of bright young men and women in agriculture who are laser-focused on honing their leadership and communication skills. It was wonderful to meet with the next generation of Pennsylvania leaders in agriculture! Senate Votes for Athletic Trainers to Provide Important Care
Two bills modernizing the capabilities of athletic trainers in Pennsylvania were passed by the Senate and moved to the House of Representatives for consideration. Senate Bill 559 and Senate Bill 560 would allow athletic trainers to deliver a wider scope of health care services to more individuals. The bills would permit athletic trainers to practice specific invasive procedures under a written protocol with a licensed physician. Some of the procedures include medication injections, blister and nail care, administration of Naloxone and any other procedures authorized by the State Board of Medicine. Supporting Firefighters, Community Safety
Applications for the federal Fire Prevention and Safety Grant and the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant programs will be accepted until Friday, April 12. The Federal Emergency Management Agency is offering webinars to assist in the process. The Fire Prevention and Safety (FP&S) Grants support projects that enhance the safety of the public and firefighters from fire and related hazards. The primary goal is to reduce injury and prevent death among high-risk populations. SAFER Grants were created to provide funding directly to fire departments and volunteer firefighter interest organizations to help them increase or maintain the number of trained, front-line firefighters available in their communities. SAFER’s goal is to enhance the local fire departments’ abilities to comply with staffing, response and operational standards. Voter Registration Deadline is April 8
The deadline to register to vote in Pennsylvania’s April 23 primary election is Monday, April 8. Your county election board must receive your application for a mail-in or absentee ballot by Tuesday, April 16, at 5 p.m. To legally register, individuals must be a citizen of the United States, reside in their local voting precincts at least 30 days prior to the election and be at least age 18 on Election Day, Tuesday, April 23. Once registered to vote, you are not required to register again unless you change your residence, name or political party affiliation. Voter registration forms, mail-in ballot applications and absentee ballot applications are available here or from your local county’s Board of Elections. You can also use the site to check your registration status. Free Tax Resource for Pennsylvanians
The Pennsylvania Department of Revenue myPATH site is a free resource all Pennsylvanians can use. Using the website, residents can file their PA personal income taxes, make a payment and check the status of their refund. There is also an option to verify your tax refund to expedite processing. Anyone who needs some extra help using myPATH can access video tutorials explaining how to create a profile, file a personal income tax return and use a smart device to access myPATH. Safely View the Total Solar Eclipse on April 8
On Monday, April 8, the continental United States will experience its last total solar eclipse until 2044. As it travels from the southwest to the northeast, the eclipse will cross through a portion of northwest Pennsylvania, including Erie, Crawford, Warren and Mercer counties. For nearly four minutes around 2:30 p.m., the afternoon sky will go dark. The sun will slowly reemerge, and by 4:30 p.m., it will be as if nothing happened. You must be in the path to see the sun totally eclipsed by the moon. Most of Pennsylvania lies within the 90% coverage range, so there will be excellent viewing across the state, weather permitting, even outside the path of totality. Before the total solar eclipse, many state parks have free eclipse educational programs. To safely view the eclipse, do not look directly at the sun with the naked eye, through an unfiltered camera lens or with any kind of standard sunglasses. Find more information about safety and what to expect here. Happy Easter to You and Your Family
Warmest wishes for you and your family as we prepare to celebrate the holy holiday of Easter. While we reflect on the hope and love the day symbolizes, may you enjoy time surrounded by loved ones. Happy Easter!
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