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In this Update:
Remembering the Fallen and Caring for the Living
On Memorial Day – which is Monday, May 27 – we will pay tribute to the fallen warriors who fought to preserve our American ideals. Let us say a prayer in gratitude and remembrance. The Senate has also focused on helping living veterans by passing bills to award them with new benefits and make sure their families are aware of benefits that have already been granted. Both bills await consideration from the House of Representatives. Senate Bill 973 would provide Korean Americans who served in the Vietnam War with the same state veterans benefits as their U.S. counterparts. There are more than 3,000 naturalized Korean American citizens who served in the Vietnam War as a part of the Korean Armed Forces, including hundreds who now call Pennsylvania home. Senate Bill 1139 would help grieving families of deceased U.S. military veterans access their federal Department of Veterans Affairs burial benefits. Funeral directors, funeral parlors, or cemetery companies would be required to notify the director of the county veterans assistance office when a veteran living in the county passes. They would also have to provide the deceased veteran’s family with contact information for the county director. New Holland Pike to be Closed May 27 to June 2
A section of Route 23 (New Holland Pike) in Manheim Township will be closed to through traffic Monday, May 27, through Sunday, June 2. The closure, which will accommodate the United States Golf Association (USGA) Women’s Open golf event at the Lancaster Country Club, will be in effect each day from 5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. During the closure, Route 23/New Holland Pike will serve as a northbound route between Route 30 and Eden Road for permitted traffic only. No through traffic will be permitted, and detours will be in place. Those heading west from east of the closure should take Hellers Church Road south from Route 23 to Horseshoe Road, Horseshoe Road south to Route 340, and Route 340 west to Route 30 west to Route 23 (New Holland Pike). An alternate route will use Butter Road north from Route 23 to Euclid Drive west to Eden Road west to Route 272 (Oregon Pike) south to Route 30 east to Route 23. Those traveling east from west of the closure should take Route 222 north from Route 30 to Route 772 south to Route 23 (New Holland Pike). Access will be maintained for security, emergency, and service vehicles, as well as for residents living within the closed section of Route 23 and for residents on Eshelman Road. Should Performance Drive Higher Education Funding?
Currently, Pennsylvania’s institutions of higher education receive funding based on need. Another way to fund them is by a performance-based model, which would consider graduation rates, retention rates, employment rates and salaries, and other key indicators of success when allocating funding. High-performing colleges and universities would be rewarded with funding, and under-performing institutions would not. I would like to know if you think the current funding model, based on need, or a performance-based model is better for our state-related universities. Please fill out my one-question survey here by Monday, June 10, at 9 a.m. Cheese Tasting Fundraiser Benefits Hope Served
It was a treat to attend a cheese tasting fundraiser benefitting Hope Served, a nonprofit organization launching in Manheim to create jobs and housing for individuals with disabilities. Special thanks to S. Clyde Weaver Smoked Meats and Cheese’s generous donation of a 25-year aged cheddar cheese, making this wonderful event possible! Congrats to Lancaster Catholic Girls Basketball Champions
Congratulations to the Lancaster Catholic High School Varsity Girls Basketball team on its exceptional win against Westmont Hilltop in the PIAA Class 3A championship! Coach Charlie Detz led the Crusaders to their fifth state championship title in the 50-year history of women’s championships. Throughout the season, these young women learned important lessons about teamwork, perseverance, and leadership that will serve them well throughout their lives. Sen. Scott Martin and I were proud to honor their achievements – born of countless hours of practice, sweat, and sacrifice – in the Pennsylvania Senate. Job Seekers and Employers Can Connect on Free Job Board
Veterans, National Guard members, and military family members can use a free job board that has nearly 10,000 employment and internship postings. While it is Pennsylvania-centric, there are listings in dozens of other states. It’s easy to manage your job search process with application history and saved jobs. The system even allows applicants to store multiple versions of their resume for flexibility when applying to different jobs. The Pennsylvania National Guard Associations’ job board also offers employers the opportunity to post jobs, search the resume database, and create resume alerts. ‘Fish for Free’ on Sunday, May 26
On Sunday, May 26, 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 will still apply. This is the first of two dates set by the PFBC to enhance fishing opportunities. The next day is Independence Day, Thursday, July 4. This is a great way to expose the next generation of anglers to the outdoors. Addressing the Teacher Shortage in PA
My daughter June and I recently attended an event intended to bring attention to the need for addressing Pennsylvania’s growing teacher shortage through student teacher stipends. I was honored to speak and help elevate the conversation around getting more high-quality teachers into Pennsylvania classrooms so that all our children have the opportunity to receive a world-class education. Unemployment Compensation Hints for School Bus Drivers
It continues to be challenging to find bus drivers so children can safely and reliably travel between home and school each day. When the problem is bad enough, it can even shorten the school day and limit the learning students can accomplish. To avoid impacts to students’ education, it’s important to retain as many bus drivers as possible. Of course, they are not needed in the summer and aren’t able to collect a paycheck during that time. Unemployment compensation (UC) helps to bridge the gap until the school year begins so bus drivers aren’t forced to abandon their critical roles to pay their bills. Information is available to help school bus drivers who will be laid off during the summer successfully claim their unemployment compensation. First, it’s crucial to claim during the correct week: the first week in which they are actually unemployed. Second, understand that UC and workers’ compensation are different when filling out the UC claim form. Please reach out to my office if you still have issues with your claim. You can reach us by filling out the web contact form here or calling the Lititz District Office at 717-627-0036. Win Money for Your Child’s Education
In honor of PA 529 Day on May 29, new PA 529 Guaranteed Savings Plan (GSP) accounts opened between May 1 and May 31 with at least $10 in contributions are eligible for a chance to win $5,529 or $2,529. Current PA 529 GSP account owners are also eligible to win $5,529 if they had a balance of at least $10 as of April 30 and receive a contribution of at least $10 in May. The PA 529 GSP helps families save for future college and career education expenses by keeping pace with rising college tuition. They offer tax-advantaged savings and the flexibility to pay for a wide variety of education expenses, including at any qualified educational institution, from K-12 to college and career training programs. Funds can also be used for room and board, tuition, and books. Anyone – parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and family friends – can contribute to a PA 529 plan. Saving with a PA 529 plan does not impact a student’s eligibility for Pennsylvania state financial aid.
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