Senator Gebhard E-Newsletter

View this email in a browser

In this Update:

  • Gebhard, Diamond Announce More than $635,000 for Lebanon County Municipal Projects
  • Budget Hearings Begin March 20
  • Examining Government Cloud-Based Cybersecurity
  • Strengthening Guardianship Laws, Preventing Elder Abuse
  • DMVA Mobile Outreach Vans to Serve Vets
  • PennDOT Invites Public Feedback on Transportation
  • Beware of the Secret Shopper Scam
  • Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
  • Local Events

Gebhard, Diamond Announce More than $635,000 for Lebanon County Municipal Projects

Today, Rep. Russ Diamond and I announced state grants totaling more than $635,000 have been awarded throughout Lebanon County for projects that will improve public safety and create additional recreational opportunities.

Bringing these gaming revenue funds back to the district will help to defray costs that would have otherwise been passed along to residents, or, unfortunately, many of these projects wouldn’t have happened at all.  I am grateful to have played a part in securing this critical funding.

  • Annville Township received $86,500 to renovate the Annville Free Library.
  • Annville Township received $25,186 for the Union Hose Company’s purchase of battery-powered e-hydraulic rescue tools.
  • Jackson Township, on behalf of Keystone Hook and Ladder Company No. 1, received $47,645 to purchase five portable radios.
  • Jonestown Borough received $25,000 to renovate George F. Kaufman Community Park.
  • Lebanon City received $110,630 to renovate Southwest Louser Memorial Park.
  • Lebanon County, on behalf of Lebanon Valley Rails-to-Trails, received $44,085 to purchase a tractor to maintain a trail in South Londonderry Township.
  • Millcreek Township, on behalf of the Newmanstown Volunteer Fire Company, received $25,007 to purchase a set of Vetter High-Pressure Lifting Air Bags and support equipment.
  • North Annville Township, on behalf of Union Water Works Fire Company, received $25,518 to purchase new hoses.
  • North Cornwall Township, on behalf of Never Sink Fire Company No. 1, received $25,000 to purchase rescue equipment.
  • North Cornwall Township received $25,000 to construct an administrative building.
  • North Londonderry Township, on behalf of Citizen’s Fire Company, received $48,188 to purchase equipment.
  • South Lebanon Township, on behalf of Lebanon County Firefighters Association, received $25,000 to build a pavilion at the fire training center.
  • South Lebanon Township received $25,000 to pave a walking trail within South Hills Park.
  • Swatara Township received $25,000 to construct the Mill Street Park Walking Trail.
  • Union Township received $73,001 for intersection improvements at the Old Forge Road and Fisher Avenue intersection.

We are extremely grateful to have such a good working relationship to coordinate our efforts and accomplish the most possible for the citizens of Lebanon County.

The Lebanon County Local Share Awards are administered by the Commonwealth Financing Authority, a division of the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development.

Budget Hearings Begin March 20

Three weeks of budget hearings held by the Senate Appropriations Committee will begin next week with appearances by the Department of Revenue, Independent Fiscal Office, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, State Treasurer, Department of Environmental Protection, Auditor General and Office of Attorney General.

The hearings will be used to review Gov. Josh Shapiro’s spending plan and ask administration officials about the need for any proposed expenses. From there, a budget that more appropriately reflects the needs of taxpayers can be developed before the constitutional deadline of June 30.

Livestreams of the hearings and daily recaps will be available here, and I will share updates on this important process each week.

Examining Government Cloud-Based Cybersecurity

The Senate Communications and Technology Committee brought together information technology experts this week for a public hearing about securing cloud-based data held by state and local governments.  

With cloud storage, digital data is stored on servers in off-site locations. The servers are maintained by a third-party provider responsible for hosting, managing and securing data. This data includes personally identifiable information such as tax records, unemployment claims, social security numbers, driver’s licenses and more.

Testifiers said the threat to cybersecurity is constant. Pennsylvania’s acting Chief Information Security Officer Christopher Dressler testified that, in a recent month, there were approximately 38 billion unauthorized attempts to connect to the state network. He said cloud computing presents cybersecurity benefits for the commonwealth, such as intrusion prevention, malware protection, identity and access controls and encryption. View video and written testimony from today’s hearing here.

Strengthening Guardianship Laws, Preventing Elder Abuse

The Senate Judiciary Committee held a joint public hearing with the Senate Aging and Youth Committee on strengthening guardianship laws and preventing elder abuse in Pennsylvania.

When an adult of any age is deemed incapacitated by a court, a professional or family guardian may be appointed to become responsible for making certain decisions on their behalf, including financial, medical and personal matters.

During the hearing, testimony was given by professionals in the elder and disability law fields to provide input on the flaws in Pennsylvania’s guardianship process. Guardianship issues discussed included the lengthy time to receive mandatory legal counsel and costs, necessary training of guardians, abuse, rights to counsel and more.

DMVA Mobile Outreach Vans to Serve Vets

The Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) operates Mobile Veterans Outreach Vans to assist the state’s more than 700,000 veterans. DMVA accredited veteran service officers travel the state to help veterans obtain information and initiate benefit claim paperwork.

There is a wide range of federal, state and county benefits available to qualified veterans and their families, and DMVA’s team can be an excellent source of information and assistance. Such benefits include service-connected disability compensation, pensions, VA health care benefits, burial benefits, education benefits, vocational rehabilitation, active service bonuses and state nursing home care.

PennDOT Invites Public Feedback on Transportation

Pennsylvanians are encouraged to submit their feedback using this transportation survey or by emailing comments to RA-PennDOTSTC@pa.gov. Public feedback and survey results will help identify needs and prioritize transportation projects across the state.

PennDOT will also host an online public forum on Wednesday, April 12, from 6:30-8 p.m. Pennsylvanians can ask transportation-related questions to PennDOT leadership and members of the State Transportation Commission during the forum.

The feedback provided will be used to inform Pennsylvania’s 12-Year Program, which is updated every two years. It is the first step in the state’s transportation program planning process and helps to evaluate the system’s performance and opportunities for progress. Learn more about how transportation projects are planned and funded.

Beware of the Secret Shopper Scam

In a current scam, Pennsylvanians are getting text messages, emails and letters inviting them to participate in a research project as a secret shopper without the need for an interview.

A recruiter typically sends a check worth more than the items you buy, so you get to keep the rest as a bonus. They instruct you to deposit the check right away, buy gift cards and provide the scammer with the number and pin on the gift cards. Unfortunately, the check they send is fraudulent and will take a few days to clear. In the meantime, you’ve made the purchases out of your account and sent them off to the scammer.

Read more about the warning signs of this scam. Consumers with any questions or feel they have been victimized by this scam or any similar scams may submit a complaint with the Office of Attorney General’s Bureau of Consumer Protection by visiting the website here, emailing scams@attorneygeneral.gov or calling 1-800-441-2555.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

What began as a religious holiday for the Irish is now celebrated on March 17 annually by people all across the world.

Saint Patrick, who lived in the fifth century, was credited with bringing Christianity to the people of Ireland.

“May your blessings outnumber the shamrocks that grow, and may trouble avoid you wherever you go.” – Irish blessing

Local Events

Saturday, March 18, 10am-3pm Pennsylvania German Zammelaaf  
Trainer’s Midway Diner
Click here

Saturday, March 18, 8am-3pm Spring Rummage Sale
Kochenderfer Church
Click here

Saturday, March 18, 11am-2pm Kutztown Fire Company Chicken Pot Pie Sale
Kutztown Community Fire Company
Click here

divider

Please do not reply to this email, as that mailbox is unattended. To better serve the constituents of the 48th District, I have set up a contact form on my website. Please click here if you would like to send me a message. To subscribe to Senator Gebhard’s newsletter click here.  Follow him on Facebook, Twitter, or visit https://senatorgebhard48.com/

Facebook Twitter/X Website

2024 © Senate of Pennsylvania | https://senatorgebhard.com | Privacy Policy