Senator Gebhard E-Newsletter

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In this Update:

  • Gebhard and Jozwiak Announce Nearly $900,000 In State Grants To Benefit Berks County Projects
  • Pennsylvania FFA and Farm Bureau Visit Harrisburg
  • Senate Votes for Athletic Trainers to Provide Important Care
  • Supporting Firefighters, Community Safety
  • Voter Registration Deadline is April 8
  • Free Tax Resource for Pennsylvanians

  • Safely View the Total Solar Eclipse on April 8
  • Happy Easter to You and Your Family

Gebhard and Jozwiak Announce Nearly $900,000 In State Grants To Benefit Berks County Projects

I was happy to join Rep. Barry Jozwiak (R-5) this week to announce that the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) Multimodal Transportation Fund and the Local Share Account (LSA) program, awarded grants for projects in Berks County.

It is great to see that these projects will receive funding from Berks County’s share of profits made at the Hollywood Morgantown Casino.

  • Marion Township received $69,570 for the design and engineering of low-pressure wastewater treatment system improvements.
  • Penn Township received $48,658 to purchase a skid loader for paving, salt laying and snow removal.
  • Wernersville Borough received $48,652 for the installation of a security system at the borough office and Greth Memorial Park.

Additionally, the CFA Multimodal Transportation Fund awarded grants for two Berks County transportation improvement projects using revenue from the gas tax and oil company franchise tax.

  • South Heidelberg Township received $390,000 to construct a new extension of Krick Lane.
  • Bethel Business Center site in Bethel Township received $315,000 for improvements.

The CFA was established in 2004 as an independent agency of the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development to administer the commonwealth’s economic stimulus packages. The Pennsylvania Race Horse Development and Gaming Act of 2004 provides for the distribution of gaming revenue through the CFA and its LSA program.

The Multimodal Transportation Fund, administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, provides grants to encourage economic development and ensure that a safe and reliable system of transportation is available to the residents of the commonwealth.

Pennsylvania FFA and Farm Bureau Visit Harrisburg

This week, I had the chance to attend both the Pennsylvania FFA Legislative Breakfast and the PA State Farm Bureau’s Legislative Conference. I also met with members of the Lebanon County Farm Bureau. Agriculture continues to be one of the top industries in Pennsylvania and vital to the 48th District. Thank you to all the farmers that provide the food that we rely on.

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. This legislation was brought to my attention by Chris Seldomridge, an athletic trainer in our district.

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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