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In this Update:
Senate Passes Bill Benefitting Career and Technical Schools
Career and technical education prepares students for rewarding, family-sustaining careers, often at a significantly reduced cost compared to attending college. Pennsylvania is in great need of people with this training, and there are many job openings waiting to be filled. To ensure people have the training needed for these jobs, the Senate unanimously passed Senate Bill 315. The legislation would provide more certainty regarding grant funding for career and technical education equipment by making funding calculations before the school year in which the allocation occurs. Currently, schools are reimbursed after they have made purchases based on calculations made near the end of the school year. Read more about career and technical education opportunities in the commonwealth. Damaged License Plate Drive-Thru Event
My office assisted constituents with replacing their hard-to-read license plates this past weekend at Conrad Weiser Middle School. Thank you to the South Heidelberg Township Police Department with their help with the event. Damaged plates have loss of reflectivity, peeling, blistering, or discoloration, and are unreadable from 50 feet away. If you were unable to attend but think you need to replace your license plate, please contact my District Offices for assistance. Happy Retirement to Lebanon Police Chief Bret Fisher
Congratulations to Police Chief Bret Fisher on his retirement. After 27 years of dedicated service to the City of Lebanon, I was happy to present a Senate citation to him last week. He was named Chief for the Lebanon Police Department months after the fatal shooting of Lt. William Lebo and helped lead the department during a difficult time. Thank you, Chief Fisher, for your years of service and for making Lebanon a better place for us all. Program Increasing Digital Connectivity to Provide Laptops
The Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority (PBDA) is accepting applications for its Digital Connectivity Technology Program. Through the program, the PBDA will purchase and distribute $20 million in devices such as laptops for eligible public-facing institutions including libraries, workforce training organizations, not-for-profit organizations, municipalities, and other institutions that can offer internet access to individuals who lack the technology. PBDA strongly encourages interested applicants to review the program FAQ before applying. The FAQ, pre-recorded webinar providing an overview of the program, guidelines and online application are available here. Applications must be submitted by Friday, May 30. School Safety Report Available Now
Students deserve to feel safe while they’re learning, and their families should be confident that extensive efforts are made to ensure that happens. Senate Republicans have prioritized fostering healthy and safe communities, which include schools. Part of that work includes requiring and conducting a report to evaluate school safety initiatives and how they can be adjusted to more effectively protect students. The Legislative Budget and Finance Committee’s report highlighted the need for security assessments of school buildings and certification requirements for school safety and security coordinators. Other key findings include collecting and analyzing more relevant data – such as tips made using the Safe2Say Something Program – and improving how the data already being collected is shared. Find the full report here. Purple Star Schools Support Military Children
Military children face unique challenges as a result of frequent moves and parental deployments. To give them the best chance of success, Senate Republicans passed Act 69 of 2022. The law created the Purple Star designation for schools that demonstrate their commitment to supporting military families. Many schools have embraced this program and stepped up to help the children of our service members. Purple Star Schools go the extra mile to provide stability, resources and a welcoming community for military children, ensuring they have every opportunity to thrive. Pennsylvania has 37,000 children with parents serving in the military – and 80% of these children are in kindergarten through grade 12 and attend public schools. Learn more about Purple Star Schools. Passover Begins on April 12
Saturday marks the beginning of Passover, the eight-day Jewish holiday commemorating the Israelites’ emancipation from slavery in ancient Egypt. I hope it’s a warm occasion of family and friends for all who observe. Local Events
Saturday, April 12, 8am-5pm: Lebanon Community Library Open House Saturday, April 12, 11am-2pm: Free Community Easter Egg Hunt Saturday, April 12, 12-2pm: Annville Egg Hunt Sunday, April 13, 9am-1pm: American Legion Chicken BBQ Sale Saturday, April 12, 9am-11am: Zion Church’s Easter Egg Hunt & Pancake Breakfast Sunday, April 13, 2pm-3pm: Conrad Weiser Homestead Spring Lecture Saturday, April 5-13: Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest Saturday, April 12, 11am-4pm: Easter on the Farm at PA German Cultural Heritage Center Saturday, April 12, 11am-4pm: Easter Open House at Berks History Center Saturday, April 12, 10am-12pm: Spring Silent Hike & Plunge
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