Senator Gebhard E-Newsletter

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In this Update:

  • Flight 93 Remembrance Service
  • Senate Votes to Streamline and Increase School Safety Measures
  • PA Voters Get Greater Say with Senate Bill
  • Tax Seminars Held Virtually and Across PA
  • Grants Available to Increase Economic Benefits Boaters Offer PA Communities
  • Yom Kippur Begins Sunday
  • Veteran Appreciation Event
  • Local Events

Flight 93 Remembrance Service

This week, I had the opportunity to join Senator Mastriano at a ceremony honoring the heroes on Flight 93.

The tragic events that occurred on September 11th will forever be remembered by Americans and the world.  But we must also remember the courage and response of our nation.  The unity and renewed Patriotism that we all felt.

The incredible acts of the passengers of Flight 93, who sacrificed their lives, taking out the terrorists, and ultimately crashing over Shanksville Pennsylvania, perfectly demonstrate who we are as Americans.

Today, you can visit the site of the crash at the Flight 93 National Memorial in Schanksville.  

Senate Votes to Streamline and Increase School Safety Measures

This week, the Senate passed House Bill 27 to more effectively keep Pennsylvania children safe at school by streamlining and increasing school safety measures.

House Bill 27 would consolidate school safety programs and operations under the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) and create a new Executive Committee under PCCD to review school safety issues and to identify current and emerging trends.

The bill would also ensure schools and counties can develop best practices for emergency response by developing a safe schools collaborative, release $100 million that was included in the 2023-24 state budget for K-12 mental health programs and provide greater flexibility for school districts experiencing shortages of substitute teachers. Read More 

PA Voters Get Greater Say with Senate Bill

The Senate passed a bill that would give Pennsylvania voters a significant say in presidential elections by moving up the primary election date.

In many presidential elections, the outcome is largely decided before Pennsylvania voters have a chance to cast a ballot. Moving up the spring election date gives voters in the fifth-largest state a better chance of weighing in on the presidential primary.

Currently, the primary takes place on the fourth Tuesday of April. Senate Bill 224 would move the primary to the third Tuesday in March, making the next presidential primary election date March 19, 2024. The change would also prevent a conflict with Passover, during which observant Jewish Pennsylvanians are prohibited from writing, driving or using electricity.

Tax Seminars Held Virtually and Across PA

Tax professionals can learn about changes to state tax laws and policies during one-day seminars offered by the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue held across the state and virtually.

The tax seminars will educate tax professionals on Personal Income Tax, sales tax corporate taxes, compliance initiatives and using the department’s website to establish tax accounts for new businesses, file tax returns and pay state taxes.

Find a local or virtual seminar here.

Grants Available to Increase Economic Benefits Boaters Offer PA Communities

Communities can apply now for grants to enhance the economic and social benefits of providing convenient boating access along their waterways. Townships, boroughs, municipal and county governments, and nonprofit groups may apply. Private businesses and service clubs are not eligible.

Applicants can seek grants for site acquisition, development, expansion, prevention of the spread of aquatic invasive species and rehabilitation of recreational boat access facilities. Eligible construction projects may include boat ramps, courtesy floats, restrooms, access roads, parking areas and signs. Funds may also be used to make facilities ADA compliant.

While the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission will accept applications from anywhere in the commonwealth, special consideration will be given to projects that provide public boating access in the Delaware River watershed. Learn more or apply online by Dec. 30.

Yom Kippur Begins Sunday

Yom Kippur – the holiest day on the Jewish calendar – begins at nightfall on Sunday, Sept. 24. The Day of Atonement, which ends the following day at nightfall, is spent fasting, praying and seeking forgiveness.

I wish everyone who observes this important holiday a meaningful Yom Kippur. May you be sealed in the Book of Life.

Veteran Appreciation Event

In honor of Veterans Day, I will be joining PA Reps Russ Diamond, John Schlegel, and Tom Jones to host a Veteran Appreciation Drive-Through Event at the Lebanon Expo Center on November 11th from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Recognizing those who have sacrificed to protect our Nation and defend the freedom we enjoy as Americans, is truly one of my great honors as your State Senator. We owe our veterans a debt of gratitude.

The event is free, but registration is required.  Lunch will be provided as well as official Farm Show Milk Shakes. 

Veterans and families may register by calling 717-274-6735 or visiting https://senatorgebhard48.com/2023-veterans-appreciation…/

Lebanon County businesses that are interested in honoring veterans at this event may register or for more information, call 717-274-6735 or visit, https://senatorgebhard48.com/veterans-appreciation-event-business-organization-registration/

Local Events

Thursday, September 21-23, Lebanon Farmers Market Grand Reopening Celebration
Lebanon Farmers Market
Click here

Sunday, September 24, 11am-5pm Hunting and Fishing Day 2023
Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area
Click here

Thursday, September 21, Wellspan Mental Health Awareness Workshop
Wellspan Philhaven Community and Training Center
Click here

Wednesday, September 27-October 1, 5pm-10pm Reading Oktoberfest 2023
143 Spook Lane, Reading
Click here

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