Senator Gebhard E-Newsletter

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In this Update:

  • Protecting Real Estate Surrounding Military Bases
  • Legislative Survey
  • Veteran Appreciation Breakfast
  • Violence Intervention & Prevention Grants Available
  • Comments Accepted on PA Freight Movement Plan
  • Bird Hunters Reminded to Take Avian Influenza Precautions
  • Tours of State Game Lands Slated for October
  • New Hayride Standards Subject of Oct. 5 Webinar
  • Enjoying PA’s World Class Fall Foliage  
  • Local Events

Protecting Real Estate Surrounding Military Bases

This week, I introduced legislation to prevent land in close proximity to military bases in Pennsylvania from being sold to companies with ties to foreign countries of concern. Recently, a company associated with the Chinese Communist Party purchased land near Grand Forks Air Base in North Dakota. Pennsylvania is home to 12 major Military bases as well as many smaller facilities. It is vital our military assets remain safe and secure.

To read more, click here.

Legislative Survey

Please take a moment to respond to my legislative survey. Do you believe financial education should be taught in our schools? My bill, SB 1243 would make a personal finance course a graduation requirement in Pennsylvania.

Click here to respond to my survey.

Click here to view SB 1243.

Veteran Appreciation Breakfast

Join me and Rep. Russ Diamond for a free Veteran’s Appreciation Breakfast and hear from Scott Kohr, Director of Lebanon County Veterans Affairs. Scott will highlight how the Lebanon County Department of Veterans Affairs can assist all Lebanon County veterans and their families in obtaining federal, state, and county benefits.  Dawn Blauch, the Lebanon County Recorder of Deeds will be present to issue Veteran ID Cards for free.  Please bring your DD214 Form if you would like an ID.

DATE: Friday, November 11, 2022

TIME: Check in 8am: Breakfast at 9am

LOCATION: Country Fare Restaurant

Seating is limited for the breakfast, so veterans and their families are asked to RSVP by Tuesday, Nov. 1, online at SenatorGebhard48.com/veterans-appreciation-breakfast or by calling my district office at 717-274-6735.

Violence Intervention & Prevention Grants Available

Local municipalities, district attorneys, counties, community-based organizations and institutions of higher education can apply now for Violence Intervention and Prevention funding under two grant programs. 

Under the VIP Competitive Grants Program, eligible applicants can request funding for a wide range of programs that address community violence and prevention efforts. The deadline to apply is Oct. 12.

The Coordinated Community Violence Intervention Strategies Pilot Grants Program supports collaborative community violence prevention and response strategies within contiguous geographic areas. The deadline to apply is Oct. 31.

Detailed information about these funding opportunities can be found on the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency’s website and on the Open Funding Opportunities webpage.

PCCD will host informational webinars for prospective applicants to provide an overview of these funding opportunities and offer a chance to ask questions and receive instructions on the application process. Registration for the webinars can be found under “FY 2022-23 VIP Application Resources” here.

Comments Accepted on PA Freight Movement Plan

The public comment period for the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s 2045 Freight Movement Plan ends Oct. 5.

The plan provides information on steps to improve the safety and efficiency of moving freight statewide. Having an approved and up-to-date freight plan helps ensure Pennsylvania remains eligible for federal funding under the National Highway Freight Program. This federal program will add an average of $58.5 million annually to the state’s program.

An electronic comment form is available. Questions or comments on the freight plan can be sent to ra-pdpenndotcfmp@pa.gov.

Bird Hunters Reminded to Take Avian Influenza Precautions

 

As the outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) continues, the Pennsylvania Game Commission urges the public to continue reporting wild bird mortality events, and hunters who handle wild birds are advised to continue to take precautions.

Several hunting seasons for wild birds are either underway or will begin soon. If hunters properly handle the wild birds they harvest, they protect themselves and help reduce the risk that this extremely contagious disease spreads to other birds. Bird hunters should:

  • Harvest only healthy-looking wild birds.
  • Wear gloves when handling any wild birds.
  • Wash your hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer immediately after handling wild birds.
  • Dress harvested wild birds in the field.
  • Change clothing as needed, especially if visibly soiled or if any wild birds contacted clothing.
  • Change clothing, including footwear, before coming in contact with any pet birds or domestic poultry.
  • Wash all equipment, tools and work surfaces with soap and water, then disinfect with a 10% household bleach solution. Allow to air dry or rinse after 10 minutes of contact time.

Any sick or dead domestic birds should be reported to the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture at 717-772-2852. Sick or dead wild birds should be reported to the Game Commission at 1-833-PGC-WILD or online using the Wildlife Health Survey tool at www.pgcapps.pa.gov/WHS.

Tours of State Game Lands Slated for October

The Pennsylvania Game Commission is holding public tours of state game lands in October.

Nine tours are scheduled throughout the state, the first of which will be held Sunday, Oct. 2. More tours are planned each Sunday through Oct. 16.

The tours provide a good example of the opportunities available on game lands statewide, while showcasing how habitat work being done on these tracts benefits wildlife. All tours are free, held rain or shine and open only to vehicles licensed for travel on public roads. You can find the complete tour schedule here.

New Hayride Standards Subject of Oct. 5 Webinar

Many farmers, other business owners and individuals offer hayrides in the fall to supplement income or for community events. In 2023, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA) will be enforcing newly adopted national standards for hayrides.

The department and the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau will offer a webinar Wednesday, Oct. 5, at noon to discuss the new standards, which cover hayrides and amusement rides.

The standards were developed by the American Society for Testing and Materials, an international standards organization. The PDA has been informing operators that it will begin enforcing those requirements under the state Amusement Ride Inspection Act beginning next year.

Recognizing that the standards are burdensome and there are nuances and variations that exist with hayrides on farm and agritourism operations, PDA officials will participate in the webinar to receive input from businesses and individuals whose operations these regulations might affect.

To register for the Hayride Attractions & Amusement Rides Webinar, please email Kyle Kotzmoyer of the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau at kfkotzmoyer@pfb.com.

Enjoying PA’s World Class Fall Foliage

Pennsylvania has a longer and more varied fall foliage season than anywhere in the world, and experts are available to serve as regional advisers, offering tips and resources to help residents and visitors experience a colorful autumn in a variety of ways.

Weekly fall foliage reports can be found online on the DCNR website. The report will be updated every Thursday. Fall foliage typically peaks for several weeks throughout October across Pennsylvania. Visitors can get suggestions about the best spots to view fall foliage on the Penn’s Woods Fall Foliage story map and on the Pennsylvania Tourism Office website.

Foliage viewers can also check out one of Pennsylvania’s 121 state parks and more than 2.2 million acres of state forestland for some of the best views, recreation trails and park experiences. State foresters and park personnel are also available to recommend the best times and locations to experience the beautiful vistas of the season.

Local Events

Friday, September 30 10am-4pm & Saturday, October 1 10am-2pm Antique & Artisan Show
Lebanon Valley Expo Center
https://www.morgansmilkweedantiques.com/

Saturday, September 30, 10am-2pm Mommy Swap Shop
Myerstown Community Center
https://www.facebook.com/events/483141446980738

Sunday, October 2, 9:30am Tower to Town Trail Run
370 Dogwood Lane, Lebanon
https://www.lebanonvalleycalendar.com/#event=71133684;instance=20221002093000?popup=1

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