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In this Update:
Unite Against Tyranny, 2023 Right to Keep and Bear Arms Rally, Monday, June 12
As chairman of the first-ever Pennsylvania Senate Second Amendment Caucus and the prime sponsor of Senate Bill 357, which would fully allow for the concealed carrying of legally owned firearms, I am honored to be co-hosting the 2023 Right to Keep and Bear Arms Rally. The event will take place on the front steps of the State Capitol (rain or shine) on Monday, June 12, beginning at 11 a.m. In a free society, no law-abiding citizen should be the target for discrimination when they are put into a situation which requires the use of lethal force to defend themselves, their loved ones or others. This year’s outstanding featured speakers are nationally recognized right-to-carry advocates Karise and Jerel Crew, CEO and Founders of That Gun Talk. The Philadelphia couple will share their compelling story of how the most unique brotherhood and sisterhood in the firearms safety training industry originated through “one arrest and a fully loaded Glock with one in the chamber.” Clearly, the safety and welfare of our citizenry cannot be guaranteed by criminalizing our most fundamental freedoms. This includes senselessly disarming law-abiding citizens in gun-free zones, imposing useless universal background checks or sanctioning the tyrannical confiscation of legally owned firearms through due process-denying, unconstitutional red flag laws. Established in 2006, this annual grassroots event brings together state lawmakers and law-abiding gun owners from across the commonwealth in direct support of the Second Amendment and Article 1, Section 21 of the Pennsylvania Constitution which clearly states: “The right of the citizens to bear arms in defense of themselves and the State shall not be questioned.” I’m looking forward to seeing you at the state Capitol on Monday, June 12! If you’re unable to make the trip to Harrisburg, the rally will also be streamed live on my website and here via Facebook Live. You can find more information and download a flyer here. Welcome to Your State Capitol
On June 6, Rep. Stephanie Borowicz (R-76) and I were privileged to welcome and recognize the players and coaches of the Keystone Little League Junior All-Star Baseball Team for capturing the 2022 East Regional Championship. Under the expert guidance of manager Stephen Shade and coaches Seth Cooper and Bruce Walker, Keystone deserves further kudos for going on to win the District 12, Section 3 and state titles. Topping off their tremendous 17-3 season, the team went on to finish second in the United States at the 2022 Junior League World Series last August. Congratulations gentlemen on your well-deserved accolades, and best wishes for future success both on and off the diamond! Earlier in the day, I caught up with my friends, including my buddy Andy, from The Arc of Centre County following their tour of our beautiful state Capitol.
Outside the state Capitol, it was Pennsylvania Working Animal Appreciation Day.
Have Your Federal Government Questions Answered on June 22
On Thursday, June 22, a representative from Congressman Glenn “GT” Thompson’s office will be working from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. out of my Brookville district office, located at 73 South White Street, Suite 5. This is your opportunity to ask questions and express concerns with federal agencies, such as the Social Security Administration, the Department of Veterans Affairs and the IRS. Appointments will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis and can be reserved by calling 814-646-7272. State Would Automatically Return Unclaimed Property Under Bill Approved by Senate
The Senate unanimously approved legislation authorizing the state to return unclaimed property without the need for rightful owners to search for it. It now advances to the House of Representatives for consideration. Senate Bill 24 would authorize the Pennsylvania Treasury Department to automatically return single-owner property for living individuals valued up to $5,000 after a thorough identification and verification process. The legislation streamlines the return of unclaimed money and property by eliminating the need for citizens to search and file a claim. For larger and more complex claims, owners would still be required to complete a claim form and provide additional information to confirm their identity and rightful ownership. This commonsense initiative, which exemplifies how government should work to better serve its citizens, would return more money to hardworking Pennsylvanians who may be unaware of their unclaimed property. Search Treasury’s unclaimed property database here. Looking to Change Agency’s Culture, Senate Approves Bill to Rename DEP
The Senate approved legislation to rename the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to the Department of Environmental Services. Senate Bill 691, which now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration, will have no effect on the jurisdiction or current statutory or regulatory authority of the department. The word “protection” in the department’s name carries a law enforcement connotation rather than that of an environmental resource and partner to the citizens of Pennsylvania. Emphasizing that the department is focused on services will be a major step forward in instituting a needed culture change. DEP is charged with administering the laws of the commonwealth as enacted by the General Assembly. The General Assembly, through these legislative enactments, is responsible for ensuring the protection of the commonwealth’s environment and natural resources. Protecting Pennsylvanians from Unauthorized Tracking Devices
The Senate Judiciary Committee passed legislation to protect Pennsylvanians from the unauthorized use of electronic tracking devices. The bill now moves to the full Senate for consideration. While tracking devices have been used for decades, the release of the Apple AirTag has resulted in a low-cost proliferation of such technology. Rather than using them to locate commonly misplaced items, some people place them in people’s purses or on their vehicles when unaware. Current law is vague on criminal culpability. Senate Bill 159 would make it a misdemeanor of the second degree to use such devices to track another person without consent. Exceptions include law enforcement agencies conducting investigations and parents keeping tabs on their children. Simplifying Government, Ensuring Adequate Funding for Roads and Bridges
Legislation sponsored to replace Pennsylvania’s Alternative Fuels Tax on electric vehicle owners with a flat fee was approved by the Senate Transportation Committee. It would simplify the process for electric vehicle owners and ensure all drivers are contributing toward the maintenance of roads and bridges. Currently, owners of electric vehicles are required to file monthly statements with the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue and remit the alternative fuel tax on how much electricity their vehicle uses. However, most electric vehicle owners do not do this, or are inconsistent at doing so, due to the cumbersome process or simply being unaware. Senate Bill 656 would exempt electric vehicle owners from the tax and replace it with a flat annual fee of $290. The fee was calculated based on the average annual gas taxes paid by owners of gas-powered vehicles. Like the gas tax, the revenue from the flat fee will be deposited into the Motor License Fund for highway maintenance and construction. Measure Connecting Individuals in Recovery to Occupations Advances out of Committee
To combat Pennsylvania’s heroin and opioid epidemic, the Senate Labor and Industry Committee passed a bill to connect individuals in recovery with jobs. It now moves to the full Senate for consideration. Senate Bill 69 would establish the Recovery to Work Pilot Program, pairing those in recovery with occupations through local workforce development boards. As local workforce development boards would lead the implementation, the strategies will be locally focused to meet the needs of local employers and the local treatment and recovery community. Additionally, the legislation would provide incentives for businesses and training providers to participate in the program. Bill Ensuring Educational Opportunities for Military Children Receives Committee Support
Legislation to reduce the educational challenges faced by children of PA National Guard and Reserve members was approved by the Senate Education Committee and is before the full Senate for consideration. Military families face frequent reassignments, posing educational challenges for children transitioning between schools in different states. Senate Bill 209 would give children of National Guard and Reserve members the same help provided to those of active-duty military families through the Military Interstate Children’s Compact. The compact provides a consistent set of policies that make getting started in a new school, joining extracurricular activities and meeting graduation requirements as easy as possible for military children. Free Junior Game Warden Camps Offered Across PA
The Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) offers free Junior Game Warden Camps in each of PGC’s six regions in June and July for youth ages 12-15. Campers will learn about wildlife crime forensics and how wardens catch poachers and solve wildlife-related crimes. Additional instruction will include woodland tracking skills, outdoor survival skills and wildlife capture techniques for nuisance complaints and research purposes. Registration, available here, is limited to those who have not attended a camp previously.
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