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In this Update:
Federal Assistance Approved for Potter County Flood Victims
The federal government has issued a major disaster declaration in the commonwealth, paving the way for much-needed aid for victims of last month’s flooding. The declaration applies to flood-affected residents in Potter County, as well as Lycoming, Tioga and Union counties. The declaration issued late Wednesday afternoon means residents who suffered damage during the flooding are now eligible for Individual Assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The program provides direct benefits to homeowners and renters to assist with uninsured or underinsured necessary expenses and serious needs because of the disaster. The program can help with temporary rentals, lodging reimbursement, home repairs and replacement, as well as some personal property, medical and dental expenses incurred due to the flooding. Details about how to obtain assistance through the program will be available soon as FEMA works with the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) to open Disaster Recovery Centers in the four-county region covered by the declaration. The centers will be staffed to assist residents with documentation reviews to help expedite applications for assistance. Individuals and business owners who sustained losses in the designated areas As I have repeatedly witnessed ever since being one of the first lawmakers on the scene to assess the damage and actively assisting in securing the necessary documentation to obtain this federal relief, there is nothing like neighbors (including neighbors in other counties) helping neighbors! In addition to personally thanking our outstanding emergency responders for going above and beyond the call of duty, the churches and individuals who are just doing the right thing deserve our gratitude for absolutely carrying out God’s work here on earth. Thanks also to the countless volunteers and those of you who have donated to help your friends and neighbors in need. My office will continue to work closely with the PA Emergency Management Agency (PEMA), Potter County Conservation District, Potter County Department of Emergency Services Potter County Department of Emergency Services and local emergency responders to ensure that all state and federal resources are swiftly mobilized to support recovery efforts across Senate District 25 and surrounding areas. We Are…We Will Never Forget: PSU Students Unite to Remember 9-11
It was an honor to be asked to give the keynote speech for the Penn State 9-11 Memorial Service on Wednesday. Penn State President Neeli Bendapudi, State College Mayor Ezra Nanes and I were able to present our individual perspectives on the events of that day and the days that followed to many who had not been born when the lives of nearly 3,000 people were taken by terrorists armed only with box-cutter knives. It was great to see the PSU College Republicans and Democrats joining together for this event. There were individual flags for each person killed and ten which had been set aside for the PSU alumni who were killed. Each of the ten had their names proclaimed by a student and a rose laid beside their flag. The fact that this event has been organized, year after year, by our young people who never experienced the heart wrenching events of 9-11, personally gives me hope for the future. Celebrating the U.S. Constitution, Blessings of American Citizenship
On Sept. 17, 1787 in Philadelphia, our Founding Fathers signed the most impactful document in American history, the U.S. Constitution. America’s most important founding document stands as a living testament to the tenacity of Americans throughout history to maintain their liberties, freedoms and God-given rights. Constitution Week is celebrated annually during the week of Sept. 17-23. Sept. 17 commemorates both Constitution Day and Citizens Day, which recognizes those who have become American citizens. While other forms of government have relied on the use of force for a dictator, monarch or totalitarian organization to make subjects of the people, constitutional republics such as ours rely on a written declaration of “We The People” as to what form of government we will accept. We need to understand this blessing. To understand it we need to read it; to read the words of those who were part of the conversation and the writing of it; to read the arguments of the framers who risked their lives and livelihoods for its ratification. Clearly, our Constitution is a gift from God. It is critical for each and every one of us to pass along the understanding of this document and vigilantly protect the original intent of this gift for future generations. Register, Research, Vote
Register Tuesday, Sept. 17, is also National Voter Registration Day. It’s a wonderful opportunity to confirm that you are registered to vote at your current address or to register if you have moved or would be a first-time voter. The last day to register to vote in Pennsylvania before the Nov. 5 election is Monday, Oct. 21. You may submit your application online, by mail to your county voter registration office or in person at your county voter registration office. Active-duty military members or veterans who are hospitalized or bedridden may register at any time. Learn more about that option. Please note: if you are not a United States citizen and a resident of Pennsylvania at least 30 days before the election, you cannot register to vote. Research If you are a commonwealth citizen already registered to vote—or soon will be—it is your responsibility to carefully research the people and policy platforms of those seeking to write (legislative branch), execute (executive branch) and enforce (judicial branch) the clear intent of constitutional law. Vote Every election matters! Take a few minutes—twice a year—to vote for those you find worthy. Honest, transparent and secure elections remain the cornerstone of our constitutional republic. Our electoral process cannot effectively function without the support and full participation of “We The People!” Nearly $300,000 Reasons to Attend Upcoming Unclaimed Property Clinic
With the Pennsylvania Treasury holding more than $4.5 billion in unclaimed property, my team and I are once again partnering with Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity and her office to assist Senate District 25 residents with recovering their unclaimed property. On Wednesday, Sept. 25, from noon until 4 p.m., a Pennsylvania Treasury Department representative will conduct a free Unclaimed Property Clinic at the Smethport Fire Department 109 S Nelson Street, Smethport, PA 16749. Unclaimed property can include inactive bank accounts, abandoned stocks, uncashed checks, missing saving bonds and other tangible assets such as collectible coins, sports cards, jewelry, military medals and antiques. If you are looking for even more financial incentive to attend, consider the tremendous success of our most recent Unclaimed Property Clinic, held this past February in Brookville, Jefferson County. This free event resulted in the return to the personal bank accounts of hard-working families and our regional economy of approximately $288,717 which was needlessly taking up space in the Treasury vault. This included more than $121,000 to an individual resident and more than $9,000 to a local municipality. Plain and simple, this upcoming Unclaimed Property Clinic presents the opportunity to conveniently reclaim money and other personal belongings that are rightfully yours—free of charge. More than one in ten Pennsylvanians is owed unclaimed property, and the average claim is worth about $1,600. During fiscal year 2022-23, the Treasury Department returned the most unclaimed property ever in a single year – almost $274 million. Individuals who wish to search the unclaimed property database on their own may do so at www.patreasury.gov. Best of all, you do not need to hire or pay anyone to make your claim. We always stand ready to assist you in navigating through the entire unclaimed property process as this is already a free legislative service offered during regular district office hours. For more information or to RSVP for the Unclaimed Property Clinic on Sept. 25, please contact my Smethport district office at 814-734-2785. Walk-ins are also welcome. A Closer Look at Energy Affordability and Reliability
Pennsylvanians face rising energy costs. Grid reliability continues to be a threat that may cause devastating outages like the major power crisis Texas experienced in 2021 when more than 4.5 million homes and businesses were without power for days. Rising costs and compromised reliability would be worsened by a unilateral decision former Gov. Tom Wolf made to join the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). Joining RGGI will increase electricity rates for consumers, cut energy and manufacturing jobs, and lead to the closure of Pennsylvania power plants. Rolling blackouts will become commonplace when energy production cannot keep up with demand. Senate Republicans are actively fighting against Pennsylvania’s entry into RGGI, obtaining a court order that prevents the commonwealth from implementing the program because the court agreed that Wolf lacked the authority to join RGGI. Gov. Josh Shapiro appealed that court order to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, where the case is pending and briefs were filed this week by the Senate Republicans to prevent RGGI implementation. Senate Republicans stand ready to pass legislation to repeal the RGGI Energy Tax that has already been introduced if the legal process isn’t successful. We also passed bills that would ensure Pennsylvanians have options regarding fuel availability, help to secure the state’s future as a hub for carbon capture and sequestration and most effectively capitalize on the state’s abundant natural resources through the creation of the Independent Energy Office to provide impartial data. How to File a Banking Complaint
Consumers who have unsuccessfully attempted to resolve disputes with their financial institutions regarding services or products have options. Complaints may be submitted to the Department of Banking and Securities Consumer Services Office online or toll-free by calling 1-800-PA-BANKS (1-800-722-2657) Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The department aims to provide responses to consumer complaints within 10 days of receipt. While the Consumer Services Office will make the effort to address consumer complaints, there is no guarantee the matter can or will be resolved. However, complaints are important because they allow the Department of Banking and Securities to identify patterns of unfair or deceptive practices that may result in further action. Applications Open: Keystone State ChalleNGe Academy for At-Risk Youth
The Keystone State ChalleNGe Academy (KSCA) is accepting applications for its class, which begins in January 2025. KSCA is designed to give academically challenged teens a second chance at obtaining their basic education, as well as learning leadership, self-discipline and responsibility. The program is open to 16- to 18-year-old Pennsylvania residents who are at risk of not graduating from high school, no longer attending any school or have not received a high school diploma or equivalent certificate. Applicants must be willing to be drug free, free of felony convictions and voluntarily commit to the program. If selected, students will attend the 22-week residential phase at Fort Indiantown Gap in Lebanon County. Learn more about eligibility requirements and begin the application process here. Anyone who prefers to have an application mailed or would like to talk with someone about the program may contact the academy by emailing RA-MVPAChallenge@pa.gov or calling 717-861-7767. Free Webinars Provide Useful College Financial Aid Info
The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency is holding free webinars to assist college-bound students and their families with navigating the financial aid process. On Tuesday, Sept. 24, at noon, speakers will discuss the financial aid timeline. On Thursday, Sept. 26, at 6:30 p.m., speakers will focus on how to search for scholarships and pay for any remaining costs. Register to attend the one-hour webinars.
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