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| Weekly Roundup |
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The latest news from the State Capitol |
Protecting Animals
Last week, I met with Erin Cassidy, humane police officer, and Mary Kennedy Withrow, a member of the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture’s Dog Law Advisory Board. We spoke about animal issues and updates or changes needed in the law. Pictured with me (from left) are Withrow and Cassidy.
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Expanding the Pittsburgh Botanical Garden
Recently, I participated in the Pittsburgh Botanical Garden’s groundbreaking/soil-turning ceremony to kick off three construction projects – a new welcome center, Auto Garden and Garden of the Five Senses. I look forward to visiting once all the projects are completed.
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Town Hall Meetings to be Held
Throughout the month of August, I will be hosting town hall meetings in the 46th Legislative District. All meetings will begin at 7 p.m. Additional town hall meetings will be scheduled later this year.
The schedule for August is:
• Tuesday, Aug. 6, at the Canton Township Municipal Building, 1265 W. Chestnut St., Washington.
• Tuesday, Aug. 13, at the South Fayette Township Municipal Building, 515 Millers Run Road, Morgan.
• Wednesday, Aug. 14, at the Collier Community Center, 5 Lobaugh St., Oakdale.
• Wednesday, Aug. 21, at the McDonald Borough Municipal Building, 151 School St., McDonald.
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PennDOT Wants to Hear From You
To help reduce crashes and fatalities on Pennsylvania roadways, PennDOT is asking drivers to participate in the department’s 2019 Highway Safety Survey.
The five-minute survey asks about seatbelt use, driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs, speeding, and distracted behaviors.
The survey is open until Monday, Aug. 12, and all responses, including comments, are completely anonymous.
Once data is compiled, the department will review the results for potential additions or adjustments to the department’s safety efforts.
For more information about PennDOT’s highway safety efforts, visit PennDOT.gov/safety.
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Were You Affected by the Equifax Data Breach? File Your Claims Now
If you were one of the 147 million Americans affected by the 2017 Equifax security breach, a settlement has been reached with the credit reporting agency and damage claims are now being accepted.
The settlement reached by a coalition of 48 states includes a Consumer Restitution Fund of up to $425 million to compensate those affected by the breach, with maximum payments capped at $20,000 per person. The deal also includes up to 10 years of free credit monitoring or up to $125 if you choose not to enroll because you already have credit monitoring services.
You can check to see if you were affected by the breach by using the tool provided by Equifax here.
For more information about the settlement and how to file a claim, visit the Federal Trade Commission’s website here.
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Ag Progress Days Hosts Fun, Education for All Ages
One of the largest outdoor agricultural expositions in the east will draw thousands of people to central Pennsylvania Aug. 13-15 to learn more about the science and business of agriculture production during the annual Ag Progress Days near State College.
Sponsored by Penn State University’s College of Agricultural Sciences, the event attracts more than 450 exhibitors from across the United States and Canada, showcasing innovations in agricultural equipment and related industries.
A variety of exhibits are planned, including those highlighting the battle against spotted lanternfly, and livestock nutrition and reproductive health. Youth activities and research tours are also planned.
While there, the House and Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs committees will host an informational meeting Aug. 14 to discuss dangerous livestock disease threats and the importance of biosecurity efforts to keep our food supply secure.
No admission fee is charged, and parking is free. For more information, click here.
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Support Local Police at National Night Out Events
Tuesday, Aug. 6, is National Night Out, an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships to make our neighborhoods safer, better places to live.
For more information about the national event, click here.
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Grants Available to Small Businesses, Farmers
An estimated $1 million in grant funding is now available to Pennsylvania small businesses and farmers for energy efficiency, pollution prevention, and natural resource protection projects through the Small Business Advantage grant program.
Eligible projects include adopting or acquiring equipment or processes that reduce energy use or pollution. New to the program this year is the opportunity for small business owners to install solar hot water systems for their business operations.
Natural resource protection projects may include planting riparian buffers, installation of streambank fencing to keep livestock out of streams, and investing in agricultural stormwater management projects, with the goal of reducing sediment and nutrient loads in our waterways.
Pennsylvania-based small business owners with 100 or fewer full-time equivalent employees are eligible. Applications will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis, and will be accepted until fiscal year 2019-20 funds are exhausted or April 12, 2020, whichever occurs first. All applications must be submitted through the Commonwealth’s Single Application for Assistance website. Printed, faxed and mailed applications are not accepted.
More information about the program requirements is available here.
Last year, around 200 small businesses were awarded more than $947,000 in grants for their projects.
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| Office Locations |
| 300 Old Pond Road, Suite 205A, Bridgeville, PA 15017 | Phone: (412) 221-5110 |
| Room 143-A, East Wing, PO Box 202046, Harrisburg PA 17120-2046 | (717) 787-1281 |
| Email: jortitay@pahousegop.com |
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