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The Weekly Roundup
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#Listrak\DateStampLong#
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The latest news from the State Capitol
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My Thoughts on the Walter Dam Study
Like many of you, I attended the public meeting concerning the reevaluation study of the Francis E. Walter Dam that was held in White Haven on Thursday night. I was very happy with the large turnout. Pennsylvanians must be vigilant defenders of our natural resources to ensure that future generations have the right to clean air and water.
The fact that New York City is so involved in this study should be a cause of concern. As we move through the process over the next few years, our state legislative delegation will be working hard to ensure the Commonwealth’s interests are heard because, once the dam is built, it will be too late, and we can potentially lose control over the use of our water.
The New York City Water Authority, which also supplies water for a fee to northern New Jersey and the surrounding area, has a history of only looking out for its own interests. We must ensure that there remains capacity for flood control as well as recreational activities, including fishing and boating, here in Pennsylvania.
We also need to keep in mind that this is a pilot study by the federal government, Delaware River Basin Commission and the New York City Department of Environmental Protection, with federal funding that was approved in 2014. This study could serve as a national model. For decades large metropolitan areas have been aggressively pursuing water rights to lock up resources with total disregard for rural stake holders.
If this study, funded in large part by NYC, concludes that Pennsylvania’s rights to its own water resources are secondary to New York’s, we will be losing out to an urban area with more political clout, and that’s something which should be of great concern to those of us in rural communities.
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Fun at the Farm Show
Time is running out to visit the 104th Pennsylvania Farm Show in Harrisburg. The largest indoor exposition of its kind along the East Coast wraps up on Saturday.
Earlier this week, I visited the Farm Show and had the chance to do some interesting interviews on a variety of topics, including one with Dr. Andrew Hoffman, dean of the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Science. Watch for the program soon!
Be sure to check out the list of winners on the Farm Show website who either entered their animals or products in competitive exhibits.
One of our local winners was Crystal Spring Tree Farm Congratulations in Lehighton, which won three blue ribbons in the Christmas tree competition.
Congratulations as well to Donna Horn of Palmerton, who took home the blue ribbon in the Needlecraft/Counted Cross-Stitch competition. We're especially proud of Donna, who is a member of my district office staff.
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Opioid Prevention Grant Awarded to LCCC
More help is on the way in the fight against Pennsylvania’s opioid epidemic.
This week, the state Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs awarded nearly $1 million in federal grant funding to prevent and reduce the use of opioids by college students and to create naloxone training opportunities for post-secondary institutions.
Among the 13 higher education institutions receiving a grant of up to $100,000 is Lehigh Carbon Community College.
Awardees will expand existing preventive programs and partner with key local stakeholders to develop and implement new projects. These projects may include raising campus awareness, reducing stigma, increasing access to overdose reversal training and grief support.
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Does Your Home Contain Radon?
More help is on the way in the fight against Pennsylvania’s opioid epidemic.
This week, the state Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs awarded nearly $1 million in federal grant funding to prevent and reduce the use of opioids by college students and to create naloxone training opportunities for post-secondary institutions.
Among the 13 higher education institutions receiving a grant of up to $100,000 is Lehigh Carbon Community College.
Awardees will expand existing preventive programs and partner with key local stakeholders to develop and implement new projects. These projects may include raising campus awareness, reducing stigma, increasing access to overdose reversal training and grief support.
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Economic Update
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania collected $2.9 billion in General Fund revenue during December, which was $91 million less than anticipated.
So far this fiscal year, General Fund collections total $15.6 billion, which is $75 million above the Department of Revenue’s official estimate. Learn more here.
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Applications for 2020 Pennsylvania House Scholarship Available
High school seniors interested in receiving financial assistance to help pay for college can now apply for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives’ Scholarship.
Each year the program awards a four-year scholarship to two students preparing for post-secondary education. It is open to graduating high school seniors who are Pennsylvania residents with plans to attend a Pennsylvania college, university or career school as a full-time student.
To qualify, students must have attained a minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average in high school. Other factors taken into consideration for the awards are a student’s commitment to community, leadership qualities, extracurricular activities and financial need.
The scholarship program is administered through the Foundation for Enhancing Communities. The application is available here. The application deadline is March 1.
The scholarship is privately funded by individual and corporate donors; no tax or other public funds are used. Scholarships are awarded through an independent panel of judges chosen by the foundation.
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| Office Locations |
| 204B Bridge St., Weissport, PA 18235 | (610) 377-6363 |
| 2681 State Route 903, Unit 3, Albrightsville, PA 18210 | (570) 722-8700 |
| Room 420 Irvis Office Building, PO Box 202122, Harrisburg, PA 17120-2122 | (717) 260-6139 |
| Email: dheffley@pahousegop.com |
| TTY: 855-282-0614 |
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