Republican Leaders Seek Stay on Congressional Map
On Wednesday, legislative leaders in the House and Senate filed an emergency request with the U.S. Supreme Court to block implementation of the new Pennsylvania congressional district map that was drawn by the state Supreme Court and released earlier this week. The application contends that the state court does not have the power to invalidate the 2011 congressional map that was passed by the General Assembly in a bipartisan vote.
Furthermore, the drawing of congressional districts is a function of the legislative branch of government under the state and U.S. constitutions, and not the judicial branch. The state Supreme Court cannot legislate and has clearly overstepped its bounds, creating chaos and a constitutional crisis. Learn more here.
Budget Hearings to Focus on Accountability
During this year’s hearings about the 2018-19 state budget proposal, the House Appropriations Committee, of which I am a member, is focusing on better accountability of tax dollars, private sector jobs and the opioid epidemic.
This week’s slate of hearings included appearances by the Independent Fiscal Office, Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education and the departments of Revenue, Transportation and Conservation and Natural Resources.
Next week’s hearings will feature the departments of Environmental Protection, Agriculture, Corrections, General Services, Health, Drug and Alcohol Programs, and Military and Veterans Affairs along with the Liquor Control Board and the Office of Attorney General.
The full schedule is available here, which will also include video of the archived hearings once available. More information about the governor’s proposal is available here.
 |
Online Learners Now Eligible for State Grants
A new law will soon allow college students who take more than half of their classes online to have permanent access to financial aid.
Act 5 of 2018, formerly House Bill 1653, expands a successful pilot program created in 2013 that permitted students who take more than 50 percent of their credits online from a college or university headquartered and located in the Commonwealth to receive state grants through the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA).
During the 2014-15 grant award year, more than 5,900 students received grant awards, totaling $8.52 million because of the pilot program.
The new law will take effect with the 2018-19 academic year.
More information about college financial aid is available at www.pheaa.org.
Lesser Known Transportation Laws
As part of Highway Safety Law Awareness Week commemorated Feb. 18-25, PennDOT and the Pennsylvania State Police are reminding drivers about four lesser known traffic laws.
Drivers must yield the right of way to any totally or partially blind pedestrian carrying a visible white cane or accompanied by a guide dog. The driver of the vehicle shall take any precaution necessary, including bringing the vehicle to a stop, to avoid injuring or endangering the pedestrian. This is a summary offense and is punishable by a fine of not less than $50 nor more than $150.
Drivers are prohibited from wearing headphones while behind the wheel. This does not apply to the use of a headset in conjunction with a cell phone which provides sound through one ear and allows surrounding sounds to be heard with the other.
The Ride on Red law allows a driver to proceed through a red light if a driver believes the traffic light is not functioning properly. This includes when the light’s sensor does not detect the vehicle. In this case, drivers are instructed to stop in the same manner as a stop sign and can proceed when it is safe to do so.
Under another law, drivers cannot leave a vehicle unattended while the engine is running or while the key is in the ignition. The law, however, does not apply to private property such as private driveways.
Sportsmen’s Expo Set for March 17
Join me for our annual Sportsmen’s and Outdoor Expo on Saturday, March 17, at Penn Forest Township Volunteer Fire Company No. 1, located at 1387 State Route 903 in Jim Thorpe.
The expo will be held from 2-5 p.m. This is a free event with over 30 local outdoor and recreation vendors. Join us for door prizes, informative exhibits and more.
For more information, call our Lehighton office at (610) 377-6363. Hope to see you there!
|