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Capitol Report
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#Listrak\DateStampLong#
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The latest news from the State Capitol
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Please do not reply directly to this email, as it returns to an unmanned account.
You are welcome to contact me through this link.
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Budget Issues Ongoing through July
This week, the House passed a General Appropriations bill on a near party-line vote totaling over $50 billion in overall spending and leaving the Commonwealth with a staggering deficit if enacted. The bill was presented with an amendment minutes before members were asked to vote on it in the House Appropriations Committee.
While all parties work to come to a budget agreement, I voted “no” on this proposal due to its immediate and long-term negative fiscal impact. I’m hopeful we can come to an agreement that funds our Commonwealth’s priorities responsibly without enacting new taxes or growing spending at an unsustainable rate.
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Turn Around, Don’t Drown
With all the rain we’ve been seeing in our region and across the Commonwealth, it’s important to remember how dangerous floodwaters can be.
If you approach a flooded roadway, turn your vehicle around. It only takes a few inches of water to sweep a vehicle away, putting your life in danger, as well as the lives of first responders who come to your aid.
Never drive around “road closed” signs and use detours instead. The message is simple. Turn around; don’t drown.
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Know Before You Go!
Whether you are heading out on a summer road trip or simply going to work or to run an errand, you can find out if your route is clear simply by checking 511PA!
511PA is part of a statewide travel information service which provides reliable traffic, weather and transit information to travelers to reduce congestion, and improve safety and mobility in Pennsylvania. 511PA uses real-time traffic data from various sources throughout the state to give all the latest updates.
Information is available through 511PA by dialing 5-1-1 from any phone or by visiting www.511PA.com on your computer or mobile device. You may also follow any of the 511PA regional X (formerly Twitter) pages. 511PA tweets include news releases and traffic advisories, along with all traffic and construction events on the 511PA network in that region. You can access these regional pages from the X link on the 511PA web page.
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Reducing Food Waste, Helping People in Need
A new state law aims to boost food donation and reduce waste by limiting liability for donated food that is past its “best by” date.
Date labels on food generally are established by the manufacturer to indicate the best use-by date for purposes of freshness; however, many potential food donors misinterpret these labels as “expiration dates” or indicators of food safety. The law aims to encourage the donation of surplus food to help the more than 1.2 million people in Pennsylvania who are food insecure, including more than 325,000 children.
Act 13 of 2025 amends the free-standing Donated Food Limited Liability Act to limit criminal and civil liability for persons who donate food that is fit for human consumption but is past a date code on the food item. The donor must make a good faith evaluation that the food is fit for human consumption and a donor has immunity unless damages result from the negligent, reckless or intentional misconduct of the donor.
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PA Full Participant in Interstate Medical, Nurse and Physical Therapy Licensure Compacts
Pennsylvania is now a full participant in three health care licensure compacts that make it easier for qualified doctors, nurses and physical therapists to provide care across state lines.
Act 79 of 2024 which I supported, opened the door to allow the Commonwealth to become a full participant in the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLC), Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) and Physical Therapy Licensure Compact (PT Compact).
Instead of requiring months to complete the full licensure process, as a result of full compact participation, out-of-state practitioners are now able to contribute to Pennsylvania’s health care workforce within days, helping to meet critical staffing needs and improving access to care.
In addition, doctors, nurses and physical therapists licensed in Pennsylvania can now work in other states that are members of the compacts.
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Applications Open for Cultural and Historical Support Grants
The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) is now accepting applications for its Cultural and Historical Support Grants program, which provides funding to eligible museums and official county historical societies in the Commonwealth.
Applications must be submitted by midnight on Friday, Aug. 22. Please note that all PHMC grant applications are now submitted through the Commonwealth’s Single Application for Assistance system.
For detailed eligibility information and grant guidelines, click here.
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