 |
|
|
| [[Opt In Top]] |
| News You Can Use |
| Legislative Headlines |
REAL ID Update: Get Your Docs Early
PennDOT has launched a public awareness campaign outlining the steps for residents who wish to get a REAL ID-compliant driver license.
Although the REAL ID products will not be available until 2019, PennDOT encourages residents who want them to obtain any required documents in plenty of time.
Those documents include birth certificates with the raised seal, Social Security card, proof of all legal name changes and two proofs of current Pennsylvania address. My office can help with obtaining copies of the birth certificates, which can take up to four to six months. (Contact information is at the end of this email.)
The federal government has extended the deadline for REAL ID compliance in Pennsylvania to Oct. 10, 2018, so current driver licenses and identifications are still accepted for domestic air travel and entry into certain federal facilities.
More information about REAL ID is available here and more information about birth certificates is available here.
Forcing Unemployment Compensation System Improvements
As a way to force accountability in the unemployment compensation (UC) system while ensuring that it efficiently serves its customers, legislation passed the House this week to ensure the completion of long-awaited computer system updates and an end to state supplemental funding.
House Bill 1915, which is now with the Senate, would propose a four-year exit strategy to provide the money necessary to complete the computer upgrades and then bring an end to the funding.
In total, the legislation would provide about $115.2 million in additional funding for the Department of Labor and Industry to implement a modern, efficient UC system and transition to a budget that can be covered by federal funding totaling approximately $130 million per year to operate the UC program.
From 2012 to 2016, federal funding has decreased by 24 percent, but initial claims processed by the Pennsylvania UC program actually decreased by 31 percent. With fewer claims to process, fewer employees are needed, especially once an updated computer system is in place.
VA Announces New Veterans ID Card
Recently, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced the application process for the national Veterans Identification Card (VIC) is available for veterans with honorable service. This includes veterans who served in the armed forces and the reserve components, and who have a discharge of honorable or general (under honorable conditions).
This card may be accepted by retailers in lieu of the standard DD-214 form to obtain promotional discounts and other services where offered to veterans. It is considered to be a safer, more convenient and effective way for most veterans to show proof of service.
To request a VIC, veterans must visit vets.gov, click on “Apply for Printed Veteran ID Card” on the bottom left of the page and sign in or create an account. Veterans who apply for a card should receive it within 60 days and can check delivery status of their cards at vets.gov. A digital version of the VIC will be available online by mid-December.
No Welfare for Dead People
To help prevent fraudulent use of state benefits, the House recently passed legislation to require more coordination between state agencies.
Currently, state departments share contact information of recipients for state programs and may send letters about other state programs or benefits for which they may be eligible. Unfortunately, that contact information may not be up-to-date and may contain information for people who are deceased.
House Bill 1588 would require the Department of Aging to cross reference its list of beneficiaries with death records maintained by the Department of Health on a monthly basis. This would help enhance the system and increase efficiencies by more promptly removing deceased persons from their database.
The bill now goes to the state Senate for review.
Protecting Ag Products from Invasive Species
The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture is warning residents about an invasive species of insect that can do substantial harm to the state’s agriculture and hardwoods industries – the Spotted Lanternfly.
Currently, several counties -- Berks, Bucks, Carbon, Chester, Delaware, Lancaster, Lebanon, Lehigh, Monroe, Montgomery, Northampton, Philadelphia and Schuylkill – are under a quarantine, meaning that residents should take caution to “look before you leave” to avoid spreading this bad bug.
The species was first discovered in Berks County in 2014, and to date, the insect has been found in the eastern and southeastern portions of the state.
Early detection of the insect, including adults or egg masses, is key to help stop the spread of this pest. Businesses that ship products in and out of the quarantine area must take steps to ensure they are not accidentally transporting adults or egg masses on their products.
Reports of the insect can be made by email to badbug@pa.gov or by calling the Invasive Species Report Line at 866-253-7189. Additional details can be found here.
|
| |
| Committee Updates |
Monday, Dec 4
Labor and Industry:
Public hearing on HB 1082 – Creates the Public Employee Occupational Safety and Health Act, which may be referred to as Jake’s Law.
Tuesday, Dec. 5
Judiciary:
HB 1821 (Neuman) – Amends the timeframes for submission of sexual assault evidence.
HB 1951 (Toohil) – Prohibits the sale of dextromethorphan (cough suppressants) to minors without a prescription.
HB 1952 (Marsico) – Ensures sexual offenders remain registered under Megan’s Law.
Tourism and Recreational Development:
HB 1936 (Wentling) – Title 75/youth safety standards and sound emissions of snowmobiles and ATVs.
Informational meeting on the economic impact of sports in Pennsylvania.
Wednesday, Dec. 6
Judiciary:
Informational meeting on “A Study of Opioid Addiction: Prevention & Treatment,” conducted by Dr. Eric Kocian of the Saint Vincent College Criminology Department, which focused on heroin addicts and abuse in Westmoreland County.
|
| Rep. Delozier in the Community |
• On Sunday, I had a great time at the annual Asian Indian Dinner. The event always is enjoyable as Asian Indians and their friends from around central Pennsylvania gather to celebrate the year.
• This week I spoke at the Zonta’s 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence Campaign Rally at the Capitol. This year’s rally focused on human trafficking and urged increased awareness about this crime. With numerous interstates intersecting in central Pennsylvania, it’s important to contact law enforcement if you see something that doesn’t seem right. Also, suspected cases of human trafficking can be reported to the National Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.
• Cedar Cliff High School held its 2017-18 Boys’ and Girls’ Basketball Meet and Greet. The teams were introduced at the event and showed off their skills. Glad to kick off the program with Senator Regan. Good luck, Colts!
• The West Shore Chamber of Commerce honored four individuals at its annual meeting and luncheon this week. I was pleased to prepare a letter of congratulations to the three winners who have businesses or live in the 88th Legislative District. They are Kristel Zaring, business development manager at Gift CPAs, who received the Les Ginanni Business and Community Connection Award; James Murdoch, president of James Murdoch Insurance Group, who received the Edward M. Messner Inspiring Business Award; and Donald Carter Jr., owner of Duke’s Bar and Grille, who received the Business Achievement Award.
• Again this year, I help United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) by participating in its annual gift wrap at Capital City Mall in Lower Allen Township. All the money raised through donations goes to UCP to help those in our community. If you don’t want the hassle of wrapping gifts for the holidays, visit the booth right outside JCPenney.
• Last week, the Mechanicsburg Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting to celebrate the opening of 3rd Element Consulting’s new office on West Main Street in the historic Snyder-Coover Mansion. Congratulations to this business!
• On Wednesday, I honored New Cumberland Mayor DJ Landis with a House citation for her service to the borough. DJ is retiring after 10 years on borough council and 20 years as mayor. She has done so much for the community and we are eternally grateful. I also thanked Councilwoman Diane Brokenshire for her service after 16 years on the council as she presided at her last borough meeting.
• Bethany Village held its Concert for Care Assurance this week. It featured the Hershey Symphony Orchestra. The event benefits Bethany Village residents who, through no fault of their own, have outlived their financial resources.
• RETTEW recently was named a winner of the Governor’s Award for Safety Excellence at the 2017 Pennsylvania Governor’s Occupational Safety and Health Conference. On Thursday, a ceremony was held at RETTEW’s Safety Training Center in Upper Allen Township to mark the occasion. I presented a House citation congratulating the company for its high standards in workplace safety.
• Thursday marked the 76th anniversary of Pearl Harbor. I attended a ceremony commemorating the day in the Capitol hosted by the Naval Support Activity in Mechanicsburg. We were honored to have three survivors of that day in history here with us.
|
|
|
|
|
| Office Locations |
| 2929 Gettysburg Road, Suite 6, Camp Hill PA 17011 | Phone: (717) 761-4665 |
| 141 East Wing, PO Box 202088, Harrisburg PA 17120-2088 | Phone: 717-783-5282 |
| Email: sdelozie@pahousegop.com |
| TTY: 855-282-0614 |
|
|
