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In this Update:

• Mastriano, Kauffman Announce Nearly $2 Million for Water Infrastructure, Arts and Culture Projects in Franklin County
• Bill to Combat Package Thefts Signed into Law
• New Law Gives Young Adults Strong Financial Literacy Foundation
• Sharing the Holiday Spirit with PA Veterans
• Driving Safely During Inclement Weather
• Merry Christmas to You and Yours

Mastriano, Kauffman Announce Nearly $2 Million for Water Infrastructure, Arts and Culture Projects in Franklin County

Sen. Doug Mastriano (R-33) and Rep. Rob Kaufman (R-89) today announced nearly $2 million in state grants have been awarded for water infrastructure, arts and culture projects in Franklin County.

“These water infrastructure grants ensure residents have access to clean drinking water and their wastewater from showers, toilets and dishwashers can properly be carried away and treated,” Mastriano said. “The creation and maintenance of infrastructure to provide clean water to homes and businesses and carry wastewater away from them is one of the core functions of local governments.”

“The $1 million grant for Guilford Township is part of a larger project to expand Guilford Authority sewer service in the Marion community to hundreds of homes, two schools, commercial businesses and The Marion Volunteer Fire Department,” Kauffman said. “The project will eliminate on-lot systems in an area prone to failing septic systems, as well as provide for the planned growth of the community.”

Two grants are being funded with money from the federal COVID-19 American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) that is disbursed through the H20 PA Program:

• Guilford Township Authority will receive $1 million to assist with a new sewer system in the township.
• Chambersburg Borough will receive nearly $580,000 for a water main extension project in Greene Township.

One grant is being funded with money from the federal COVID-19 ARPA funds administered through the PA Small Water and Sewer (SWS) Program:

• Guilford Water Authority will receive more than $340,000 for the Scotland Road watermain replacement project in Greene Township.

Two grants are being funded with federal COVID-19 ARPA money that is being distributed through the PA Arts and Culture Recovery (PARC) Program:

• Capitol Theatre Centre Foundation will receive nearly $17,000 to cover operating costs for the Performing Arts Organization in Chambersburg Borough.
• Franklin County Historical Society-Kittochtinny will receive $10,000 to cover operating costs.

“Many local arts and culture organizations were drastically affected by the forced government shutdown that took place during the COVID-19 pandemic,” Mastriano said. “The arts and culture grants are intended to ensure local residents continue to have access to these important community resources.”

“I advocated for each of these grants, which will enrich the communities we represent in Franklin County,” said Kauffman. “Whether supporting the arts community or ensuring residents have sufficient access to water and sewer services, this funding is vital to the growth of our region.”

The grants were awarded by the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA). The CFA was created in 2004 as an independent agency of the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development to administer the commonwealth’s economic stimulus packages.

Established by the General Assembly in 2008, the H2O PA Program provides for single-year and multi-year grants for the construction of drinking water, sanitary sewer and storm sewer projects; the construction or renovation of flood control projects; and the repair or rehabilitation of high-hazard unsafe dams.

The SWS Program provides grants for small water, sewer, and storm water infrastructure projects. Municipalities and municipal authorities that own and maintain a public water supply, sanitary sewer or storm water systems are eligible to apply as long as their projects exceed a total cost of $30,000.

PACR was created to provide grants to nonprofit arts and culture organizations, local arts and culture districts, and arts and culture professionals located in Pennsylvania to ensure the stability and recovery of the commonwealth’s arts and culture sector from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Bill to Combat Package Thefts Signed into Law

The Senate passed legislation to combat porch pirating – the theft of packages delivered to people’s homes – and it was recently signed into law.

Senate Bill 527, now Act 41 of 2023, implements specific penalties for theft of mail, which includes a package, bag or letter. In Pennsylvania, theft of mail is currently charged based solely on the value of the item taken.

According to Forbes, Americans spent $1.7 trillion shopping online since 2020 and nearly eight in 10 Americans have had a package stolen in 2022. Pennsylvania now joins eight other states ­that have already made porch pirating a felony.

New Law Gives Young Adults Strong Financial Literacy Foundation

Legislation to provide students with basic money management skills was recently signed into law. Specifically, it requires completion of a half-credit personal finance course to graduate high school.

Recent estimates calculate there are more than 350 million American-owned credit card accounts, and, on average, credit card owners have about four cards apiece. Families in the United States are approaching approximately $1 trillion dollars in credit card debt and more than $15 trillion dollars in debt overall.

The course will give high school students the understanding they need about topics like credit and credit scores; savings and investments; college, home and auto loans; and planning for postsecondary education and retirement.

Sharing the Holiday Spirit with PA Veterans

If you would like to support our veterans and military families this holiday season, making a monetary donation goes a long way toward helping the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs provide members, veterans and their families with essential programs and services that would not be available otherwise.

Donations can be made by mail or online. They are tax-deductible, and gifts of any amount are appreciated. Learn more about making a donation.

Driving Safely During Inclement Weather

Pennsylvania has nearly 40,000 miles of roads – which translates to 96,000 snow-lane miles – that must be maintained during inclement weather so people can travel safely.

The approximately 2,200 PennDOT-owned and rented plow trucks have in-truck technology that logs and shares data in real time so the public can monitor the routes of their interstate and expressway travels on www.511PA.com.

Of course, drivers should avoid the roads until they have been cleared, if possible. Anyone who must travel is urged to use extra caution by slowing down, increasing their following distance and avoiding distractions. Read more winter driving tips here.

Merry Christmas to You and Yours

This holiday season, I would like to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas. May you enjoy the real gifts of love, peace and happiness.

My district office hours may be limited due to the holidays. Please call ahead to be sure my offices are open.

Also, PennDOT Driver License Centers will be closed on Dec. 23 and 25 for Christmas, and on Dec. 30 and Jan. 1 for New Year’s. Customers may still obtain a variety of driver and vehicle products and services online through PennDOT’s Driver and Vehicle Services website.

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