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In this Update:
Voters Approve Constitutional Amendments to Improve Emergency ResponseIn Tuesday’s primary election, Pennsylvania voters approved four ballot questions, including two constitutional amendments that will improve the way the state responds to emergencies. The primary election results demonstrate our system of government works better when we work together. Pennsylvanians want to see more collaboration and better results from state government when responding to emergencies. Also on Tuesday, voters elected small business owner Chris Gebhard to represent the 48th Senatorial District, which includes all of Lebanon County and parts of Dauphin and York counties. With the addition of Senator-elect Gebhard, voters have given Senate Republicans a 28-21 majority in the State Senate, with one independent member who caucuses with Senate Republicans. In accordance with the new amendments, Governor Wolf extended the disaster declaration for up to 21 days for the last time unilaterally. Any further extensions must be approved by the General Assembly. Vaccine Options in the 34th DistrictThere are vaccine options available in the 34th District. They include:
Citizens can Comment on PennDOT Plan to Toll Highway BridgesResidents can use an upcoming telephone town hall to voice their opinion on PennDOT plans to toll bridges on Pennsylvania interstate highways. PennDOT will hold a telephone town hall on the plan Tuesday, May 25, beginning at 6 p.m. To join the town hall, register here to receive a phone call to join at the start of the meeting or call (855) 756-7520, Entry Code Extension 73539#. In addition to the telephone town hall, citizens can comment:
If you have a comment or question about a specific bridge tolling project, you can access each project’s comment form by visiting the project websites here. On February 18, PennDOT unveiled a plan to toll nine bridges:
Last month, the Senate approved Senate Bill 382, which would reform the Public-Private Transportation Partnership (P3) statute and to void the PennDOT Pathways Major Bridge P3 Initiative. It is now before the House Transportation Committee. Senate Holds Two Public Hearings on 5G Deployment in PennsylvaniaThe Senate Communications and Technology Committee recently held two public hearings to review the deployment of 5G wireless technology in Pennsylvania. 5G is the fifth-generation technology successor to 4G broadband cellular networks, which provide connectivity to most current cellphones. Cellular phone companies began deploying 5G worldwide in 2019. The first hearing featured wireless providers and local government representatives. The second hearing heard from state agencies and labor unions involved in wireless infrastructure. You can view hearing video, agendas and testimony at the links. Capitol Hunger Garden Breaks Ground on 11th SeasonThe Capitol Hunger Garden, which grows produce for food banks and draws attention to the need for food donations statewide, recently broke ground for its 11th season. The garden, which is overseen by the bipartisan legislative Hunger Caucus and tended to by the Penn State Master Gardeners, is located on a 1,000 square-foot plot adjacent to the State Capitol Building. Since its inception, the garden has annually produced between 700 and 800 pounds of vegetables that are donated to food banks, pantries and local soup kitchens. Observing National EMS WeekOver the past year, we witnessed how Emergency Medical Services personnel are ready to serve their communities and patients, even when facing an unprecedented global pandemic, and despite the risks to their personal health and safety. EMTs, paramedics and other EMS practitioners serve as healthcare professionals, social workers, crisis counselors, consolers and caregivers. For this national EMS Week, we honor the many roles of EMS professionals and the people behind the scenes who support them. CDC Updates Guidance on Masks; Mitigation Measures Lifted May 31The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently updated its mask guidance for individuals who have received the COVID-19 vaccine. Fully vaccinated individuals are no longer required to wear a mask under most circumstances, including indoor and outdoor dining, small gatherings and other group activities. More information on the new guidance is available here. In addition, the business restrictions and mitigation orders that are still in place – except masking – are scheduled to be lifted on May 31. Employers Encouraged to Participate in DOC Job FairThe Department of Corrections (DOC) will host a job fair on June 21 from 1:30-3:30 p.m. and is encouraging employers to participate. The program is part of DOC’s reentry program for inmates who are 6 to 12 months from release. Any employer who is interested in participating can contact Lacosta Mussoline at [email protected]. Historic Sites and Museums ReopenThe Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission recently announced that all state-owned historic sites and museums have reopened to the public under reduced hours and limited capacity. This includes the Pennsylvania Military Museum in Boalsburg. More information on operations at museums and historic sites is available here. |
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