Senator Langerholc E-Newsletter

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In this Update:

  • Clearfield County Farm Bureau Legislative Farm Tour
  • Cambria County Farm Bureau Legislative Farm Tour
  • Mature Driver Safety Program
  • Ribbon Cutting at Silver Lining ABA
  • Higher Property Tax/Rent Rebates Available Next Year
  • Call 988 for Suicide Prevention and Crisis Support
  • DMAP Permits for State Game Lands on Sale Now
  • Keep Your Pets Safe in the Summer Heat
  • Celebrating Back to School Month by Brushing Up on School Bus Safety

Clearfield County Farm Bureau Legislative Farm Tour

State Representative Mike Armanini and I attended the Clearfield County Farm Bureau’s Legislative Farm/Agribusiness Tour at the Knob Farm in Grampian.  The farm is owned and operated by the Wriglesworth Family who purchased the farm in 1864.  It was a great opportunity to engage with the members of the Clearfield County Farm Bureau and to hear their needs/concerns on legislative issues.

Cambria County Farm Bureau Legislative Farm Tour

I attended the Cambria County Farm Bureau Legislative Farm Tour. Today’s tour was at Bailey Hill Farms in Cambria Township, PA owned and operated by Hattie and Tyler Henderson. The Henderson’s purchased the farm in 2020 but it dates back to approximately 1810.

Thank you to the Henderson’s for opening up your farm to us and discussing the issues that affect farming in our region.

Mature Driver Safety Program

I have partnered with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) to offer a Mature Driver Safety Program to area seniors at no cost.

  1. Review driver safety procedures
  2. Learn about the Yellow Dot program
  3. Get “CarFit” by a certified technician

Space is limited and registration is required. We are offering two dates for this program each from 9 AM – 1 PM.

August 24, 2023, at Richland Fire Hall, 1321 Scalp Avenue, Johnstown PA 15904. To register for this session click here.

September 12, 2023, at Northern Cambria Recreation Center, 186 Schoolhouse Rd, Ebensburg PA 15931. To register for this session click here.

For more information or to register via phone for one of these sessions, please contact my office at 814-266-2277.

Ribbon Cutting at Silver Lining ABA

My staff attended the ribbon cutting and grand opening of Silver Lining ABA in the Westwood Plaza in Johnstown.  They help children with autism improve their communication, social interaction and learning skills.  They also provide community and home-based Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) in the individual’s home or community settings.  Congratulations to Aimee and Ryan Janakovic and the entire team at Silver Lining ABA.

Higher Property Tax/Rent Rebates Available Next Year

The Senate passed legislation that will increase the amount of rebates for the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program and expand the income eligibility for it. The changes will take effect beginning next year.

Because income eligibility limits weren’t raised for 16 years, the number of recipients of the program dropped from about 600,000 individuals to an estimated 398,000 in the current year. The legislation also includes an annual cost of living adjustment so the program will keep pace with inflation and people won’t lose their rebate just because they received a modest increase in their Social Security benefits.

Review the new rebate amounts, available next year, here.

Call 988 for Suicide Prevention and Crisis Support

Pennsylvanians facing mental health challenges need our support. Senate Republicans have dedicated funding to mental health services in schools and more support staff in nursing facilities. The budget passed this year by Senate Republicans, when it becomes law, would provide $100 million for student mental health.

This effort complements other resources. Dialing 988 connects callers considering suicide, self-harm or any behavioral or mental health need with the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. It can also assist people looking for help for a loved one. Lifeline services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at no cost to the caller.

Trained professionals can provide therapeutic interventions, make referrals for outpatient services or transportation for further evaluation and even activate a mobile mental health crisis team to arrive on site. Learn more here.

DMAP Permits for State Game Lands on Sale Now

Permits are on sale now for hunters to harvest antlerless deer – one per tag – on some state game lands through Pennsylvania’s Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP) to enable successful forest management. Overbrowsing by deer is hurting those efforts.

While DMAP has been around for years, it was previously offered only on other public lands and private lands to help landowners achieve land use goals or to limit the spread of chronic wasting disease.

DMAP permits cost $10.97 for Pennsylvania residents and $35.97 for nonresidents. They can be purchased from any license issuing agent or online here. Learn more about the DMAP permit expansion here.

Keep Your Pets Safe in the Summer Heat

As the dog days of summer drag on, we have to protect our pets from the heat. The American Red Cross has tips to help your pets stay safe:

  • Never leave your pet in a hot vehicle.
  • Limit exercise on hot days.
  • Walk your pet in the grass.
  • Make sure they have access to shade and plenty of water.

Even taking proper precautions, pets can overheat. Heat stroke is a common problem for pets. Learn the signs and what to do if you suspect your pet has heat stroke here.

In addition to elevated temperatures, summer brings other potential safety issues for pets. Swimming in a pool is a great way to stay cool, but it can be dangerous for animals. Never leave your pets unsupervised around a pool. Barbecues can also be unsafe, so keep your pets away from the grill and know what foods can be poisonous to them.

Celebrating Back to School Month by Brushing Up on School Bus Safety

Parents, students and teachers are preparing to head back to school to start the new academic year. Soon, school buses will be transporting students again, and that requires additional caution from all drivers.

Pennsylvania law requires motorists to stop at least 10 feet away from school buses when their red lights are flashing and their stop arm is extended. Motorists following or traveling alongside a school bus must also stop until the red lights have stopped flashing, the stop arm is withdrawn, and all children have reached safety. Do not proceed until all the children have reached a place of safety. Read more about school bus safety here.

Penalties for failure to obey school bus safety laws can result in a $250 fine, five points on a driving record and a 60-day license suspension.

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