Senator Langerholc E-Newsletter

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In this Update:

  • My Bill to Provide New Career Paths for Individuals in Recovery Passes Senate
  • Senior Expo
  • Farm Bureau Fall Dinners
  • Thank You Firefighters
  • Upcoming Veterans Appreciation Breakfasts
  • Grand Opening of Reachland
  • Centre County State of the County
  • Touring Centre Area Transportation Authority
  • Citation Presentation for the 75th Anniversary of the John Murtha Cambria County Airport 
  • Citation Presentation to Joleen Hindman 
  • Kastle Boxing
  • Senate Favors Harsher Penalties for Drug Dealers
  • Senate Votes to Improve Bridge Maintenance and Safety
  • Bill Offering Free Credit Monitoring to Data Breach Victims Receives Senate Support
  • Recognizing Breast Cancer Awareness Month
  • Stocking PA’s Waters with Trout
  • Tour State Game Lands on Oct. 8 and 15

My Bill to Provide New Career Paths for Individuals in Recovery Passes Senate

Individuals in recovery for substance use disorder would be able to maintain meaningful employment and chart a new path under a pilot program approved by the Senate.

My legislation, Senate Bill 69, would create a Recovery to Work pilot program to connect individuals in recovery with high-priority occupations through local workforce development boards. The boards would work with the treatment and recovery community as well as local employers and training providers to find job training and employment opportunities.

The pilot program would be led by the Department of Labor and Industry with the assistance of the departments of Health, Community and Economic Development, and Drug and Alcohol Programs, as well as the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency.

Senior Expo

Thank you to all those who attended my Senior Expo at East Hills Recreation. It was great to speak with so many of you.

Farm Bureau Fall Dinners

Over the past few weeks, I have attended the Cambria County Farm Bureau Fall Dinner and the Centre County Farm Bureau Fall Dinner. It was great to hear from so many farmers throughout the 35th Senatorial District.

Thank You Firefighters

Thank you to the Patton Fire Company No. 1 and Cambria Heights School District for the invitation to view the documentary Odd Hours, No Pay, Cool Hat. I also had the pleasure of presenting a flag to the family of Chief Dean Smith that was flown over the State Capitol in remembrance of him. Thank you to all firefighters and first responders for your commitment to your communities.

Upcoming Veterans Appreciation Breakfasts

I will be hosting a Veteran Appreciation Breakfast on October 19, 2023, at the VFW Post 1785, 1145 Industrial Park Road, Clearfield. Please use this link or call my office at 814-266-2277 to register. Registration is required and the deadline to register is October 8, 2023.

I will be hosting a second Veteran Appreciation Breakfast on November 1, 2023, at the Young Peoples Community Center, 300 Prave Street, Ebensburg. Please use this link or call my office at 814-266-2277 to register. Registration is required and the deadline to register is October 22, 2023.

Grand Opening of REACHland

I attended the Grand Opening of the REACHland sidewalk project in Richland Township, Cambria County. The sidewalk provides a safe opportunity for students at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown and Richland School District as well as members of the community.

Centre County State of the County

This week, I attended the Centre County State of the County address – thank you to the Centre County commissioners and the Chamber of Business & Industry of Centre County. The partnerships and tireless effort of the community nonprofits, economic development organizations, and the wonderful businesses in the area make Happy Valley a fantastic place to live, work, and play. There are a lot of great projects on the horizon!

Touring Centre Area Transportation Authority

I had the opportunity to tour the facilities of the Centre Area Transportation Authority, which is the third largest transportation authority in Pennsylvania. In honor of their 50 year anniversary next year, they’re fixing up the first ever bus of their fleet, which I’m pictured in front of below!

Citation Presentation for the 75th Anniversary of the John Murtha Cambria County Airport

I was honored to present a Pennsylvania Senate Citation to the John Murtha Cambria County Airport as they celebrate their 75th Anniversary. I am excited to see what the future holds for the airport. Congratulations and Best Wishes!

Citation Presentation to Joleen Hindman

I was joined by staff from Senator Cris Dush’s office to celebrate Joleen Hindman who dedicated 36 years of her career to FirstEnergy where she worked tirelessly taking care of our community’s power needs. She has earned the respect and admiration of myself, my colleagues in the Senate, her coworkers, and the customers she served. Joleen, thank you for everything – now, enjoy retirement!

Kastle Boxing

Proud to support Kastle Boxing with State Representative Jim Rigby and got a chance to talk with Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini.

Senate Favors Harsher Penalties for Drug Dealers

The Senate voted to enact harsher penalties for drug dealers who sell products that lead to the poisoning death of a victim, including drugs laced with fentanyl.

Senate Bill 235 would establish a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a minimum $15,000 fine for anyone convicted of selling or distributing drugs that result in a death. Under current guidelines, drug dealers who poison victims with fentanyl can be back out on the streets in two years or less.

The bill would not apply to drug users who share drugs with family members or friends, or those who seek medical help for individuals who overdose.

Senate Votes to Improve Bridge Maintenance and Safety

This week, the Senate passed legislation to make state funding available for local bridge projects.

Currently, state Motor License Fund dollars are made available for the construction and repair of county bridges. While the funds are used to repair county-owned bridges, spending guidance fails to note how the funds could be used for bridges owned by municipalities within the counties. As a result, municipal bridges suffer and go without repair while remaining funds go unused due to ambiguous guidance.

Senate Bill 799 would give counties the flexibility they need to fund local bridge projects.

Bill Offering Free Credit Monitoring to Data Breach Victims Receives Senate Support

The Senate approved legislation to strengthen notification requirements for data breaches and provide affected citizens with free credit monitoring.

Senate Bill 824 would provide citizens affected by a data breach a free credit report and a year of credit monitoring while they recover. The bill also strengthens state notification requirements and requires Attorney General notification if a data breach occurs in the commonwealth.

The measure would cover instances in which an individual’s first and last name or first initial and last name have been accessed in combination with any of the following information: Social Security number, bank account number, driver’s license or state ID number.

Recognizing Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Every October, we recognize Breast Cancer Awareness Month. One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime, but early detection can drastically increase the survival rate. Take action by scheduling regular clinical breast exams and mammograms.

Of course, my colleagues and I work throughout the year to support people facing breast cancer. We passed comprehensive breast cancer screening legislation earlier this year that eliminated out-of-pocket costs for necessary BRCA testing and screening for high-risk Pennsylvanians.

This week, we also supported a resolution highlighting metastatic breast cancer – stage four when cancer has spread to other parts of the body. Despite advancements in medical science, metastatic breast cancer remains incurable.

Stocking PA’s Waters with Trout

Pennsylvania’s waterways are being restocked with approximately 117,500 hatchery-raised adult Rainbow, Brown and Brook Trout in 119 stream sections and lakes. The effort, which began this week, will continue through mid-December.

The stockings will replenish popular fishing spots across the state and provide ice fishing opportunities. Review the trout stocking schedules here. They are subject to change because of water temperature fluctuations and hatchery logistics.

Trout that are stocked during fall and winter can be fished for immediately. Anglers ages 16 and older must have a valid Pennsylvania fishing license and trout permit. You can buy 2023 fishing licenses and permits online or at a retail license issuing agent.

Tour State Game Lands on Oct. 8 and 15

Across the commonwealth, you can tour state game lands the next two Sundays: Oct. 8 and 15. The drive-through tours, offered by the Pennsylvania Game Commission, are free and held rain or shine for vehicles licensed to travel on public roads.

The tours offer the opportunity to learn about the historical aspects of the game lands and the habitat improvements being made on them.

Find specific locations and times for the tours here.

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