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In this Update:
- DiSanto Announces Major Funding for Dauphin County Water and Sewer Projects
- 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
The Senate Floor was adorned with beautiful poinsettias for our last session week of the year, thanks to my colleague Sen. John Kane, representing parts of Chester and Delaware Counties.
DiSanto Announces Major Funding for Dauphin County Water and Sewer Projects
This week I announced the approval of state funding assistance for a dozen water and sewer improvement projects across the 15th Senate District in Dauphin County. The maintenance of safe and reliable water and sewer systems is crucial for healthy, thriving communities, and these grants will help pay for these critical upgrades.
The funding was approved by the Commonwealth Financing Authority through the COVID-19 American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) H2O PA Water Supply, Sanitary Sewer and Storm Water Projects Program and the COVID-19 ARPA Small Water and Sewer Program Projects Program.
H2O PA Projects:
Capital Region Water ($3.5 million) for construction of the Paxton Street Interceptor in Harrisburg.
Lower Paxton Township ($1.4 million) to assist in the latest phase of replacement and rehabilitation of sanitary sewer lines in the township.
Municipal Authority of Lower Swatara Township ($1.4 million) will use the funds for an interceptor improvement project.
Susquehanna Township Authority ($893,773) will receive funds for improvements to Fox Run Trunk pumping station.
Small Water and Sewer Projects:
Paxtang Borough ($97,099) will receive funds for the rehabilitation of sanitary sewer infrastructure in the borough.
Lower Paxton Township ($112,150) will receive funds as part of the Paxton Creek sediment-reduction project to retrofit two detention basins and grass-lined swales located at the Friendship Center YMCA.
Municipal Authority of Lower Swatara Township ($401,500) will use the funds for sanitary sewer improvements.
East Hanover Township ($500,000) will receive funds to replace aging storm sewer pipes in the Village of Grantville.
Dauphin Borough ($184,192) will receive funds for constructing a new sewer main along High Street.
South Hanover Township ($950,000) will use the funds from two grant applications for the replacement of a sewage force main as well as the construction of a new Sand Beach sewage pump station and conveyance force main.
Royalton Borough Authority ($200,000) will receive funds for improvements to its Water Street Pump Station.
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 Small Water and Sewer Program provides grants for small water, sewer and storm water infrastructure projects.
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 outreach 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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