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Senator Scott Hutchinson

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January 2016

Dear Friend,

I am pleased to present my electronic newsletter. These e-newsletters enable me to provide information about issues, events and activities in Harrisburg and around the 21st Senatorial District to you in a timely manner while saving postage costs.  

If you find this e-newsletter useful, I invite you to visit my website www.senatorscotthutchinson.com for more information about your state government. If you do not wish to receive these e-newsletters, please click the “unsubscribe” button at the bottom of the page.

I also want to extend my best wishes for a bountiful and healthy new year.

Sincerely,

Scott


Thank You to PA's Citizen-Soldiers!

I had the pleasure of visiting with the 148th Air Support Operations Squadron of the PA National Guard during Guard Day at the Capitol on December 8.

Governor reduces, signs state budget bill

On December 29, Governor Wolf line-item vetoed, then signed, House Bill 1460, which currently represents a $23.4 billion state budget for Fiscal Year 2015-16, including six months of funding for schools and funding at Fiscal Year 2014-15 levels for many other programs and services.

The legislation as approved by the General Assembly would have enacted a compromise $30.26 billion budget to fund state government operations for the 2015-16 fiscal year.

Highlights of the Governor’s line-item vetoes include:

  • Basic Education Funding – Reduced the Basic Education subsidy to $2.5 billion, which is approximately $3.1 billion less than what the General Assembly appropriated for schools.
  • Human Services – Eliminated vital lines such as Medical Assistance Obstetrics and Neonatal Services, Medical Assistance Critical Access Hospitals and Medical Assistance Hospital-Based Burn Centers.
  • Department of Agriculture - Reduced overall funding of the Department of Agriculture by half ($100 million) and eliminated a significant number of essential agricultural support programs.
  • Higher Education – Total elimination of all non-preferred appropriations, such as Penn State, Pitt, Temple, Lincoln and University of Pennsylvania’s Veterinary Activities and Center for Infectious Disease.
  • Corrections – Reduced state funding to State Correctional Institutions by 50 percent.

100th Pennsylvania Farm Show Set for January 9 -16

The 100th Pennsylvania Farm Show is set to run in Harrisburg from January 9 through 16. The Pennsylvania Farm Show is the nation’s largest indoor agricultural event, featuring 6,000 animals, 10,000 competitive exhibits, and 300 commercial exhibitors.

According to a report issued by the Hershey Harrisburg Regional Visitors Bureau, the 2015 show had an estimated economic impact of $95 million to the south-central Pennsylvania region, supporting more than 18,000 jobs over the course of the event.

The show runs January 9-15 from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. and January 16 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free and parking is $15 in Farm Show lots. The Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center is easily accessible from nearby Interstate 81.

For more information about the 2016 show, visit www.farmshow.state.pa.us.

Beat ‘Cabin Fever’ with Special B&B Deals

The Pennsylvania Tourism Office, in partnership with the Pennsylvania Association of Bed & Breakfast Inns (PABBI), recently announced the return of the seasonal ‘Cabin Fever’ promotion available to travelers who are ready to beat the winter blues.

During the month of January, travelers are encouraged to book a night stay with a participating bed-and-breakfast (B&B) in order to receive the second consecutive night at a discounted rate, or free, throughout the month. A list of eligible properties is available at www.painns.com.

To kick off the promotion, the Tourism Office launched a Facebook sweepstakes to promote the many family-owned destinations that are members of PABBI. The ‘Cabin Fever’ sweepstakes grand prize winner will receive a two-night stay at the 1825 Inn Bed and Breakfast near Hershey, while two runners-up will be awarded a $100 gift certificate redeemable at any PABBI member property.

Entry to the sweepstakes is now available at www.facebook.com/visitPA though January 29. Winners will be announced via Facebook in February.

Dog Licenses Now Available at County Treasurers’ Offices

Pennsylvanians can now purchase 2016 dog licenses from their county treasurers. State law requires all dogs three months and older to be licensed by January 1 of each year.

An annual dog license is $8.50, or $6.50 if the animal is spayed or neutered. Lifetime licenses are available for dogs that have permanent identification like a microchip or tattoo. Older adults and people with disabilities may be eligible for discounts.

The dog license application is simple and only requests owner contact information and details about the dog being licensed, like name, age, breed and color.

For more information, including a list of county treasurers, visit www.licenseyourdogPA.com or call the Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement Office at (717) 787-3062.


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Offices of Senator Scott E. Hutchinson

HARRISBURG

Senate Box 203021
170 Main Capitol
Harrisburg, PA 17120
(717) 787-9684
FAX: (717) 787-6088
TTY: (877) 659-4483
WARREN

22045 Route 6
Warren, PA 16365-7952
(814) 728-2100
FAX: (814) 728-2102

BUTLER

110 East Diamond Street
Butler, PA 16001
(724) 282-1234
FAX: (724) 282-6852
OIL CITY

302 Seneca Street
Oil City, PA 16301
(814) 677-6345
FAX: (814) 677-6331