HARRISBURG –State Sen. Gene Yaw (R-23), chairman of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, announced he will soon introduce legislation to establish a Pennsylvania Baseload Energy Development Fund. The Fund would provide low-interest grants and loans to finance the construction, maintenance, modernization and operation of electric generation facilities.

“Pennsylvania alone supplies nearly 25% of baseload electric generation capacity to the grid,” Yaw said. “We must play a more active role in incentivizing generation and addressing looming reliability challenges with market-based solutions. The Pennsylvania Baseload Energy Development Fund can help us supply the grid with reliable, cost-effective energy, as well as the infrastructure and workforce to maintain it.”

Yaw plans to introduce the measure as part of his ongoing work related to responsible energy development and protecting the reliability of the PJM electric grid. PJM projects that 20% of its existing capacity will retire by 2030 and at the current course, they will not have sufficient power to meet the demands of consumers.

The Energy Fund will be modeled after the Texas Energy Development Fund, which has been extremely successful in attracting baseload electric generation capacity. Initially funded at $5 billion, the Texas fund was increased to $10 billion due to overwhelming response.

For more state-related news and information, constituents can visit Senator Yaw’s website at www.SenatorGeneYaw.com or follow him on Facebook and X @SenatorGeneYaw.

 

CONTACT 
Elizabeth Weitzel
717-787-3280 

INDIANA, PA – Sen. Joe Pittman (R-41) issued the following statement regarding the prisoner exchange this week between the United States and Russia:

“While the recent release of Americans detained in Russia was certainly good news, the stark truth remains: President Biden’s agreement did not secure freedom for all. It’s a poignant moment for those reunited, but we cannot celebrate while fellow Americans, like Marc Fogel, are still held captive.

“Marc, a fellow Pennsylvanian, has been imprisoned in Russia for three long years. His family has tirelessly pleaded with our federal leaders for his return. No upstanding American should endure such prolonged separation from their loved ones.

“I implore President Biden and Vice President Harris to champion Marc’s cause during their remaining term in office and bring him home. We must stand together against this grave injustice. My thoughts and prayers are with Marc Fogel and his entire family during this incredibly challenging time.”

 

Media Contact:         Kate Eckhart Flessner

HARRISBURG – Thanks to the dedicated efforts of Sen. Devlin Robinson (R-37), a new urban search and rescue task force will be created in western Pennsylvania.

Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) task forces play a crucial role in disaster response, capable of deploying rapidly to areas affected by natural or man-made disasters such as structural collapses, floods, hurricanes and other emergencies. With advanced training and state-of-the-art equipment, USAR task forces provide life-saving services and support recovery efforts. The establishment of a new task force in western Pennsylvania will ensure that more areas of the state have access to vital resources during critical times.

“This new task force will significantly improve our emergency response capabilities in western Pennsylvania,” Robinson said. “By providing our first responders with the necessary resources and support, we are ensuring the safety and well-being of our communities in times of crisis. I’m so grateful to my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for their support of this initiative.”

The 2024-25 state budget allocates up to $6 million for a western Pennsylvania-based urban search and rescue task force. Other parts of the commonwealth will also have access to funding, all of which aim to complement Task Force One located in the southeastern part of the commonwealth. The team will include firefighters, engineers, medical professionals, canine handlers and emergency managers – all with specialized training and equipment to respond effectively during disasters.

 

CONTACTS:
Allison Dutrey

HARRISBURG – Sens. Dan Laughlin (R-49) and Cris Dush (R-25) today introduced legislation to update existing “safe harbor laws” to address the gaps in the current statute regarding the protection and support of minors who have been victims of sexual exploitation.

“We need to change how the law treats children who have been sexually exploited and implement provisions that seek to reverse the long-term impact on victims of sexual exploitation and sex trafficking,” said Laughlin. “Minors should not be charged with prostitution; these children should be recognized as victims and provided with the necessary support services to help them recover from their exploitation.”

The Senate Majority Policy Committee held a public hearing this past January about human trafficking, learning not only that prosecution of offenders needs to be uniform across localities and states, but, just as important, that more needs to be done to protect the victims of human trafficking. The proposed legislation, Senate Bill 1299, was developed based on the information received during that hearing.

“By no means limited to faraway foreign nations or remote private islands, sex trafficking rings are actively operating within our local communities, many times as close as next door,” said Dush, the prime sponsor of Act 39 of 2023, which was signed into law to ensure sexually exploited child trafficking victims always have full access to appropriate services and support. “Being aware of the statistics and horrors of human trafficking is useless without taking serious legislative action. I am grateful for the opportunity to partner with Sen. Laughlin in fortifying our current safe harbor laws as another line of defense to protect human trafficking victims across the commonwealth.”

SB 1299 covers all criminal offenses related to the sexual exploitation of children, not just specific crimes. Using a broader scope will ensure all victims receive the assistance and protection they need, regardless of the circumstances of their exploitation.

County agencies will have an essential role in improving coordination and response efforts, helping identify and assist sexually exploited children, and strengthening the overall effectiveness of the program.

The legislation also seeks to ensure the privacy and safety of children since confidentiality is paramount to protecting sexually exploited children from further harm.

Additionally, SB 1299 would create alternative interventions and support mechanisms for sexually exploited children; such victims should not be put into the juvenile justice system. The focus should be on addressing the underlying factors contributing to their exploitation to prevent further victimization.

These changes will create a system that better protects the rights and well-being of some of the most vulnerable members of our society.

Contact:    David Kozak (Sen. Laughlin)     717-787-8927
                  Ty McCauslin (Sen. Dush)        717-787-7084

HARRISBURG – State Sen. Scott Martin (R-13), chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and State Sen. Gene Yaw (R-23), chairman of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, applauded a $50 million annual recurring investment in the state’s Clean Streams Fund included in the 2024-25 state budget.

The landmark Fund addresses agricultural conservation, nutrient management, clean water procurement, stormwater management and acid mine drainage and has helped Pennsylvania gain momentum in meeting its goals for reducing pollution to the Chesapeake Bay. Spearheaded by Martin and Yaw last session, along with Sen. Dan Laughlin (R-49), establishment of the Fund coincided with creation of the Agricultural Conservation Assistance Program (ACAP). This program is designed to share costs to farmers for farm management practices that reduce sediment in waterways, keeping the nutrients out of waterways and on the farm to build soil health.

“Clean water is a key contributor to the health of our communities and the quality of life we enjoy,” Martin said. “We have made tremendous progress in recent years to ensure our water is cleaner and healthier, and I am proud that our state budget makes historic new investments to ensure this progress can continue for many years to come.”

“The Clean Streams Fund puts money into action by correcting decades of non-point source pollution with innovative solutions, like pay-for-performance and strategic tree planting, without demanding a single additional cent from taxpayers,” Yaw said. “Funding of this magnitude will go a long way toward restoring our local Pennsylvania streams and the continued improvement of downstream waters like the Chesapeake Bay.  This is a historic investment, and I am grateful for the continued support of my fellow lawmakers and our governor in getting this across the finish line.”

The legislators noted that Pennsylvania boasts the highest stream density in the continental United States, with more than 85,000 miles of waterways that support a $26.9 billion outdoor recreation industry and more than 390,000 jobs.  Unfortunately, one-third of those streams fall short of water quality standards for drinking, fishing or swimming.  

Best management practices implemented by farmers and local governments are showing results.  Earlier this month, the annual report card released by the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science (UMCES) showed notable progress, with the overall health of the Chesapeake Bay receiving its best grade in more than two decades. The Upper Bay, which is most influenced by the Susquehanna River, received a B- in the report card, a score second only to the lower Bay which is influenced by the Atlantic Ocean. 

Over 967 miles of streams have been restored back to health in the past 20 years, and new tools to find the most effective actions and locations, combined with new resources through the Clean Streams Fund, will accelerate that trend.

“As the Chesapeake Bay restoration enters its fifth decade, our non-governmental partners and scientific advisors are emphasizing the need for more strategic efforts that have relevance to local communities across the watershed.  Pennsylvania’s Clean Streams Fund is an example of that “local-first” approach that will benefit both Pennsylvania and the Bay,” said Anna Killius, Executive Director of the Chesapeake Bay Commission. 

The Chesapeake Bay is the largest and most productive estuary in the United States, spanning six states and the District of Columbia.  It is fed by 50 major tributaries, including the Susquehanna River, which is the largest tributary in the Bay. The Susquehanna River contributes about half of the Bay’s fresh water.

Senators Martin and Yaw represent Pennsylvania as members of the Chesapeake Bay Commission, a tri-state legislative commission advising the general assemblies of Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia. Yaw chairs the Commission’s Pennsylvania Delegation and is a vice chair of the Commission.

For more state-related news and information, constituents can visit Senator Martin’s website at www.SenatorScottMartinPA.com and Senator Yaw’s website at www.SenatorGeneYaw.com and

 

CONTACT:
Jason Thompson (Sen. Martin)
717-787-6535

Elizabeth Weitzel (Sen. Yaw)
717-787-3280

HARRISBURG – State Sens. Dan Laughlin (R-49) and Wayne Langerholc, Jr. (R-35) will soon introduce legislation to bring back the Flagship Niagara license plate.

With the governor’s recent decision to revamp the design of Pennsylvania’s license plates, now is the perfect time to bring back a newly designed Flagship Niagara plate, aligning with the state’s efforts to modernize and enhance license plate aesthetics.

The Flagship Niagara plate was available from late 1995 to early 1997, but discontinued due to significant legibility problems. However, advancements in design and printing technology now provide an opportunity to address these issues and reintroduce the plate with a new, improved design.

“The Flagship Niagara holds great historical significance for Pennsylvania,” said Laughlin. “As the relief flagship of Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry during the Battle of Lake Erie in the War of 1812, it played a pivotal role in securing a critical American victory. This victory ensured American control of the Great Lakes and boosted national morale. The ship is a symbol of bravery, resilience, and the maritime heritage of Pennsylvania.”

Reintroducing the Flagship Niagara license plate not only pays tribute to this important historical vessel but also promotes state pride and heritage. It offers Pennsylvanians a unique way to connect with our state’s rich history and honor the legacy of those who served aboard the Niagara.

“The Flagship Niagara played a crucial role in our nation’s history,” Langerholc said. “This plate will help us remember its significance to Erie, the commonwealth, and the entire country.”

The Flagship Niagara will travel to Cleveland, Ohio, for an initial round of repairs. A subsequent trip to the shipyard, scheduled for 2024-2025, will address more extensive repairs. All repair work will be completed in time for Niagara to be sailing in Erie as part of the commonwealth’s semiquincentennial (250th) anniversary celebration of the Declaration of Independence.

“What better way to celebrate its return than by unveiling a newly designed license plate?” said Laughlin. “This initiative will allow Pennsylvanians to proudly display a piece of our state’s history and celebrate the enduring legacy of the Flagship Niagara.”

Contacts:    David Kozak     (Sen. Laughlin)
                   Gwenn Dando  (Sen. Langerholc)