Photo Courtesy PCN

20th “National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day” to be held on Saturday, April 24^th

 HARRISBURG – State Sen. Gene Yaw (R-23) today announced that the 20^th Semi-Annual “National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day,” sponsored by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), will be held on Saturday, April 24^th, 2021, from 10AM-2PM.

Residents living throughout Bradford, Lycoming, Sullivan, Susquehanna and Union counties are encouraged to participate in the pharmaceutical “spring cleaning” by taking back expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs. Safe disposal drop-off locations are located in every county and can be found by going to the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs website, click here.

“National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day” events continue to remove expired and unused opioids and other medicines from Pennsylvania homes.  During the October 2020 Take-Back Day event, 189 Pennsylvania law enforcement agencies collected 36,949 pounds of unused or expired medications from 209 collection sites across the state.  Since the inception of the program on September 25^th, 2010, over 597,120 pounds of medications have been returned and destroyed in Pennsylvania.

“Take-Back Day is an excellent way to reduce drug abuse and misuse across the board,” Sen. Yaw said.  “It’s not only about preventing people from stealing or abusing prescription drugs, but it’s also about preventing accidental use and overdose, especially by our senior population.  Further, many people are unsure on how to properly dispose of the medications, so they flush them down the toilet or throw them in the garbage.  This can lead to the medications entering into our water supply, which is a huge environmental concern.”

In 2014, Senator Yaw supported Senate Bill 1180, now Act 191, creating a statewide prescription drug monitoring program in the Commonwealth to expand upon the types of drugs already monitored and increase access for pharmacists and health care practitioners with prescriptive rights.  Since that time, he has championed several legislative initiatives, which are now law, including expanded education requirements for prescribers and limiting opioids for minors.

Learn more about “National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day” at www.deatakeback.com, or by calling 800-882-9539.

For more state-related news and information visit Senator Yaw’s website at www.SenatorGeneYaw.com or on Facebook and Twitter @SenatorGeneYaw.

Whip Scalise and Congressman Keller discuss energy priorities during the Think About Energy webinar.

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Fred Keller (R-PA) today joined House Republican Whip Steve Scalise (R-LA) for a webinar hosted by Cabot Oil & Gas to discuss current and proposed energy policies and weigh in on America’s domestic energy sector.

Whip Scalise opened the event with remarks highlighting House Republicans’ energy priorities, noting the importance of an all-of-the-above American energy approach and of harnessing our nation’s resources to produce clean, affordable, and reliable energy.

Congressman Keller followed up with insights on the positive impact that American energy independence has had on central and northeastern Pennsylvania. Thanks to domestic energy, Pennsylvania’s statewide energy sector now sustains more than 300,000 jobs, pays more than $23 billion in wages, contributes $45 billion to the commonwealth’s economy, and saves the average household $1,100 annually in energy costs.

On the event, Congressman Keller made the following statement:

“I was proud to join Whip Scalise today for a productive, energy-focused webinar hosted by Cabot Oil & Gas. America’s domestic energy has far-reaching implications for every sector of our economy. Energy producers have been outstanding partners in central and northeastern Pennsylvania, investing in local communities and generating countless downstream job opportunities. In order to sustain good-paying jobs, create prosperity for future generations, and secure American interests around the globe, we must reject and counteract policies that place a higher premium on appeasing the radical left than protecting the future of America’s energy sector.”

Republican Whip Steve Scalise:

“It was a pleasure to join Cabot Oil & Gas for today’s ‘Think About Energy’ webinar alongside Representative Keller. Our two districts demonstrate how an all-of-the-above American energy strategy has propelled our nation to be energy dominant and allowed our economy to thrive. The truth is that the Democrats don’t want to see the hardworking men and women of the Gulf and Marcellus Shale oil and gas industry succeed. Their socialist green agenda will leave American families and workers hurting and our country dependent on unreliable and unfriendly nations for energy. Instead of attempting to end American oil and natural gas production, we should embrace and utilize our abundant, affordable, and clean energy resources.”

George Stark, Director of External Affairs for Cabot Oil & Gas Corporation and moderator of the webinar:

“The state of Pennsylvania, as well as our nation as a whole, has an abundance of natural resources. This abundance gives us plenty to discuss, and it’s important to bring energy advocates and policy makers together to further the industry.” 

Whip Scalise is the leader of the House Energy Action Team (HEAT), of which Congressman Keller is also a member. HEAT is a coalition of House Republicans representing districts with significant energy infrastructure. Its mission is to promote energy policies that will address rising energy prices, create family-sustaining energy jobs, and enhance our national security by promoting American energy independence.

The full webinar is available here.

Photo Courtesy PCN

HARRISBURG – State Sen. Gene Yaw (R-23), Rep. Jeff Wheeland (R-83) and Rep. Joe Hamm (R-84) today announced several significant investments for Lycoming County through the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA).

“I was pleased to advocate for all of these projects approved today by the CFA,” Sen. Yaw said.  “Our legislative advocacy is strong and we are fortunate to have many good local officials who are forward thinking in planning these projects, cleaning up our environment and promoting economic growth for our region.  These investments have a positive impact for all residents.”

Jersey Shore Borough will be awarded two grants through the CFA.  The Borough will receive $78,002 through the Greenways, Trails and Recreation program to implement the Jersey Shore Active Transportation Plan.  The plan will connect the existing DCNR funded rail trail to the Susquehanna River.  This phase includes a trail connector to Allegheny Street, enhanced sidewalks, and curb ramps.  Additionally, the Borough will receive $150,000 through the CFA Multimodal Transportation Fund to assist with a streetscape project.  The proposed project will help accomplish phase one of the plan by enhancing the sidewalks, bump outs, signage, crosswalks and curb ramps along Bank Alley & South Main Street, Fountain Street and Allegheny Street, and Staver and Allegheny Street.

“I want to thank the Commonwealth Financing Authority for awarding this grant to Jersey Shore Borough for accessibility and safety improvements for pedestrians and bicyclists,” said Rep. Hamm. “As the former Jersey Shore Borough Manager, I was proud to support this project during the planning stages and now during its implementation as State Representative. Outdoor recreation opportunities are important and Jersey Shore and the Pine Creek Valley provide a world-class experience.”

“The Borough of Jersey Shore would like to thank Senator Yaw and Representative Hamm for their support of the Jersey Shore Active Transportation Plan,” said Cody L. Hoover, Borough Manager.  “We look forward to using the funds to improve the Borough and create more growth and economic development opportunities.”

In the City of Williamsport, the Economic and Community Growth Corporation has been awarded $200,000 as part of a transition of a blighted brownfield property into a multi-field, regional baseball and softball complex.  The project consists of excavation of the brownfield, construction of the site into a multi-field sports complex.  The site will be home to six fields for youth baseball and softball, and one collegiate-sized field.  Funding has also been committed through the Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce.

“This multi-million-dollar development project will create new opportunities for the Greater Williamsport region to draw upon its world-renowned status as a home for youth baseball and attract thousands of new visitors,” Rep. Wheeland said.  “Given the potential impact this project could have on our community, I was happy to support this important project.”

Lycoming County will also receive a grant of $287,379 through the Pipeline Investment Program (PIPE) to extend a natural gas pipeline to serve a prospective manufacturing company in the Timber Run Industrial Park, located in Brady Township.  The extension will provide access to natural gas for future companies locating in the Park, which is viewed as a critical economic development opportunity in the area.

“Economic development is one of my top priorities as State Representative,” Rep. Hamm added. “I am pleased the Commonwealth Financing Authority approved PIPE funding for Lycoming County’s Timber Run Industrial Park. Establishing low-cost natural gas service to this site will allow manufacturers and future developers to bring high-quality, family-sustaining jobs to the area. I was honored to support this project.”

“We greatly appreciate the work of Senator Yaw and Representatives Wheeland and Hamm in securing funding for these projects here in Lycoming County,” said Jason Fink, President and CEO of the Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce.  “Jersey Shore is a gateway to the Pine Creek Valley and Pennsylvania Wilds.  This investment will enhance the community for not only residents but visitors enjoying the outdoor amenities of the area.  Funding for the Timber Run Industrial Park is key to providing the necessary utilities for industries that will be developing in it.  One key resource required for Digger Specialties operations there was natural gas and now Lycoming County has the funding to get the service to them.  Our ballpark project will transform a highly visible blighted brownfield property here in the city to a heavily used baseball/softball complex that will serve local needs and sports tourists alike.  The collective work of our state legislative delegation will have great impact on Lycoming County in the years to come.”

Please see Attorney General Shapiro’s statement regarding the passage of the civil window statute by the Pennsylvania Senate’s Judiciary Committee.

“We cannot overlook the significance of today’s passage of the civil window statute by the Pennsylvania Senate’s Judiciary Committee, and I want to thank Senators Baker, Corman and Santarsiero for their leadership. I commend our state senators for voting this bill out of committee, but now it is time to bring this vote to the Senate floor,” said AG Shapiro. “Two years ago, we heard the voices of brave survivors across the Commonwealth who suffered abuse at the hands of priests within the Catholic Church. Their righteous voices impacted change – three of the four Grand Jury reforms recommended are now law in Pennsylvania, 20 states have also passed our reforms, and 14 states began their own investigations into clergy abuse, as well as the Department of Justice. Today’s vote brings these brave survivors the closest they have been to having their day in court. Now it’s time to deliver justice and closure for those who spoke up, relived their trauma, and bolstered the system for future victims.”