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Helping Those Who Need Assistance
Last week, I toured the future new headquarters and community center for Transitional Paths to Independent Living (TRPIL) in the former YWCA building in Washington. The first phase of construction is expected to be completed in the fall. It will include a welcome area, offices, meeting rooms and direct care worker training center. A second phase to restore the gymnasium and auditorium areas will start next spring. It is wonderful to see this building repurposed for the benefit of many people.
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District Office Grand Openings a Success
Thank you to everyone who came out to my district office grand openings in Houston and Washington this week. It was great to see so many familiar faces and meet new people.
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Strengthening Agriculture in PA
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State’s Top Industry Sees Budget Investments
Helping to ensure that agriculture remains one of Pennsylvania’s top industries and continues to help feed the world, the 2018-19 state budget made several critical investments to address the industry’s most pressing challenges.
To assist dairy farmers who are battling a changing market, $5 million will help with research and development programs, along with grants for sustaining the viability of their operations. Pennsylvania dairy farming supports 52,000 jobs and contributes $14.7 billion to the state’s economy. To find out if the dairy products you purchase are made in Pennsylvania, click here.
Another $3 million will be directed to help combat the spotted lanternfly, an inch-long black, red and white spotted insect native to Southeast Asia that threatens to destroy $18 billion worth of agricultural commodities, mainly apples, grapes and hardwoods. This funding will help increase detection and control efforts, and coordinate multi-agency response, outreach and training.
Several ag line items were also restored or increased in this year’s budget, including agricultural excellence; agricultural research; agricultural promotion, education and exports; hardwoods research and promotion; Livestock and Open Dairy shows; state food purchase; and food marketing and research.
More information can be found here.
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2018 Fair Guides Now Available
Fair season has started! If you’re looking to visit one of the state’s many fairs and festivals this summer, the 2018 Pennsylvania Fair Guide is now available online here.
Published by the state Department of Agriculture, the guide lists the dates, locations and contact persons for more than 100 agriculture fairs and events scheduled this summer and fall in Pennsylvania.
The guide also highlights 16 fairs that offer live harness racing as part of one of the nation’s leading fair-racing programs.
Copies are also available at my district office.
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Ag Progress Days Hosts Fun, Education for All Ages
One of the largest outdoor agricultural expositions will draw more than 45,000 people to central Pennsylvania Aug. 14-16 to learn more about the science and business of agriculture production during the annual Ag Progress Days near State College.
Sponsored by Penn State University’s College of Agricultural Sciences, the event attracts nearly 500 exhibitors from 34 states and Canada, with more than 60 percent directly or indirectly involved in ag production.
In addition to the exhibits and trade show, attendees can participate in crop displays, machinery demonstrations, guided research tours, family and youth activities, horse exhibitions and workshops.
While there, the House and Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs committees will receive an update on the overall status of the agricultural industry on Aug. 15.
No admission fee is charged, and parking is free. For more information, visit here.
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PennDOT Offers Winter Maintenance Jobs
Individuals seeking seasonal employment are encouraged to apply for a variety of winter maintenance positions now open through PennDOT.
The program runs from September through April, and includes positions for transportation equipment operators, diesel and construction equipment mechanics, automotive mechanics, tradesman helpers, clerks, clerk typists, stock clerks, welders, semi-skilled laborers and custodial workers.
Individuals in these positions supplement the permanent workforce and have the potential to lead to permanent full-time employment. Additional details about the positions, along with the job application, are available at employment.pa.gov. Click on “Open Jobs” and then go to “PennDOT Winter Program.”
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| Office Locations |
| District office: Details coming soon |
| Capitol office: 143B East Wing, P.O. Box 202048, Harrisburg, PA 17120-2048 | Tel: 717-787-3315 |
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| Email: toneal@pahousegop.com |
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