Latest news with #PennsylvaniaAgriculturalSurplusSystem
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
PennDOT, PA State Police highlight litter enforcement efforts in NEPA
Apr. 28—WILKES-BARRE — The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and the Pennsylvania State Police collaborated to discuss penalties for littering and littering in a litter enforcement corridor. PennDOT and PSP held a press event on Monday in Lackawanna County to explain what litter enforcement is, why it's important and what the penalties are for littering. "PennDOT Engineering District 4 is proud to continue our partnerships with the Pennsylvania State Police, the Department of Corrections (SCI Waymart and Dallas) and Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful today to highlight our efforts to reduce littering in Northeast PA." said Loni Tomaine, P.E., acting assistant district executive of maintenance at PennDOT Engineering District 4. Litter enforcement corridors have a high aesthetic or historic value worth preserving or need some additional help with litter issues. Approved segments are marked with signs to notify motorists of additional litter fines: doubled penalties for motorists caught scattering rubbish and tripled when it is done by a commercial business. Litter enforcement corridors also offer increased safety for workers or volunteers who are picking up trash in a designated corridor. When drivers in these areas see traffic control devices, they must yield the right of way, as in a construction work zone. For this reason, it's important to plan a cleanup event with local or state authorities involved when possible. For information on establishing a litter enforcement corridor, consult PennDOT's roadside enforcement manual on PennDOT's website. Additionally, PennDOT is in search of volunteers to participate in the northeast region's Adopt-A-Highway program, which involves cleaning litter from state-owned roadsides. Roadways and other areas can be adopted by individuals or organized groups such as clubs, schools, churches, businesses and families. In return for their participation, PennDOT posts signs along the roadway giving the volunteers credit for their efforts. Gloves, trash bags and safety vests for the cleanup campaign are provided by PennDOT, Department of Environmental Protection and Pick Up Pennsylvania, which runs from March 1 to May 31. Interested groups and individuals can sign up for the program at Highlighting farmers, food banks in fight against hunger Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding this week held a roundtable discussion with farmers to highlight Gov. Josh Shapiro's proposed investments in the Pennsylvania Agricultural Surplus System and the State Food Purchase Program. These programs are vital to strengthening Pennsylvania's food supply chain and ensuring that nutritious food reaches those who need it, especially with announced federal cuts to support for Pennsylvania farmers and food banks. The discussion brought food bank leaders and farmers together to explore the challenges that would be magnified by federal funding cuts. In contrast, the group discussed the positive impact the increases and initiatives in Shapiro's 2025-26 budget proposal would have on Pennsylvania food banks, the regional food system and area farmers. "With the bipartisan support of the General Assembly and the overwhelming generosity of Pennsylvania farmers, we have built successful programs to tackle food insecurity and put healthy, nutritious, local food on the tables of families across Pennsylvania," Redding said. "We simply can't afford to turn back time and undermine the progress we have made together for Pennsylvania families and farms." In his 2025-26 budget proposal, Shapiro calls for a $4 million increase to the Pennsylvania Agricultural Surplus System, which connects low-income Pennsylvanians with healthy, local food through 13 regional food banks across the state. The governor's budget proposal also calls for an addition $4 million for the State Food Purchase Program to increase the resources available to emergency food providers in all 67 counties. These proposed increases would bring the combined total for these programs to $34.6 million. The proposed funding comes at a pivotal moment for food security efforts across the Commonwealth. Demand for food assistance remains high, and the recent, cancellation of $13 million through the USDA's Local Food Purchasing Assistance program has left a significant funding gap. Designed to support agricultural producers in weathering the whims of Mother Nature and market pressures, PASS pays producers for wholesome food products. Food is diverted to Pennsylvania's food banks instead of being left in the fields or landfilled. Each year, PASS supports over 1.4 million Pennsylvania households by distributing more than six million pounds of locally sourced food from over 100 farmers. Through the State Food Purchase Program — the largest state-funded initiative of its kind in the nation — Pennsylvania provides direct cash grants to counties for the purchase and distribution of food to low-income individuals and families. In 2023-24, more than 3.1 million Pennsylvanians were served throughout all 67 counties. Designed to supplement the efforts of food banks, pantries, soup kitchens and shelters, SFPP reflects the Commonwealth's ongoing commitment to addressing hunger and improving nutrition. Agriculture is a cornerstone of Pennsylvania's economy, with over 53,000 farms generating $132.5 billion annually and supporting 600,000 jobs. Walsh to host concealed carry seminar Rep. Jamie Walsh, R-Ross Township, will host a seminar to educate constituents about the process of acquiring a concealed carry permit, the details surrounding Castle Doctrine and other information regarding state gun laws and firearm safety. Attending with Walsh will be Luzerne County District Attorney Sam Sanguedolce and Luzerne County Sheriff Brian Szumski. The seminar will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Butler Township Municipal Building, 83 Corporate Drive, Drums. Pugh to host community shredding event In an effort to help residents easily dispose of documents with personal and sensitive information, Rep. Brenda Pugh, R-Dallas Township, will host a Shredding Day for residents of the 120th Legislative District from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday. The event will take place at the West Side Career and Technology Center in Pringle. This free event provides an opportunity for residents to securely dispose of personal documents such as bank statements, tax returns and other sensitive information that may put them at risk for identity theft. Upon arrival, residents are asked to stay in their vehicles, where Pugh or a member of her staff will be readily available to assist. Each vehicle will be limited to shredding three copy-paper-sized boxes of paper. In addition, the Luzerne County District Attorney's Office will be on hand to collect old and expired prescriptions; American Legion Post 395 will collect damaged or old flags; and Sara's Table will be on hand to collect non-perishable canned goods. Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.
Yahoo
18-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Pennsylvania invests nearly $6.7M to protect 19 farms in 16 counties
Feb. 17—WILKES-BARRE — The Shapiro Administration this week announced that Pennsylvania is investing $6,699,378 to purchase development rights for 1,837 acres on 19 farms in 16 counties — protecting them from future residential or commercial development. These joint investments by state and local government ensure that Pennsylvania farmers will have the prime-quality land they need to continue supporting families, communities, and jobs. "Food security is national security," said Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding. "Farmers face fierce competition from developers seeking to buy their land, and saving that land to produce food is one of the most important things we can do to ensure that we can keep feeding Pennsylvania and the world. The Shapiro Administration is committed to investing, along with these farm families, to protect our valuable land to feed our families and economy in the future." Gov. Josh Shapiro's proposed budget recognizes that agriculture isn't just part of our rich heritage in Pennsylvania — it's key to our future. With 50,000 farms across Pennsylvania that contribute $132 billion to our economy and support almost 600,000 jobs, it doesn't make sense economically to ignore that. To continue Pennsylvania's national legacy as an agriculture leader, the 2025-26 budget proposes: —An additional $13 million in the Ag Innovation Fund to help build the future of American agriculture right here in Pennsylvania. In its first open application period, the Ag Innovation Fund received 159 applications for nearly $70 million worth of innovation projects. —Investing $2 million to keep Pennsylvania's new animal testing laboratory in the western part of the state operational, providing critical testing services for farmers to ensure their livestock remain healthy and viable for continued farming operations. —An additional $4 million to help connect Pennsylvanians at risk of hunger with healthy, local food through the Pennsylvania Agricultural Surplus System. —A $4 million increase to the State Food Purchase Program to provide state funds for emergency food assistance for low-income Pennsylvanians. These easement purchases multiply the impact of Pennsylvania dollars invested in conservation initiatives, like the Agricultural Conservation Assistance Program (ACAP), Clean & Green tax incentives, Resource Enhancement and Protection tax credits, as well as historic levels of state support for Pennsylvania farmers who are conserving priceless resources and working for cleaner water and healthier soil. In 2023 and 2024, Pennsylvania preserved 333 new farms and 27,510 prime acres of farmland across the state, investing more than $96.9 million. Pennsylvania continues to lead the nation in preserved farmland. Since 1988, when voters overwhelmingly supported creating the state's Farmland Preservation Program, Pennsylvania has protected 6,500 farms and 648,692 acres in 58 counties from future development, investing more than $1.7 billion in state, county, and local funds. One of the farms preserved is in Luzerne County: Kurt A. and Holly M. Michael, 90-acre dairy farm, Huntington Township; total investment — $281,285. Rep. Meuser co-sponsors the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser, R-Dallas, this week co-sponsored H.R. 979 — the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act. Meuser said this bipartisan legislation would recognize that AM radio is an essential communication tool during emergencies, and for decades has been a source of news, entertainment, sports, and music for tens of millions of drivers. As such, Meuser said the legislation directs the Department of Transportation to require automakers to include AM broadcast radio installed as standard equipment in new motor vehicles, ensuring access to AM broadcast stations in every car at no additional cost. "Across Pennsylvania and the nation, AM radio is a crucial source of information, entertainment, and emergency alerts," Meuser said. "In rural areas, especially during natural disasters, AM radio is often the only reliable way to stay informed when internet or cell service is unavailable. This bill ensures that drivers can continue to rely on AM radio in their vehicles to remain prepared and up to date." Specifically, Meuser said the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2025 would: —Direct the Department of Transportation, in consultation with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Communications Commission, to issue a rule that requires automakers to maintain AM broadcast radio devices as standard equipment in their vehicles in a way that is easily accessible for consumers, and without a separate or additional payment, fee, or surcharge, all while providing extra compliance time for small manufacturers; —Require any automaker that sells vehicles without access to AM broadcast radio before the effective date of the rule to clearly disclose to consumers that the vehicle lacks access to AM broadcast radio; and, —Direct the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to study the importance of AM radio as a communication technology during emergencies, whether a reliable alternative communication system exists for delivering emergency alerts, and consider the cost to drivers of receiving communications through an alternative system, and cost and time required to develop and implement an alternative. Rep. Bresnahan issues statement on budget reconciliation; vows to vote 'for the people of NEPA' U.S. Representative Rob Bresnahan, Jr., R-Dallas Township, this week released the following statement in response to current budget reconciliation negotiations: "I ran for Congress under a promise of always doing what is best for the people of Northeastern Pennsylvania," said Rep. Bresnahan. "If a bill is put in front of me that guts the benefits my neighbors rely on, I will not vote for it. Pennsylvania's Eighth District chose me to advocate for them in Congress. These benefits are promises that were made to the people of NEPA and where I come from, people keep their word." Bresnahan said Pennsylvania's 8th Congressional District is home to more than 200,000 Medicaid recipients, amounting to 25% of the district. Additionally, he said the district is home to 66,000 Medicare recipients, and 190,000 Social Security recipients. Sen. Fetterman urges Trump Administration to reverse measures banning transgender troops from military U.S. Sen. John Fetterman, D-Braddock, this week condemned the Trump Administration's decision to bar transgender individuals from serving in the U.S. military and called for an immediate reversal of these policies. In a video posted to X, Senator Fetterman stated: "I am unapologetically pro-military — I believe in a strong, lethal military. But I am also unapologetically pro the LGBTQ community. "I am calling on President Trump to rescind this executive order — to allow and honor the inherent dignity of our service members regardless of what their race is, what their gender is, who they love, or how they identify. "A military that respects and supports all of its members is fully capable of being lethal and winning wars." Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth recently issued a memo enforcing a ban on transgender individuals from enlisting in the armed forces and eliminating access to gender-affirming medical care for current service members. The memo, addressed to senior Pentagon and military leadership, follows an executive order President Trump issued last month, directing the Department of Defense to exclude individuals who identify with a gender different from their biological sex from military service. Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.
