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Creating Responsibility and Transparency for Data Center Development
Local governments are on the front lines of decision-making that directly impacts data center development. They determine zoning, land use, and ultimately where large facilities like data centers can be located. Because of this responsibility, it is critical that they have the tools and information necessary to make sound, informed decisions on behalf of their residents. That’s why Senator David G. Argall and I circulated a co-sponsorship memo regarding legislation that would require a pre-application meeting between developers and local officials before data center projects are formally submitted for municipal review. The proposal would protect local infrastructure and ensure transparency in development planning while offering stronger factual education to local elected officials. Data centers represent potential economic opportunity for Pennsylvania. However, they are also incredibly resource-intensive facilities. This bill ensures municipalities have the information they need early in the process to assess whether local infrastructure can realistically support these projects and residents have factual information Under the proposed legislation, any entity seeking to develop a data center in Pennsylvania must:
To see my full press release and the co-sponsorship memo, click here. Senate Votes to Help Relieve Long-Term Care Worker Shortage
The number of Pennsylvania residents ages 65 and over is expected to nearly double by 2040, but even now many nursing facilities are forced to take beds out of service because they can’t fill direct care positions. The Senate recently passed legislation to tackle this critical problem by making it easier for those seeking employment at long-term care centers while still ensuring employees are well-qualified. Senate Bill 114 would encourage more employees to join the long-term care workforce by expanding the availability of training courses for nurse aides and the eligibility for individuals to take the nurse aide competency exam. The bill was sent to the House of Representatives for consideration. Scenes from the 40th District
This week’s photo winner is courtesy of Susan of Stroudsburg, with some amazing action shots of a red fox! This photo has been shared on my social media and posted to the 40th Senatorial District Photo Gallery. Interested in showcasing your photography skills? I am inviting residents of the 40th Senatorial District to share their photography and help capture the beauty and character of our community. Whether it’s a stunning landscape, a lively community event, or a cherished historical landmark, I encourage you to submit photos that highlight the unique aspects of our district, which includes parts of Lackawanna and Wayne counties, and all of Monroe County. Click here to submit your work and learn more. Measure to Help Veteran-Owned Businesses Approved by Senate
Beyond serving our nation in the military, many veterans create jobs through their entrepreneurial spirit. We approved legislation to promote these veteran-owned businesses. Senate Bill 64 would authorize the creation of a special logo to promote veteran-owned businesses. To be eligible, a business must be registered with the Department of State and at least 51% of the ownership interest must be held by a veteran, reservist or member of the National Guard. To discourage the logo from being used fraudulently, anyone who falsely claims to be a veteran to obtain this designation would face a misdemeanor of the third degree. The bill was sent to the House of Representatives for consideration. Expanding Government Transparency with OpenBookPA
The Pennsylvania Treasury has launched an expanded portal for state government transparency, providing taxpayers with more tools to explore state finance details. OpenBookPA’s new features include:
Announced by Treasurer Stacy Garrity earlier this month, OpenBookPA also links to the Treasury Checkbook, which includes payments made by Treasury to vendors and the Contracts e-Library, which makes available state contracts, purchase orders and amendments valued at $5,000 or more for public review. Happy Rosh Hashanah
Rosh Hashanah begins Monday at sundown. To everyone celebrating the Jewish New Year, I hope it brings thoughtful reflection, personal growth and renewed hope. Grand Opening of I Rise Spa & Events
Earlier this week was the grand opening of I Rise Spa & Events located at 350 Main Street, Stroudsburg. This venue isn’t just for hosting celebrations and events of all kinds… it also offers fun spa experiences for kids, like manicure and pedicure parties for young girls, and even a game area for boys. It’s a wonderful, family-friendly addition to our community where parents can enjoy a night out while their kids have a blast in a safe and welcoming environment. Check out the picture of their flyer for special offers. As an added bonus, I Rise partnered with Texas Roadhouse to offer a free kid’s meal and a free appetizer for parents – the perfect pairing for a date night! Grand Opening of NEPA Business Technologies
Congratulations to NEPA Business Technologies on their grand opening earlier this week at their location on Main Street in Stroudsburg! Whether you need network security, managed IT services, hardware solutions, or ongoing tech support, their team of business technology professionals is there to help optimize your productivity and protect your systems. They are happy to provide referrals so you can hear firsthand how they have helped others succeed. Kristine from my office attended the ribbon cutting ceremony to present them with a citation from the Senate of Pennsylvania!
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