Pennsylvania legislature considers gun-control legislation, and more

What's new in the Upper Delaware region June 16-22

Posted 6/14/22

McGraw elected to lead state health association

ALBANY, NY — The New York State Association of County Health Officials, which serves as the voice for New York State’s local health …

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Pennsylvania legislature considers gun-control legislation, and more

What's new in the Upper Delaware region June 16-22

Posted

McGraw elected to lead state health association

ALBANY, NY — The New York State Association of County Health Officials, which serves as the voice for New York State’s local health departments, has elected Nancy McGraw its president. McGraw has served as the Sullivan County public health director since 2013 and has 22 years of experience in public health. She began her one-year term on June 1.

Pike County Hazard Mitigation plan available for public review

MILFORD, PA — For the past few months, Pike County, along with its 13 municipalities, has been in the process of updating its 2017 hazard mitigation plan (HMP). The plan examines critical infrastructure that might be affected by natural disasters, and it identifies mitigation projects to reduce vulnerability and enable communities to become more resilient to disasters.

The county is now asking members of the public to provide feedback and comments. The full, updated plan is available for public review and comment at the Pike County HMP plan website at pikecountypahmp.com/. A printed copy of the plan is available for review at the Pike County Office of Community Planning, 837 Rte. 6 Unit 3, in Shohola. The public comment period will be open until Wednesday, July 6. Visit surveymonkey.com/r/PikeDraftHMP to comment on the plan.

Pike County receives $10 million infrastructure grant

MILFORD, PA — Congressman Matt Cartwright (PA-08) announced that on June 8, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Water Resources Development Act of 2022, which includes his requested provisions for more than $68 million in federal funding for storm and wastewater projects in Monroe and Pike counties. The project authorization amounts include $10 million to Pike County for water and stormwater management infrastructure, including water supply.

Pennsylvania legislature considers gun-control legislation

HARRISBURG, PA — On June 13, the House Judiciary Committee met to consider four bills to address gun violence: House Bill 699, providing for safe storage of firearm when not in use; House Bill 770, prohibiting certain assault weapons; House Bill 1538, further providing for limitation on the regulation of firearms and ammunition and on municipal powers; and House Bill 1903, adding provisions relating to extreme risk protection orders. The committee voted to re-refer the bills to another committee rather than bring them to the House floor for a full vote.

Gov. Wolf spoke against the referral as inaction. “Lawmakers have an opportunity to take commonsense steps which the majority of Pennsylvanians support. Instead of taking a vote to advance these bills, they are just delaying debate on this legislation.”

Stream maintenance permit bill passes House

HARRISBURG, PA — A bill aimed at tackling delays in permitting that have led to flooding and property damage in the northern tier of the commonwealth has passed the House, said Rep. Jonathan Fritz (R-Susquehanna/Wayne), prime sponsor of the bill.

House Bill 2406 would create a small stream-maintenance project permit for mitigation of flood-related hazards of less than 250 linear feet or an area of less than one acre in size. The responsibility of small creek permits would be transferred into the hands of local government, alleviating delays through the PA Department of Environmental Protection.

Primary recount confirms Oz win

HARRISBURG, PA — Acting secretary of state Leigh M. Chapman announced on June 8 the mandatory statewide recount confirmed Mehmet Oz as the winner of the Republican Senate race in PA. Oz received 419,999 votes, 951 more than the second-place finisher, David McCormick, whose vote total was 419,048.

Chapman ordered the recount on May 26, after unofficial results showed Oz and McCormick, the first- and second-place finishers respectively, had vote totals within the 0.5 percent margin that automatically triggers a recount under state law.

Public service campaign wins award

MONTICELLO, NY — Bold Gold Media, New York Region, has won an award for an outstanding public service campaign in the 56th annual Awards for Excellence in Broadcasting from the New York State Broadcasters Association. The association recognized the Sullivan County Public Health Hope and Referral Line Awareness campaign. The ongoing campaign features a series of testimonials—personal stories of substance use disorder from a variety of perspectives, including coroners, public health officers and individuals in recovery.

Legislation creates maternal-infant care centers

ALBANY, NY — Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther (D, I, WF-Forestburgh) announced passage of a bill that requires the Department of Health, in conjunction with the Office of Addiction Services and Supports, to establish a pilot program of maternal-infant care centers in New York. The centers would help infants experiencing neonatal abstinence syndrome, neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome and other drug withdrawal symptoms.

Throughout the opioid crisis, hospitals have struggled to find ways to care for infants experiencing symptoms of withdrawal. NAS and NOWS are temporary conditions that are treatable with proper support. Treatment of these infants is often provided in newborn intensive care units with an estimated cost of $66,700 per infant, and the mother and baby are not able to stay in the same room. Maternal-infant care centers for these infants and their families can provide less costly and more focused care for newborns and their parents.

Climate Scoping Plan comment period extended

ALBANY, NY — New York State has extended the public comment period for the Climate Action Council Draft Scoping Plan. Comments can now be submitted until July 1; for more information and a link to submit comments visit climate.ny.gov/Our-Climate-Act/Draft-Scoping-Plan. The Draft Scoping Plan serves as an initial framework for how the State will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and achieve net-zero emissions, increase renewable energy usage, and ensure climate justice. January 1, 2022 marked the beginning of a comment period to receive feedback from the public as the council works to develop and release a final scoping plan by January 1, 2023.

Pay cash for toll-by-plate or E-Zpass

HARRISBURG, PA — The PA Turnpike Commission has partnered with the KUBRA Cash Payment Network, so customers can use cash to pay their Toll By Plate invoices or add funds to their E-ZPass accounts at retail locations within KUBRA’s nationwide network. To learn more about the KUBRA payment program and find retailer updates, visit paturnpike.com/pay-a-bill.




Nancy McGraw, New York State Association of County Health Officials, public health director, Pike County Hazard Mitigation Plan, Pike County, stormwater grant, gun control, gun violence, stream maintenance, small stream-maintenance project, permit, flood hazards, Mehmet Oz, David McCormick, Pennsylvania senate primaries, Bold Gold Media, public health campaign, Climate Action Council Draft Scoping Plan, New York State, climate change, PA Turnpike Commission

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