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| Weekly Roundup |
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The latest news from the State Capitol |
Radon – Is Your Home Safe?
An estimated 40 percent of Pennsylvania homes have higher levels of radon than national safety standards, due to the state’s geology. However, residents can perform a simple test to detect this gas, which is considered the second leading cause of lung cancer.
Radon is an odorless, colorless radioactive gas that occurs naturally from the breakdown of uranium in soil and rocks and enters homes through cracks in the foundation or other openings. High levels of radon tend to be found in basements, but the gas can be found anywhere in the home.
Winter is a good time to test for radon, because doors and windows are generally closed, providing more accurate results. Simple radon test kits are inexpensive and available at home improvement and hardware stores.
January is national Radon Action Month. For more information on radon in the home, click here.
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February SNAP Benefits to be Distributed Early
On Jan. 8, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) notified states that February SNAP benefits will be fully funded. However, for February benefits to be funded, they must be issued by states on or before Jan. 20. Pennsylvania has determined that it will be able to meet this federal deadline.
The February SNAP benefits for recipients who did not have a renewal in January, or whose renewal for January was completed by Jan. 14, will be available on their electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards on Jan. 18 because Jan. 20 is a Sunday.
Recipients whose renewal is due in January and their renewal is completed after Jan. 14 will have their benefits available the day after their renewal is processed.
This is the only benefit payment SNAP recipients will receive for the month of February. They will not receive a payment on their regularly scheduled February payment date.
This payment is not a bonus or an increase in the monthly payment. SNAP recipients will need to make this early payment last through an undefined period if the shutdown persists. The state is awaiting further guidance from USDA regarding the availability of benefits for March.
Other benefits such as cash, LIHEAP or Medical Assistance will not be affected.
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PennDOT Seeking Summer Help
PennDOT is sponsoring an extensive Summer Maintenance Program for college students. The program runs May through August 2019 to supplement the permanent workforce.
These students assist in completing summer maintenance work and sign upgrade services, provide maintenance and custodial services at roadside rest facilities, and perform laboring and flagging duties in maintenance organizations and highway worksites.
To be eligible for consideration, candidates must be at least 18 years of age, enrolled as a full-time college student for the fall 2019 semester and have a valid Pennsylvania driver’s license. The hourly rate is $13.56.
If interested, please contact my office at 412-221-5110 no later than Friday, Feb. 15. Candidates must also apply online at employment.pa.gov in the “Summer Maintenance Program” category under the Open Jobs section of the website.
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Increasing Access to Life-Saving Medication
As the spring semester gets underway at colleges and universities across the state, students with known or unknown food allergies could have an extra layer of protection in the event of an allergic reaction.
Act 93 of 2018 authorizes colleges and universities to have non-patient specific epinephrine auto-injectors on hand in case of an emergency. The law also applies to law enforcement agencies, summer camps, restaurants, amusement parks, sports facilities and other facilities to carry non-patient specific epinephrine auto-injectors.
With food allergies becoming more prevalent in our society, increasing access to life-saving medication is more important than ever.
Experts estimate 1 in 13 children in the United States have food allergies and allergic reactions result in 90,000 emergency room visits and approximately 1,500 deaths annually.
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PennDOT Driver License, Photo Centers Closed for Martin Luther King Jr. Day Holiday
All PennDOT driver license and photo centers, including the full-service center in Harrisburg, will be closed Saturday, Jan. 19, through Monday, Jan. 21, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Customers may still obtain a variety of driver and vehicle products and services, including all forms, publications and driver training manuals, online through PennDOT’s Driver and Vehicle Services website, dmv.pa.gov.
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| Office Locations |
| 300 Old Pond Road, Suite 205A, Bridgeville, PA 15017 | Phone: (412) 221-5110 |
| Room 143-A, East Wing, PO Box 202046, Harrisburg PA 17120-2046 | (717) 787-1281 |
| Email: jortitay@pahousegop.com |
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