Author: Tiffany P

HARRISBURG – State Sen. Dan Laughlin (R-49) announced two Erie County pedestrian safety projects have received a total of nearly $600,000 in funding approved by the Commonwealth Financing Authority through Pennsylvania’s Multimodal Transportation Fund.

“Everyone is a pedestrian at one time or another, so providing safer walking environments is important to us all,” said Laughlin. “I’m glad this funding will be used to improve pedestrian safety in these two communities.”

The City of Erie will receive $500,000 to improve pedestrian facilities and upgrade 60-year-old traffic signals from 2nd to 5th Streets on State Street for increased safety along this increasingly busy section of downtown.

The Borough of Edinboro will use $70,000 in multimodal funding to repair all sidewalk sections throughout the borough in need of repair. The goal of the project is to improve pedestrian safety, especially for handicapped individuals.

The Multimodal Transportation Fund provides grants to encourage economic development and ensure a safe and reliable system of transportation is available to residents. Funds may be used for the development, rehabilitation and enhancement of transportation assets to existing communities, streetscape, lighting, sidewalk enhancement, pedestrian safety, connectivity of transportation assets and transit-oriented development.

Contact:           David Kozak   717-787-8927

I’ve always been a strong voice for the protection and responsible management of our natural resources.

It’s one of the reasons I sought elective office.

And my position as a Pennsylvania state senator has given me the opportunity to represent our state on the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Legislative Caucus (GLLC) Executive Committee. I will work with the other members of the committee to ensure our Great Lakes resources are protected now and for future generations.

As an Erie native, I know how important the Great Lakes are to the regions that are fortunate enough to border them – they provide our communities with a distinctive historical, economic and cultural identity. For us in Erie County, Lake Erie offers all those things, and we should seek to safeguard this natural resource so it can continue to do so.

We need to be very careful with how we manage Lake Erie.

That includes the recent announcement that a portion of Lake Erie is under consideration to be designated as a National Marine Sanctuary.

These sanctuaries are designated by the federal government with the goal of protecting areas of the marine environment with special national significance due to their conservation, recreational, ecological, historical, scientific, cultural, archeological, educational or esthetic qualities.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which oversees the National Marine Sanctuary System, the proposed Lake Erie Quadrangle National Marine Sanctuary would encompass approximately 740 square miles of Pennsylvania’s Lake Erie waters, from the shoreline to the Canadian border. The stated purpose is to protect our region’s maritime heritage resources, including a nationally significant collection of shipwrecks.

The approximately 75 miles of proposed sanctuary shoreline along Erie County contain six townships, two boroughs, and the city of Erie.

That’s a sizable area to fall under additional government regulation.

The nomination proposes to exclude the Port of Erie from the sanctuary boundaries to ensure compatible use with shipping and other commercial activities.

While that’s good news, there remain concerns about how private property owners could be affected by shoreline boundaries, the effects of a new layer of rules and permitting, the impact on commercial navigation and what could happen in the future. With a requirement that sanctuary management plans be reviewed, and potentially revised, every five years, some of the existing 15 national marine sanctuaries have seen efforts to change the rules and regulations from what they were when the sanctuaries were created.

Once regulatory authority has been given to the federal government, we at the local level will have a limited voice regarding how a sanctuary along our coast will be managed. A recent example of regulatory overreach in our area has played out at the North East Marina. What went from a simple dredging permit costing roughly $15,000 to dredge and put the sand back into Lake Erie now involves taking all the dredge sand to the landfill at a cost of $500,000. This red tape has directly influenced the PA Fish & Boat Commission to recently announce plans to eventually close the marina.

As Pennsylvania continues to discuss the importance of renewable energy options, such as off-shore wind turbines, the restrictions and limitations for development in the Lake Erie Marine Sanctuary remains unclear.

The public comment period runs through July 18, after which NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries will make a final decision and prepare final documents. Those documents will be submitted for review to the U.S. Congress and the Governor of Pennsylvania.

We need to be sure the sanctuary designation will complement, not conflict with, what we’ve been doing to preserve the region’s importance, including the many historic shipwrecks and our other underwater cultural resources, while promoting local tourism, recreation, and economic opportunities.

I urge all interested parties to give this proposal the careful consideration it demands.  I also feel there needs to be more public input and more time given to assess the potential downside to this designation.  When something sounds too good to be true, it usually is.

HARRISBURG – Sens. Dan Laughlin (R-49) and Sharif Street (D-3) have introduced bipartisan legislation, Senate Bill 846, to legalize adult use of marijuana in Pennsylvania.

“Legalized adult use of marijuana is supported by an overwhelming majority of Pennsylvanians and this legislation accomplishes that while also ensuring safety and social equity,” said Laughlin. “With neighboring states New Jersey and New York implementing adult use, we have a duty to Pennsylvania taxpayers to legalize adult-use marijuana to avoid losing out on hundreds of millions of dollars of new tax revenue and thousands of new jobs.”

SB 846 addresses safety by setting the minimum marijuana consumption age at 21 years old and providing appropriate deterrence to keep marijuana out of the hands of anyone under 21. Additionally, law enforcement would be given the means to adjudicate driving under the influence and the authority to pursue and eradicate any illicit market. Furthermore, the legislation will ban any marketing directed toward children and would set workplace requirements regarding marijuana use for all those operating in good faith.

Regarding social equity, this legislation would grant licenses to sell marijuana to social and economic equity applicants while providing room for new and existing licensees to ensure demand in Pennsylvania is met. Moreover, it expunges non-violent marijuana convictions for medical marijuana patients, which has also been championed in a bipartisan fashion, and goes further to expunge all non-violent marijuana convictions.

“We have a unique and singular opportunity to correct decades of mass incarceration, disproportionate enforcement against marginalized communities, the criminalization of personal choice and the perpetuation of violence, which all materialized from the failed war on drugs,” Street said. “Legalizing the adult use of cannabis will help us fully and equitably fund education, lower property taxes, and address a variety of community needs throughout Pennsylvania.”

SB 846 also looks to strengthen Pennsylvania’s robust agricultural industry by empowering farmers and craft growers across the state to engage in the cultivation of marijuana in a manner that is safe and regulated. Additionally, it would allow Pennsylvania’s medical marijuana patients to grow a limited number of cannabis plants from their home for personal use to help ease the cost and accessibility burdens that still exist for this important medicine.

During state budget hearings held in 2021, the Senate Appropriations Committee was told by the Pennsylvania Independent Fiscal Office that legalized adult-use marijuana could generate $400 million to $1 billion in new tax revenue for the Commonwealth.

For more state-related news and information, constituents can visit Laughlin’s website at www.senatorlaughlin.com or follow him on Facebook and Twitter @senatorlaughlin.

Contact:           David Kozak   717-787-8927

HARRISBURG – Sen. Dan Laughlin (R-49) has introduced legislation seeking to increase the minimum wage in Pennsylvania from $7.25 per hour to $15 per hour by 2026, beginning with $11 per hour on Jan. 1, 2024, and permanently index it to inflation thereafter.

Said Laughlin: “I have heard from my constituents and have listened to both sides of the political aisle. Pennsylvania has not seen the minimum wage increase since it was hiked at the federal level in 2009. On average, a worker who earns minimum wage will only earn $15,000 per year. Due to the rising costs, workers are unable to pay for basic necessities and forced to rely on public assistance. It is time we address the issue and I believe this bill is the most responsible way to approach it.”

Senate Bill 743 also includes language to set the tipped wage in Pennsylvania to 40% of the minimum wage as previously established in Pennsylvania Code Title 34, Chapter 231.34. Until 1996, increases in the tipped wage corresponded with increases in the minimum wage. Since that time, Pennsylvania’s tipped wage has remained $2.83 per hour.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, thirty states have a higher minimum wage than the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour. Fifteen states have or will have their minimum wage increase tied to the Consumer Price Index or other similar measures to provide automatic increases with inflation. The federal tipped minimum wage has been $2.13 per hour since 1991. Currently, twenty-eight states have a higher tipped minimum wage rate above Pennsylvania’s current $2.83 per hour.

For more state-related news and information, constituents can visit Laughlin’s website at www.senatorlaughlin.com or follow him on Facebook and Twitter @senatorlaughlin.

Contact:          David Kozak            717-787-8927

HARRISBURG – Sen. Dan Laughlin (R-49) issued the following statement upon learning of the passing of Paul Nelson:

“I join the entire Erie community in mourning the passing of Paul Nelson.

“Paul’s name to me, and for many in our community, is synonymous with Waldameer Park, one of the oldest and best amusement parks in the country. He gave generations of Erie residents and tourists joyful memories with his iconic park for the more than six decades he ran it. 

“He was a hardworking, God-fearing man who took his commitment to his community and to humanity as seriously as he instilled a fun-loving atmosphere for our children of all ages. His compassion and generosity drove everything he did for his business and his community.

“Paul Nelson was an example of forward-thinking, groundbreaking youthful thought at any age. He made sure anyone of any means could come and enjoy his park. His spirit – to help others have fun – will live on at the park for years to come. 

“Please join me in expressing sympathy to his wife, Lane and his entire family and extended group of friends.” 

Contact:           David Kozak   717-787-8927

HARRISBURG – Sens. Dan Laughlin (R-49) and Sharif Street (D-3) announced they will introduce bipartisan legislation to legalize adult use of marijuana in Pennsylvania.

“Legalized adult use of marijuana is supported by an overwhelming majority of Pennsylvanians and this legislation accomplishes that while also ensuring safety and social equity,” said Laughlin. “With neighboring states New Jersey and New York implementing adult use, we have a duty to Pennsylvania taxpayers to legalize adult use marijuana to avoid losing out on hundreds of millions of dollars of new tax revenue and thousands of new jobs.”

Safety is addressed through setting the minimum marijuana consumption age at 21 years old and providing appropriate deterrence to keep marijuana out of the hands of anyone under 21. Additionally, law enforcement would be given the means to adjudicate driving under the influence and the authority to pursue and eradicate any illicit market. Furthermore, the legislation will ban any marketing directed toward children and would set workplace requirements regarding marijuana use for all those operating in good faith.

Regarding social equity, this legislation would grant licenses to sell marijuana to social and economic equity applicants while providing room for new and existing licensees to ensure demand in Pennsylvania is met. Moreover, it expunges non-violent marijuana convictions for medical marijuana patients, which has also been championed in a bipartisan fashion, and goes further to expunge all non-violent marijuana convictions.

“We have a unique and singular opportunity to correct decades of mass incarceration, disproportionate enforcement against marginalized communities, the criminalization of personal choice and the perpetuation of violence, which all materialized from the failed war on drugs,” Street said. “Legalizing the adult use of cannabis will help us fully and equitably fund education, lower property taxes, and address a variety of community needs throughout Pennsylvania.”

This legislation also looks to strengthen Pennsylvania’s robust agricultural industry by empowering farmers and craft growers across the state to engage in the cultivation of marijuana in a manner that is safe and regulated. Additionally, it would allow Pennsylvania’s medical marijuana patients to grow a limited number of cannabis plants from their home for personal use to help ease the cost and accessibility burdens that still exist for this important medicine.

During state budget hearings held in 2021, the Senate Appropriations Committee was told by the Pennsylvania Independent Fiscal Office that legalized adult use marijuana could generate $400 million to $1 billion in new tax revenue for the commonwealth.

For more state-related news and information, constituents can visit Laughlin’s website at www.senatorlaughlin.com or follow him on Facebook and Twitter @senatorlaughlin.

Contact:           David Kozak   717-787-8927

HARRISBURG – Legislation seeking to ensure low-speed scooters are properly regulated within Pennsylvania’s vehicle code was reported to the full Senate out of the Senate Transportation Committee, according to Senate Bill 692’s prime sponsor, Sen. Dan Laughlin (R-49).

“Low-speed scooters are part of the next generation of transportation and SB 692 would create a program to take the next step toward expanding their use in Pennsylvania,” said Laughlin. “This is the exact same legislation that won near-unanimous approval from the Senate last session.”

Low-speed scooters are small electric- or human-powered vehicles with two or three wheels, handlebars and a floorboard that can be stood upon while riding. They weigh less than 100 pounds and are manufactured to go no more than 20 miles per hour on level ground.

“The scooters provide innovative, flexible and low-cost transportation to tens of millions of riders across the country,” Laughlin said. “They help relieve traffic congestion, pollution and stress by reducing car trips and increasing access to public transit.”

Other states have incorporated low-speed scooters into their motor vehicle code by regulating them like pedalcycles or bicycles. SB 692 would, generally, allow certain municipalities the ability to approve the program locally, including ordinances, policies and regulations for the safety, operation and management of low-speed scooters. After an ordinance has been adopted, a copy of the ordinance must be submitted to the Department of Transportation on a form specified by the department for approval. 

“This legislation would amend state law to define ‘electric low-speed scooters’ and apply to the scooters our existing state law governing pedalcycles,” said Laughlin. “SB 692 will prevent Pennsylvania from falling further behind other places that have already embraced low-speed scooters, and I urge my Senate colleagues to consider this measure.”

For more state-related news and information, constituents can visit Laughlin’s website at www.senatorlaughlin.com or follow him on Facebook and Twitter @senatorlaughlin.

Contact:           David Kozak  717-787-8927