Happy New Year! I hope this year brings peace, happiness, and good health to you and your loved ones. Thank you all for making 2019, my first year as your state senator, such a fantastic year! I'm looking forward to seeing what we can achieve together in 2020.

Update from Harrisburg

A Briefing on the Bay

Sen. Santarsiero, as Minority Chair of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, held an informational session in response to issues concerning the Chesapeake Bay and its watershed.

The Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary in the United States, covering 64,000 square miles across six states and the District of Columbia. In response to issues concerning the Chesapeake Bay and its watershed, especially concerning loss of wildlife and aquatic life, the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee (ERE) held an informational session and heard from representatives from the Chesapeake Bay Commission, Department of Agriculture, Department of Environmental Protection, the Pennsylvania State Conservation Commission, the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.

The EPA’s 2010 Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) program created a federal pollution limit for the amount of nutrients and sediment that can enter the Bay and its tidal river. Pennsylvania is now working to create for approval a Watershed Implementation Plan (WIP) detailing how and when the state will meet its specific pollution allocation.

Protecting Healthcare in Pennsylvania

I joined my colleagues, Sens. Vincent Hughes (D-7), Pam Iovino (D-37), Maria Collett (D-12), and Tim Kearney (D-26), in calling upon the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee to convene a public hearing or vote on a number of bills aimed at protecting Pennsylvanians’ access to quality, affordable health insurance. These bills are:

Senate Bill 50 — prohibiting denial of coverage based on preexisting conditions

Senate Bill 51 — providing for essential health benefits such as mental health and addiction treatment

Senate Bill 939— prohibiting the sale of insurance policies that have an annual or lifetime limit on coverage

Senate Bill 982— allowing young adults to stay on their parent’s insurance until they reach age 26

This package of bills would uphold key provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) should federal health care law change, protecting millions of Pennsylvanians’ ability to keep their current coverage.

To read our full letter to the Chairman of the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee, visit my district newsroom.

To read my guest opinion on the importance of this proposed legislation, click here.

Update from Senate District 10

Bucks County Inauguration

Sen. Santarsiero at the inauguration with Commissioners Diane Ellis-Marseglia and Bob Harvie.

I was honored to attend the inauguration of the newly elected Bucks County Commissioners, Bob Harvie and Gene DiGirolamo, and the re-elected Diane Ellis-Marseglia. In addition, I am pleased to welcome the newest row officers for Bucks County: Kris Ballerini as Treasurer, Linda Bobrin as Register of Wills, Meredith Buck as Coroner, and Brian Munroe as Clerk of Courts.

As part of the transition, I serve as chairman of the energy and environment review subcommittee, working with other volunteers and local leaders on these issues to offer a comprehensive set of recommendations for action to the commissioners, with the goal of preserving our environment while also promoting sustainable development. I look forward to working together with Diane, Bob, Gene, and the row officers, to help move Bucks County forward.

Bucks County Intermediate Unit #22 Receives $25,000 in Grant Funding

I am happy to announce that the Bucks County Intermediate Unit #22 (Bucks IU) has been awarded $25,000 in grant funding through the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s (PDE) Teacher in the Workplace (TIW) Grant Program. This funding will allow Bucks IU, as a local education agency, to enable educators throughout Bucks County to interact with local employers and learn the skills and industry trends that will enhance their classroom instruction, student learning, and career readiness.

Sound investment in our education system is crucial to building strong communities throughout our commonwealth. Fortunately, Bucks IU is able to deliver a multi-faceted approach to education by incorporating professional expertise, technological enhancements, and other innovations within the classroom.

To read more about this grant, visit my district newsroom.

McCaffrey’s Food Markets Grand Opening

Sen. Santarsiero cutting the ceremonial loaf of bread to commemorate the opening of McCaffrey’s Food Markets in New Hope.

Congratulations to the McCaffery family on the grand opening of your new store in New Hope. This may be your fourth location in Bucks County, but it was my first official bread cutting! I look forward to watching this location become just as successful as the others that we’re fortunate to have throughout the district.

Other Announcements

Automated Work Zone Speed Enforcement Program

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and Pennsylvania Turnpike, in partnership with the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP), have announced the launch of a 60-day pilot program to test the Automated Work Zone Speed Enforcement Program. This “pre-enforcement” testing period is designed to slow drivers down in construction areas through the use of speed monitoring equipment.

In Bucks County specifically, the monitoring will take place where US 1 and Interstate 276 meet, in the active construction zone at the entrance to the turnpike. After the 60-day pilot program is complete, speeds will be electronically monitored throughout the state. If the monitors detect a driving speed 11 miles an hour over the speed limit or more, the motorist will receive a warning notice by mail. Further violations will result in fines of $75.00 and $150.00.

For more information about the Automated Work Zone Speed Enforcement Program, please visit https://workzonecameras.penndot.gov/.

Stay Up-to-Date

Please visit the district newsroom to view additional stories, videos, and photos from across the district and the commonwealth.

You can also follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for more regular updates.

My Office is Here to Serve You. How Can We Help?

Legislation: If you are interested in the status of a certain piece of legislation or obtaining copies of bills, my office will be able to provide that information to you. 

Forms and Applications: You can reach out to my office for assistance with any number of forms, including birth and death certificates, grant applications, consumer complaint forms, hunting or fishing licenses, notary public applications, and voter registration. 

Notary: A certified notary is available in both my Newtown and Doylestown office. Staffers  can provide this service at no charge for most official documents and state forms. Please call ahead to make sure our notary is in the office and can accommodate the work you are requesting. 

State Agencies: My office can assist in any dealings with state agencies, including the Department of Corrections, Military and Veterans Affairs, PennDOT, Department of Human Services, and State Police. 

Licenses and Motor Vehicles: Help is available through my office or the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Driver and Vehicle Services website if you need assistance processing motor vehicle registrations, driver’s licenses, learner’s permits, or other Department of Transportation forms. 

Visiting the Capitol: You can visit the Pennsylvania Capitol website or contact my office about setting up school or other group trips to the Capitol.

Offices of State Senator Steve Santarsiero

www.senatorstevesantarsiero.com