Mon Valley Moment: Taking On The ‘Anti-Business’ Bridge
June 23, 2017
| Legislative Report | ||
| The latest news from the State Capitol | ||
| Mon Valley Moment: Taking On The ‘Anti-Business’ Bridge
The most important thing about being your Representative and your voice in Harrisburg is serving you, the bosses who hired me. Improving our quality of life in the region, is the key to building and retaining economic development that helps keep and brings jobs to the 49th Legislative District. In my latest “Mon Valley Moment” video update, I have some promising news regarding our efforts to address the “Anti-Business Bridge” located in West Bethlehem Township. For the latest district event information and state government updates, visit RepBudCook.com and Facebook.com/RepBudCook. |
||
Pennsylvania residents will be able to use their current driver license to access federal facilities through Oct. 10, 2017, under an extension granted by the federal government last week. The extension was granted after legislation that I voted for (Senate Bill 133) was signed into law by the governor on May 26, as Act 3 of 2017. This new law was needed in order to allow the state Department of Transportation (PennDOT) to begin working with the federal government to updates its systems to become compliant with the REAL ID Act, which became law in 2005. Under Act 3, residents will be able to choose between a REAL ID or a standard driver’s license or photo ID. Residents who choose the standard form of identification would have to have a passport or other REAL ID-compliant identification to board an airplane or enter a federal building once the new system is in place. The REAL ID will contain the same information as your current driver license; however, they will look different as one will be marked REAL ID and the other NOT REAL ID. Offering residents a choice allows Pennsylvania to comply with the requirements of federal law while also avoiding unnecessary burdens on taxpayers who would face higher costs for the new form of identification. According to PennDOT, REAL ID-compliant driver licenses and identification cards will be available to consumers who wish to obtain them in 2019. This will allow ample time for customers who want a REAL ID license to obtain one before the final federal effective date of Oct. 1, 2020. More information about REAL ID and Act 3 is available here. |
||
Legislation to address the ongoing opioid abuse crisis by preventing paper prescriptions from falling into the wrong hands has been approved by the state House. Under current state law, opioids must be prescribed by hand. House Bill 353 would require opioids to be prescribed electronically, allowing doctors to send their orders directly to the patient’s pharmacy and preventing handwritten prescriptions from being used fraudulently or stolen. Opioids would be prescribed and transmitted like all other prescriptions. This change would not have any adverse impact upon prescriptions for legitimate purposes and may even provide greater convenience for patients. The measure now moves to the state Senate for its review. |
||
A measure passed the House this week to salute the men and women who make dairy one of Pennsylvania’s top agriculture sectors. House Resolution 403 designates June 2017 as Dairy Month and Dairy Farmers Appreciation Month. Pennsylvania has the second largest number of dairy farms nationally and ranks sixth nationally in total milk production from 2014 to 2016. In fact, 99 percent of Pennsylvania’s dairy farms are family owned. |
||
Just a reminder about my upcoming satellite office hours for the month of June. On Thursday, June 29, my team will be available in Franklin Township, Fayette County, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Smock Volunteer Fire Department, 125 Shaffer Ave., Smock, PA 15480. We are hosting these special office hours to offer greater convenience and make it easier for District 49 residents to meet with us one on one. Whether someone simply wants to discuss a state issue, or would like personal assistance with a state program or form, my team and I are here to help. Services offered through my district office include:
For the latest district event information and state government updates, visit RepBudCook.com and Facebook.com/RepBudCook.
|
Let's Get Connected |
Our District |
Web Site repbudcook.com |
Sign Up to Receive Legislative Email Updates
Keep up-to-date on the latest legislative and community news. Your email address will be used strictly for legislative purposes.