022720 - Senator Dave Arnold

School districts and other entities that will receive grants include:

School District	County	Award Amount
Lancaster-Lebanon Intermediate Unit 13	Lancaster	$ 143,109.00
Central Dauphin SD	Dauphin	$ 420,000.00
Lower Dauphin SD	Dauphin	$ 40,000.00
Middletown Area SD	Dauphin	$ 490,000.00
Steelton-Highspire SD	Dauphin	$ 35,000.00
Annville-Cleona SD	Lebanon	$ 406,000.00
Cornwall-Lebanon SD	Lebanon	$ 45,000.00
Eastern Lebanon County SD	Lebanon	$ 40,000.00
Lebanon SD	Lebanon	$ 45,000.00
Northern Lebanon SD	Lebanon	$ 40,000.00
Palmyra Area SD	Lebanon	$ 40,000.00
Central York SD	York	$ 45,000.00
Northeastern York SD	York	$ 45,000.00
West Shore SD	York	$ 45,000.00
York Suburban SD	York	$ 40,000.00

Eligible uses for the grants include hiring school security officers, purchasing security-related technology, completing safety and security assessments, implementing violence prevention curricula, offering counseling services for students, and creating other programs to protect students.

The grants were awarded by the School Safety and Security Committee within the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) as part of the School Safety and Security Grant Program, which was created by lawmakers in 2018.

“Children learn best when they feel that their environment is safe. These grants will assist the schools within the 48th district to take the necessary steps to ensure every child feels secure during the school day. No child should arrive at school and feel in danger.” Senator Arnold said.

A total of approximately $53.7 million was awarded for 524 projects throughout the state in the current round of funding. PCCD received a total of 970 applications totaling $134.5 million for school safety projects in the current Fiscal Year.

In spite of the popularity and importance of the program, Governor Wolf’s 2020-21 budget proposed to cut $45 million from the program next year — a 75-percent reduction. Senate Republicans have made restoring this funding a top priority in budget negotiations.

Proposed Funding Cuts to Horse Racing Industry Will Cost Jobs, Hurt Economy

Shortly after I took office representing the 48th Senatorial District, I had an opportunity to learn more about an important industry that impacts so many folks in my district – horse racing.

I attended a rally at the Equistar Farm in Annville, where many local business owners and farmers voiced their opposition to Governor Tom Wolf’s recently announced budget proposal. In it, he calls for diverting more than $200 million dollars from the state’s racehorse development fund to help students with college tuition.

The Pennsylvania Equine Coalition, farmers, and many others have serious concerns that such a move could seriously impact racing and breeding in Pennsylvania. Valued constituents of the 48th district draw their living from racing at Penn National, and more than 23,000 folks statewide make their living off the industry. This includes farmers, feed manufacturers, blacksmiths, veterinarians and breeders – not to mention many related jobs in agriculture and tourism.

Horse racing and breeding are closely tied to our ag industry, which is not only a vital contributor to our Commonwealth’s economy, but also a fundamental piece of our heritage.

Many farm families are struggling just to make ends meet. That’s why it is so important to stand up against short-sighted proposals that prevent current and future generations of farmers from being able to run their businesses successfully.

While I understand the need to address rising college tuition costs and increasing student loan debt, I cannot support a plan that could essentially eliminate an industry that provides $1.6 billion in economic benefits to this state and is vital to our area.

Eighty-nine percent of that money is reinvested locally, creating new jobs and spurring the economy in ways that go far beyond the racing industry and directly back into our local economy – from restaurants and hotels, to mushroom farms and grocery stores.

At the rally, speaker after speaker reiterated one point – the governor’s budget proposal would be disastrous for Pennsylvania agriculture, farms, and small businesses. I heard that message and support their position. As we begin to consider the governor’s budget proposal in the coming months, I will fight to restore funding for the Racehorse Development Trust fund and support an industry that gives so much back to our state and its residents.

Please Take This Poll – Seeking Your Input

As a new State Senator, my most important priority is to seek your input on issues important to you. This will help me better represent your interests in Harrisburg. Please take a minute to take this poll to let me know how you feel about key issues. I will provide you an update on the results in a later newsletter. Thank you for your input. Find the poll here.

REAL ID-Compliant IDs Required Beginning October

Beginning October 1, 2020, Pennsylvanians will need a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license, photo ID card, or another form of federally-acceptable identification (such as a valid passport or military ID) to board a domestic commercial flight or enter a federal building or military installation that requires ID. REAL IDs are now available to Pennsylvanians who want them. You can find more information here.

FYI – I will be hosting a REAL ID Event soon, so stay tuned and check our social media or call our office for more details.

NEED HELP? CALL 211

Pennsylvania 211 East is a free, confidential, non-emergency, comprehensive information and referral service that connects residents with the health and human services they need.

You can reach 211 by dialing 211 or (855) 567-5341 24/7 to receive assistance in regard to services including:

Links for the York, Dauphin, and Lebanon 211 services are listed below, check them out to learn more about the services available to you.

How I Can Help

My offices provide many services to families in our area. Here are some of the ways we can help.

If you are having any problems with state agencies or need help with an issue relating to government, my staff and I will be happy to assist you. Click here to find out more or call us with any questions regarding the services we provide.