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Senator Ted Erickson

December 2011

Dear Friend,

This e-newsletter is designed to keep residents of the 26th District updated on state and local issues. It is a more timely and less costly way to keep constituents informed than traditional mailers, and I hope you find it useful. If you know of someone else who might want to receive it, please feel free to forward this email. If you'd prefer to not receive the e-newsletter, just click the unsubscribe button at the bottom of the page.

Two Days of Hearings on Flood Prevention and Mitigation

The Senate Majority Policy Committee, which I chair, and the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee recently held two days of joint public hearings on flood mitigation and stormwater management.

It's part of an effort to identify the causes of flooding across our commonwealth – which are different in different areas – and then look at possible solutions, such as the use of environmental engineering design concepts to manage stormwater and regional cooperation to address runoff issues.

In the first hearing, the committees heard from academics, environmental engineers, and other water resources experts who discussed engineering solutions to stormwater runoff, such as the use of green infrastructure design and ongoing maintenance of stormwater systems. Rain gardens, porous asphalt, and restoring eroded floodplains were cited as examples of successful stormwater management techniques.

In the second hearing, we received input from representatives of the state Department of Environmental Protection, the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

The Senate has taken several steps to provide flood relief (please see below). Ultimately, however, preventing flooding by channeling and reducing runoff where possible will cost less than flood recovery.

Bipartisan Flood Relief Package Approved by Senate

The Senate approved a bipartisan, eight-bill package designed to provide relief to those affected by heavy flooding caused by Tropical Storm Lee and Hurricane Irene.

Senate Bill 1264 provides for supplemental state assistance to those who have exhausted federal flood benefits and qualify under income eligibility guidelines.
Senate Bill 1266 authorizes $150 million bond for flood-related highway, bridge and rail rehabilitation projects, as well as flood control and disaster mitigation projects.
Senate Bill 1267 provides for real estate tax abatement for properties substantially damaged by flooding.
Senate Bill 1268, Senate Bill 1269, Senate Bill 1271 authorize county-by-county lists of highways, bridges and rail facilities damaged by the flood that require repair and rehabilitation, and flood control and disaster mitigation projects.
Senate Bill 1297 establishes a low-interest loan program for small businesses damaged by flooding.
Senate Bill 1323 provides interest rate assistance and loan guarantees to assist farmers in recovering from the natural disasters.

Many Pennsylvania communities were hit hard by this year's storms. This assistance will help communities recover while state and local governments work together to find ways to better prevent flood damage from occurring.

Watch – Sen. Erickson

Tips to Avoid Common Holiday Consumer Traps

Pennsylvania Attorney General Linda Kelly is offering consumers some helpful tips to avoid scams, fraud and other consumer problems during the holiday season.

Before making a purchase at a store

  • Check the exchange and return policy for restrictions or exceptions.
  • When shopping for a gift card or gift certificate, check for fees and expiration dates.
  • Keep all records and receipts in case you need to return an item or as proof-of-purchase for warranty repairs.
  • Check receipts for errors before you leave the store.
  • Be careful dealing with seasonal businesses that may quickly disappear.
  • Guard your purse or wallet and avoid carrying extra credit cards or personal information that could be lost or stolen.

Online shopping tips

  • Do your homework before buying, especially if you have never dealt with a particular store or seller before.
  • Comparison shop for the best price, including shipping and handling fees.
  • Research the seller to see if they have a history of problems or disputes.
  • Understand all shipping costs and delivery times.
  • Review refund and return policies.
  • Read the businesses' privacy policy to be certain that your information won't be sold or shared without your knowledge.
  • Print all receipts and emails to verify your purchase.
  • Make sure your computer anti-virus program and firewall are up-to-date.
  • Watch for "look alike" websites that are used by scam artists.

Carefully consider requests from charities

  • Donate to charities you are familiar with and whose activity you support.
  • Feel free to ask for additional information, in writing, about charitable programs.
  • Find out how much of your donation will be used for charitable activities, as opposed to administrative and fund-raising expenses – information on charities is available on the PA Dept. of State website.
  • Watch out for organizations using names that closely resemble respected charities.
  • Never feel pressured into making a donation.
  • Ask door-to-door solicitors to show you their identification or credentials.
  • Write checks to the charity, not to the company or person collecting the money.

If you have questions or concerns about a consumer issue, or you believe you have been targeted by a holiday scam, contact the Attorney General's Bureau of Consumer Protection at 1–800–441–2555.

Preparing Your Home for Winter Weather

In preparation for cold temperatures over the coming months, Pennsylvania American Water provided the following home winterization tips:

  • Search for pipes that are not insulated or that pass through unheated spaces, such as crawlspaces, basements or garages. Wrap them with pre-molded foam rubber sleeves or fiberglass insulation, available at hardware stores.
  • Before freezing weather sets in, make sure the water to your hose bibs is shut off inside your house (via a turnoff valve), and that lines are drained.
  • Nearly 15 percent of an average home energy bill goes to heating water. Wrapping your water heater in an insulation blanket can help reduce heat loss.
  • To save wear and tear on your cooling system, drain any hoses and air conditioner pipes and check for excess water pooled in equipment. If your home is heated by a hot-water radiator, bleed the valves by opening them slightly. Close them when water appears.
  • Add extra insulation to the attic to prevent warm air from creeping into your roof, causing ice damage to the roof and gutters.
  • Keep water temperature around 120 degrees and install inexpensive low-flow showerheads to reduce hot water use. Lowering the temperature to 120 degrees would reduce water heating costs by 6 to 10 percent.
  • Clean out gutters and downspouts to remove debris that could freeze and cause clogs during cold weather. Know where your water main is located in case you need to turn it off during an emergency.

Get the 511 on road conditions before traveling

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation's PA 511 website provides reliable traffic and winter road conditions information on more than 2,900 miles of roadways.

Pennsylvania's official travel information website can help you reach your destination in the most efficient manner when traveling in state.  Traffic, weather, and links to other transportation services, including airports, are available for those who will take to the skies this holiday. 

December 15: Veteran Employment Outreach Day

The State Civil Service Commission will hold a Veterans' Employment Outreach Day on December 15 in Harrisburg at the PA Fish and Boat Commission offices, 1601 Elmerton Avenue.

Presentations at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. will include information on civil service employment opportunities; veterans' preference; and the application, testing, and hiring processes. Recruiters will be available for individual meetings with interested veterans.

Supreme Court of Pennsylvania Seeking Veterans Courts Mentors

The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania is seeking volunteers to assist former servicemen and servicewomen who come into contact with the criminal justice system.

The Court is recruiting mentors in support of the state Judiciary's expanding number of Veterans Courts. Judges in those courts assign mentors to provide support and guidance to veterans caught up in the court system who are struggling with drug/alcohol, mental health and other difficulties. Pennsylvania currently has eight Veterans Courts in operation. Three additional counties have announced plans to form Veterans Courts, and at least four more courts are expected to open in 2012.

"Sharing the Harvest" Helps Local Food Banks

Local hunters can help Pennsylvanians in need by participating in a venison donation program.

The Hunters Sharing the Harvest program allows hunters to take their deer to any participating deer processor to donate a portion of the venison to local food banks. Last year, the program collected enough venison to deliver nearly 200,000 meals to food banks, churches, and social service organizations throughout the Commonwealth.

When hunters drop the deer off to be processed, they must tell the processor how many pounds of venison they would like to donate. The processors handle the venison under sanitary conditions and provide cold storage until the meat is moved to a local food bank.

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