Big dollars coming to three McKean County school districts

Six school districts in the 25^th Senatorial District have been awarded more than $2.7 million in federal grants to promote literacy efforts, according to Senator Joe Scarnati (R-Jefferson).

            Scarnati said the schools received the grants through the Keystones to Opportunity (KtO) grant program, which supports Pennsylvania’s efforts to improve literacy outcomes for all children, including disadvantaged students, students who have limited proficiency in English, and students with disabilities.  

            The following districts received grants:

·       Port Allegany School District $452,548

·       Otto-Eldred School District $307,985

·       Bradford Area School District $879,250

·       Brookville Area School District $724,085

·       Clearfield Area School District $70,258

·       Austin Area School District $276,518

            “The grants will be used to help increase reading achievement, utilize technology to improve literacy, and provide new resources to teachers and administrators,” Scarnati said.  “Improving reading and writing scores in our schools is one of the best ways we can help our kids succeed and be prepared for life after they graduate.”

Residents Urged to Attend DEP Meeting on Flatirons’ Drilling Proposal

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

                                                                      February 17, 2012

Residents Urged to Attend DEP Meeting on Flatirons’ Drilling Proposal

            State Senator Joe Scarnati (R-25) and State Representatives Sam Smith (R-66) and Matt Gabler (R-78) are urging local residents to take part in an upcoming public meeting to be held by the Department of Environmental Protection. 

            The meeting, scheduled for 8 p.m. on Wednesday February 22 at Brockway Area Junior/Senior High School, will focus on a proposal by Flatirons Resources to drill a Marcellus Shale well in Brockway.

            “This is a great opportunity for Brockway residents to learn more about the permitting process, DEP’s role in enforcement and how the company plans to implement environmental protections,” Scarnati said.  “Our goal throughout the development of this growing industry has been to ensure public safety and protect our natural resources. Residents with questions or concerns should take this opportunity to speak with DEP and company representatives.”

            “This open forum is an excellent opportunity for local residents to listen, learn and ask direct questions of DEP and Flatirons Resources relative to this gas well and the security of their water source,” Smith said. “I realize people have many questions and concerns about this process and I appreciate that DEP and company representatives will be on hand to address them.  Again, I encourage people to attend this meeting.”   

            “This is an issue that I have been following from the beginning, and I am aware of the concerns held by many residents of the Brockway area,” added Gabler. “It is important that as many people as possible speak out and take part in this conversation to ensure that their voice is heard, and that Brockway’s water supply is protected.” 

Scarnati says impact fee to be finalized in a week

Pennsylvania’s highest-ranking state sen­a­tor says he thinks an agree­ment on a sweep­ing bill to impose a fee on the boom­ing nat­ural gas drilling indus­try can be fin­ished in a week, right before Gov. Tom Cor­bett unveils his bud­get plan.

Sen­ate Pres­i­dent Pro Tem­pore Joe Scar­nati told StateImpact.NPR  nego­tia­tors from the House, Sen­ate and governor’s office are try­ing to agree on the size of the fee and the dis­tri­b­u­tion of the money.

He says nego­tia­tors are work­ing toward a “hybrid” solu­tion to iron out dif­fer­ences over whether the state or the county that hosts the drilling should enforce the fee.

Scar­nati says Sen­ate nego­tia­tors are try­ing to make a final bill more appeal­ing to advo­cates of allow­ing munic­i­pal­i­ties to reg­u­late drilling activ­ity than ear­lier pro­pos­als that passed the Senate.

Scarnati Re-Elected Senate President Pro Tempore

State Sen. Joe Scarnati (R-25) was sworn in as President Pro Tempore of the Pennsylvania Senate for 2012, the sixth time Senate colleagues have elected him to the third-highest constitutional office in the commonwealth.

In brief remarks to the chamber, the senator said the legislature must continue to focus on creating jobs and making state government live within its means.  Scarnati also highlighted several cost saving initiatives that have been implemented in the Senate in 2011.

“We have all recognized the need to make government more accountable and efficient. The public expects it and our economic conditions require it,” he said.

Senator Scarnati is currently serving his third term in the Senate. He was born and raised in Brockway, Jefferson County, and represents the 25th Senatorial District, which includes Cameron, Elk, Jefferson, McKean, Potter, Tioga and portions of Clearfield and Warren counties.
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