For Immediate Release
January 24, 2007
Contact:  Lisa Landis
Legislative Assistant
717-787-6709
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A Conversation with Senator Brubaker

Meeting the 36th District

Over the past week, I continued to meet and learn more about my constituents and the 36th District.  

For instance, I met students from Ephrata Mennonite School who were in Harrisburg to tour our Capitol building, and I had a chance to tour Millersville University, which, while not located in my district, offers educational opportunities to many of the young people I represent. In addition, I was excited to attend an open house for the grand opening of the newly expanded Farm and Home Center, including the new location of Penn State's Lancaster Center.

The Welsh Mountain Medical and Dental Center in New Holland invited me to tour their facilities and discuss the issues facing rural health care, which are very important to me in my capacity as Chairman of the Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee. I was also able to hear input on the Route 23 project when I attended meetings at both the Earl Township and Upper Leacock Township buildings, and I am looking forward to a continued dialogue on this matter with our local officials and residents.

New traffic laws in effect

The General Assembly passed several new traffic laws in 2006 which are already in effect or will take effect by the end of January.

Motorists are now required to clean ice and snow off their vehicles before driving. If you fail to do so, and the snow on your car hits another car or pedestrian, you will face a fine of $200 to $1,000 if there is an accident or injuries.

In addition, when it is raining hard enough to use your windshield wipers, your headlights must be on as well. Failure to do so could result in a $25 fine, although the addition of costs and fees can result in a ticket of nearly $100.

And finally, motorists are required to "steer clear" of any emergency, traffic stop or disabled vehicle by either moving into an adjacent lane, or, if that is not possible, to slow their vehicles. Fines of up to $250 can be issued, and a 90-day license suspension will be incurred if an accident occurs from a failure to "steer clear."

Persian Gulf Conflict Veterans' Compensation Program approved

Last November, Pennsylvania voters approved a new Persian Gulf Conflict Veterans' Compensation Program to provide bonuses to Pennsylvanians who served in operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm.

Pennsylvania veterans who served on active duty in the Persian Gulf from August 2, 1990, through August 31, 1991, and received the Southwest Asia Service Medal may be eligible to receive $75 to $525 for each month of active service or for which they were eligible to receive the Medal. In addition, prisoners of war and survivors of veterans who lost their lives in the conflict will receive $5,000.

The state's Department of Military and Veterans Affairs anticipates that applications will be available after October 1 of this year. Once opened, the application period will run through August 31, 2015.

I have great respect for the men and women who risk their lives to protect our country, and I commend them for their service. I look forward to working on legislation that benefits veterans and all of my constituents in the 36^th District as we move through the 2007-2008 session.