For Immediate Release
February 20, 2008
Contact:  Lisa Landis
Legislative Director
717-787-6709
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A Conversation with Senator Brubaker

Local grant/funding workshops to be held

To help municipalities and businesses in the 36^th District better understand the state funding opportunities available to them, I will be holding two free workshops on March 20.

The Local Government Grant Workshop, scheduled from 8:30-11 a.m., is designed to help county and municipal officials and those who serve our local governments, take advantage of Commonwealth grant opportunities. Experts from state agencies in various areas will be participating and will present up-to-date information on programs and grants and answer questions.

In the afternoon from 2-5 p.m. businesses in the 36^th District will be offered a workshop entitled Financing Your Future: Funding Opportunities for Business Owners. A representative from the state Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) will discuss business financing options, including loans, grants and tax credit programs. Additional financing options and the application process will be discussed by the Economic Development Company of Lancaster County, which partners with DCED.

Both workshops will be held in Room E-213 of the East Building at the Lancaster Campus of HACC. Registration is required by March 7 online at www.senatorbrubaker.com; anyone who has questions or needs additional information can contact Sharon Bowman at 717-772-0497 or sbowman@pasen.gov.

I believe these workshops will prove to be extremely informative and hope to see representatives of a wide variety of organizations there.

PennDOT provides hotline for reporting road problems

Individuals can help PennDOT identify potholes and other road maintenance problems by calling a toll-free maintenance hotline number.

Snow, ice and temperature fluctuations in winter create perfect conditions for potholes, drainage issues and other roadway damage to occur. Anyone who sees these problems is encouraged to report them by calling 1-800-FIX-ROAD (1-800-349-7623); this information will then be forwarded to the local county maintenance office.

Callers should be as specific as possible when providing locations of problems, including the county and municipality, the state route number (found on the small black-and-white signs along state roads), and nearby landmarks. Road hazards of all types, such as missing highway signs, high shoulder drop-offs and roadway washouts, can also be reported throughout the year.

PennDOT reminds individuals that 1-800-FIX-ROAD is not suitable for reporting traffic accidents, disabled vehicles or other emergences; these incidents should be called into state or local police, or 911.

Comments being accepted for hunting/trapping seasons

The Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) is accepting public comments about the preliminary hunting and trapping seasons and bag limits for 2008-09.

While the Mentored Youth Hunting Program remains the same, preliminary approval has been given to an extended bear season. The PGC Board has also given preliminary approval to the state's upcoming elk seasons, but dropped further September elk hunts beyond the previously approved hunt set for September 1-27, 2008.

In addition, the PGC will be holding six open houses to provide the public with information about the deer management program as well as an opportunity to discuss questions. One of these events will be held March 1 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area Visitors Center at 100 Museum Road in Newmanstown.

More on these and other PGC Board actions is available by visiting www.pgc.state.pa.us. Comments on hunting and trapping seasons will be accepted until the Board finalizes its plan at its April 21-22 meeting, and may be sent to the PGC at 2001 Elmerton Avenue, Harrisburg, 17110-9797.