For Immediate Release
March 14, 2007
Contact:  Lisa Landis
Legislative Assistant
717-787-6709
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A Conversation with Senator Brubaker

Senate adopts resolution

This week, the state Senate unanimously approved a resolution I sponsored designating March 12 as Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts Day.

The Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts plays an integral role in the development of conservation districts, which study natural resource issues such as nutrient management, storm water management and floodplain management in nearly every county in the state. It offers technical assistance and educational guidance to conservation district personnel, landowners, land managers, local governments, teachers, students and others in the Commonwealth, and it was my honor to pay tribute to the PACD for its many years of service to Pennsylvania.

Here in Lancaster County, our Conservation District, which has existed for more than 50 years, works very diligently to provide assistance to our farmers, water treatment plants, schools and landowners to address the problems in today's environment. Also, the Lancaster County District helps to coordinate watershed-based activities as part of our role in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

I congratulate all Conservation Districts in the state for their commitment to stewardship, and wish them the best for future success in their endeavors.

Tour of affordable housing complex in Lancaster

I recently had the opportunity to take a tour of the newly completed Golden Triangle Apartment complex on Lititz Pike, which offers affordable housing to low-income families. This project, undertaken in conjunction with the Lancaster County Housing Authority, offers 58 two- and three- bedroom units, including six that are handicap accessible. Depending on the unit, residents must earn no more than 40 to 60 percent of the county's median income to qualify.

It is my understanding that the complex received more applications than they could accommodate for the apartments, demonstrating the need for and interest in affordable work-force housing in Lancaster County. In addition, studies show that the number of affordable rental units in the United States as a whole is diminishing, meaning that projects such as Golden Triangle Apartments take on additional importance. It will be critical in the coming years that we continue to identify and then address housing needs, and I am very supportive of these kinds of projects that bring affordable housing to our area.

Pa. Supreme Court creates new Office of Children and Families

Placing abused and neglected children into permanent homes is such a high priority for the state Supreme Court that it announced last fall that it has created a new Office of Children and Families in the Courts.

Currently, there are about 20,000 children who are living in foster care and other temporary arrangements; most will spend at least a year in these placements. The Office will work with county courts and child welfare officials to speed permanent placements, with a goal of finding such placement within a year. The Court has indicated that reducing this delay can help prevent delinquency, teen pregnancy, drug use and other behavioral problems. In addition, the Office hopes to set up a structure for family courts that will allow them to share information on best practices in the handling of these cases.

This new Office reflects the Pa. Supreme Court's commitment to be more responsive to the needs of children and families. Certainly, children who have already suffered abuse and neglect deserve the stability of a permanent home, and I am pleased that the Courts are demonstrating their dedication to these vulnerable young people.