Month: April 2020

The General Assembly is still “on hold” and will continue to do so until we are called back by Governor McMaster, so we are – like many others – staying home and trying to keep safe, making the best of these challenging times. When we do go back, it will likely be to focus on the basics, such as the 2020-2021 state budget and supporting ongoing emergency and recovery efforts.

Much of what has been worked on during this two-year session on a wide range of issues prior to the shutdown may have to wait until next year to see further action. 

The 2020 Census is ongoing. Please be sure to fill out your census form. The information helps decide much of what happens in state, local and federal government. With the fast growth of York County, it’s crucial we get the most accurate population numbers. For more info, go online www.census.gov . To help keep you informed, here are some updates that I’m passing along: 

It’s been a trying time the last few weeks and everything is so different from just a few weeks ago. The demands of responding to the coronavirus outbreak have placed burdens upon many. While I’m especially thankful for the first responders and health care professionals who go above and beyond the normal call of duty every day, it means so much to see how so many our community have rallied by donating needed supplies, supported local businesses and been supportive of those in need. Everything we do, no matter how big or small, matters.

I have never been more proud to represent this area in Columbia. We should all be proud of how we’ve not allowed these tough times to make us cold or uncaring. While we’re social distancing, many of us have become closer than before. We’ll emerge from this better as people and stronger as a community.

The General Assembly will meet for a brief session on Wednesday. Arrangements have been made to sanitize the chambers and arrange seating so members can distance themselves from each other. We plan to meet to do two things:

In the last couple of weeks, it seems like our entire world has changed as we have all had to adapt to a new reality of “social distancing”, working from home, school closures, empty grocery stores, and then re-adapting as circumstances change yet again. For the time being, the General Assembly has postponed meeting aside from brief meetings to address urgent matters. While we are home, we are involved in regular meetings and briefings with state and local officials who are working to get ahead of the situation.

Although the legislature may be largely inactive for the time being, I will be sharing information that may be of importance to this area so watch for periodic updates via these emails.

I want to begin by sharing something positive that may not make headlines but is so vital to our ability to ride out this storm. I am deeply touched at the patience and charity shown by many in our community who have come together to help in this time of need. All of our first responders, health care organizations and professionals are working so hard to help everyone in need. Also, contrary to the friction we often see in Washington, the collaboration between state and local officials (as well as federal officials on the ground in our communities) has been nearly flawless.