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(EDITOR'S NOTE: Each Monday, the Sun-Gazette summarizes major votes of the past week and, more specifically, how our locally elected officials voted on each matter. Watch for it each Monday in the Sun-Gazette.)
From Staff Reports
Locally elected and appointed officials voted on the following matters in the past week:
FEDERAL
• The Senate voted 68-29 in favor of the confirmation of Jonathan Kanter, of Maryland, to be an assistant attorney general. U.S. Sen. Robert Casey, D-Scranton, voted yes. U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Zionsville, voted no.
• The House voted 223-207 to censure U.S Rep. Paul Gosar, R-Arizona, and strip him of his two committee assignments after he posted an edited anime video to his social media accounts that depicted violence against Democratic Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York and President Biden. Voting no were U.S. Reps. Fred Keller, R-Kreamer, and Glenn Thompson, R-Howard.
STATE
• The Senate was out of session.
• The House voted 125 to 74 for requiring legislative approval of specific proposals to add tolls to nine bridges. The bill would require PennDOT to publicly advertise toll proposals, take public comment and seek approval from both the governor and the Legislature. The bill not only halts a bridge tolling plan but requires PennDOT to resubmit the plan and gives lawmakers a say in whether the plan should move forward. Voting yes were state Reps. Jeff Wheeland, R-Loyalsock Township; Joe Hamm, R-Hepburn Township; and Clint Owlett, R-Wellsboro.
COUNTY
• The Lycoming County Commissioners introduced a preliminary budget for 2022, which includes no increase to the 6.5 mill real estate tax rate for county homeowners. The budget will be approved in December.
MUNICIPAL
• Williamsport City Council voted unanimously 7-0 to allow the city administration to seek out a $817,000 grant from the Commonwealth Finance Authority for reconstruction on Pine Street in the Central Business District. Voting were President Randall J. Allison, Liz Miele, Bonnie Katz, Vincent Pulizzi, Adam Yoder, Jon Mackey and Dave Banks.
SCHOOLS
• The East Lycoming School Board voted to revert to its original health and safety plan that lifts the mask order for students and staff.
• The East Lycoming School Board accepted the resignation of school director Robert Heckrote, who represents Region 2 in the district, and to fill the vacant seat.