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….Credit card fraud investigated in Sharon Township…NY driver hurt in Genesee Township accident…Pick-up hits parked car in Galeton….drugs seized after collision in Eulalia Township…Lawmakers comment on governor’s proposed budget….

Potter County

Coudersport state police are continuing to investigate a credit card fraud in Sharon Township. Someone illegally used information belonging to 80 year old Kenneth Ford on February 23.

A Andover, NY driver suffered minor injuries in a one-vehicle accident in Genesee Township early Monday morning. State police report John Losey was going south on the Ellisburg Road and failed to stop his 2021 Silverado, drove through the Commercial Street intersection, hit a culvert and came to rest in a wooded area. Losey was taken by ambulance to Jones Memorial Hospital in Wellsville for treatment of minor injuries. He was cited for failing to obey stop and yield signs.

About 90 minutes later, Katherine Lorson of Williamsport escaped injury in a one-vehicle crash on the in Summit Township. Troopers said Lorson was traveling in North when her 2021 Jeep Cherokee went off Cherry Springs Road, hit an embankment and rolled over onto the driver’s side.

No injuries were reported in a collision just after 6:00 am Sunday in Galeton. State police explained Kile Banzhof of Williamsport  was traveling East on West Main Street when his 2021Ford F-150XLT went off the road and struck a legally parked Pontiac Firebird owned by David Dailey of Galeton. The impact forced Dailey’s car into a garage while Banzhof’s truck continued down the road before coming to a controlled stop about 100 yards later.

DUI charges have been filed against 52 year old Brian Gardner of Lockport following a collision back on February 16 on Route 6 West in Eulalia Township. Apparently drugs were seized by troopers when they investigated.

Tioga County

Mansfield state police are looking for a litterbug who dumped garbage off the side of Elkhorn Road in Tioga Township on the morning of February 28.

Region

Area lawmakers (all Republicans) are expressing concern over Democrat  Governor Shapiro’s first state budget proposal outlined Tuesday before a joint session of the General Assembly:

Rep. Martin Causer (R-Cameron/McKean/Potter says

“While it will take some time to assess the details of the governor’s plan, I am deeply concerned about how much he proposes to spend. At a time when people across the Commonwealth are struggling with inflation, the last thing we need is bigger government and more spending.

“The $45.8 billion plan the governor presented today represents an increase of $2.5 billion, or nearly 5.9% over the current year’s plan. At this rate, the governor will spend through the budgetary reserves and Rainy Day Fund that have been built over the last few years. It is irresponsible to use that money for more government programs. It is there to deal with emergencies and to protect our citizens against higher taxes.

Causer added “Although I am concerned about the level of spending on new initiatives, it is important that we make strategic investments in our core functions, such as education and public safety. Ultimately, I will advocate for a budget that addresses the needs of our rural communities and respects the taxpayers who foot the bill.”

Reps. Tina Pickett (R-Bradford/Wyoming) and Clint Owlett (R-Tioga/Bradford)

“With people across the Northern Tier struggling under the weight of inflation, we need a state budget that really focuses on funding the core functions of government and leaves out the new programs that increase the size and cost of government.

“Unfortunately, while this budget does include new investments in education, public safety and other key issues, it proposes significant amounts of new spending that will eviscerate the nearly $13 billion in budgetary reserve and the Rainy Day Fund. This is money we’ve worked hard to save in recent years so that we would be prepared to handle emergencies or a plummeting economy without having to burden taxpayers. With financial turbulence predicted to continue and perhaps worsen, it would be irresponsible to use this funding for anything other than a safety net for the people of Pennsylvania.

The governor’s budget address serves as the first step in the annual state budget process. The House Appropriations Committee, on which Owlett serves, will conduct a series of hearings starting the week of March 20 to delve into the details of the budget. A final spending plan for the 2023-24 fiscal year is due by June 30.