PA’S U.S. SENATORS TEAMING UP TO WORK ON LEGISLATION TO SLOW THE SPREAD OF THE SPOTTED LANTERNFLY

Pennsylvania’s U.S. Senators are teaming up to work on bipartisan legislation aimed at slowing the spread of the invasive spotted lanternfly.  The bill sponsored by Democrat John Fetterman and Republican Dave McCormick would expand federal research efforts to help contain and eliminate the pest by making spotted lanternfly research a high-priority.  Lawmakers say the insect poses a significant threat to agriculture and has damaged crops including grapes, apples, peaches, and hops.  Meanwhile, Pennsylvania agriculture officials estimate the spotted lanternfly could cost the state’s economy more than 320-million-dollars annually if left unchecked.