|
|
[[Share On Facebook]]
|
Please do not reply directly to this email, as it returns to an unmanned account.
You are welcome to contact me through this link. |
Our Children are Our Future
Creating a better future for our children and with our children…it is one of my driving forces as a parent and as a state representative. So, it was a joyful day for me last week when I had the opportunity to work with a group of middle school students and help them learn more about how a bill becomes a law.
I was invited to talk with Springbrook Christian Academy students as part of its Homeschool Enrichment Ministry (HEM). Rather than just telling the kids how the legislative process works, I broke them into groups of House and Senate members where they came up with ideas for legislation and then had to try to convince their peers to support their ideas. Though they had some creative proposals, none of them garnered enough support to pass…certainly something that happens in real life at the state Capitol as well!
Thank you to the students and parents for the opportunity!
|
Local, Harrisburg Offices Closed Thursday
If you’re planning to call or stop by our offices this week for assistance with a state-related issue or concern, please know that the offices in Wellsboro and Troy, as well as our Capitol office in Harrisburg, will be closed for the day on Thursday, Dec. 19. We will be back open and ready to serve you on Friday morning.
|
Bradford County Assistance Office Moves
The Bradford County Assistance Office has moved and opened in a new location as of yesterday. The office is now located at 101 Hawkins Road in Towanda. It is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and can also be reached by phone at 570-265-9186.
Impacted residents should have received notification by mail and are reminded they are free to visit any county assistance office that is most convenient to them, regardless of where they live. Many services also are available online at www.dhs.pa.gov/COMPASS, via the myCOMPASS PA mobile app or by calling the customer service center at 1-877-395-8930. A separate number, 1-866-550-4355, may be used to apply for or renew SNAP, Medicaid or CHIP benefits.
|
‘Tis the Season!
Capitol staff and visitors gathered last week for the official lighting of the Capitol Christmas tree! The 24-foot Douglas Fir comes from Crystal Spring Tree Farm in Carbon County and is adorned with 1,250 LED lights and more than 700 handmade ornaments donated by Pre-K for PA students and older adults from across the Commonwealth. This is the tallest tree to grace the Capitol Rotunda in at least 10 years.
The tree in the Rotunda will be lit daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. through Jan. 8. An additional tree, located outdoors on the Capitol steps, will be lit daily from 5 p.m. to midnight, also through Jan. 8.
|
More Retirees Eligible for Reduced-Fee Vehicle Registration
A new state law I supported to allow more Pennsylvania retirees to qualify for a reduction in their vehicle registration fee is now in effect.
The benefit now will be available to retired persons earning up to $29,906, an increase of more than $10,000 from the prior income eligibility limit. Those who qualify will pay an $11 processing fee to register their vehicle each year, rather than the standard $45 registration fee.
Qualified applicants must be retired and receiving Social Security or other pension payments. Please note, 100% of a veterans' benefit payment or payment to the unmarried surviving spouse, upon the death of a veteran, should be excluded from the income calculation.
The applicant must be listed as an owner on the vehicle’s registration and only one vehicle per qualified applicant may be registered for the reduced fee. Qualifying vehicles must be a passenger car or truck with a registered gross weight of not more than 9,000 pounds.
Click here to learn more about the program or contact my offices for assistance.
|
Have You Heard of Hospice Fraud?
The Federal Trade Commission is warning of another scam targeting older adults – hospice fraud.
Scammers are contacting these citizens – with calls, texts, emails, fake ads and even door-to-door visits – claiming they’ll set you up with services like free cooking, cleaning and home health care. What they likely won’t tell you is how. They want to commit fraud by signing you up for Medicare hospice care. Then, they can bill Medicare for all kinds of services in your name.
To protect yourself from hospice scams:
• Never give your Medicare number to someone offering “free” services like housekeeping or cooking. Medicare doesn’t offer free services like that.
• Never agree to sign up for hospice care in exchange for perks or gifts like money, gift cards or groceries.
• Know that Medicare will never come to your home to sign you up for services. If someone comes to your door, says they’re from Medicare, and tries to get you to sign up for services, they’re lying. Don’t give them any information.
Click here to learn more.
|
New Military-Themed License Plates Honor PA Veterans
Six new license plates honoring the service of the Commonwealth’s veterans are now available from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. The new plates were authorized under Act 60 of 2024.
TThree of the new plates recognize service members who received medals or honors for individual achievements or deployments. They include the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal Registration Plate, Operation Inherent Resolve Veterans Plate, and Borinqueneers Congressional Gold Medal Registration Plate.
The other three new plate designs recognize women veterans. Two are available for motorcycles and the third is for passenger cars or trucks with a registered gross weight of not more than 14,000 pounds. They include the Honoring Our Women Veteran Motorcycle Registration Plate, Women Veteran Motorcycle Registration Plate and the Women Veteran Registration Plate.
To learn more about all license plate options, fees and how to apply for them, click here.
|
Applications Open for Broadband Funding
The Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority (PBDA) recently announced the $1.16 billion Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program will accept its first round of applications through Jan. 21. BEAD is a federal grant program that provides states with funding to deploy broadband infrastructure and connect residents to the internet.
The goal is to expand broadband in unserved and underserved areas of the state to make sure high-speed internet is available to every resident by the end of the decade. It is estimated that over 100,000 Pennsylvanians in 42 counties currently have no service or struggle with poor service.
Eligible BEAD applicants include cooperative organizations; not-for-profit organizations; public-private partnerships; private companies; public or private utility companies; public utility districts; municipalities or units of local government; and internet service providers registered through the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
For more information about the program, how funding can be used and how to apply, click here.
|
Art of the State Showcases PA’s Talents
The State Museum of Pennsylvania and the Pennsylvania Heritage Foundation are inviting artists and craftspeople to submit applications to exhibit their work in Art of the State 2025. Now in its 58th year, this prestigious juried exhibition boasts a tradition of presenting highly creative art by Pennsylvanians, chosen by a distinguished panel of jurors.
The call for entry for Art of the State 2025 is open to Pennsylvania residents who are at least 18 years of age. Artists may submit work in one or more of five categories: painting, work on paper, sculpture, craft and photography/digital media. More than $5,000 in cash awards will be presented.
The deadline for entries is Friday, Jan. 17, 2025. The exhibition will be open from Sunday, June 8, 2025, through Sept. 14, 2025.
The Art of the State 2024 exhibition is currently in place at the state museum and will close Sunday, Jan 5, 2025.
|
|