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Capitol Report
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#Listrak\DateStampLong#
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The latest news from the State Capitol
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Please do not reply directly to this email, as it returns to an unmanned account.
You are welcome to contact me through this link.
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In the Fifth
This week, I had the pleasure of touring the Ontelaunee Power Plant in our district.
With the help of plant manager Marc Scheuring, I was able to learn about the plant’s operations as well as challenges to the power industry in our district in order to better serve our district’s interests in the Legislature.
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Supporting Our Local Fire, EMS Agencies
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Fire and emergency medical services organizations in our area were awarded over $290,000 in funding through the Fire Company and Emergency Medical Services Grant Program.
The funding comes from an ongoing grant program created by the Legislature and administered by the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency and Office of the State Fire Commissioner (OSFC). All funding comes from the proceeds from slot machine gaming, not General Fund tax revenue.
Projects eligible for funding include construction or renovation of a fire or ambulance company facility, purchase or repair of equipment, training, recruitment and retention, public education about fire prevention, and reduction of existing debt. All companies that apply and meet requirements outlined by OSFC receive funding. Companies must file a grant agreement with OSFC by May 30 to receive their grants.
Fire company grants, totaling more than $232,000, include:
• Bernville Community Fire Co. - $14,600.
• Central Berks Fire Co. - $12,663.
• Community Fire Co. of Frystown - $12,448.
• Greenfields Fire Co. - $13,524.
• Keystone Fire Co. Rehrersburg - $15,030.
• Marion Fire Co. of Stouchburg - $12,879.
• Mount Pleasant Fire Co. of Berks County - $14,170.
• Pioneer Hose Co. No. 1 & Trustees - $12,448.
• Shoemakersville Fire Co. No. 1 - $13,524.
• Township of Spring Firefighters. - $16,322.
• Union Fire Co. No. 1 of Leesport - $14,385.
• Union Fire Co. of Bethel - $12,448.
• Western Berks Fire Department - $52,322.
• Womelsdorf Volunteer Fire Co. - $15,461.
EMS company grants, totaling $60,000, include:
• Bethel Community Ambulance - $15,000.
• Schuylkill Valley EMS - $30,000.
• Western Berks Ambulance Association Inc. - $15,000.
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A Closer Look at the Governor’s $51.47 Billion Budget
The House Appropriations Committee’s examination of the governor’s proposed 2025-26 state budget gets underway next week with the start of budget hearings.
The committee will hear from officials with the Department of Community and Economic Development and the Department of Revenue on Tuesday, followed by the Department of Transportation and Pennsylvania State Police on Wednesday. Higher education will be the focus on Thursday, while public health and safety will close out the week on Friday.
The governor proposed a $51.47 billion budget last week, representing a $3.57 billion, or 7.5%, increase over the current fiscal year. The proposed spending increase is significantly more than the anticipated $1.3 billion revenue increase.
Budget hearings will stream live at www.PAHouseGOP.com. For a full schedule of hearings, click here.
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Planning to Pursue Higher Education?
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February is Financial Aid Awareness Month, and the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) is reminding students and their families of a series of webinars that aim to help with understanding financial aid.
The webinar titled “Advance Planning for Financing Higher Education” is offered Tuesday, Feb. 25, at 6:30 p.m. This one-hour session will help participants understand education costs and what is available to help them plan and make affordable decisions.
The webinar titled “Improve Your Credit – Get Your Loan” is offered Thursday, Feb. 27, at noon. This one-hour session will help participants increase their financial literacy and knowledge on the process of credit, how to maintain or improve ratings, and comparison points to help make informed and affordable education borrowing decisions.
Webinars highlighting financial aid timelines and understanding offer letters are scheduled in March. For a full schedule, and to register your participation, visit www.pheaa.org/virtual.
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Driver License Centers Closed for Presidents Day Holiday
PennDOT’s driver license and photo centers will be closed today, Monday, Feb. 17, in observance of Presidents Day.
Customers may still obtain a variety of driver and vehicle products and services, including all forms, publications and driver training manuals, online through PennDOT's Driver and Vehicle Services website.
My office and all other government offices are closed today as well.
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Looking to Stock Fish in Your Private Pond or Stream?
The PA Aquaculture Advisory Council is alerting property owners who normally stock their private ponds or streams that last year’s drought caused significant trout inventory shortages across the eastern seaboard.
As a result, Pennsylvanians may end up having to look out of state to get their trout this year. The council is reminding them that in addition to filing a Notice of Stocking, written permission from the PA Fish and Boat Commission must be obtained before those out-of-state fish are stocked in the Commonwealth. Directions on both the Notice of Stocking and getting written permission can be found here.
It is important that residents perform due diligence, protect our waters and wildlife, and avoid introducing diseases and invasive species into our communities.
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Let's Get Connected
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Our District
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Web Site
rep .com
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| Office Locations |
| District Office: Reading Regional Airport - Main Terminal, 2501 Bernville Road, Box 4, Reading, PA, 19605 | Phone: (610) 378-4407, FAX: (610) 378-4412 | Open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. |
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| Capitol Office: 432 Irvis Office Building, Harrisburg, Pa 17020-2005 | PO Box 202005 | Phone: 717-772-9940 |
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