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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
Meals on Wheels
Last week was Meals on Wheels America’s Community Champions week! I was honored to be invited to help with this amazing mission and offer some of my time to help pack meals for our community! For more information about Meals on Wheels in Berks County click here.
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Introducing Our Youth to Trout Fishing!
 
Pictured with PA Fish and Boat Commission Commissioner Richard Kauffman, Executive Director Tim Schaeffer and Waterways Conservation Officer Shane Casey. |
Last week, I attended a Legislative briefing with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission where I was able to learn more about the commission's ongoing projects and legislative needs!
Later in the week on Friday, I had the amazing opportunity to assist the commission with Trout stocking in Tulpehocken Creek in our district!
Other events and opportunities by PFBC include:
- Mentored Youth Day on March 29.
- Statewide Opening Day on April 5.
- Fish for Free days on May 25 and July 4.
To participate in Mentored Youth Trout Fishing Day, youth anglers (those under the age of 16) must have either a free Mentored Youth Permit or a Voluntary Youth Fishing License. More information about the mentored youth program, as well as a link to obtain a permit or license, is available here.
The following Saturday, April 5, is the first day of trout season. If you haven’t already, be sure to buy your fishing licenses and permits and get your gear organized. Visit the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) online at www.fishandboat.com or the FishBoatPA mobile app for more information.
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Coffee and Conversation
Last week we had our monthly Coffee and Conversation with members of Fire Departments and EMS in our district. Thank you to those that attended the educational and productive conversations!
Pictured with Western Berks Fire Department Fire Commissioner Jared Renshaw and Greenfields Fire Department Todd Hill.
If you would like to participate in the next Coffee and Conversation, contact our office at 610-378-4407.
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Announcing Local Funding
Last week, Sen. Chris Gebhard (R-48) and I announced grant funding for South Heidelberg Township and Wernersville Borough. Our joint press release announcing the grants is below:
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Sen. Chris Gebhard (R-48) and Rep. Eric Weaknecht (R-Berks) announced more than $157,000 in Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) funding is being awarded for projects in Berks County.
The following projects were funded through the CFA’s Local Share Account (LSA) Program, which uses gaming revenue to support projects in the public interest across the commonwealth:
- South Heidelberg Township received $93,924 to acquire a traffic patrol vehicle. South Heidelberg Police Department serves four municipalities over a 55 square-mile area.
- Wernersville Borough received $63,989 for the rehabilitation of the tennis courts and installation of outdoor lighting at the Laurel Street Playground Park.
“Bringing these gaming revenue funds back to the district will help to defray costs that would have otherwise been passed along to residents, or, unfortunately, many of these projects wouldn’t have happened at all,” Gebhard and Weaknecht said. “We are grateful to have worked together to play a part in securing this critical funding from the profits made at the Hollywood Casino in Morgantown, Berks County.”
The CFA was established in 2004 as an independent agency of the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development to administer the commonwealth’s economic stimulus packages. The Pennsylvania Race Horse Development and Gaming Act of 2004 provides for the distribution of gaming revenue through the CFA and its LSA program.
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Grow PA Scholarship Grant Program Applications Open
The Grow PA Scholarship Grant Program, administered by the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA), is now open!
Created by the Legislature under Act 89 of 2024, the program offers grants of up to $5,000 per year for in-state students who attend college in Pennsylvania, pursue a degree in an in-demand occupation and agree to work in that occupation in Pennsylvania after graduation.
There are over 460 eligible programs of study or majors that lead to in-demand occupations in a variety of fields, such as agriculture, business, education, computer science, STEM, nursing, allied health and criminal justice. Awards will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis for the 2025-26 academic year.
For details about the program and eligibility, visit PHEAA.org/GrowPA.
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New Online Petition Center for Taxpayers to File Appeals
A new online platform is now available for Pennsylvania taxpayers who are filing an appeal or submitting a request for a refund with the state Department of Revenue.
Key features of the new Online Petition Center include a more user-friendly, intuitive interface; a tracker feature to allow taxpayers to follow the status of their petition; improved security and accessibility; and simpler terminology to streamline the process.
The new Online Petition Center also involves a transition to the Keystone Login account management system, meaning users will need to sign up for a new username and password to access the new system. Click here to learn more about how to register for a Keystone Login account.
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March 25 is National Medal of Honor Day
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National Medal of Honor Day, celebrated annually on March 25, recognizes all recipients of the Medal of Honor, the highest military award for valor in the United States.
Created in 1861 to honor six members of “Andrews’ Raiders” for their volunteering and participation during an American Civil War raid in April of 1862, commonly known as “The Great Locomotive Chase,” the medal has been awarded to 3,528 of our nation’s soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines and coastguardsmen.
Out of the 3,528 recipients, there are 382 from Pennsylvania, with all but Walter Joseph Marm Jr. being deceased. Marm earned his Medal of Honor while a first lieutenant and platoon leader in the 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) in Vietnam on Nov. 14, 1965, during the Battle of Ia Drang, which was dramatized in the movie “We Were Soldiers.” The battle was the first major clash – and one of the bloodiest and fiercest - between U.S. soldiers and North Vietnamese troops during the Vietnam War. It was also the first use of air cavalry in the war.
Let us remember the gallantry and sacrifice of every recipient of the United States Armed Forces’ highest military decoration.
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Are You Prepared for the Next Storm?
Many people across the state, were affected by severe weather over the weekend, including heavy rain, hail, high winds and even tornadoes.
In addition to the safety risks brought on by this kind of weather, many people also lose power in their homes. The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency has some valuable tips for preparing yourself for a power outage. Check it out here so you’re ready for the next storm.
To stay on top of the latest weather forecast or other emergencies in your area, consider signing up for CodeRed alerts here. You can choose to receive alerts by phone, text or email.
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Bid on Unclaimed Property During Treasury’s Online Auction!
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Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity has announced that Treasury’s next auction of unclaimed property will take place next week on Wednesday and Thursday, March 26-27. More than 5,500 items will hit the auction block for online bidders. Anyone interested in bidding can visit Treasury’s auctioneer partner Pook & Pook Inc.’s website to register.
Items in the upcoming auction include precious and costume jewelry, collectible coins, currency and more. Any item sold at auction is carefully documented by Treasury. Net proceeds remain with Treasury until a rightful owner comes forward to claim the property, no matter how much time passes.
Unclaimed tangible property, like the items being auctioned, comes to Treasury most often from forgotten safe deposit boxes. Treasury works to find the rightful owner for at least three years before auctioning an item. Treasury holds auctions twice a year to make room for incoming property in Treasury’s vault, the largest working vault in the country.
Treasury is working to return more than $4.5 billion in unclaimed property that is owed to more than one in 10 Pennsylvanians. The average value of a claim is about $1,600. This money can belong to individuals, businesses, nonprofits, local government entities and other organizations.
Anyone can search for unclaimed property online at patreasury.gov/unclaimed-property. My office is also always glad to help you with your claim or to answer any of your questions.
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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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