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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
Last Saturday, I had the opportunity to participate in an amazing program which uses old Christmas trees to boost our local ecosystems at Blue Marsh Lake. This year is the seventh year that the Army Corps of Engineers has taken donated Christmas trees and built structures along shoreline exposed for the winter. As the water level rises in the spring, the trees will form essential habitats for fish to spawn and grow.
Although in the past my family has donated our Christmas trees to Blue Marsh, I had never taken part in the subsequent work to place trees on the shoreline. I applaud and thank the Army Corps of Engineers and all of the local volunteers who donated their trees and time to help boost our local wildlife. While some municipalities recycle trees, many still end up in landfills; I encourage everyone in the area to consider donating their future trees to Blue Marsh to help promote our local environment.
If you would like to learn more about the Army Corps of Engineers' operations at Blue Marsh, please consider attending my event on Thursday, March 12, at 6 p.m. at the Reading Regional Airport, where they will discuss their current and upcoming projects. For more information and to RSVP, call my office at 610-378-4407.
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Upcoming Coffee and Conversation
On Thursday, Feb. 19, from 8:30 through 10 a.m. my office at the Reading Regional Airport will be hosting a Coffee and Conversation. For more information about the event and to RSVP, please call my office at 610-378-4407.
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Governor to Give Budget Address Tomorrow
Gov. Josh Shapiro will deliver his 2026-27 state budget address tomorrow, Tuesday, Feb. 3, before a joint session of the General Assembly.
It’s important to remember the governor’s address is only a starting point for the budget process. After reviewing the budget, the House Appropriations Committee will hold three weeks of public hearings to review the budget line by line with agency leaders. This will be the first opportunity for House Republicans to provide feedback and develop a fiscally responsible plan. At the conclusion of the budget hearings the House will return to session and begin the work of crafting a budget for the new fiscal year, which begins July 1.
As always, the House session will stream live at www.PAHouseGOP.com. Session begins at 11 a.m. with the governor’s address to follow. |
Protecting Your Identity
Last week, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) marked Identity Theft Awareness Week to help educate people about this growing crime and steps you can take to protect yourself.
Be sure to pay attention to your credit card and bank statements, health insurance claim statements, and your bills. A bill that doesn’t show up as it normally would can be a sign of identity theft. Review your credit reports at least once a year to look for any accounts you may not have opened, and always shred documents with personal information to keep it out of the wrong hands.
The FTC also recommends asking questions before giving out your Social Security number. While it is necessary information for the IRS, your bank and your employer, not every organization needs this sensitive information. The organization also encourages using strong passwords and two-factor authentication to protect your information from scammers online and on your phone.
More tips about identity theft protection are available here.
A person who falls victim to identity theft may find help from www.IdentityTheft.gov. |
Heating Assistance Program Available
If bitter cold temperatures have left you struggling with your home heating bills, help may be available through the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).
LIHEAP is a federally funded program that helps individuals and families pay their heating bills through home heating energy assistance grants. It also provides crisis grants to help in the event of an emergency or if a resident is in danger of losing his or her heat due to broken equipment, lack of fuel or termination of utility service.
To qualify for LIHEAP in Pennsylvania, you must meet income requirements, which are set based on your household size. For example, the maximum annual income for an individual is $23,475 and for a family of four it is $48,225. For each additional person, add $8,250 to the income limit.
Residents may apply for LIHEAP online at www.dhs.pa.gov/COMPASS, or by phone at 1-866-857-7095.
Click here for additional information. The program runs through April 10. |
Students Invited to Enter Financial Literacy Scholarship Competition
Pennsylvania students in grades 9-12 are being invited to enter the 13th annual Student Financial Literacy Scholarship Competition.
Participants are encouraged to submit a short essay, poem or video that fits this year’s theme: “What Does Financial Literacy Mean to Me?” Student winners will be announced and publicly honored during Financial Literacy Month, which occurs every year in April. Competition prizes will be offered as follows:
• One First Place ($1,500) award for each grade level (9–12).
• One Honorable Mention ($500) award for each grade level (9–12).
• One Grand Prize ($2,500) for the best overall entry.
Additionally, Harrisburg University will award a one-time, $1,000 scholarship to each student who submits a competition entry and then applies to and is accepted as a full-time student at the university. Harrisburg University hosts the competition in partnership with Pennsylvania Office of Auditor General and Members 1st Federal Credit Union.
The deadline for competition submissions is March 20. Students must submit their entry online here. |
Construction-Related Scholarship Program Accepting Applications
The Keystone Contractors Association (KCA) is encouraging Pennsylvania students with an interest in the construction industry to apply for its scholarship program.
Applicants must be Pennsylvania residents; attend a Pennsylvania college, university or trade school with focus on a construction-oriented degree; and pursue education and careers with the goal of building and strengthening Pennsylvania's communities, economy and infrastructure.
This scholarship program is open to graduating high school seniors, as well as current college students who plan to work in the construction industry. The one-year scholarship of up to $10,000 is renewable for up to three years for a student in good standing.
The deadline to apply for this year’s scholarship program is March 1. For more information, click here. |
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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