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In this update:

• Apply for the Expanded Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program Now
• Hazleton Police Department Moves into New Headquarters
• Boosting Outdoor Recreation, Revitalizing Communities
• School Safety, Law Enforcement Recruitment Grants Available
• Free FAFSA Workshops Across PA
• Fishing and Boating Grants Available Now

Apply for the Expanded Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program Now

Older adults and Pennsylvanians with disabilities can apply now for rebates on property taxes or rent paid in 2023.

An expansion of the property tax/rent rebate program became law after receiving strong bipartisan support in the Senate. It’s estimated that over 10,000 more seniors in Schuylkill, Carbon, and Luzerne Counties are now eligible to receive property tax relief because of this expansion.

I will continue to fight for the full elimination of our outdated school property tax system – but seniors need help now.

If you need assistance with your rebate application, please contact any of my district offices – we help hundreds of people every year with their applications to this program.

Hazleton Police Department Moves into New Headquarters

Rep. Dane Watro, Mayor Jeff Cusat, and I stopped by the brand-new Hazleton Police Department headquarters on North Church Street yesterday. Moving into this new space is boosting their non-stop work to keep Hazleton safe, while also freeing up space in Hazleton City Hall for Luzerne County’s efforts to offer county services to the residents of the region.

Thank you for your service, and for taking the time to show us around!

Boosting Outdoor Recreation, Revitalizing Communities

Rep. Mike Cabell and I saw the Reading and Northern Railroad’s bike trains in action at the White Haven Trail Festival last summer.

I was reminded while skiing earlier this week in all the new snow at one of our local mountains that outdoor recreation is a proven force in revitalizing local communities.

Here are just a few local examples: the D+L Trail from Wilkes Barre, White Haven, Lehighton, and beyond; the Schuylkill River Trail, which will one day reach from Frackville and Tamaqua to Pottsville, Schuylkill Haven, and Port Clinton; the Hazleton area’s trail system; our beautiful state parks; and, especially, the incredible resurgence of Jim Thorpe since the 1970s!

The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources released information this week on its plans to assist the private sector to grow this critical industry across Pennsylvania. Their report featured a local highlight – Reading and Northern Railroad’s bike train loading bikes at the White Haven Trail Festival!

I will continue to work with DCNR and many local groups in Schuylkill, Carbon, and Luzerne County to breathe new life into more of our older communities.

School Safety, Law Enforcement Recruitment Grants Available

More than $155 million in school safety funding is now available to both public and private schools across Pennsylvania. Applications and information about each of these grants, including eligibility criteria and instructions, can be found on Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency’s School Safety and Security webpage.

Informational webinars and other resources are also available to assist schools with navigating this process. The deadline to apply is Thursday, February 29.

State grants are also available to law enforcement agencies to assist with recruiting new officers. Interested law enforcement entities can learn more about the program here.

Free FAFSA Workshops Across PA

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) underwent changes resulting from the FAFSA Simplification Act, a federal law intended to streamline the financial aid application process.

Filing the FAFSA online is the first step for students and families to determine if they qualify for a Federal Pell Grant, Pennsylvania State Grant, scholarships, institutional awards and federal student loans.

Because of the changes, free FAFSA workshops are being held across the state. Find one near you.

Fishing and Boating Grants Available Now

Organizations that provide hands-on education for the recruitment, retention and reactivation (R3) of anglers and boaters in Pennsylvania have until March 1 to apply for grants.

Education programs play a role in R3 by providing experiences that increase fishing and boating knowledge and skills, facilitate social support, and provide information on fishing and boating opportunities close to home.

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