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In this Update:
Securing Funding for Schuylkill, Carbon, and Luzerne Counties
This week, almost $18 million in state grants was awarded to communities across the 29th Senate district – more than $10 million for 32 economic development priorities and almost $8 million to upgrade school facilities in 15 school districts. I worked closely with all our state representatives and local leaders to secure this highly competitive funding. Here is the list of school districts that received funding:
I will be sharing more information about these awards in the days to come! Protecting Afterschool Programs
Rep. Doyle Heffley and I spoke at a press conference about the importance of supporting afterschool programs in our state Capitol this week. These programs play a critical role in our communities, from our smallest villages to our largest cities. Students rely on them for additional academic and extracurricular opportunities. Parents rely on them to provide a safe environment while they finish the workday. I’m proud of afterschool programs like SHINE and Schuylkill ACHIEVE. When their funding was in jeopardy earlier this year, I heard from many parents, teachers, and employees back home. Rep. Heffley and I and fought to secure additional funding so they could continue serving our kids. With bipartisan help from Secretary of Education Khalid Mumin, we were successful. Thank you to the Pennsylvania Statewide Afterschool/Youth Development Network for organizing this event and advocating tirelessly for 20 years on behalf of the thousands of Pennsylvania students who take advantage of afterschool programs. Watch my full remarks here. Breathing New Life into Hazleton
Rep. Dane Watro and I conducted our monthly meeting with Hazleton Mayor Jeff Cusat at a new location yesterday – the Hazleton Regional Airport. We saw the Lehigh Valley Health Network’s EC-145 helicopter, which is specially equipped to transport infants to Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital as quickly as possible. These meetings help us coordinate our efforts to breathe new life into Hazleton. We shared exciting news with him during our meeting: three economic development projects were awarded highly competitive state grants.
Congratulation on these well-deserved awards! Nominations for 2025 Trail of the Year Open Now
If you have a favorite trail, nominations for Pennsylvania’s 2025 Trail of the Year are open now! The winning trail will be recognized through a commemorative poster for statewide distribution, a trailhead marker along the trail, and a grant for educational programs to promote safety and environmental protection on the trail. The deadline to submit your favorite is Friday, Nov. 1. The Appalachian Trail and the D+L Trail are just two examples of the MANY great options we have in our area to enjoy a hike or bike ride. We announced exciting news this week – state grants were awarded to construct a new section of the Schuylkill River Trail near Frackville and begin creating a brand-new trail connecting Weatherly to the Delaware and Lehigh Trail. I’m also working with the 911memorialtrail team to further expand this memorial to all who lost their lives by creating a trail from Pottsville to Tamaqua to Jim Thorpe, connecting the D+L Trail to the Schuylkill Valley Heritage Trail and beyond. Bringing Back the Pumpy?
A state grant of $77,996 was awarded to install a well and pavilion at the Pumpy – the Pumping Station Dam near Locust Mountain in East Union Township. Earlier this year, Rep. Watro, Rep. Tim Twardzik, and I met with members of the Pumpy Association, Shenandoah Borough Council members, and several local Township Supervisors and County Commissioners to discuss their goals for the site. They were full of stories and passion for bringing these same opportunities to a new generation. I’m grateful we were able to secure this grant to support their hard work! Supporting Good Causes in Hazleton
Rep. Watro and I were invited to two community events in the Greater Hazleton area last weekend. On Friday, we joined Tony Colombo and Jim Perry from Hazleton City Council as guest bartenders at the “Boo-Brews & Kartune” at City View Park in Hazleton. The event benefited Most Precious Blood Catholic Church. On Sunday, we attended the 47th annual Polish Heritage Celebration Dinner, hosted by the Greater Hazleton Area Polonaise Society. Congratulations to Jenna Harmonosky and Kiera Kupsho, this year’s recipients of the Father Louis S. Garbacik Scholarship. Online Unclaimed Property Auction Oct. 30 to Nov. 1
More than 5,700 items will be up for sale in the Pennsylvania Treasury Department’s largest unclaimed property auction from Oct. 30 to Nov. 1. View the items and register to bid here. The auction will include coins, currency, jewelry and more. The Treasury’s auctions are not specifically marked as other items are mixed in, but Treasury items are in the Coins and Jewelry Auction on Oct. 30, the Online Only Decorative Arts – Session One on Oct. 31 and the Online Only Decorative Arts – Session Two on Nov. 1. When an item is sold at auction, the price is documented and the net proceeds remain with Treasury for the rightful owner to claim at any time. Auctions take place twice a year to make room in the vault for incoming property. The department works for at least three years to find the rightful owner of tangible property before an item is auctioned. If you would like us to check if YOU have unclaimed property, contact any of my offices. PA Student Aid Guide Available Now
The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency’s 2025-26 PA Student Aid Guide is available now. It is a complete overview of the financial aid process for high school students and families. There is information about the federal student aid process and Pennsylvania aid programs, as well as career and salary stats, timelines, applications and more. Learn more. More Retirees to Be Eligible for Reduced Vehicle Registration Fee
Beginning Dec. 16, more retirees will be eligible for a reduced processing fee in lieu of the standard vehicle registration fee. Because of a new law passed by the General Assembly, the income cap will rise from $19,200 to $29,906. Eligible retirees pay an $11 processing fee instead of the normal $45 registration fee. Eligible applicants, regardless of age, must be retired and receiving Social Security, SSI payments, retirement benefits or other pensions and annuities. Find details about what is included in the income calculations here. Learn more. Questions? Contact any of my local offices! How to Be Safe This Hunting Season
Hunting is a Pennsylvania tradition. Whether it’s your first season out or you’ve ventured into the woods for years, knowing how to hunt safely can help you avoid trouble. Tree stands have injured hundreds of Pennsylvania hunters. Remembering some simple STEPS can reduce your risk of falling and ensure you’re prepared to signal for help if you do. Also to prevent accidents, hunters are required to wear at least 250 square inches of fluorescent orange that’s visible from 360 degrees on the head, chest and back. A hat and vest satisfy this requirement.
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