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In this Update:
Food, Fun and Farming: PA Farm Show Set for Jan. 10-17
Hundreds of exhibits and an array of delicious food will be featured at the 2026 Pennsylvania Farm Show, Jan. 10-17 in Harrisburg. It’s a celebration of our commonwealth’s rich farming tradition and a lot of fun for families. In line with America’s 250th birthday, this year’s Farm Show “Growing a Nation” theme recognizes Pennsylvania’s leading role in our nation’s founding and future. Information is available to plan your visit, view the daily schedule and maps, and more. If you’ve never been to the Farm Show, check out the Frequently Asked Questions page. General admission is free. 2026 Military Veterans & Families Day at the Pennsylvania Farm Show
The Pennsylvania Farm Show is honoring veterans and military service members on Thursday, Jan. 15. Some events include:
Farm Show admission is free for everyone but many exhibitors will be offering veterans and active duty military special offers and discounts on Jan. 15, including a free milkshake from the PA Dairymen’s Association. 2025 Review: Reform Measures Targeting Fraud, Waste and Inefficiency
As we begin the second year of the 2025-26 legislative session, here’s a brief look at what we did last year to target fraud and waste, fix Pennsylvania’s broken system for issuing permits and more. Enacted with the state budget was sweeping permitting reform that sets clear timelines for state agencies to review permit applications and creates a permit tracking system, benefiting citizens and job creators. The budget also included measures ensuring individuals receiving Medical Assistance and SNAP benefits qualify for these taxpayer dollars and preventing dead people from receiving benefits. The Senate also passed legislation to eliminate 13 unnecessary boards, commissions and advisory committees and require automatic review of costly regulations after three years to ensure they remain in the public interest. You can find information on more government reform bills and other notable Senate-passed legislation here. Financial Aid Webinars
The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) will be hosting multiple financial aid webinars throughout January and February for those planning for higher education. Searching for Scholarships and Affording the Balance
There are many ways to pay for higher education, and an important step is searching for and applying for scholarships. The more scholarship money you can earn, the less money you have to repay. Join members from PHEAA’s PA Forward and Keystone Student Loan team for a presentation that will cover types of scholarships, tips for creating scholarship resumes, and how to pay any remaining balance after all free aid is applied. It will also highlight several resources, including current scholarship opportunities. Advanced Planning for Financing Higher Education
The thought of higher education costs can be overwhelming; however, proper planning can lessen anxiety and leave you feeling prepared. It’s never too early or late to understand what those costs are and what help is available in affordable decision making. Join members from PHEAA’s PA Forward and Keystone Student Loan team to begin the process today. To register for any of these financial aid webinars, click here. More Pennsylvanians Now Eligible for PA ABLE Savings Accounts
More Pennsylvanians are eligible to participate in the PA ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) Savings Program in 2026, Treasurer Stacy Garrity announced recently. Pennsylvanians with a qualifying disability occurring prior to age 46 are now eligible to open a PA ABLE account. Previously, eligibility required the disability to occur before age 26. PA ABLE accounts allow individuals with disabilities and their families to save up to $19,000 per year tax-free without impacting important benefits. For veterans, savings and investments in PA ABLE accounts do not impact VA benefits. Funds can be used for expenses such as housing, health care, transportation and assistive technology. Contributions are deductible on state income taxes, and qualified withdrawals are exempt from state and federal income taxes. PennDOT Summer Maintenance Employment Program
In Pennsylvania, summer is construction season. Through the Summer Maintenance Employment Program, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is hiring hundreds of seasonal workers from post high school grads to experienced workers to help repair and maintain the roadways and structures throughout the commonwealth. The application period is now open. The following job titles are hired across the state:
The Summer Employment Program is a great way to take your first step on the path to a permanent career with PennDOT. To learn more about the program, positions available or to apply, click here. Multimodal Transportation Fund Grant Program
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) has begun accepting applications for the next round of Multimodal Transportation Fund (MTF) grants. Applications are due by 4 PM on Feb. 13. To learn more about the MTF program, click here. The Multimodal Transportation Fund provides grant funding to municipalities, councils of governments, businesses, economic development organizations, public transportation agencies, and ports and rail freight entities to improve transportation assets that enhance communities, pedestrian safety, and transit access. Jan. 31 Deadline for High School Seniors to Apply for America250PA Scholarships
High school seniors have until Jan. 31 to apply for $10,000 scholarships as part of the America250PA celebration. Twenty-five scholarships will be awarded throughout six regions to commonwealth high school seniors planning to attend a Pennsylvania college or university in the 2026-27 academic year. More than three dozen schools will match the $10,000 if the student chooses their institution. You can learn more and apply here. Keystone Historic Preservation Grant Program
The Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission (PHMC) announced it is investing $2 million to help communities across Pennsylvania preserve historic places, strengthen local revitalization efforts and prepare for the nation’s 250th anniversary this year. Through the Keystone Historic Preservation Grant Program, PHMC will award grants to support projects that identify, preserve, promote and protect historic and archaeological resources across the Commonwealth. This year’s investment prioritizes projects that align with the themes of America250, ensuring Pennsylvania’s rich and diverse history is preserved and shared as the nation marks its Semiquincentennial. PHMC offers two types of grants for historic resources that are listed in, or eligible for listing in, the National Register of Historic Places. Applicants may apply for only one category: Construction Grants Construction grants support the rehabilitation, preservation, and restoration of publicly accessible historic resources owned by nonprofit organizations or local governments. Awards range from $5,000 to $100,000 and require a 50/50 cash match. Prospective applicants are encouraged to attend a PHMC Construction Grant webinar on Wednesday, Jan. 21, at 3 PM. Registration for the webinar is available here. Planning Grants Planning grants support community-based historic preservation planning and project-specific planning initiatives, including municipal planning efforts focused on historic resources. Awards range from $5,000 to $25,000 and require a 50/50 cash match. Prospective applicants for Planning Grants should attend a PHMC webinar on Thursday, Jan. 22, at 3 PM. Registration for the webinar is available here. Applications are due March 2. Grants will be awarded through a competitive selection process and are contingent on the availability of funds. For more information, click here. National Human Trafficking Awareness Month
Pennsylvania consistently ranks among the top 10 states for reported human trafficking cases. Over the past five years, 1,235 human-trafficking offenses were filed in 366 cases. The General Assembly has enacted several laws in recent years to combat this abuse in which people profit from the exploitation of others. You can find more statistics and ways to identify possible human trafficking in your community here. Out and About in the 30th DistrictHappy Retirement Chief Bubb! After 32 years of faithful service Chief Martin C. Bubb retired from the Granville Township Police Department. Chief Bubb first started as a patrolman, then Sergeant and finally retired as Police Chief. John from my Lewistown District Office was able to present the Chief with a senate citation on behalf of his commitment to our community and service. Best wishes to you Chief Bubb, we hope you enjoy retirement!
Students for Life Visit the Capitol Students for Life Action stopped by the Capitol to update me on the amazing work they are doing and share with me model legislation they hope to enact in Pennsylvania. Seeing the passion of these young people for the sanctity of life was inspiring, and I’m so thankful I had the chance to talk to them while they were in Harrisburg.
Pennsylvania Health Care Association Mike Jacobs, President and CEO, and Angela Zaydon, Director of Government Affairs, for the Pennsylvania Health Care Association, recently visited Blair County to discuss issues facing our older adults and our nursing homes. It was great to catch up with them.
Supervisor McCleaf Swearing-In Thrilled to watch my dear friend, C. Stewart McCleaf get sworn in to another term as Township Supervisor of Washington Township in Franklin County.
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