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In this Update:
Senate Passes Bill Benefitting Career and Technical Schools
Career and technical education prepares students for rewarding, family-sustaining careers, often at a significantly reduced cost compared to attending college. Pennsylvania is in great need of people with this training, and there are many job openings waiting to be filled. To ensure people have the training needed for these jobs, the Senate unanimously passed Senate Bill 315. The legislation would provide more certainty regarding grant funding for career and technical education equipment by making funding calculations before the school year in which the allocation occurs. Currently, schools are reimbursed after they have made purchases based on calculations made near the end of the school year. Read more about career and technical education opportunities in the commonwealth. Blair County Job Fair on April 17
The Pennsylvania CareerLink of Blair County will be hosting their Spring Job Fair on April 17, from 10 A.M. to 2 P.M. There is a reserved time for veterans from 9:30 A.M. to 10 A.M. This is a free event to attend. If you are looking for a new job or a career change, this is your chance. There will be over 80 hiring employers, with on-the-spot interviews and job fair workshops. The job fair will be held at Jaffa Shrine, located at 2200 Broad Ave., in Altoona. If you have questions, please call at 814-940-6201. You can register here. Program Increasing Digital Connectivity to Provide Laptops
The Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority (PBDA) is accepting applications for its Digital Connectivity Technology Program. Through the program, the PBDA will purchase and distribute $20 million in devices such as laptops for eligible public-facing institutions including libraries, workforce training organizations, not-for-profit organizations, municipalities, and other institutions that can offer internet access to individuals who lack the technology. PBDA strongly encourages interested applicants to review the program FAQ before applying. The FAQ, pre-recorded webinar providing an overview of the program, guidelines and online application are available here. Applications must be submitted by Friday, May 30. First Responders Funding Workshop on April 28
I will be hosting a First Responders Funding Workshop on Monday, April 28, from 6 to 8 P.M., at the Freedom Township Volunteer Fire Company in East Freedom. Fire department representatives, emergency medical providers, and municipal officials are welcome to attend this workshop that will include a legislative update, funding resources presentation, and opportunities to discuss issues and concerns with state legislators, as well as PA State Fire Commissioner, Tom Cook, and PA Bureau of EMS Director, Anthony Martin. Each workshop attendee will receive a funding resources reference manual that contains an extensive list of emergency services and grant/loan programs. Dinner will be available courtesy of Pennsylvania Skill Charitable Giving. You can register here. School Safety Report Available Now
Students deserve to feel safe while they’re learning, and their families should be confident that extensive efforts are made to ensure that happens. Senate Republicans have prioritized fostering healthy and safe communities, which include schools. Part of that work includes requiring and conducting a report to evaluate school safety initiatives and how they can be adjusted to more effectively protect students. The Legislative Budget and Finance Committee’s report highlighted the need for security assessments of school buildings and certification requirements for school safety and security coordinators. Other key findings include collecting and analyzing more relevant data – such as tips made using the Safe2Say Something Program – and improving how the data already being collected is shared. Find the full report here. Purple Star Schools Support Military Children
Military children face unique challenges as a result of frequent moves and parental deployments. To give them the best chance of success, Senate Republicans passed Act 69 of 2022. The law created the Purple Star designation for schools that demonstrate their commitment to supporting military families. Many schools have embraced this program and stepped up to help the children of our service members. Purple Star Schools go the extra mile to provide stability, resources and a welcoming community for military children, ensuring they have every opportunity to thrive. Pennsylvania has 37,000 children with parents serving in the military – and 80% of these children are in kindergarten through grade 12 and attend public schools. Learn more about Purple Star Schools. Passover Begins on April 12
Saturday marks the beginning of Passover, the eight-day Jewish holiday commemorating the Israelites’ emancipation from slavery in ancient Egypt. I hope it’s a warm occasion of family and friends for all who observe. Out and About in the 30th DistrictHollidaysburg Area School District Swim Teams The Hollidaysburg Area High School Girls State Qualified 400 Free Relay Swim Team, made up of Addison Smith, Kara Neeley, Marta Rebollo, and Jackie Bevan, won gold at the PIAA District 6 Class AA Championship at Mccoy Natatorium at Penn State University on Feb. 22, and advanced to the PIAA State Championship. Nine Hollidaysburg girls made history winning Hollidaysburg’s first ever District 6 Class AA Swimming Championship Title. Fourteen Hollidaysburg girls also achieved an undefeated season winning the Girls Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference Swim Title. Kaden Henderson, won gold at the Boys PIAA District 6 Class AAA Championship in the 100-breaststroke advancing to the PIAA State Championship. These were outstanding accomplishments for the Hollidaysburg Area High School Girls Swim Team and Kaden led by Coaches Baron Leonard, Nicole Stouffer and Mike Smith.
Railroaders Heritage Corporation Awarded Semiquincentennial Grant The Railroaders Heritage Corporation in Blair County has been awarded a $20,000 grant from America250PA’s first Semiquincentennial Grant Round to support the installation of an 80-foot lighted flagpole at the Horseshoe Curve in Altoona. The installation will serve as both a visual landmark and an educational enhancement for the thousands of visitors who explore the site each year. It will reinforce the significance of the Horseshoe Curve in American history while celebrating the patriotism, resilience and innovation that continue to define Pennsylvania and the nation.
Phoenix Physical Therapy Ribbon Cutting Congratulations to Phoenix Physical Therapy on cutting the ribbon on their new location in Altoona at the Greenwood Center on Pleasant Valley Boulevard!
America250PA Heads to Juniata County I was thrilled to join America250PA as they brought their Keystone Classroom Initiative to Juniata Elementary School this week. Along with many special guests including the Pennsylvania State Police, Miss Pennsylvania Page Weinstein, Miss Susquehanna Valley Abby Trexler, Miss Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Victoria Vespico, Mrs. Pennsylvania Ashley Stremme, Mifflintown Mayor Roxann McGinnis, and many others! America250PA’s Keystone Kid was there to hand out things to the kids as well. It was such a joy to be able to read to the students!
National Donate Life Month In recognition of National Donate Life Month, I participated in the ceremony at Conemaugh Nason Hospital, where two individuals shared incredible stories of loved ones who benefited from an organ donation. Visit core.org to learn more and register to be a donor.
PA Leadership Conference Highlights Need for Legislation I had the opportunity to speak on two panels at the Pennsylvania Leadership Conference, recently to highlight two pieces of legislation that I am working on to help our children across this Commonwealth. The first panel focused on How to Better Pennsylvania and I discussed the legislation I am working on to create the Pennsylvania Award for Student Success Scholarship Program. The P.A.S.S. Scholarship Program would allow students in Pennsylvania in our lowest performing schools to transfer to a private school, so that they may receive a quality education. Students and their families deserve to have the opportunities to succeed, and we will continue to work to provide them these opportunities.
The second panel focused on my legislation the Do No Harm Act, which would prevent the irreparable sex transitioning procedures of minors and stop our tax dollars from paying for them. Over the last few years, over $23 million worth of tax dollars in the Commonwealth has paid for these heinous procedures for minors. A minor is unable to provide informed consent to the long-term devasting effects of these drastic procedures and it is long overdue that we have this legislation to protect them.
Claysburg Hall of Fame Ceremony Recently, I attended the Claysburg Hall of Fame Ceremony and was pleased to present citations to the recipients of this special award. These men and women do so much for the community and deserve to be recognized! The inductees included Roger Knisely, Christine Leslie, Brenda Marriner, Samuel Mauk, and Klevans’ Store (Samuel and Lillian Klevan, posthumously).
Blair County Christian School Receives EITC Support We were honored to welcome the Bridge Educational Foundation to our district today for a special check presentation at Blair County Christian School. Through Pennsylvania’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) Program, families in Blair County have been awarded $75,750 in private school tuition scholarships through the Bridge Foundation. Joining me were Representatives Scott Barger and Lou Schmitt, representatives from Blair County Christian School, and EITC donors, including Waste Management and M&T Bank.
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