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In this Update:
PennDOT Offers Winter Maintenance Jobs
Individuals seeking seasonal employment can apply for a variety of winter maintenance positions now open through the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT). The program runs September through April and includes positions for transportation equipment operators, diesel and construction equipment mechanics, radio dispatchers, auto mechanics, tradesman helpers, semi-skilled laborers and tunnel maintainers. Individuals in these positions supplement the permanent workforce and have the potential to lead to permanent full-time employment. Additional details about the positions, along with the job application, are available here and then go to “PennDOT Winter Maintenance Program.” Free Webinars Provide Helpful Financial Aid Info
The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) is holding free webinars to assist college-bound students and their families with navigating the financial aid process. On Tuesday, Aug. 20 at noon, speakers will discuss web resources for effective research before, during and after your student makes postsecondary decisions. On Thursday, Aug. 22 at 6:30 p.m., speakers will focus on available loan programs, if there are costs not showing on the bill that must be paid and more. Register to attend the one-hour webinars. How Pennsylvanians with Disabilities Can Benefit From PA ABLE
PA ABLE gives individuals with disabilities a way to save money for the future without impacting important benefits like Medical Assistance (Medicaid) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Tax benefits for saving with PA ABLE include:
PA ABLE accounts can be used to pay for a wide variety of disability-related expenses including rent, groceries, health care, vehicle adaptations, assistive technology and more. Treasurer Stacy Garrity and PA ABLE professionals are hosting free webinars on how to start saving:
For more information, visit paable.gov or call 855-529-ABLE (2253). Keep Cool at the Pool or Lake
The dog days of summer are upon us. If you’re looking for a fun way to stay cool on a hot day, visit a Pennsylvania state park to go swimming. Many have pools and lakes. State park beaches are open and free to the public for swimming from before Memorial Day to after Labor Day, unless otherwise posted. The “open swim” policy allows people to swim at their own risk within the buoy line at designated beaches – 35 across the state – from 8 a.m. until sunset daily. Fifteen state parks have swimming pools for the public to enjoy. Pools are usually open from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. Admission fees vary based on the type of operation. Lifeguards are on duty when state park pools are open. Find a park with a pool and learn more. Recognizing National Financial Awareness Day
Wednesday, Aug. 14, marks National Financial Awareness Day. With recent estimates showing families in the United States have nearly $1 trillion in credit card debt and more than $15 trillion in debt overall, the day is a useful reminder of the impacts financial decisions can have for many years to come. Senate Republicans recognized that young adults face financial decisions that can come with long-term consequences and passed legislation to arm high school students with money management skills. The new law requires completion of a half-credit personal finance course to graduate high school. The course will give high school students the understanding they need about topics like credit and credit scores; savings and investments; college, home and auto loans; and planning for postsecondary education and retirement. DMVA to Provide Financial Assistance for Higher Education to Eligible Children of Veterans
Exciting news for the start of the school year! The Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Educational Gratuity program offers financial assistance for higher education to eligible children of veterans. This support helps to cover costs at colleges and trade schools across PA. If you’re a child of a veteran with a service-connected disability or who died in service, learn more here. Out and AboutThank you to Blair Drug and Alcohol Partnership for hosting their annual Legislative Breakfast. Andrew Eiseman and Frank McCartney, representatives of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), were the keynote speakers. They presented a program on “Understanding the Current Drug Supply Chain.” Pictured is Judy Rosser, Executive Director of Blair Drug and Alcohol Partnership.
It was a pleasure to purchase Sawere Truax’s lamb at the recent Fulton County Youth Livestock Auction. Pictured with Sawere is my staffer Kathleen who works in my Fulton County district office.
John from my Mifflin County district office attended the 70th Annual Mifflin County Youth Fair this week where he presented Darvin Yoder with a Senate and House citations for his over 35 years of dedicated service to 4H. Kendra Kohler, this year’s Mifflin County Youth Fair Queen, was also in attendance to cut the ribbon. It was great to see everyone in attendance, Mifflin County Commissioners Noah Wise and Kevin Kodish; State Representatives Kerry Benninghoff and David Rowe; Farm Bureau President Chris Hoffman; 2024 Friend of the Fair Sonieta Harrop; and 2024 Jr. Fair Person Hannah Guss.
I stopped by the annual African American Heritage Festival in Downtown Altoona.
Truly grateful for the effort to bring our law enforcement departments together with the community each year for the annual National Night Out Against Crime. Pictured is the Blair County event, which brought out hundreds of people across the county.
Altoona welcomed PA Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary Rick Siger, to highlight the new Main Street Matters Program. The new program will invest $20 million statewide in Pennsylvania’s downtown business districts to create jobs and spur economic development opportunities. Secretary Siger, offered remarks at St. Francis University at the Curry Innovation Center, followed by a walking tour that included visits to several downtown businesses to talk with owners and employees. It’s always great to showcase the wonderful things happening in Altoona. Thanks to Secretary Siger, for sharing his time with us!
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