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In this Update:
November is Care at Home Month
This week, I offered Senate Resolution 364 recognizing November 2024 as Care at Home Month in Pennsylvania. Home care aides and direct care workers provide crucial support for the older adults, and those with disabilities, who need assistance with daily activities, but prefer to remain in their homes, and our hospice care workers provide critical end-of-life and palliative care to terminally ill patients and their families. Recognizing November as Care at Home Month shines a light on the dedication of these professionals and highlights their crucial role in caring for some of our most vulnerable citizens. You can view my full comments from the Senate floor by clicking the image above. Senate Republicans Organize for 2025-26 Session
Voters returned a 28-22 Republican majority to the state Senate for the 2025-26 legislative session. All Republican incumbents were re-elected and two new Republican senators are on the way to Harrisburg. To drive priorities of protecting jobs, empowering families and defending freedoms, Senate Republicans re-elected our leadership team for the upcoming session. Senate Republicans are united in our efforts to prioritize the needs of Pennsylvanians. We remain focused on helping families restore economic freedom while positioning communities to thrive. Increasing energy independence, expanding access to well-paying jobs and making communities healthy and safer are top initiatives in our work to move Pennsylvania forward. 2024-25 Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Now Available
LIHEAP can help you keep your home warm and safe during the coldest seasons. From Nov. 4, 2024, to April 4, 2025, you can apply for a cash grant to help pay your heating bill. You can receive from $200 to $1,000 based on your household size, income and fuel type. The cash grant is a one-time payment. The grant will be sent directly to your utility provider or fuel company to be credited on your bill. For more information and further eligibility requirements click here. Are you experiencing an emergency related to your household’s heat? You may be eligible to receive additional funds through a crisis grant. Pennsylvanians can apply for LIHEAP and other public assistance programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) online or by phone at 1-866-550-4355. Pennsylvanians do not need to know their own eligibility to apply. Giving First Responders More Support
Beginning in December, a law passed by Senate Republicans will give first responders greater access to workers’ compensation benefits for a post-traumatic stress injury (PTSI). Firefighters, police officers, emergency medical technicians and paramedics will be entitled to benefits for psychological traumas resulting from their employment – even in the absence of physical injuries. To receive benefits, they need to be diagnosed by a licensed psychiatrist or psychologist. Previously, Pennsylvania law required a first responder to prove there were “objective abnormal working conditions” to establish a PTSI claim. This standard was often difficult to meet. Seasonal PennDOT Jobs Open Now
PennDOT is hiring individuals for its winter maintenance program that runs until April 2025. The jobs pay from $17.00 to $27.75 an hour and could become a career. Roles include equipment operators, dispatchers, mechanics, tradesman helpers, semi-skilled laborers and tunnel maintainers. Job requirements vary based on position. Learn more regarding required experience, training and eligibility. Submit an online application. Call 855-524-5627 if you have trouble accessing your account. Being Prepared for Fall Driving Hazards
Fall brings different driving hazards, including wet leaves, fog, sun glare and frost. Drivers can use fall driving tips from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) to make their commutes safer. Extra caution is needed on roads covered with wet leaves, which can be as slippery as ice. When driving in fog, it’s best to use low-beam headlights to avoid the glare created by high beams. Morning frost and icy spots can cause issues as overnight temperatures drop toward freezing. Ice is more likely to form on bridges, overpasses and shaded areas. Pennsylvania drivers face the third-highest chance of being involved in an animal-related crash in the nation. To report a dead animal for removal from a state road, call the PennDOT at 1-800-FIX-ROAD. Call the Game Commission at 1-833-742-9453 for local roads. Recognizing National Diabetes Awareness Month
The men, women and children who live with prediabetes and diabetes face challenges not only with their health but also with the financial impact of the disease. However, there is support available, including health tips and food ideas. Healthy eating for prediabetes and diabetes can be delicious and satisfying using recipes like these. Tools and resources are available regarding health care affordability and driving with diabetes. There is also helpful information for caregivers. Presidential Inauguration Ticket Information
For those asking, “How do I get tickets to the Presidential Inauguration for January 2025? Wondering can our office help you?” The answer is we are unable to provide tickets as this is a FEDERAL REQUEST. However, the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies makes a limited number of inauguration tickets available to the public through your federal representatives. Tickets are free and allow you to watch in person on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol as the President and Vice President are sworn in on January 20, 2025. Tickets will be available from your members of Congress in the weeks leading up to the inauguration. Some members may begin accepting requests for tickets before then. You can find your United States Senators and your member of the House of Representatives here. Certain State Funding Programs Due at the End of Month
Throughout November, many State Funding Programs are due if you are applying for the program. Statewide Local Share Account’s deadline is Saturday, Nov. 30. Boating Facility Grant Program deadline is Saturday, Nov. 30. The Statewide Local Share Account program application window is open through Nov. 30, for grants up to $1 million. No match is required. For program guidelines and more eligibility information visit the LSA Guidelines here. The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission is now accepting applications for the 2025 Boating Facility Grant Program! The Boating Facility Grant Program provides grants for planning, acquisition, development, expansion and rehabilitation of public boating facilities located on waterways in Pennsylvania. Funding requests require a 50% match. The deadline for applications is Nov. 30. More information can be found at Boating Facility Grant Program. It’s Medicare Open Enrollment Time!
Did you know it is Medicare Open Enrollment time? Between now and December 7, you can join, switch or drop your Medicare Advantage or Prescription Drug Plans. Any changes that you make to your plans will take effect on January 1, 2025. If you have questions, please contact the PA MEDI Helpline, Monday through Friday, 8 A.M. to 5 P.M. at 1-800-783-7067 or call your local PA MEDI Program. You can learn more about this here or through your local Area Agency on Aging. Out and About in the 30th DistrictMilroy Presbyterian Church Celebrates 190th Anniversary Milroy Presbyterian Church in Mifflin County celebrated their 190th Anniversary recently. Reverend Joy Kauffman provided a brief history of the congregation to those in attendance. The celebration included Senate and House citations as well as a county proclamation. Congratulations to Milroy Presbyterian Church.
Blair County Honors Veterans Blair County celebrated Veterans Day with a veterans breakfast before the Altoona Veterans Day parade. Pictured with me are Lloyd Peck, Past Commander War Veterans Council, and Representative-elect Scott Barger of the 80th District.
Butler Knob Tower Ribbon Cutting This week I helped cut the ribbon for Upward Broadband’s new Butler Knob Tower at Agape Farm in Huntingdon County. This tower is going to bring fast and reliable internet services to parts of Cassville, Knightsville, Orbisonia, Shirleysburg, Aughwick, Pogue, Adams, Calvin, Mt. Union and surrounding areas!
Presbyterian Village Veterans Day Celebration It was an honor to speak at the Veterans Day celebration at Presbyterian Village in Hollidaysburg. 24 Veterans were honored at a luncheon. Resident Lloyd Forshey was the MC of the event and Ray Glass from the Blair County Honor Guard gave a meditation. Also pictured with me is John Faulds a WWII veteran.
Altoona Celebrates and Honors Area Veterans A ceremony was held after the Altoona Veterans Day parade with the keynote speaker, David McCalley, Chief of Police, at the VanZandt Medical Center. Local retired business owner, Joe Keirn, a U.S. Army veteran was the 2024 Veteran honoree.
Farm-City Committee Annual Banquet The Blair County Chamber of Commerce’s Farm-City Committee held its annual banquet this week, where the Bechtel Family of Cove View Farms was honored with the Agricultural Community Excellence Award. I enjoyed visiting with local FFA students from the Williamsburg, Bellwood, Central and Tyrone Chapters. Anna Longenecker, Blair County Diary Princess, gave remarks and the keynote speaker was Tyler Shaw, Vice President of Shirley’s Cookie Company in Claysburg. It was a great event that brought together the business and farming communities!
Tuscarora Intermediate Unit 11 Ribbon Cutting It was a pleasure to attend the open house and ribbon cutting at the Tuscarora Intermediate Unit 11. The new building layout is fantastic, and all the new upgrades and renovations make it great place to work and learn for the students and staff. It was also great talking with Executive Director Dr. Shawn Kovac, about all the new features that the building has to offer.
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