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In this Update:
Merry Christmas from the 30th District!
I want to wish you and your families a very Merry Christmas. All throughout the year, my staff and I are honored to assist you with navigating the intricacies of our state government and working to solve any needs you may have. This Christmas season, I want to pause and reflect on all the wonderful opportunities this year has provided and look forward to what we can accomplish together in the coming year. From each of us here in the 30th District, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year!
Happy Hanukkah!
To all of those who are celebrating Hanukkah this week across the 30th District, I want to wish you and your family a joyous Festival of Lights! The menorah has been shining bright out in front of the Capitol! Dec. 31 Deadline for Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program
The deadline to apply for the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program is Dec. 31. Eligible residents could qualify for up to $1,000 (plus supplemental rebates for qualifying applicants). The program provides financial relief to older adults and people with disabilities who paid property taxes or rent in 2024. To qualify, applicants must be age 65+, widows/widowers 50+ or individuals with disabilities 18+, and their household income must be $46,520 or less (excluding half of Social Security income). Applications can be submitted online, by mail or in person, or by calling 1-888-222-9190 for assistance. My office is also available to help you apply for this rebate Green Light-Go Program
PennDOT is accepting pre-applications until January 2, 2026, for the next round of funding from the Green Light-Go program. Following the screening of the pre-applications, PennDOT will accept applications between March 1-31, 2026. Eligible projects are limited to existing traffic control signals, and grant funding can be used for LED replacement, traffic signal retiming, modernization upgrades, etc. A 20 percent match of the project amount is required. For more information, please review the Green Light-Go Program Guidelines. Successful Start for New Program Connecting Young Pennsylvanians to High-Demand Careers
The first year of the Grow PA program to help connect young people to quality careers in Pennsylvania has been a tremendous success, according to statistics from the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA). The Grow PA Scholarship Grant Program was created by the legislature last year to help reverse the trend of young Pennsylvanians seeking education and job opportunities in other states. The program offers grants of up to $5,000 per year for in-state students who agree to attend college in Pennsylvania, pursue a degree in an in-demand occupation and work in that occupation in Pennsylvania after graduation. PHEAA reports more than 11,000 applications for Grow PA in the first year. More than 4,000 applicants have already received grants, and another 2,300 applications were approved through early December. The average award per student was $4,650. The top programs of study in the first year of Grow PA included registered nursing, early childhood education, business administration and management, biological sciences and accounting. Next year’s application period is expected to open in early February. It’s Annual Dog License Time
The deadline to purchase an annual license renewal for your dog is Jan. 1, 2026. Many counties allow you to purchase a lifetime license. Licensing fees help the millions of dogs in Pennsylvania by funding the Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement. If your dog gets lost, a current license is the fastest way to get your dog back home. Dogs must be licensed at the point of adoption or purchase, or at three months if no transfer of ownership has taken place. Annual licenses can be purchased online from your county treasurer in one location here. Assistance Available to Help Rural Communities Fight Wildfires
State grants are available to volunteer fire companies to help protect rural communities from wildfires. Eligible applicants include local firefighting forces in rural communities with fewer than 10,000 residents. Funding can be used for training and equipment purchases directly related to fighting brush and forest fires. Recipients are selected based on vulnerability and adequacy of existing fire protection, with a focus on improving volunteer readiness and protecting lives and property in under-protected areas. Administered by the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), the maximum grant award in 2026 is $15,000 per fire company. Applications must be submitted electronically through DCNR’s grant website by Dec. 31. Out and About in the 30th DistrictRibbon Cutting for Parlor Doughnuts Congratulations to Parlor Doughnuts on the opening of their second location inside the Grande Palazzo in Altoona!
Wreaths Across America This past weekend, a Wreaths Across America event was held at Mount Pleasant Church in Martinsburg, Blair County. Due to the weather, the ceremony was held inside the church and then the wreaths placed in the cemetery following the ceremony. I am so appreciative to the organizers of this wonderful event.
Broadband Ribbon Cutting in Trough Creek My office had the pleasure of participating in a ribbon cutting ceremony for another broadband internet tower in the Trough Creek area of Huntingdon County. Upward Broadband, along with Alleghenies Broadband, Inc. (ABI), and Huntingdon County celebrated the activation of this new wireless internet tower that will deliver high speed connectivity to more than 900 local residents near Cassville, Huntingdon, James Creek, Calvin, Hesston, Todd and Broad Top. This key piece of infrastructure will unlock opportunities for business, learning and community, while continuing to bridge the digital divide for communities in our underserved areas.
Tour of Fulton Precision Industries, Inc. I had an impressive tour of Fulton Precision Industries, Inc. in McConnellsburg. Chief Commercial Officer, Tony Glunt, showed us around their state-of-the-art facility. They supply precision parts to Construction, Oil and Gas, Rail, Deep Hole Drilling and Mining industries. They are constantly upgrading and innovating to provide engineered solutions to ever-changing industry.
Fulton County Broadband Ribbon Cutting I was thrilled to participate in another tower ribbon cutting with Upward Broadband this week. Located in Fulton County, this new tower will deliver high speed connectivity to over 750 business and local residents near Needmore, Warfordsburg, Harrisonville, Big Cove Tannery, Berkeley Springs, Mercersburg and surrounding areas. This project spotlights infrastructure that will unlock opportunities and help bridge the digital divide in our communities. Congratulations to Upward Broadband, Alleghenies Broadband, Inc. (ABI), and Fulton County for their collaboration on this successful project!
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