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In this Update:
Expanding Education Opportunities in Pennsylvania
As chair of the Senate Education Committee, I am working on several efforts to expand opportunities for Pennsylvania students and help schools recruit qualified educators. Keeping Scholarship Funding in Pennsylvania I am joining a bipartisan group of senators to introduce legislation that would allow Pennsylvania students and families to benefit from the new Federal Scholarship Tax Credit. The program allows taxpayers to receive a federal tax credit of up to $1,700 for contributions to approved nonprofit Scholarship Granting Organizations. Those organizations can use the donations to help eligible students pay for tuition, fees, academic tutoring, special education services, technology and classroom supplies at qualifying public or private schools. Pennsylvania must opt into this no cost program by Jan. 1, 2027. Without action, Pennsylvania taxpayers could still claim the credit, but the scholarship funding generated by their donations would benefit students in other states. Pennsylvania Activates Teacher Mobility Compact Pennsylvania has completed the process of joining the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact, effective July 27. This was authorized through bipartisan legislation I supported that was introduced by Sen. Dave Argall and signed into law as Act 35 of 2023. Educators with a comparable, current and valid professional certificate from another compact state may qualify for a streamlined Pennsylvania certification process, including an exemption from additional certification testing. Background checks, security clearances and other safeguards are still required. The compact does not replace Pennsylvania’s existing certification pathways. It reduces duplicative requirements for experienced teachers moving to Pennsylvania and gives school districts another tool to recruit qualified educators. Additional information is available at the Teacher Compact Website. Upcoming August Events
Three events are coming up this month for residents and organizations across the 27th District. Grant Seminar Reminder – Aug. 13 Our free grant seminar will be held Thursday, Aug. 13, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Bloomsburg Area High School Auditorium, 1200 Railroad St., Bloomsburg. Registration is required by Tuesday, Aug. 11. Register online here or call the Shamokin Dam District Office at 570-743-1918. Telephone Town Hall – Aug. 18 Residents are invited to join my live Telephone Town Hall on Tuesday, Aug. 18, at 5 p.m. I will provide updates on state government, legislative priorities and issues affecting the district and answer questions from constituents. Residents may receive an automated call when the event begins. To ensure you are connected register in advance or listen live online here. Senior Technology Workshop – Aug. 27 Seniors are invited to a free technology workshop I am hosting with the Bloomsburg Public Library on Thursday, Aug. 27, from 10 a.m. to noon at the library. Attendees can receive hands-on assistance with smartphones and tablets, learn how to identify common online scams and ask questions during one-on-one guidance. Please bring your smartphone or tablet. Registration is encouraged by calling the Bloomsburg Public Library at 570-784-0883. National Night Out Brings District Communities Together
National Night Out has deep roots in Pennsylvania. Its beginnings can be traced to the western suburbs of Philadelphia, where Matt Peskin volunteered with the Lower Merion Community Watch program and recognized the need for community-watch groups to share information and resources. He founded the National Association of Town Watch in 1981, which introduced National Night Out in 1984. The first event involved 2.5 million neighbors across 400 communities in 23 states. More than four decades later, the event continues to provide a positive setting for residents to meet the police officers, firefighters and emergency responders who serve their communities. It also gives neighbors a chance to connect, learn about local safety resources and strengthen the relationships that help keep communities safe. On Tuesday, my staff and I joined National Night Out celebrations in Bloomsburg, Elysburg, McClure, Mount Carmel, Point Township, Riverside, Shamokin, Sunbury and Wright Township. Thank you to the police and fire departments, emergency responders, municipalities, community organizations and volunteers who organized events throughout the district. The strong turnout at each location showed why National Night Out continues to be an important tradition across our region. Disaster Loans Available to Luzerne County Businesses
Low-interest federal disaster loans are now available to eligible Luzerne County small businesses and private nonprofit organizations that experienced financial losses because of the severe storms and prolonged power outages on July 4. The U.S. Small Business Administration’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program may provide up to $2 million to qualifying small businesses, agricultural cooperatives, aquaculture businesses and most private nonprofit organizations. Applicants do not need to have experienced physical property damage to qualify. The loans may be used to pay fixed debts, rent, utilities, health care benefits and certain other operating expenses that could have been covered if the storms had not disrupted normal operations. The SBA will determine eligibility, loan amounts and repayment terms based on each applicant’s financial circumstances. Luzerne County applicants must submit their applications by Friday, April 30, 2027, and should reference Pennsylvania Disaster Number PA-20039. More information and the online application are available on the SBA Website. Assistance is also available by calling the SBA Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955 or emailing DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability may dial 7-1-1 for relay services. PA Outdoor Corps Crew Works at Milton and Nescopeck State Parks
Members of my staff recently visited Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps youth crews working at Nescopeck and Milton state parks. At Nescopeck State Park, the Wilkes-Barre youth crew was constructing a footbridge along one of the park’s trails. At Milton State Park, the Williamsport youth crew was rehabilitating walking paths and completing other maintenance in the day-use area. The Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps is operated through a partnership between the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Student Conservation Association. The program provides paid, hands-on experience for youth and young adults while helping maintain Pennsylvania’s parks and forests. Participants gain experience in conservation and trail-restoration work while developing leadership, teamwork and job-readiness skills. Kat Rapp Recognized for National FFA Honor
On Tuesday, I presented a Senate citation to Kat Rapp in recognition of earning the American FFA Degree. Kat, who served as an intern in my Shamokin Dam office last year, is the first Danville Area High School graduate in 20 years to receive the degree, one of the highest honors awarded by the National FFA Organization. The award recognizes years of achievement in agricultural education, leadership, community service and supervised agricultural experience. It was wonderful to see Kat receive this national recognition after having the opportunity to work with her and see her dedication firsthand. Celebrating the Montour-DeLong Community Fair
The Montour-DeLong Community Fair brought residents together for a week of agricultural exhibits, livestock competitions and community traditions. Last Tuesday, Norma and David Bird were named the 2026 Friends of the Fair in recognition of their continued service to the fair and the local agricultural community. I returned that Thursday to announce the VIP Showmanship Contest with Taryn Crayton, vice president of the Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce. Local officials and community leaders entered the show ring with guidance from 4-H members Brynlee and Kiley Jo. The fair has served Montour County, Rush Township and surrounding communities since 1935 and continues to highlight the work of local farmers, 4-H members, exhibitors and volunteers. Pennsylvania Has New Tools to Solve Violent Crimes
Law enforcement agencies will be able to access new tools to boost clearance rates for homicide and other violent crime cases through a new state law. The Violent Incident Clearance and Technological Investigative Methods (VICTIM) Act was enacted with the new state budget. The law establishes a grant program administered by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency to help police hire and retain detectives and investigators, and upgrade technology used to analyze evidence. Solving more violent crimes will help make communities safer by getting offenders off the streets while also serving as a deterrent to would-be criminals who know their crimes will not go unanswered. State Budget Boosts College Tuition Assistance
Under the new state budget we recently passed, the maximum PA State Grant award has increased to the highest amount in program history, helping students across the commonwealth and their families pay for higher education. For the 2026-27 fiscal year, the maximum award is $6,000, up from $5,750, the amount it’s been for four years. The funding is administered by the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA). Each year, the PHEAA Board of Governors, which I am a member of, reevaluates the awarding formula by analyzing several factors, including tuition costs, the effect of inflation on family incomes, the number of expected applicants and recommended funding for the program as part of the annual budget process. Read more about the PA State Grant program here. |
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