In this Edition:
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Grant Awarded for Hummelstown Nature Trail |
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Robotics Club Building the Future |
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Is PA Money Match Heading Your Way? |
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Governor to Give Budget Address on Tuesday |
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Keystone Contractors Association Scholarship Program Accepting Applications |
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Grant Applications Sought for WalkWorks Program |
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Reminder: Legislative Survey Online |
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Hummelstown Readies for Community Events |
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Grant Awarded for Hummelstown Nature Trail
A $125,000 grant awarded this week by the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) will support improvements to the Hummelstown Nature Trail. Hummelstown Borough was among recipients of grants originating from Marcellus Shale natural gas impact fees.
The project includes paving, adding two handicapped-accessible parking spaces and reinforcing sections of boardwalk to accommodate people with mobility issues. Chief among the borough’s plans are efforts to ensure the trail can accommodate everyone, regardless of their physical needs.
The Marcellus Legacy Fund was created by Act 13 of 2012 to support local and state government entities.
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Robotics Club Building the Future
Team 2539, otherwise known as the Krypton Cougars, showed me ongoing projects Wednesday evening. The club for K-12 students spends four months every year building a robot for the FIRST Mid-Atlantic Robotics competition.
The skills demonstrated by these young people are mind blowing. Email kryptoncougars2539@gmail.com to learn more about the club.
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Is PA Money Match Heading Your Way?
The Pennsylvania Treasury Department is sending the first batch of PA Money Match letters this week, so keep an eye on your mailboxes to see if you’ll be receiving some unclaimed property.
PA Money Match is a new law allowing Treasury to automatically return certain unclaimed property. Eligible properties must be valued at $500 or less and belong to a single owner. Those with eligible properties will receive a letter in the mail to confirm their address, then about 45 days later they’ll receive a check for their property.
Treasurer Stacy Garrity said the first round of PA Money Match has the potential to return over $2 million to more than 8,000 Pennsylvanians.
In total, PA Treasury is working to return more than $4.5 billion in unclaimed property. This money includes things like dormant bank accounts, uncashed checks, rebates, insurance payments and more.
Everyone is still encouraged to search PA Treasury’s website regularly for property that may belong to them. The average value of a claim is $1,600, and PA Money Match will not automatically return properties valued above $500 or those that may have more than one owner, such as a dormant joint checking or savings account.
Visit patreasury.gov/unclaimed-property to search anytime, and contact my office if you need any help.
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Governor to Give Budget Address on Tuesday
Gov. Josh Shapiro will deliver his 2025-26 state budget address Tuesday, Feb. 4, before a joint session of the General Assembly.
It’s important to remember the governor’s address is only a starting point for the budget process. After reviewing the budget, the House Appropriations Committee will hold three weeks of public hearings to review the budget line by line with agency leaders. This will be the first opportunity for us to provide feedback and develop a fiscally responsible plan. At the conclusion of the budget hearings the House will return to session and begin the work of crafting a budget for the new fiscal year, which begins July 1.
As always, Tuesday’s House session will stream live at www.PAHouseGOP.com.
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Keystone Contractors Association Scholarship Program Accepting Applications
The Keystone Contractors Association Scholarship Program is committed to providing $40,000 in scholarships annually to Pennsylvania residents who are attending Pennsylvania colleges and seeking construction-related degrees.
This scholarship program is open to graduating high school seniors as well as current college students who plan to work in the construction industry.
The deadline to apply for this year’s scholarship program is March 1. For more information, click here.
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Grant Applications Sought for WalkWorks Program
The Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) is now accepting grant applications for the 2025-26 WalkWorks Active Transportation Planning Program.
Any Commonwealth municipality can apply for funding to create a plan to develop more user-friendly spaces for pedestrians and bicyclists, as well as boost public transportation and increase accessibility for people with disabilities. The program’s goal is to boost Pennsylvanians’ physical and mental health through increased activity.
The deadline for grant applications is Friday, March 21, at 5 p.m. An optional one-hour webinar is available to aid potential applicants on Tuesday, Feb. 4, at noon. Pre-registration is required here.
Click here for additional information.
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Reminder: Legislative Survey Online
Have you taken the opinions survey on my website? If not, please click here to do so. I want to hear what you think are the most important issues at home and across Pennsylvania.
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Hummelstown Readies for Community Events
Last Friday, the Hummelstown Winter Fling (sponsored by the Hummelstown Community Foundation) previewed what will be a busy year of events in the borough. Hummelstown hosts 2nd Friday each month to highlight the town’s merchants.
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