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In this Update:
Senate Kicks Off 2025-26 Session with New Members, Leadership Team
The Pennsylvania Senate convened on Tuesday for the start of the 2025-26 legislative session, highlighted by the swearing in of new and reelected members. The proceedings also included the formal reelection of Sen. Kim Ward (R-39) as senate president pro tempore, as well as a vote on rules to govern the body for the next two years. Voters gave Senate Republicans a 28-22 majority in the November 2024 General Election. Learn which members took the oath of office for the first time, who was sworn in following reelection and who is serving as part of the leadership team here. Still to come are member committee assignments for the 2025-26 legislative session. Scholarships Available Soon for Students Earning Degrees Needed to Fill In-Demand Jobs
Pennsylvania students pursuing a degree for an in-demand occupation will soon be able to apply for a $5,000 scholarship through the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) because of a law passed by the general assembly. To bolster industries with unmet workforce needs, the law requires scholarship recipients to agree to live and work in Pennsylvania, in an in-demand occupation for at least one year for each year they accept scholarship funds. Those occupations include agriculture, computer science, business, education, special education, STEM education, engineering, nursing, allied health, criminal justice and other programs approved by PHEAA. The list of in-demand occupations will be adjusted regularly to reflect Pennsylvania’s workforce needs. Out-of-state students are eligible for scholarships that allow them to pay in-state tuition rates. If a student receives a scholarship but does not complete the educational program or fails to meet other terms of the agreement, the scholarship will be converted to a loan and must be repaid by the student. The application is expected to be available on PHEAA’s website in April, and more information will be shared then. Online Resource Tracks State Plows
Winter weather can impact safety on the roads, particularly before snow is cleared and salt is spread to mitigate ice accumulation. As the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) crews work to keep roads passable, residents and motorists may find it helpful to know where area plow trucks are and have been. All of PennDOT’s roughly 2,200 owned and rented plow trucks are equipped with automated vehicle location systems, which use in-truck technology to log and share data in real time for that truck. View the routes of these interstate and expressway trucks here. PennDOT maintains nearly 40,000 miles of roads and 25,400 bridges statewide, which translates to more than 95,000 snow-lane miles. More Veterans are Eligible for Free Birth and Death Certificates
New this year, more veterans and their families are eligible for free birth and death certificates from the Pennsylvania Department of Health because of legislation passed by the Senate. All veterans who were discharged or released from services under conditions other than dishonorable can receive a veteran fee waiver. Previously, they were only available for military members who were in active service or who were honorably discharged. Normally, there is a non-refundable $20 fee per copy, but with this law, up to 10 free copies will be available. The fee waiver may be applied to applications for the veteran, spouse and dependent children. To be eligible for the waiver, applications for birth and death certificates must be submitted with documentation proving military status. Schedule a Free State Capitol Tour
Those looking for a fun educational activity for their family, school, or community group, can tour the state Capitol for free. During a 30-minute guided tour, Capitol tour guides point out architectural and artistic highlights as they make the Capitol’s history come alive. There is also an Interactive Welcome Center and Capitol Gift Shop to enjoy. Guided tours are offered every half hour Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Weekends and most holidays, tours are offered at 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Schedule a tour online or by calling the Tour Guide Office at 1-800-TOUR-N-PA (868-7672). Groups of 10 or more require advanced reservations. Due to safety precautions, group size is limited to 40. Fun at the Farm Show
The Farm Show never fails to deliver exciting hands-on experiences, ag education, thrilling competition, and, of course, delicious food! I always look forward to connecting with farm families, seeing the animals they raised and the products they grew, knowing the care and devotion they poured into each one. I have a deep appreciation for Pennsylvania agriculture year-round–and the role it plays in our communities, our economy, and in feeding the world, but being at the Farm Show always stirs up a little extra pride in our commonwealth’s producers. It’s impossible to be surrounded by the quality, diversity, and magnitude of what Pennsylvania farms produce and not be impressed. We owe a debt of gratitude to our farmers who dedicate their lives to this noble and important calling. The Farm Show runs through Saturday, January 11. Camp Hill High School RoaR will be singing the National Anthem at 8 a.m. on Friday. Catch their performance live on facebook! The Cumberland County Drill Team will perform at 1 p.m. on Sunday in the Equine Arena. Visitors these last couple days can also see sheep, dairy, and goat shows; draft and mini horse demos; the PRCA Circuit Finals Rodeo; a lumberjack demo and much more. See the full schedule here.
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