|
||||
|
In this Update:
Statewide Row Officers Begin Serving PA
Congratulations to new PA Attorney General Dave Sunday and reelected PA Treasurer Stacy Garrity and PA Auditor General Tim DeFoor on their inaugurations on Tuesday. My colleagues and I stand ready to work together to move our commonwealth forward. As the state’s top law enforcement official, the attorney general works to protect and serve citizens and agencies of the commonwealth. The position is served by several hundred prosecutors, attorneys, investigators, agents and support staff. The Treasury Department is the custodian of more than $160 billion in state funds and oversees all withdrawals and deposits from state agencies. It also administers programs, including the PA 529 college and career savings plan, that help families prepare for the future. In her first term, Garrity returned record amounts of unclaimed property and reduced fees multiple times for PA 529 and PA ABLE, which is a program that gives individuals with qualifying disabilities a tax-advantaged way to save without impacting their government benefits. The auditor general is the state’s fiscal watchdog. The role is tasked with ensuring state government lives within its means and every taxpayer dollar is spent wisely. In addition to completing nearly 4,000 legally required audits per year, DeFoor also conducted several high-profile performance audits during his first four years in office. The audits determine how state government programs are working and ensure tax dollars are being spent appropriately. Watch Upcoming Legislative Proceedings
The Senate will be in session next week. Tune in here to watch floor proceedings, committee hearings, and press conferences live–not only this coming week, but throughout the 2025-2026 legislative session. Senate legislation, votes, committee meetings and more can be found here. Of course, please feel free to contact our office with any questions you may have regarding the status of legislation, the legislative process, or to express a position on any bill being considered. The House will also be in session the week of January 27. Those interested in viewing their proceedings can watch live here. The House calendar and other legislative resources are available here. It’s an honor to represent you in the Senate. Free Webinar to Provide Helpful Financial Aid Info
The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) is holding a free virtual webinar to assist college-bound students and their families with navigating the financial aid process. It will be held on Thursday, Jan. 30, from 6:30-7:30 p.m. During the webinar, a PHEAA expert will present information about the financial aid application process, the types of aid available and strategies about affordability to consider before applying for postsecondary school admission. A question-and-answer session will be held following the hour-long presentation. Register to attend the webinar, which is open to all ages. Assistance Available for Local Historic Preservation
The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission is now accepting applications from nonprofit organizations and local governments for the Keystone Historic Preservation Grant Program. The grants support projects that identify, preserve, promote and protect historic and archaeological resources in Pennsylvania for the benefit of public and community revitalization. Two categories of grants – construction and planning – are available for historic resources in Pennsylvania that are listed, or eligible for listing, in the National Register of Historic Places. Applicants may apply for only one type of grant. Learn more and apply online by March 3. January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month
Human trafficking is one of the fastest growing crimes in the nation. It often goes hand in hand with other crimes. According to the National Human Trafficking Hotline, Pennsylvania is consistently among the top states for the number of reported trafficking cases. If you suspect someone is being trafficked, call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or text HELP to BeFree (233733). By looking out for those around us, we can help to prevent exploitation. While the new legislative session just began, the Senate passed multiple bills last session to help victims of human trafficking. One law ensures that sexually exploited children who are human trafficking victims always have full access to appropriate services and support. Another subjects individuals convicted of certain human trafficking offenses to the same reporting and evaluation requirements as any other sexual offender. Supporting Education and Tourism for America’s 250th Birthday
As a member of The Pennsylvania Commission for the United States Semiquincentennial, America250PA, I was excited to participate in grant presentations to both the Military Heritage Foundation and to PCN. Both entities were selected to receive grant funding based on the merits of their plans to preserve history as well as celebrate and promote Pennsylvania’s integral role in America’s founding. They are contributing to many exciting educational and tourism initiatives leading up to America’s 250th birthday in 2026! Interested in getting involved? Learn more here.
If you are not already subscribed to this newsletter please sign up here. |
||||
|
||||
Want to change how you receive these emails? 2025 © Senate of Pennsylvania | https://senatorrothman.com | Privacy Policy |
