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In this Update:
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. Committee Examines CDLs and REAL IDs Being Issued to Illegal Immigrants
The Senate Transportation Committee held a public hearing to examine commercial vehicle safety and nondomiciled commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) following recent claims of CDLs and REAL IDs being issued to illegal immigrants. Pennsylvania law bans regular and commercial driver’s licenses for anyone unlawfully present in the commonwealth. Last month, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested an illegal immigrant from Uzbekistan wanted for belonging to a terrorist organization. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) issued him a CDL with a REAL ID indication in July. The committee examined commercial vehicle safety and nondomiciled commercial driver’s licenses with driving advocates, along with officials from PennDOT and the Pennsylvania State Police. You can view the hearing and read testimony here. 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. 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. Happy 100th Birthday!
We were honored to help celebrate Ruth Kessler’s 100th birthday this week! She’s from Blain, Perry County and by all accounts, she is vibrant, sharp, and spunky! She’s the proud mother of six children, has eight grandchildren, eighteen great-grandchildren and two great, great grandchildren. She’s an avid reader and enjoys making plastic canvas art and jewelry. We appreciated the opportunity to spend time with her and acknowledge the many ways she has contributed to the community throughout the years. Happy Birthday, Ruth! Sheetz Opens in Hampden Township
It’s official! The new Sheetz, located at 4415 Carlisle Pike, is open! I was glad to attend the ribbon cutting festivities today with Rep. Delozier, Sheetz corporate leadership, and hundreds of excited patrons. We’ve been told that customers will get free self-serve coffee and soda all day today, so stop by if you’re in the area and need to fuel up! Happy Hanukkah
This week, Jewish families across our district are celebrating Hanukkah, the festival of lights dating back more than 2,000 years. It commemorates the victory of the Maccabees over the forces of King Antiochus to practice their religion freely. To those celebrating, may the prayers of Hanukkah bring peace to your spirit, filling your days with joy, gratitude, and the steadfast presence of God’s guiding love.
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