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Capitol Report
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#Listrak\DateStampLong#
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The latest news from the State Capitol
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Please do not reply directly to this email, as it returns to an unmanned account.
You are welcome to contact me through this link.
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Fire, EMS Companies Receive Grant Dollars
Local fire and emergency medical services (EMS) companies in the 139th Legislative District have been awarded nearly $420,000 through the Pennsylvania Fire Company and Emergency Medical Services Grant Program. These grants represent a direct investment in the dedicated first responders who answer the call when Pennsylvanians need help most. By working together, we are helping local fire companies and EMS agencies access the tools and funding they need to keep our communities safe and prepared.
The local grants are as follows:
Pike County
Blooming Grove Township Volunteer Fire Department No. 1: $12,426.
Central Volunteer Fire Department: $13,663.
Dingman Township Volunteer Fire Department Inc. (EMS): $15,000.
Dingman Township Volunteer Fire Department Inc.: $14,900.
Forest Volunteer Fire Department: $16,137.
Greeley Volunteer Fire Department Inc.: $12,633.
Hemlock Farms - Blooming Grove Ambulance: $15,000.
Hemlock Farms Volunteer Fire and Rescue Company: $12,426.
Lackawaxen Township Volunteer Ambulance Service: $15,000.
Lackawaxen Township Volunteer Fire Department: $12,220.
Matamoras Fire Department Inc.: $12,633.
Milford Fire Department Inc. (EMS): $15,000.
Milford Fire Department Inc.: $14,900.
Promised Land Volunteer Fire and Ambulance: $13,045.
Shohola Township Ambulance: $15,000.
Shohola Township Volunteer Fire and Rescue Inc: $13,045.
Tafton Fire Company Inc. (EMS): $15,000.
Tafton Fire Company Inc.: $13,045.
Westfall Township Volunteer Fire Department (EMS): $10,000
Westfall Township Volunteer Fire Department: $15,312.
Wayne County
Gouldsboro Ambulance Squad Inc.: $15,000.
Gouldsboro Volunteer Fire Company: $16,137.
Greene Dreher Volunteer Fire Association: $12,221.
Hamlin Fire and Rescue Company (EMS): $15,000.
Hamlin Fire and Rescue Company: $12,839.
Hawley Fire Department Inc.: $13,251.
Lake Ariel Fire Company: $14,900.
Lakeville Volunteer Fire Company Inc: $13,251.
Maplewood Fire and Rescue Company: $15,724.
Newfoundland Area Ambulance Association: $15,000.
The funding comes from an ongoing grant program created by the Legislature and administered by the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency and Office of the State Fire Commissioner (OSFC). All funding comes from the proceeds from slot machine gaming, not General Fund tax revenue.
Projects eligible for funding include construction or renovation of a fire or ambulance company facility, purchase or repair of equipment, training, recruitment and retention, public education about fire prevention, and reduction of existing debt. All companies that apply and meet requirements outlined by OSFC receive funding. Companies must file a grant agreement with OSFC.
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District Happenings
Be sure to check out my Facebook page for a recap of district events and celebrations, including:
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– Spending the day at the annual Wayne County Ag Day.
– Enjoying the delicious spread at the Milford Winter Festival.
– Good eats at the Shohola Fire & Rescue’s February Thaw Chicken BBQ.
– Hanging out at the Ledgedale Volunteer Fire Company’s Chicken BBQ.
– Volunteering at Lake Ariel’s Drive-Through Fish Fry.
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A Closer Look at the Governor’s $53.26 Billion Budget
The House Appropriations Committee’s examination of the governor’s proposed 2026-27 state budget gets underway next week with the start of budget hearings.
The committee, upon which I serve, will hear from officials with the Judiciary, Department of Corrections, and Board of Probation and Parole on Monday. The departments of Health, Insurance, Agriculture, and Community and Economic Development, along with the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, will round out the week.
The governor proposed a $53.26 billion budget earlier this month, representing a $2.72 billion, or 5.4%, increase over the current fiscal year. Under current law, revenues are projected to increase by less than $1 billion, or 1.9%.
Budget hearings will stream live at www.PABudget.com and www.PAHouseGOP.com. For a full schedule of hearings, click here.
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Pro-Consumer Auto Insurance Bill Now Law
Legislation designed to protect consumers who change auto insurance carriers was recently signed into law.
Act 3 of 2026 requires the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to create an online verification system to modernize its processes for ensuring motorists are carrying insurance on their vehicles, as required by law.
Under prior law, insurance companies would notify PennDOT when an auto insurance policy was canceled, but companies were not required to notify PennDOT when a driver acquires a new policy. If vehicle owners missed written notification from PennDOT to provide proof of insurance, those vehicle owners were then saddled with a three-month suspension of their registration.
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New Law Puts Cursive Instruction Back in Schools
Recognizing the educational and historical value of cursive handwriting, the General Assembly recently passed and the governor signed into law legislation to bring cursive instruction back to Pennsylvania classrooms.
Studies show that writing in cursive activates brain regions tied to memory, language and critical thinking. It also builds fine motor skills, improving coordination and dexterity. These are all benefits that extend well beyond the classroom.
Cursive is also a key to unlocking history. Foundational documents like the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution were penned in cursive. Ensuring future generations can read and write in this style keeps those texts accessible, strengthening civic engagement and historical literacy.
Act 2 of 2026 takes effect in mid-April.
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MCAP Offers Service, Education Opportunity
Students looking for an affordable higher education and an opportunity to serve the Commonwealth may be interested in the prestigious Military College Assistance Program (MCAP).
Available through a partnership with the Pennsylvania National Guard and Valley Forge Military College (VFMC), MCAP provides full tuition coverage for all four of a student’s undergraduate years in exchange for eight years of service with the National Guard. Students will receive a $420 monthly stipend as they complete their first two years of education at VFMC and then may transfer to another Pennsylvania school to continue receiving the MCAP tuition benefits.
Learn more about the program here. The deadline to apply is Feb. 28.
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Upcoming District Events
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