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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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Scenes from Sept. 11th Memorial Services
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District Highlights
Be sure to check out my Facebook page for a recap of District happenings, including celebrating the Pike County Public Library for an incredible 125 years in the community!
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Funding Secured for Projects to Benefit Our Communities
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Nearly $2 million in Local Share Account (LSA) grants will be coming to the District! These investments will provide our local municipalities and community organizations with the resources they need to complete important infrastructure projects, improve public safety, acquire essential equipment, and better serve residents throughout our region. I am grateful to secure this funding and bring state dollars back to our area where they can make a meaningful difference to the people we represent.
The approved projects include:
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Cherry Ridge Township – $101,208 to purchase a wheel loader and plow. |
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Dreher Township – $385,825 for Phase 2 of the Green Dreher Volunteer Fire Association building improvement. |
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Hawley Borough – $225,000 to repair and repave Atkinson St. and Welwood Ave. |
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Lehigh Township – $202,000 to improve pedestrian traffic safety and stormwater drainage. |
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Milford Township – $63,288 to improve stormwater management at the Pike County Municipal Building and community garden. |
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Paupack Township – $91,368 to purchase an excavator. |
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Blooming Grove Township – $197,000 for water and sewer improvements at the Blooming Grove Complex. |
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Salem Township – $250,000 funds to purchase and upfit a new ambulance. |
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Cherry Ridge Township, on behalf of Wayne County YMCA and the Central Wayne Regional Authority – $250,000 to expand a sewer line. |
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Westfall Township, on behalf of the Eastern Pike Regional Police Department – $207,489 to purchase new portable radios. |
LSA grants are funded through gaming revenues under Act 71 of 2004 and are used to support economic development, community improvement and public interest projects.
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Key Dates for Upcoming Election
The 2026 General Election is coming up on Tuesday, Nov. 3. The ballot includes candidates for governor, lieutenant governor, U.S. House of Representatives, and state House and Senate (in even-numbered senatorial districts).
If you are not already registered to vote, the deadline to do so is Monday, Oct. 19. You may register in person at your county elections office, by mail or by visiting the state’s online voter registration website.
The last day to apply for a mail-in or civilian absentee ballot is Tuesday, Oct. 27. Completed ballots must be returned by 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 3.
For more information about voting in the Commonwealth, including how to check your registration and voting location, visit www.vote.pa.gov.
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PA March for Life Set for Sept. 21
Pro-life advocates from across the Commonwealth will gather at the state Capitol in Harrisburg Monday, Sept. 21, for the Pennsylvania March for Life. The day’s events kick off at 10 a.m. with a pre-rally praise and worship service, followed by the rally at 11 a.m. and the march at noon.
Scheduled speakers include former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum; Michael Geer, PA Family Institute; Dr. Monique Ruberu, OB/GYN and board member of 40 Days for Life; House Republican Leader Jesse Topper (R-Bedford/Fulton); Rep. Barb Gleim (R-Cumberland); Sen. Dawn Keefer (R-Cumberland/York); Pete DeMaio, Mission Love and Life; Pastor Matt Mylin, Worship Center; Brooke Nearman, PA Pregnancy Wellness Collaborative; and the most Rev. Nelson Perez, Archbishop of Philadelphia.
For more information about the event or to register to attend, visit www.MarchforLife.org/Pennsylvania.
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Sept. 21 Deadline Approaching to Apply for Fruit Grower Freeze Disaster Grants
The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture is offering up to $10 million in relief to Pennsylvania fruit growers whose crops were damaged by freezing temperatures between April 1 and April 21, 2026.
Eligible specialty crops that produced 30% less than expected due to freeze damage may qualify for this program.
For purposes of this grant, “eligible specialty crop” is defined as a pome fruit, stone fruit, grape, or berry grown in the Commonwealth.
The application deadline is Monday, Sept. 21, at 11:59 p.m.
Eligible growers are encouraged to review the program guidelines and application instructions before applying and submit their applications by the Sept. 21 deadline. That information and more is available here.
Send application electronically to RA-AGFREEZEREIMBURSE@pa.gov or via U.S. mail to the attention of Jake Tatge at the PA Department of Agriculture, 2301 N. Cameron St., Harrisburg, PA 17110.
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Grants for Dairy Producers Now Open
The Center for Dairy Excellence is now accepting applications for the Dairy Decisions Consultants (DDC) Grant Program and the Transition/Transformation Team Grant Program for the 2026-27 program year.
Dairy producers can utilize the grants to work one-on-one with professional consultants in one of seven strategic areas of business or form an advisory team to help create a transition plan or major business transformation plan.
Leveraging funds provided through the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and PA Dairymen’s Association, the grant program is now open with limited grants available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Farmers must complete an application and submit the required $100 application fee to participate in each program. Visit www.centerfordairyexcellence.org/grants to learn more and apply online.
Contact Melissa Anderson at 717-788-0296 or manderson@centerfordairyexcellence.org with questions about which grant might be the best fit for your operation
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Attention Students: House Fellowship Program Taking Applications
The Pennsylvania House Legislative Fellowship Program is accepting applications for its spring 2027 semester.
The program is based at Pennsylvania’s Capitol in Harrisburg where fellows are assigned to work with House standing committees or leadership offices; are compensated for their work (which may also include college credit); and are provided the opportunities to draft and present their own legislation, attend meet-and-greets with various public officials and staff, and tour some of the Commonwealth’s historic public spaces, to name a few.
Qualified applicants must be college undergraduate juniors or seniors, graduate students or law school students; enrolled in a Pennsylvania college/university or a Pennsylvania resident enrolled in an out-of-state institution; and have a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
For more information or to apply, visit www.pahousefellowship.us. Applications can be submitted via email to pahousefellowship@pabmc.net. The deadline for applying is Oct. 1.
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Farmers, First Responders: Liquid Fuels Tax Applications Due Sept. 30
Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity is reminding farmers and first responders to submit their Liquid Fuels Tax applications by Sept. 30 for eligible purchases of unleaded gasoline and on-road, clear diesel used for machinery and vehicle operations.
Treasury’s Board of Finance and Revenue (BF&R) sent applications to eligible organizations – including farming operations, volunteer fire companies, ambulance providers and rescue squads incorporated as nonprofits.
Electronic applications and supporting documents, which are preferred, must be received by Sept. 30, and mailed applications and documents must be postmarked by that date.
To request a form or to file electronically, claimants can send completed forms and required documents to BFRLiquidFuels@patreasury.gov. Forms can also be uploaded directly on Treasury’s website, patreasury.gov/bfr. Treasury’s BF&R can also be reached by calling 717-787-6534.
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