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Dear Friends, On Monday, we celebrate Labor Day to honor the numerous contributions American workers have made to this great country. While we spend time with friends and family this holiday weekend let’s also recognize the men and women who built America into the prosperous nation it is today! Sincerely,
In this Update:
The Growing Danger of AI-Generated Child Exploitation
The urgent rise of AI-generated child pornography demands immediate action. As the prime sponsor of Senate Bill 1213, I am working diligently with Senator Jimmy Dillon and Senator Lisa M. Boscola to address this crisis. It is crucial we protect our children from the devastating harm of explicit AI-generated photos. Boyertown Schools Awarded Safety Grant
Proud to have played a role, along with local legislators, in bringing $525,607 in school safety funding to Boyertown Area School District. These funds will support crucial initiatives like enhanced security measures and expanded mental health services. Full release here. September Food Drive
September is National Hunger Month. I am hosting a food drive to support our local community. My office will be accepting non-perishable food items at my Red Hill office from Sept. 3-30. Donations can also be brought to my mobile office locations during office hours only. Every donation, no matter how small, helps. Have questions? Please give my office a call at 215-541-2388. Neighborhood Assistance Program
The Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development starting Sept. 9 will be accepting applications for another round of the Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP). This program offers tax credits to businesses partnering with local nonprofits to support community improvement projects. Key details:
For questions or to request a letter of support, contact my office at 215-541-2388. To learn more information about the program, please visit here. New PA Grow Scholarship Program Offers $5,000 for High-Demand Occupations
Pennsylvania residents looking to pursue careers in high-demand fields may be eligible for a new $5,000 scholarship. Act 89 of 2024 authorized the PA Grow Scholarship Program, which provides financial assistance to students enrolled in qualifying programs of study. To receive the scholarship, students must meet several requirements, including:
The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) is currently working to identify the specific high-demand occupations that will be eligible for the scholarship. Once this information is finalized, PHEAA will cross-walk these occupations with programs of study offered at Pennsylvania schools. This will help students understand the post-graduation requirements needed to avoid the grant converting to a loan. PHEAA plans to launch a student application and provide additional information about the PA Grow Scholarship Program in early 2025. For more information, please visit the PHEAA website. Supporting Services in Our Local Communities
Providing Pennsylvanians increased access to important health care and emergency services from birth to older age was a key priority of Senate Republicans as we worked to implement the 2024-25 state budget. I am pleased that, because of our efforts, neonatal and obstetric services provided through the Medical Assistance Program are receiving an additional $7 million to help support mothers and their babies. In addition, the enacted budget also includes a $134 million increase for nursing home facilities. To benefit people of all ages, an additional $47 million was dedicated to emergency medical services (EMS) rates. Quality and reliable health care must reach every corner of our commonwealth, which is why we worked to ensure the final budget agreement also included a $10 million supplemental payment for rural hospitals and $17.5 million for rural health redesign and distressed hospitals. We believe in the promise of Pennsylvania and strengthening our local communities through these substantial investments. A Closer Look at Efforts to Improve Water Quality
Senate Republicans have led efforts in Pennsylvania to ensure access to clean water now, and to preserve this critical resource for future generations. Supporting clean water in Pennsylvania communities benefits our downstream neighbors as well. This year’s state budget includes $50 million in recurring funding for the Clean Streams Fund, which helps farmers reduce sediment in waterways through the Agricultural Conservation Assistance Program. To date, the program has supported more than 700 projects to reduce sediment in waterways throughout the state. Because of the initiative, water quality has improved in Pennsylvania and downstream. In fact, the Chesapeake Bay recently earned its best rating in more than 20 years in the University of Maryland’s Center for Environmental Science Chesapeake Bay Report Card. See what else Senate Republicans are doing to make Pennsylvania a great place to live and work here. Financial Assistance is Available to Struggling Veterans
Sometimes the people who defended our country fall on hard times and need a little help. Veterans who are experiencing unforeseen circumstances causing a financial burden can benefit from the Veterans Temporary Assistance (VTA) Program. The VTA provides temporary financial assistance of up to $1,600 in a 12-month period to veterans or their surviving spouses who reside in Pennsylvania for basic necessities like food, shelter, fuel and clothing. Eligibility guidelines are available here. Veterans interested in applying for a VTA grant should contact their county director of Veterans Affairs. Wondering How to Check the Status of a PTRR Rebate?
Checks and direct deposit payments from the state’s 2023 Property Tax/Rent Rebate program went out July 1 and will be mailed on a rolling basis through the Dec. 31 deadline. If you filed for a property tax or rent rebate and would like to know the status of it, check online or call 1-888-PATAXES (728-2937). The Property Tax/Rent Rebate is available to senior citizens and people with disabilities who meet income guidelines. Claim forms are available by contacting my district office, where assistance in applying for the program is also available at no charge. Find more information, including eligibility guidelines, here. Celebrating Pennsylvania’s Workforce on Labor Day
Millions of men and women who are members of Pennsylvania’s workforce keep our economy chugging along. Their hard work benefits communities all across the state and even country. On Labor Day, I recognize their accomplishments and wish them some well-deserved relaxation.
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