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Dear Friends, As the weather gets (much) colder, I wanted to let you know that Pennsylvania offers assistance with paying for your home heating bill depending on income level. You can read the story below for more information about how to apply. My office is always happy to help. No family should be left in the cold. Stay warm! Sincerely,
In this Update:
My First Senator for a Day
I recently hosted my very first Senator for a Day, and it was a fantastic experience. We put together a short trailer that highlighted the day. Take a look! A No-New-Tax-Increase Budget Moves Pennsylvania Forward
The 2025–2026 state budget puts Pennsylvania on stronger economic footing while avoiding any new tax increases. In my latest op-ed, I share how this budget supports families, invests in key priorities, and positions our Commonwealth for continued growth. Read my full op-ed here. Schwenksville Elementary School Makes Reading More Fun with DCED Grant
I recently had the pleasure of visiting Schwenksville Elementary School to witness the results of a project intended to make reading more fun for students. The school was able to carry out this project using a grant I helped secure through the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED). One of the most exciting ways they used the grant funds was to purchase cubbies and outdoor hammocks for students to enjoy while reading, creating a fun and relaxing space that fosters both literacy and a love of learning. It was inspiring to see how these resources are directly benefiting students and enhancing their educational experience. Visits like this highlight the positive impact of programs across our Commonwealth and the creative ways our schools are supporting students throughout the district. I look forward to working with more schools across the 24th Senate District to support and expand impactful literacy initiatives. Speaking with the Leadership TriCounty Class of 2026
I had the pleasure of speaking with the TriCounty Area Chamber of Commerce Leadership TriCounty Class of 2026 at Montgomery County Community College’s Pottstown Campus. This 10 month program brings together leaders from across the region to focus on leadership development, community awareness, and engagement. I joined State Representative Joe Ciresi for a panel-style discussion, where we shared what led us to careers in public service, the biggest lessons we’ve learned along the way, and how we work across party lines to overcome challenges and create change. It was inspiring to connect with such a talented and motivated group of emerging leaders who are committed to making a difference in our community. Exploring the Future of Research at Penn’s Advanced Computing Center
I recently had the opportunity to visit the Penn Advanced Research Computing Center (PARCC) in Collegeville. This spring, the University of Pennsylvania launched its first university-wide high-performance computing and AI cluster, a transformative step in the campus’ research infrastructure. PARCC, affectionately nicknamed “Betty” in honor of Frances Elizabeth “Betty” Snyder Holberton, one of the original six ENIAC programmers, enables researchers to tackle complex problems across disciplines including health care, environmental sciences, business, and communications. Visiting PARCC was an incredible opportunity to see firsthand how Penn is pushing the boundaries of research and innovation. Apply Now for Pennsylvania’s Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
The Pennsylvania’s Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is now accepting applications for the 2025–26 season, which runs from December 3 through April 10. LIHEAP helps families cover home heating costs, and benefits must be applied for each year. LIHEAP assistance is available as cash or crisis grants and does not need to be repaid. This season, cash grants range from $200 to $1,000, with one cash grant available per household each season. For more information and to apply, visit here. Check if You Qualify for the New Working Pennsylvanians Tax Credit
The Pennsylvania Department of Revenue has launched a new online calculator to help residents determine if they qualify for the state-level Working Pennsylvanians Tax Credit (WPTC) and estimate the amount they could receive. Modeled after the federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and established as part of the 2025–26 state budget, the WPTC provides a credit equal to 10% of the federal credit. This tax credit is expected to deliver $193 million to nearly 1 million Pennsylvanians beginning with the next tax season. You can use the new calculator to see if you qualify and estimate your credit here. Increased Funding for Libraries
The recently enacted state budget includes a $5 million boost to support Pennsylvania’s 474 public libraries (630 counting satellites like branches and bookmobiles), helping them serve adults, children and families across the commonwealth. The budget also increases funding for library services for the visually impaired and disabled, a program known as the Library of Accessible Media for Pennsylvanians (LAMP). Since the first Pennsylvania library opened in 1731 (the Library Company of Philadelphia, founded by Benjamin Franklin), libraries have served as vital community resources. Today, they’re evolving to meet the needs of modern users, including the growth of digital lending options like the POWER Library. Anyone interested in getting a library card can visit their local library or learn about the Statewide Library Card Program. Tips for Safe Winter Driving
Last winter, there were more than 8,320 vehicle crashes statewide, with 2,959 injuries on snowy, slushy or ice-covered roadways and 29 fatalities – 17 of those fatalities were attributed to crashes where a driver was going too fast for conditions and drove out of their lane. For safe travels this winter, check out the Winter Driving Guide and other suggestions from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, such as keeping an emergency kit handy. Motorists can check conditions on more than 40,000 roadway miles, including color-coded winter conditions on 2,900 miles, by visiting www.511PA.com. Free and available 24 hours a day, 511PA provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to more than 1,200 traffic cameras. Look Out for Scams, Fraud and Theft During the Holiday Season
The holiday shopping season is prime opportunity for scams, fraud and theft. Some of the most common scams to be on the lookout for include bait-and-switch scams, skimming devices and fraudulent “cybersquatting” websites. Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday offered several tips to prevent scammers from taking advantage when shopping online:
The Attorney General’s Office has set up a Scams Complaint Form residents can fill out should they encounter any scams. The FBI also provides tips on how to avoid holiday scams and identify skimming devices, which are estimated to cost consumers and financial institutions more than $1 billion per year. Fishing Gift Vouchers, Licenses on Sale
Gift vouchers for your favorite angler, along with Pennsylvania fishing licenses and launch permits, are now available from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. Items for the upcoming 2026 season can be purchased at HuntFish.pa.gov or by visiting one of nearly 700 retail license issuing agents. Licenses, permits and vouchers purchased now are valid immediately for up to 13 months, from Dec. 1, 2025, through Dec. 31, 2026. While in-person retail purchases remain popular, online purchases can save time and help you avoid long lines, especially right before the spring trout season, which begins statewide on Sat., April 4, 2026. Customers can choose an auto-renew option at the time of purchase. College Application Period is Open
The application period for most colleges is now open. If the process is new to you, you can find plenty of resources for the college planning and application process here. Find out which colleges have your major, as well as information for students with disabilities, veterans and adult students. The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency can help you access student financial aid services, including grants, loans and other funding opportunities, including the new Grow PA Scholarship Grant Program. Dec. 7: Remembering a Day of Infamy
Each year on Dec. 7, we remember the 2,403 service members and civilians killed during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii in 1941. A further 1,178 people were injured in the attack, which permanently sank two U.S. Navy battleships and destroyed 188 aircraft. We remember not just the surprise attack, but the steely resolve of Americans to do whatever it took to defeat the Axis forces of World War II.
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