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Dear Friends,
This Saturday in Sumneytown, our community will come together for Wreaths Across America to honor and remember the heroes who gave so much for our country. Each wreath placed represents a life of service and sacrifice, and volunteers help keep this important tradition alive. I encourage everyone who is able to join and pay tribute to our veterans.
Sincerely,
In this Update:
- A Look Inside the Capitol at Christmastime
- Honoring Our Heroes Through Wreaths Across America
- Trees for Troops
- Ready.Set.READ!
- Tax Relief for Working Pennsylvanians
- State Budget Funds New State Police Troopers
- Senate Votes to Make State Funds Available for Local Bridge Projects
- Honored to Recognize Our Korean War Veterans
- Property Tax/Rent Rebate Deadline Approaching: December 31
- Perkiomen Flood Mitigation Plan Now Available
- PA 529 is the Gift of Education
- Dec. 19 Deadline to Apply for Veterans Services Grants
- Celebrating the Bill of Rights
A Look Inside the Capitol at Christmastime
It truly is the most wonderful time of the year!
Honoring Our Heroes Through Wreaths Across America
The wreath delivery for Wreaths Across America was a touching reminder of the deep gratitude we owe to the heroes laid to rest. During this holiday season, when many families gather to celebrate, it’s especially important to pause and honor those who gave so much for our freedom.
Each wreath symbolizes a life of service and sacrifice, and I’m incredibly thankful for the volunteers who help keep this tradition alive year after year.
This Saturday in Sumneytown, our community will come together to honor, remember, and teach. It’s a powerful moment of reflection and respect, and I encourage everyone who is able to join in this meaningful tradition.
Trees for Troops
I was honored to help kick off the 2025 Trees for Troops alongside the First Lady of Pennsylvania Lori Shapiro, Secretary Russell Redding, Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Army Major General Michael Wegscheider, and others at Bustard’s Christmas Trees in Worcester Township.
Trees for Troops has delivered more than 326,000 farm-grown Christmas trees to active-duty service members and their families, a tradition that continues to lift spirits and bring comfort during the holiday season.
To learn more or donate a tree, visit here.
Ready.Set.READ!
This week, I had the chance to visit Green Elementary School in Reading to see the Ready.Set.READ! program in action.
This initiative is giving young students the strong foundation they need to succeed by focusing on early learning, structured reading support, and empowering teen reading tutors who are making a real difference.
A huge thank you to the Read Alliance team for welcoming me and for their commitment to helping every child read on grade level. Pennsylvania’s future is brighter when we invest in our youngest learners.
Tax Relief for Working Pennsylvanians
The new state budget we passed includes the new Working Pennsylvanians Tax Credit, which provides meaningful relief for working families across the commonwealth.
In a time when affordability is a top issue affecting Pennsylvanians, policies like this tax credit help relieve some of the financial burden on families. If you claim the Federal Earned Income Tax Credit, you may also claim the state tax credit equal to 10% of the federal amount.
You can use this online calculator to determine if you qualify for the Working Pennsylvanians Tax Credit and estimate how much you could receive.
State Budget Funds New State Police Troopers
Public safety is a critical component of healthy, stable communities, and I am committed to ensuring that law enforcement gets the support it needs to keep criminals at bay.
The Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) fills a vital public safety role in the commonwealth, and I’m happy to report that the 2025-26 state budget includes funding for four state police cadet classes. After completing approximately 27 weeks of training, the most recent cadet class saw 49 graduates join the ranks as state troopers.
I wish these new troopers much success as they keep our communities safe and pray for their wellbeing. The PSP’s latest hiring cycle is open until Jan. 23, 2026. Those interested in becoming a state trooper can find application requirements, job benefits and other details at PATrooper.com.
Senate Votes to Make State Funds Available for Local Bridge Projects
Legislation to make state funding available for local bridge projects was approved by the Senate.
Counties receive dollars through the Highway Bridge Improvement Restricted Account within the state Motor License Fund to pay for repair and replacement of county-owned bridges. However, current law does not allow for further practical uses of leftover funds. Senate Bill 1070 would give counties the flexibility they need to improve local, municipal-owned bridges before they become at-risk.
Senate Bill 1070 was sent to the House of Representatives for consideration.
Honored to Recognize Our Korean War Veterans
I was honored to receive a Korean War Veterans Appreciation Award from my dear friend, Master Bong Yang. Master Yang’s dedication to preserving the legacy of our Korean War heroes is truly inspiring, and I’m grateful for his continued friendship and advocacy.
We owe an enduring debt of gratitude to the brave men and women who served during the Korean War. Moments like this remind us how important it is to continue sharing their stories and honoring their sacrifice.
Property Tax/Rent Rebate Deadline Approaching: December 31
The deadline for the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program is just a few weeks away. If you haven’t applied yet, now is a great time to see whether you or a loved one qualifies.
You can learn more about the program and check eligibility here. Qualified applicants may receive a rebate of up to $1,000, providing meaningful relief for seniors and individuals with disabilities.
If you need assistance with your application, my office is always here to help.
Perkiomen Creek Flood Mitigation Plan Complete
The Perkiomen Mapping and Flood Mitigation Plan is now complete and available online through the Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy. The plan identifies 20 Phase 1 flooding sites and provides strategies like clearing debris, replacing conveyance systems, and multi-municipal solutions to reduce flood risks.
An in-person news conference to discuss the plan is scheduled for January 8, 2026. This is a great opportunity for residents and local officials to learn more and ask questions.
For more details and to download the full plan, visit here.
PA 529 is the Gift of Education
Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity recently announced a new, easy way to give the gift of education this holiday season – Gift of College gift cards. Friends and families can buy these digital gift cards, available at pa529.com/gift, for recipients to deposit into their PA 529 College and Career Savings Program account.
Anyone, including parents, grandparents, other relatives and family friends, can contribute to a PA 529 account. Savings can be used for qualified education expenses for K-12, higher education, credential programs and apprenticeship programs. The person giving the gift also gets something – a PA state tax deduction for the amount of the PA 529 contribution.
In November, PA 529 was ranked one of the best college savings plans in the nation. To learn more about PA 529, visit pa529.com or call 800-440-4000.
Dec. 19 Deadline to Apply for Veterans Services Grants
Nonprofits, counties and other groups that provide services to veterans have until Dec. 19 to apply for Veterans’ Trust Fund (VTF) grants to help fulfill their missions.
Administered by the state Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, the VTF supports programs that improve services to veterans at the county, regional or state level. For nonprofit and veterans’ organizations, funding priorities include mental and behavioral health, transportation and employment. These applicants may request up to $40,000.
County directors and their association may apply for up to $15,000 per county. Their funding priorities must include outreach initiatives, enhancing veteran service officer and advocate capabilities and addressing emerging needs such as transportation, food insecurity, suicide prevention and legal assistance.
Celebrating the Bill of Rights
Monday, Dec. 15 is national Bill of Rights Day, when we celebrate the ratification of the first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution in 1791.
The Bill of Rights guarantees civil rights and liberties to the individual – like freedom of speech, press and religion – and limits the power of government. This document forever enshrined the fundamental rights and liberties we hold sacred as Americans and set in motion the greatest self-governance experiment in the history of the world.
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