|
||
|
In this Update:
Christmas Message
Successful Scam Jam to Combat Holiday Fraud
I recently hosted a Scam Jam with the support of Skippack Township, PA Banking and Securities, PA State Police, Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office, Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, and AARP Pennsylvania Office. We discussed the latest scam trends and provided valuable tips to help our most vulnerable stay safe. By raising awareness and fostering community engagement, we can work together to protect individuals and families from falling victim to these harmful schemes. Missed the Scam Jam? Join us on January 23 at Frederick Living. Sign up here. Spreading Holiday Cheer with Boyertown Salvation Army
I recently volunteered with Boyertown Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program, and it was an incredibly heartwarming experience. This program brings Christmas joy to families facing challenging times. Knowing that our efforts will bring a little Christmas magic to over 250 kids this holiday season filled my heart with warmth. It’s a reminder of the power of community and the importance of giving back, especially during the holiday season. Thank you to everyone who contributed to this wonderful effort! Lending a Helping Hand at The Open Link
It was an honor to volunteer at The Open Link in Pennsburg and contribute to their vital mission of providing food and resources to our community. The experience of packing pantry products was incredibly rewarding, knowing that every item would help someone in need. I’m grateful for the opportunity to give back and make a positive impact, especially during the holiday season. Sharing Local Flavor with Senate Colleagues
As a part of our cherished Senate tradition of exchanging gifts, I’m thrilled to share a little taste of the 24th District with my colleagues. This delicious dry sparkling cider from Frecon Farms is the perfect way to spread holiday cheer and support our local businesses! Cheers to a joyous holiday season! Pennsylvania Awards $1.6 Million to Combat Sexual Assault on Campuses
The Pennsylvania Department of Education recently announced that 44 colleges, universities, and other postsecondary institutions in Pennsylvania received more than $1.6 million in It’s On Us PA grants to help combat sexual assault on campus. It’s On Us PA is a statewide campaign that invites education leaders and all Pennsylvanians to be part of the solution to protect students from sexual violence. Eligible institutions and schools with 10,000 or fewer students were able to request up to $40,000; those with more than 10,000 students were able to apply for up to $60,000. Private licensed career schools that do not offer specialized associate degrees could request up to $10,000. In the 24th district, Ursinus College was one of many colleges selected to receive a grant. PA Turnpike to Implement New Toll Rates and ORT
The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC) will implement Open Road Tolling (ORT) east of Reading and on the northeast extension in January 2025. The remaining sections of the Turnpike will transition to ORT in 2027. To align with the ORT system, the PTC will recalculate toll rates across the entire Turnpike, based on a per-mile charge. E-ZPass customers will pay $0.07 per mile plus $1.09 per segment, while Toll-By-Plate customers will pay $0.14 per mile plus $2.18 per segment. The PTC will also implement Automated Vehicle Classification for Commercial Motor Vehicles (CMVs), charging based on height and axle configuration. Please note, these toll rate changes are not a result of recent legislation. For more information, please visit to the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission’s website. Supporting PA Veterans and Military Families
Pennsylvania owes a debt of gratitude to all the brave men and women who have defended our freedom, as well as the citizens who continue to protect our nation and its interests across the globe. Senate Republicans passed bills this legislative session to support our veterans and their families that were all signed into law. One new law expands access to benefits for disabled veterans. Another provides additional community outreach services to help ensure that all veterans are aware of the resources available to them. Because mental health often impacts veterans, we also passed a law that would allow them to fish for free in therapeutic recreation events and programs. The relocation associated with being a military family can present a challenge for children in school. To help with that, we passed my legislation to provide educational support for children of National Guard and Reserves members and ensure students receive in-state tuition when their military parent is re-assigned out-of-state. Read more about legislation to honor our veterans and defend our freedoms. New Military License Plates to Honor PA Veterans
Pennsylvania now offers six new license plates to honor military veterans. Three of the plates recognize service members who received medals or honors for individual achievements or deployments. They include the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal Registration Plate, the Operation Inherent Resolve Veterans Plate and the Borinqueneers Congressional Gold Medal Registration Plate. For $26, the plates – which bear a graphic of the medal awarded – can be used on cars or trucks. The other three new plate designs recognize female veterans. Two are available for motorcycles and the third is for cars and trucks. They include the Women Veteran Motorcycle Registration Plate and the Women Veteran Registration Plate both for $26 and the Honoring Our Women Veteran Motorcycle Registration Plate for $41. Driver Training Program to Improve Work Zone Safety
A new, statewide training program is available to all motorists – particularly new drivers – to improve driver safety and roadway worker protection. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s program uses videos, infographics, knowledge checks and testimonials to teach new drivers work zone laws, signage and key facts. It also offers real-life scenarios to enhance understanding. The free, 35-minute virtual course is available in English and Spanish. There are more than 1,400 work zone crashes across Pennsylvania annually, with more than 600 resulting in injuries and 15 in death. Giving the Gift of Education with PA 529
If you’re still looking for a gift for the children in your life, consider the gift of education. A gift made to their PA 529 College and Career Savings Program will help make their future bright, no matter what path they take. PA 529 offers two plans: the PA 529 Investment Plan and the PA 529 Guaranteed Savings Plan. Friends and family can also help save using Ugift, a free gifting platform. The unique code they need to contribute to your child’s account can be found in your PA 529 account online. Contributions to a PA 529 account made by Dec. 31 qualify for deductions on 2024 PA state income taxes, including those made by a gift giver. 2025-26 FAFSA Form is Live
The online and paper form of the 2025-26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is available now. Colleges and career schools use the FAFSA form to determine how much financial aid students are eligible to receive. The aid may include grants, scholarships, work-study funds and loans. Students must apply for aid every year. The Department of Education addressed issues with the FAFSA system and modernized internal systems and processes. It also updated resources to help students and families better navigate the FAFSA form and process. Learn more.
If you are not already subscribed to this newsletter please sign up here. |
||
|
||
Want to change how you receive these emails? 2024 © Senate of Pennsylvania | https://senatorpennycuick.com | Privacy Policy |
