Dear John,

Send me a text! I'm excited to announce that now you can text me to stay in touch and receive important updates.

I want to make sure that everyone in NEPA has a quick and easy way to send me their questions or concerns.

Text "Matt" to 570-365-5004 to stay up to date on how I am fighting for northeastern Pennsylvanians.

Last week, I was honored to take part in the University of Scranton's unveiling of their new Center for Workforce Development, Applied Research and Outreach in Health, Behavioral Science and Cybersecurity.

As a part of my Fiscal Year 2023 Community Project Funding Requests, I am proud to have secured $16.6 million in federal funding for this project which will benefit the University and our surrounding communities.

As a senior member of the powerful House Appropriations Committee and Ranking Member of the Commerce, Justice and Science Subcommittee, I'm committed to bringing home every penny of our fair share of federal tax dollars.

This center will strengthen, expand and leverage the University's longstanding relationships with regional partners in our surrounding communities to drive workforce development and community outreach throughout NEPA.

Construction for the new center is projected to begin on the 300 block of Madison Avenue this Spring, aiming to be complete for the Fall 2025 semester!

Learn more here.

On Monday, February 5, I'll appear live on WVIA's Keystone Edition Reports: All Aboard for NYC!

This in-studio event will give an in-depth look into what the return of passenger rail service from NEPA to NYC means for our region.

In studio will be Mike Carroll, PennDOT Secretary of Transportation, Larry Malski, President of the Pennsylvania Northeast Regional Railroad Authority, and Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti.

I will be joining live from the Capitol and answering your questions afterwards.

Reserve your seat for the live event here.

 Calling all NEPA high school artists!

My office is now accepting submissions for the 2024 Congressional Art Competition, with the final day to hand in artwork to one of my district offices being Wednesday, April 10.

Last year, 76 students submitted 87 works of art from ten regional high schools that were put on display at the Everhart Museum in Scranton.

This year, our in-person reception for our young artists and their families will be held at the Everhart on Friday, April 26, where I will announce first place, second place, third place and honorable mention.

First place will have their artwork hung in the U.S. Capitol for an entire year, and be invited to a winner's reception in Washington!

All submissions to this year's competition will be shown in an exhibit at the Everhart Museum, which will be open to the public from Saturday, April 27, until Sunday, May 5.

I cannot wait to see what our talented young NEPA artists create this year!

The 2024 rules and regulations can be viewed here.

Be safe and well,