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In this Update:
* Mastriano Continues to Serve as State Senator of Senatorial District 33
* Mastriano Reappointed Chairman of Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee
* Senate Republicans Kick Off 2025-26 Session with New Members, Leadership Team
* Scholarships Available Soon for Students Earning Degrees in In-Demand Jobs
* Online Resource Tracks State Plows
* More Veterans are Eligible for Free Birth and Death Certificates
* Schedule Your Free State Capitol Tour
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** Mastriano Continues to Serve as State Senator of Senatorial District 33
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It is a great privilege to continue serving as your Pennsylvania state senator. I appreciate the support of the people of the 33rd District of Adams and Franklin County. I am proud to stand with my fellow Republicans to advocate for our values and vision for our state.
** Mastriano Reappointed Chairman of Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee
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This week I was reappointed by Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward (R-39) to serve as chairman of the Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee for the 2025-26 legislative session.
I am honored to continue serving as chairman of this important committee. Ensuring that we take care of our commonwealth’s veterans, national guard and active-duty military who have and continue to serve our nation will be a top priority. I look forward to working with the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and veterans organizations across Pennsylvania to ensure those who fight for our freedoms are receiving the utmost care, benefits and services they have rightfully earned.
I served 30 years in the U.S. Army, retiring as a colonel in 2017. Commissioned in the U.S. Army in 1986, I served on the Iron Curtain with the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment in West Germany, and I’m a combat veteran of Operation Desert Storm in Iraq and Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.
Sen. Ward credited my 30 years of military experience in the U.S. Army, my proven track record for addressing emergency matters and my unwavering support for individuals who put themselves first for our country and cause when she announced my committee chair reappointment ([link removed]) .
As chair of the committee, I will also oversee legislation dealing with the commonwealth’s efforts to prepare for disasters and respond to emergencies.
Our brave first responders have faced significant challenges in recent years. From mounting public safety calls to issues of recruitment and retention, it has never been more important to ensure the General Assembly is passing legislation to give our first responders the tools and support they need. Under my chairmanship, this committee will always have the backs of our police, fire and EMS personnel.
The committee oversees the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency and the Office of State Fire Commissioner.
** Senate Republicans Kick Off 2025-26 Session with New Members, Leadership Team
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The Pennsylvania Senate convened on Tuesday for the start of the 2025-26 legislative session, highlighted by the swearing in of new and reelected members. The proceedings also included the formal reelection of Sen. Kim Ward (R-39) as senate president pro tempore, as well as a vote on rules to govern the body for the next two years.
Voters gave Senate Republicans a 28-22 majority in the November 2024 General Election. Learn which members took the oath of office for the first time, who was sworn in following reelection and who is serving as part of the leadership team here ([link removed]) .
Still to come are member committee assignments for the 2025-26 legislative session.
** Scholarships Available Soon for Students Earning Degrees in In-Demand Jobs
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Pennsylvania students pursuing a degree for an in-demand occupation will soon be able to apply for a $5,000 scholarship through the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency ([link removed]) (PHEAA) because of a law passed by Senate Republicans. To bolster industries with lots of open positions, the law requires them to agree to live and work in Pennsylvania in an in-demand occupation for at least one year for each year they accept the scholarship.
Those occupations include agriculture, computer science, business, education, special education, STEM education, engineering, nursing, allied health, criminal justice and other programs approved by PHEAA. The list of in-demand occupations will be adjusted regularly to reflect Pennsylvania’s workforce needs.
Out-of-state students are eligible for scholarships that allow them to pay in-state tuition rates. If a student receives a scholarship but does not complete the educational program or fails to meet other terms of the agreement, the scholarship will be converted to a loan and must be repaid by the student. The application is expected to be available on PHEAA’s website in April, and more information will be shared then.
** Online Resource Tracks State Plows
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Winter weather can impact safety on the roads, particularly before snow is cleared and salt is spread to mitigate icy spots.
As the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) crews work to keep roads passable, you may be wondering where the plow is in your area. All of PennDOT’s roughly 2,200 owned and rented plow trucks are equipped with automated vehicle location systems, which use in-truck technology to log and share data in real time for that truck. View the routes of these interstate and expressway trucks here ([link removed]) .
PennDOT maintains nearly 40,000 miles of roads and 25,400 bridges statewide, which translates to more than 95,000 snow-lane miles.
** More Veterans are Eligible for Free Birth and Death Certificates
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New this year, more veterans and their families are eligible for free birth and death certificates ([link removed]) from the Pennsylvania Department of Health because of legislation passed by Senate Republicans.
All veterans who were discharged or released from services under conditions other than dishonorable can receive a veteran fee waiver. Previously, they were only available for military members who were in active service or who were honorably discharged.
Normally, there is a non-refundable $20 fee per copy, but with this law, up to 10 free copies will be available. The fee waiver may be applied to applications for the veteran, spouse and dependent children. To be eligible for the waiver, applications for birth and death certificates must be submitted with documentation proving military status.
** Schedule Your Free State Capitol Tour
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If you’re looking for a fun educational activity for your family, you can tour the state Capitol ([link removed]) for free. During a 30-minute guided tour, Capitol tour guides point out architectural and artistic highlights as they make the Capitol’s history come alive. There is also an Interactive Welcome Center and Capitol Gift Shop to enjoy during your visit.
Guided tours are offered every half hour Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Weekends and most holidays, tours are offered at 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
Schedule a tour online ([link removed]) or by calling the Tour Guide Office at 1-800-TOUR-N-PA (868-7672). Groups of 10 or more require advanced reservations. For your safety, group size is limited to 40.
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