If you are having trouble viewing this
message or would like to share it on a social network, you can view the message
online.
 |
Upcoming Events Ensuring Food Security for All Over the last week, we’ve seen some big wins for food security locally and nationally. Governor Shapiro and Lieutenant Governor Davis took executive action and declared a disaster emergency, released $5 million in state funding to food banks, and organized private donations through the SNAP Emergency Relief Fund, helping keep food on Pennsylvania families’ tables during the federal shutdown. Then the Pennsylvania legislature passed our budget, which includes an $11 million increase for the State Food Purchase Program and Farmers’ Market Voucher program. The State Food Purchase Program provides grant funding to help food banks purchase needed food. The Farmers’ Market Voucher program provides income-eligible seniors with vouchers to purchase fresh produce at local farmers markets during the summer months. Both of these programs go a long way toward providing fresh, local food for those who need it most while supporting our local small farms– a huge win for all Pennsylvanians. In addition, the federal government passed their budget, funding SNAP through 2026. Despite these legislative fixes, food insecurity continues to affect families across Pennsylvania, especially our kids and our seniors. That’s why I continue to support universal free breakfast and lunch in school. No one in the richest country in the world should have to choose between paying bills and putting food on the table. It’s important to me that every child, family, and senior in Pennsylvania has the food and dignity they deserve. My office is hosting a food drive now through December 1 to collect needed pantry items for North Hills Community Outreach and Feeding the Flock. Please help out our neighbors in need by donating if you are able. VSO Appointments Available! How can a Veterans Service Officer (VSO) help you? These accredited and certified professionals can:
They have a 90% success rate in correcting errors, helping you avoid a lengthy appeals process! They can also help with appeals in situations where you are unhappy with the outcome of your claims. Appointments are required to meet with a VSO. Call or email us today to schedule an appointment at either our Ross Township or Natrona Heights Offices!
Natrona Heights Office
Ross Township Office
Contact us at 412-364-0469 (Ross), 724-224-2131 (Natrona Heights), or email us at [email protected] to book your one-on-one session.
Good News Springdale Boro Trunk-or-Treat I had a spook-tacular time at Springdale Borough’s Trunk-or-Treat! The families and kids went all out decorating their cars and on their costumes, and everyone went home with bags full of treats. Supporting Our First Responders October 25th was National First Responders Day, a day we pay tribute to the paramedics, EMTs, firefighters, police officers, and 911 operators who are always ready to respond in times of crisis, often risking their own lives in the process. First responders work hard every single day to keep us all safe. Their training, bravery, and selflessness prepare them to handle any emergency. These responders deserve more than lip service, which is why I’ve made it a priority to bring funding to District 38 and statewide for EMS, fire companies, and 911 operators to ensure they have the equipment they need to keep us and themselves safe, and to make training more accessible and affordable. Since 2019, I've hosted various senate hearings and roundtables to center first responders' voices and hear directly from them about what they need. I will continue to champion increased funding for our fire companies, EMS, and 911 operators to run their day-to-day operations safely and at the high level of professionalism we expect. Happy 2nd Anniversary to the Black Maternal Health Caucus! We celebrated the Second Anniversary of Black Maternal Health Caucus on October 27th with co-founder Rep. La’Tasha D. Mayes. Congratulations to the Caucus for two years of work on strengthening protections for Black Moms and Birthing Parents across Pennsylvania, and here's to many more!
Senior Fair in Ross a Success! We hosted our 5th annual Senior Fair at Ross Township Community Center with Rep. Emily Kinkead on October 30th! Thank you to all of our vendors who came out to share information and resources with the community, to Waltmire Pharmacy for providing vaccines, to Ross Township for being our incredible host, and to Sheetz for catering! We're already looking forward to next year! Hampton Honors Our Veterans It was an honor to participate in Hampton Township School District’s annual Hampton Heroes Veterans Day celebration last Monday. This service is a tribute to all of our Veterans but also inducts local Veterans into the Hampton Heroes program. Thank you to the students, teachers, parents, administrators, and, most importantly, active service members and veterans for a moving ceremony honoring those who served our country. In addition to the Hampton Heroes program, the District also offers the Operation Recognition program, which gives Veterans (or their families) of WWI, WWII, Korea, and Vietnam who missed their graduations while in service to their country a chance to receive their diploma. Learn more about Hampton Heroes or Operation Recognition here. Veterans Place Opens New Outdoor Heroes Terrace on Veterans Day! I started my Veterans Day at Veterans Place in Larimer with U.S. Rep. Summer Lee and PA Rep. La’Tasha Mayes to celebrate the grand opening of the new Heroes Terrace Meditation Area. This beautiful new seating area provides a space to decompress and enjoy the outdoors for the Veterans who live at Veterans Place and civilians alike. It was a particular honor to meet the WWII Women’s Army Corps (WAC) veteran who attended and assisted with the flag ceremony! Veterans Honored at Ridgecrest of McCandless I also had the pleasure of meeting with residents at Ridgecrest of McCandless Senior Living on Veterans Day. It was inspiring to hear the stories of service from the 29 veterans who were honored that day, and I was happy to share information on the veterans legislation I’ve been working on, like the update to the PA GI Bill, property tax relief and discounted fishing licenses for disabled veterans, and a “Green Alert” notification system for missing veterans. We can never fully repay our men and women in uniform, but my legislative priority will always be to take every opportunity to make their lives easier.
Legislative Update Passing a Budget that Works for Pennsylvanians Over the last few months, I've
shared
stories on the floor about how the 135-day long state budget
impasse has threatened our schools, communities, businesses, and
Pennsylvanians. We didn’t touch public transit or our roads and bridges. We didn’t find any new revenue. And we didn’t make the people and organizations whole who suffered because of our failure to pass a budget on time. But our next budget is due in 230 days, and I hope it will address these issues and more-- and be done on time. I voted for a budget that provides:
Pennsylvanians didn’t get everything they deserve in this budget. We have more work to do. I’m looking forward to working with my colleagues to get that work done in our next budget right around the corner.
News You Can Use Nominations Open for 2026 PA River of the Year! The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) is calling on Pennsylvanians to nominate their favorite waterway for the 2026 River of the Year. The winner is featured in a year-long series of events and activities to celebrate the river, including the popular River of the Year Sojourn. The nomination period is open through Friday, Nov. 21, at 5 p.m. All Pennsylvania waterways are eligible for nomination, excluding the past five years of winners: Delaware River (2025), Allegheny River (2024), Susquehanna North Branch (2023), French Creek (2022) and Shenango River (2021). Selected nominees will be voted on by the public beginning in late November. For more information about the River of the Year program, visit the Pennsylvania Organization of Watersheds and Rivers' (POWR) website at https://pawatersheds.org/. To nominate a river or waterway, visit the Grants and Awards webpage at https://pecpa.org/grants-awards/ and scroll down to "apply." Free November Seminars on Energy Savings The Pennsylvania Utility Law Project is hosting their free November webinar series on energy savings. Don’t miss this opportunity to increase your energy IQ at one of these upcoming events, including two sessions on how to testify at a public input hearing on November 20! These informative hearings will help you gain confidence and learn how to get involved when your utility notifies you of a rate increase. Public comment is a large factor in rate increase decisions, so your participation in these hearings is incredibly important for you and your entire community!
Free Home Energy Audits Available for Sharpsburg, Etna, and Millvale Residents! The Sharpsburg Neighborhood Organization is partnering with Energy Efficiency Empowerment (E3) to offer FREE professional Energy Audits of homes in the Triboro Ecodistrict neighborhoods of Sharpsburg, Etna, and Millvale - a value of $400! Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how your home could be more energy efficient. This program is open to both RENTERS and HOMEOWNERS in the Triboro Area. Households with an income of 50% or less of the area median income will be prioritized for energy audits. For more information and to register, visit: bit.ly/EnergyAuditsForm. College-Bound Students Should File for Financial Aid Now! It is November and if you are a college-bound student you should complete your financial aid application as soon as possible! To complete your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online go to either: If it is your first time applying, you will be directed to complete the State Grant Form (SGF) and the High School Form when you complete the FAFSA. The FAFSA is the first step to determine if you qualify for a Federal Pell Grant, PA State Grant, scholarships, institutional awards, and federal student loans. PA State Grant funds are need-based aid and do not need to be repaid. Students and families who need help with the financial aid process can register for one of PHEAA’s free, upcoming webinars at: https://www.pheaa.org/tools-resources/financial-aid-webinars. Don’t leave free money on the table - submit your FAFSA today! Upcoming November and December Financial Aid Webinars Every high school student who is gearing up for the next big, exciting step in their education should know about the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency’s (PHEAA) webinars that help guide them through the process. Don’t miss PHEAA’s upcoming November/December financial aid webinars. These one-hour sessions make the next steps less intimidating:
For more information and to register go to: https://www.pheaa.org/tools-resources/financial-aid-webinars. East Deer Light Up Night! Join East Deer for some holiday cheer on Saturday, November 29th from 4-8pm! Santa, holiday shopping, and crafts for the kids will all be part of the fun. Hope to see you there! As always, please feel free to reach out with any questions you may have by phone at 412-364-0469 (Ross Office), 724-224-2131 (Harrison Office) or by email at [email protected]. My staff will return your call/email within 24 hours (Monday-Friday). |
| ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
