U.S. Economic Growth, NYC Rail Project Update & MORE!

U.S. Economic Growth

Dear John,

Good news about the U.S. economy this week cast a glimmer of hope in light of ongoing inflation. On Thursday, we posted our first period of positive growth for 2022.

The United States GDP, a sum of all the goods and services we produce, increased by 2.6% in the third quarter. This was above the Dow Jones 2.3% predicted forecast.

So what does this mean? It means U.S. businesses are expanding, and the things we manufacture here are selling around the world.

And today's Wall Street rally capped another strong week for the stock market. The Dow closed 800 points higher, registering a fourth straight week of gains thanks to better-than-expected inflation data.

Although families and seniors are still being squeezed, the U.S. economy is showing signs of resilience in the face of the global inflation crisis.

The State's All Aboard for Rail Project

A $3.7 million grant was awarded this week toward new rail line construction in Monroe and Lackawanna counties.

The funding, through the state’s Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP), will support the purchase and installation of railroad ties to provide required upgrades for the new Amtrak Corridor passenger train service to Northeastern Pennsylvania.

This is another great step forward when it comes to restoring passenger rail service to New York.

A large and diverse group of supporters has come together to ensure we maximize our efforts when it comes to this significant economic development opportunity, and it’s great to have the Pennsylvania executive branch on our side.

LCTA's Golden Anniversary

Luzerne County Transportation Authority Executive Director Robert Fiume, left, is presented a proclamation in honor of LCTA’s 50th anniversary by Wilkes-Barre Mayor George Brown.

Congratulations to Bob Fiume, executive director of the Luzerne County Transportation Authority (LCTA), and his entire team as they celebrate the organization's 50 years of service to the community.

An event at Wilkes-Barre's Westmoreland Club this past week celebrated LCTA's history as well as its future. The agency’s new operations facility at the former Murray Complex site is expected to be completed by early 2024.

To learn more, you can read The Times Leader article here.

Legislative Highlight of the Week

In late September, I voted in favor of the bipartisan, bicameral Invest to Protect Act, which passed the House by a 360 to 64 vote.

Introduced by U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) and former Sheriff Rep. John Rutherford (R-FL), The Invest to Protect Act will make critical investments in small and midsize police departments with fewer than 125 sworn officers — which make up the majority of our local police departments.

Funding will go towards the recruitment, retention, support, and training that smaller police departments need to protect themselves and our community.

You can read the full text of the bill here.

A version of the bill has also passed the Senate. I'll be calling on Congress to get a final version sent to the floor when we return for the November session.

Wishing you and yours a Happy Halloweekend!

May your treats be many and your tricks be few,

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