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In this Update:
Investment in Indiana Entrepreneurship Program
The Technology & Entrepreneurship Center (TEC) in downtown Indiana recently received a financial investment from the Ben Franklin Technology Partners/Central and Northern PA to expand its regional entrepreneurship program. I was pleased to stop by and recognize the significant investment which will help TEC to continue their mission of fostering entrepreneurship and enhancing the success of new tech companies through their business incubation and education program. They are great asset to our local and regional communities! 2024 Dayton Fair
I had a great time visiting the Dayton Fair and participating in the Junior Livestock sale! Pictured with me in ring is Nevin Ferringer, son of Daniel & Kimberly. Nevin is a member of Triple S 4-H club and he was awarded the Banner for Grand Champion County Bred Goat. Also pictured with us is Liberty Prindible, 2024 Dayton Fair Queen, and runner-up, Riley Doverspike. Check out my latest video reel here for more photos for the fair. Congratulations to all the youth who participated in the livestock sale and showing of their animals at the Great Dayton Fair. Your time, dedication and commitment to 4H and your animals are recognized and respected – well done! Senior Expo in Kittanning on Wednesday
Please join state Reps. Donna Oberlander, Abby Major and me at our Senior Expo at the Kittanning Township Firehall from 10 a.m. to noon on Wednesday, Aug. 28th. We look forward to this annual event which will share information on the many services available to seniors throughout our region. We hope to see you there! Summer Intern – Ashby Abernathy
Please join me and my staff in bidding a fond farewell to Ashby Abernathy. Ashby served as an intern for several weeks this summer in my district offices and today is his last day with us. He came eager to learn, assist constituents and gain experience along the way! Ashby is a graduate of Apollo-Ridge High School, Class of 2022 and is returning to Grove City College for his junior year. He is studying Political Science with Pre-Law and Economics minors and has been actively involved in various college clubs and activities. Ashby aspires to attend law school and subsequently practice law. We are grateful for the time he spent with our office and wish him well! Nearly $3.5 million Approved for Infrastructure Projects in Armstrong, Indiana and Jefferson Counties
Nearly $3.5 million in state funding has been approved for various infrastructure projects in Armstrong, Indiana and Jefferson counties through Pennsylvania’s Multimodal Transportation Fund. These infrastructure projects and programs will improve area roads, boost economic activity and opportunity, and benefit those who live, work and visit these communities. I’m pleased to join my colleagues in jointly advocating for key investments to improve our local transportation infrastructure. With this substantial support, we have a unique opportunity to significantly enhance our local road network. The Armstrong County projects include $800,000 for Armstrong Terminal Inc. and the construction of a barge docking facility for the continuous handling of bulk materials at the existing terminal; $570,082 to rehabilitate Houser Bridge in Boggs Township; and $64,571 to improve drainage and resurface four roadways in Gilpin Township that closely border Leechburg Borough to stabilize and improve the road system for improved mobility of walkers, bikers and vehicles in the less vehicle-dependent areas of the township. The barge docking facility will assist with economic development opportunities. The Gilpin roadway project enhances transportation options for those in southern Armstrong County, and the rehabilitation of Houser Bridge is essential for ensuring safe and reliable transportation for the residents of Boggs Township. The Indiana County projects include $480,000 for Indiana Borough’s Sidewalk Repair Program, which aims to enhance community walkability by working with properties to repair and upgrade existing sidewalks, ensuring safe and accessible pedestrian pathways for all residents; and $104,686 for resurfacing the deteriorating cartway on several roads within Lucerne Mines in Center Township. This grant money will greatly help our community, especially the $480,000 for repairing and upgrading sidewalks in Indiana Borough, making borough walkways more accessible and safer for residents and visitors. The Jefferson County projects include $924,000 for drainage, surface improvements and road widening on Big Run Road in Bell Township; and $550,771 for replacing a culvert carrying Sandy Hill Road over Cherry Run in Ringgold Township. These grants will not only improve the safety and efficiency of Sandy Hill Road and Big Run Road but also enhance the quality of life for our residents. These projects are crucial for supporting the ongoing development and growth of our communities. The Multimodal Transportation Fund provides grants to encourage economic development and ensure a safe and reliable system of transportation is available to residents. Funds may be used for the development, rehabilitation and enhancement of transportation assets to existing communities, streetscape, lighting, sidewalk enhancement, pedestrian safety, connectivity of transportation assets and transit-oriented development. A Closer Look at Supporting Student Safety Initiatives
Families need to be able to trust their children will be protected from harm when they’re at school, and students deserve to focus on their learning. Continuing Senate Republicans’ leadership of efforts to provide safe learning environments for students, $100 million was included in this year’s state budget for all school districts to address school safety, security needs and mental health concerns. An additional $20 million for safety grants is also made available to nonpublic schools that apply by Thursday, Sept. 26. Applications for both grant programs are available online. New this year, schools may use their funding for the purchase of lockable cellphone bags to benefit students’ mental health by giving them a much-needed break from their mobile devices while in school. Over the last decade there has been a sharp drop in children’s mental health, which directly correlates to the increased use of cellphones and social media apps. The cellphone bags are another tool schools may choose to use if they feel it’s appropriate based on their area, school board and parents’ perspective. Recently passed legislation calls for every school district in Pennsylvania to have a school security officer who has completed armed security training to protect students. The security presence will consist of at least one trained and vetted school security officer, which may be either a school police officer, school resource officer or school security guard. See what other steps Senate Republicans are taking in our work to strengthen Pennsylvania here. Senate Approves $75 Million to Expand Educational Opportunities for Students
Parents know best when it comes to the individual needs of their children, which is why Senate Republicans continue to stand up for parental empowerment and involvement in their children’s education. We’ve worked to dedicate an additional $75 million this year to the Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program (EITC). The EITC program helps to provide students with the opportunity to learn in the environment that best meets their specific educational needs. Through a collaborative approach of providing tax credits to businesses making contributions to create additional educational opportunities for Pennsylvania families, more children are able to receive assistance. Eligible contributions are those made to scholarship organizations, educational improvement organizations and pre-kindergarten scholarship organizations. Students are eligible to receive a scholarship if their household’s annual income is no greater than $112,348 plus $19,775 for each dependent member of the household. Learn more about the EITC program here. You Can Now Get Customized Travel Alerts with 511PA
We all want to avoid heavy traffic, road closures and anything else that will delay us on the road, and potential hassles will be different for motorists depending on where they live and where they are going. 511PA now offers the opportunity to sign up for personalized travel alerts based on specific areas and routes, days and times, and road issue (type of trouble and when cleared). On 511PA’s website, navigate to “My 511” at the top to set up an account to begin receiving alerts. Expanded Access to Benefits for PA Disabled Veterans
A new Pennsylvania law that went into effect this month exempts 100% of disabled veterans’ benefit payments from income calculations for any commonwealth program or benefit. Act 27 of 2024 ensures veterans who receive disability compensation will not have those payments counted against them when applying to programs such as the Real Estate Property Tax Exemption, the Educational Gratuity Program, the Veterans Temporary Assistance Program and the Military Family Relief Assistance Program. The exclusion also applies to unspent veterans’ benefit payments and is extended to the unmarried surviving spouse of a veteran upon that veteran’s death. Celebrating Back to School Month by Brushing Up on School Bus Safety
As students head back to school, school buses require additional caution from drivers. School districts are now permitted to use automated cameras on stop signal arms to enforce the school bus stopping law. Learn more and find parent safety tips and a reminder of other laws here. Pennsylvania law requires motorists to stop at least 10 feet away from school buses when their red lights are flashing and their stop arm is extended. Motorists following or traveling alongside a school bus must also stop until the red lights have stopped flashing, the stop arm is withdrawn, and all children have reached safety. Do not proceed until all the children have reached a place of safety. Penalties for failure to obey school bus safety laws can result in a $250 fine and a $35 surcharge to be deposited into the School Bus Safety Grant Program account, five points on a driving record and a 60-day license suspension.
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