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In this Update:

• State Grants Awarded for 29 Local Projects
• 2025-2026 Budget Successes 
• Committee Examines CDLs and REAL IDs Being Issued to Illegal Immigrants
• Dec. 31 Deadline for Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program
• Successful Start for New Program Connecting Young Pennsylvanians to High Demand Careers
• It’s Annual Dog License Time
• Assistance Available to Help Rural Communities Fight Wildfires
• Happy Hanukkah

State Grants Awarded for 29 Local Projects

More than $7.8 million in Local Share Account (LSA) funds have been awarded for 29 projects throughout the 41st Senatorial district! LSA grants support economic development, job training, community improvement and public interest projects.

I was pleased to work with my colleagues in Harrisburg to advocate for this substantial support. This is an exciting day, as the funding will help address local priorities, support economic growth, and improve quality of life across the counties.

The following investments were approved by the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) on December 18:

𝐀𝐫𝐦𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐲 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐬

• Kittanning Suburban Joint Water Authority – Adrian Road Water Line Extension Phase 2 – $1,000,000 – LSA funds will be used for the installation of a waterline along Adrian Road located in Sugarcreek Township, Armstrong County. The project will complete phase two of the water main redundancy project. This includes installing 7,000 linear feet of 12-inch diameter water line and fittings, that provide 600 residents with safe and adequate water. The project will also include replacing the four fire hydrants and three new service connections.

• Manor Township Joint Municipal Authority – Route 422 Pump Station Feed Line Replacement – $568,700 – LSA funds will be used to replace a portion of the water line that feeds the 422 pump station in Manor Township. This project includes the replacement of approximately 3,000 linear feet of 12″ diameter water line as well as all associated valves, fittings and paving and surface restoration. The new water line will be installed at the normal depth of cover of 4 feet.

• South Buffalo Township Joint Municipal Authority – SBTMA Meter and Hydrant Replacement Project – $288,077 – LSA funds will be used to upgrade water infrastructure throughout South Buffalo Township, Armstrong County. The project aims to reduce water loss and to upgrade water infrastructure so residents are billed timely and accurately for their usage. The scope includes replacing infrastructure, 352 water meters, meter transceiver units (MXU) radios, touch-read pads, wire to connect these units, as well as approximately 5 fire hydrants, and the purchase of hydrant markers. This work is needed as hydrants have exceeded their lifespan of 25 years and leaking persists resulting in issues throughout the system.

• Worthington West Franklin Joint Municipal Authority – Water Treatment Plant Improvements – $147,400 – The communications and electrical infrastructure at the Bear Street and Cherry Street water treatment plants have degraded beyond their useful life, leading to an unreliable system. The project will install a new communication system and electrical upgrades for both plants to ensure reliable drinking water access to the community.

• North Apollo Borough – Kerr Park – $132,250 – LSA funds will be used to upgrade Kerr Park located in North Apollo Borough. Kerr Park has been a staple of the community for decades but was recently closed due to safety concerns. The project will revitalize the space by upgrading the play surface to follow safety protocol. The Borough will also install new playground equipment for ages 2-12 that meets ADA standards for inclusive play and install a fence around the playground.

• Ford Cliff Borough – Renovations to the Ford Cliff Borough Building – $100,000 – LSA funds will be used to renovate the borough building so it is safe and usable not only to the employees but to the residents of the borough. The project will include the installation of a new roof, renovated restrooms inside the building for employees will be updated, the floor in the maintenance portion of the building will be renovated and a new concrete floor will be installed, and a restroom that is accessible from the outside will be installed to ensure visitors to the adjacent park have access to modern facilities without impacting municipal operations.

• Parks Township Municipal Authority – SCADA System Upgrade – $88,300 – LSA funds will be used for the purchase of a new SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition System) for use in Parks Township. The current SCADA system, which monitors the water and sewer systems, needs to be replaced as new parts are no longer being manufactured and it is near the end of serviceable life. The new SCADA system will be completely wireless with multiple Remote Terminal Units (RTUs) for better system monitoring.

• Gilpin Township – South Central Armstrong Regional Comprehensive Plan Update – $50,000 – LSA funds will be used to update the 2003 South Central Armstrong County Comprehensive Plan in Gilpin Township.

• Bethel Township – Ash Building – $47,961 – LSA funds will be used to build a storage structure for ashes and salt for winter road maintenance located in Bethel Township, Armstrong County.

• Burrell Township – Tac Tank 2025 – $38,300 – LSA funds will be used for the purchase of a Tac Tank equipped with a 300-gallon trailer, and wireless remote start/overnight heater, to assist the township with roadway tar chipping and pothole patching.

𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐚 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐲 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐬

• Highridge Water Authority – SR 217 Waterline Extension into Blacklick Township Phase II Part A – $1,000,000 – LSA funds will be used to construct a waterline extension project. The authority plans to install a new waterline along Thompson Road, McCormick’s Bridge Road, SR 217 and Williams Road.

• Blairsville Borough – Blairsville Police Garage – $859,090 – LSA funds will be used to construct a police garage. A new garage with four ports and a fortified, secure entryway is proposed with a connecting breezeway between the police station and the garage.

• Montgomery Township – Montgomery Township Building Project – $500,000 – LSA funds will be used to replace the township’s current dilapidated municipal building with a new facility. The building will include a basement foundation, offices, a public meeting room and restroom facilities that include ADA upgrades.

• Indiana Borough – Street Sweepers – $356,376 – LSA funds will be used to purchase two street sweepers to address the specific maintenance demands of the community. One street sweeper will be designated for debris removal on the roadways and has large capacity. The other street sweeper will be used to maintain the downtown parking garage and is a compact design for maneuverability.

•  Blairsville Borough – Borough of Blairsville Volunteer Fire Department Roof Replacement – $199,900 – LSA funds will be used to replace the roof at the volunteer fire station.

• Armstrong Township – New Tractor – $191,000 – LSA funds will be used to purchase a new tractor for its Roads Department. This new tractor will assist the township in creating a safe travel environment on township roads.

• Canoe Township – Municipal Truck – $190,965 – LSA funds will be used to purchase a municipal truck and attachments to replace the current truck that is at the end of its useful life. This truck will be used for operation and maintenance of township roadways. The new vehicle will reduce township spending on rentals and repairs caused by breakdowns of the current vehicles.

• Cherryhill Township – Cherryhill Township VFC Brush Truck – $106,187 – LSA funds will be used to purchase a brush truck for the Cherryhill Township Volunteer Fire Company. The replacement vehicle will be outfitted with a crew cab pickup truck chassis, a utility-box style rear body, lights and a brush fire skid.

• Brush Valley Township – SCBA – $98,770 – LSA funds will be used to purchase Self Contained Breathing Apparatuses (SCBA) for the Brush Valley Township Volunteer Fire Company.

• Washington Township – Washington Township Service Truck – $82,197 – LSA funds will be used to purchase a service truck including a snowplow, fuel transfer tank, back up camera and safety precautionary lighting (strobes).

𝐖𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐲 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐬

• Washington Township Municipal Authority – Paulton Area Storm Sewer Improvements – $673,625 – LSA funds will be used for improvements to the storm sewer system in the Paulton area.

• Bolivar Borough – 5th Street Storm Sewer Project – $487,134 – LSA funds will be used to replace a failed storm sewer system.

• Allegheny Township – Finnin Road Rehabilitation – $195,000 – LSA funds will be used to rehabilitate Finnin Road and improve safety.

• Washington Township – VFC Station Expansion – $150,000 – LSA funds will be used to expand Washington Township Volunteer Fire Company.

• New Kensington City Municipal Sanitary Authority – Excavator & Trailer – $100,777 – LSA funds will be used to purchase an excavator and trailer for Infrastructure Improvement & Community Development Projects.

• Derry Township Municipal Authority – New Alexandria Sewage Treatment Plant Aeration Blower – $77,050 – LSA funds will be used to upgrade the aeration blower at the New Alexandria Treatment Plant.

• New Kensington City – Police Vehicle – $68,568 – LSA funds will be used to purchase a police vehicle.

• Derry Borough Municipal Authority – Mentor Street Waterline Replacement – $50,000 – LSA funds will be used to replace 200 feet of waterline along Mentor Street.

• Loyalhanna Township – Pickup Truck – $47,044 – LSA funds will be used to purchase a new vehicle for the Township’s public works department.

𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝐶𝐹𝐴 𝑤𝑎𝑠 𝑒𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑖𝑠ℎ𝑒𝑑 𝑖𝑛 2004 𝑎𝑠 𝑎𝑛 𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑝𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑎𝑔𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑃𝑒𝑛𝑛𝑠𝑦𝑙𝑣𝑎𝑛𝑖𝑎 𝐷𝑒𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑡𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝐶𝑜𝑚𝑚𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐸𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑜𝑚𝑖𝑐 𝐷𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑝𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑡𝑜 𝑎𝑑𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑚𝑜𝑛𝑤𝑒𝑎𝑙𝑡ℎ’𝑠 𝑒𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑜𝑚𝑖𝑐 𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑢𝑙𝑢𝑠 𝑝𝑎𝑐𝑘𝑎𝑔𝑒𝑠. 𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑃𝑒𝑛𝑛𝑠𝑦𝑙𝑣𝑎𝑛𝑖𝑎 𝑅𝑎𝑐𝑒 𝐻𝑜𝑟𝑠𝑒 𝐷𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑝𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐺𝑎𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝐴𝑐𝑡 𝑜𝑓 2004 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑣𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑠 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑏𝑢𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑜𝑓 𝑔𝑎𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑟𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑛𝑢𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝐶𝐹𝐴.

2025-2026 Budget Successes

It was great to sit down with Sen. Wayne Langerholc to discuss the important energy advancements included as part of the 2025-26 State Budget. Check out the short video here.

This was a budget of compromise – but one of the biggest policy wins for Pennsylvanians was stopping the RGGI Electricity Tax. Pennsylvania is open for business!

Committee Examines CDLs and REAL IDs Being Issued to Illegal Immigrants

The Senate Transportation Committee held a public hearing to examine commercial vehicle safety and nondomiciled commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) following recent claims of CDLs and REAL IDs being issued to illegal immigrants.

Pennsylvania law bans regular and commercial driver’s licenses for anyone unlawfully present in the commonwealth. Last month, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested an illegal immigrant from Uzbekistan wanted for belonging to a terrorist organization. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) issued him a CDL with a REAL ID indication in July.

The committee examined commercial vehicle safety and nondomiciled commercial driver’s licenses with driving advocates, along with officials from PennDOT and the Pennsylvania State Police. You can view the hearing and read testimony here.

Dec. 31 Deadline for Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program

The deadline to apply for the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program is Dec. 31. Eligible residents could qualify for up to $1,000 (plus supplemental rebates for qualifying applicants).

The program provides financial relief to older adults and people with disabilities who paid property taxes or rent in 2024. To qualify, applicants must be age 65+, widows/widowers 50+ or individuals with disabilities 18+, and their household income must be $46,520 or less (excluding half of Social Security income).

Applications can be submitted online, by mail or in person, or by calling 1-888-222-9190 for assistance. My office is also available to help you apply for this rebate.

Successful Start for New Program Connecting Young Pennsylvanians to High Demand Careers

The first year of the Grow PA program to help connect young people to quality careers in Pennsylvania has been a tremendous success, according to statistics from the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA).

The Grow PA Scholarship Grant Program was created by the legislature last year to help reverse the trend of young Pennsylvanians seeking education and job opportunities in other states. The program offers grants of up to $5,000 per year for in-state students who agree to attend college in Pennsylvania, pursue a degree in an in-demand occupation and work in that occupation in Pennsylvania after graduation.

PHEAA reports more than 11,000 applications for Grow PA in the first year. More than 4,000 applicants have already received grants, and another 2,300 applications were approved through early December. The average award per student was $4,650.

The top programs of study in the first year of Grow PA included registered nursing, early childhood education, business administration and management, biological sciences and accounting. Next year’s application period is expected to open in early February.

It’s Annual Dog License Time

The deadline to purchase an annual license renewal for your dog is Jan. 1, 2026. Many counties allow you to purchase a lifetime license.

Licensing fees help the millions of dogs in Pennsylvania by funding the Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement. If your dog gets lost, a current license is the fastest way to get your dog back home.

Dogs must be licensed at the point of adoption or purchase, or at three months if no transfer of ownership has taken place. Annual licenses can be purchased online from your county treasurer in one location here.

Assistance Available to Help Rural Communities Fight Wildfires

State grants are available to volunteer fire companies to help protect rural communities from wildfires.

Eligible applicants include local firefighting forces in rural communities with fewer than 10,000 residents. Funding can be used for training and equipment purchases directly related to fighting brush and forest fires. Recipients are selected based on vulnerability and adequacy of existing fire protection, with a focus on improving volunteer readiness and protecting lives and property in under-protected areas.

Administered by the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), the maximum grant award in 2026 is $15,000 per fire company. Applications must be submitted electronically through DCNR’s grant website by Dec. 31.

Happy Hanukkah

This week, Jewish families across our district are celebrating Hanukkah, the festival of light dating back more than 2,000 years, when the Jewish people won a battle against the Greeks to practice their religion freely.

I wish everyone celebrating Hanukkah a time of warmth and appreciation with family and friends.

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