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Capitol Report
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#Listrak\DateStampLong#
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The latest news from the State Capitol
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Please do not reply directly to this email, as it returns to an unmanned account.
You are welcome to contact me through this link.
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Get Your Cumberland County Dog License at My Office!
I’m excited to host a Cumberland County dog-licensing event at my district office on Dec. 9. Stop by my office at 2 Market Plaza Way, Suite 9, in Mechanicsburg between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. to get your 2026 dog license. We hope to see you there!
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Welcoming U.S. Navy Blue Angels to Central PA
I had an incredible morning at Harrisburg International Airport on Wednesday welcoming two U.S. Navy Blue Angels demonstration pilots to central PA! Their visit is a preview of what’s ahead when the Air Dot Show returns to our region on Memorial Day, bringing world-class aerial skills, speed, and precision back to our skies. It’s always an honor to meet the men and women who represent the very best of our armed forces, and seeing the excitement they generate in our community is unmatched.
This annual event brings a significant economic boost to the region, drawing families, aviation enthusiasts, and visitors who will fill our hotels, restaurants, and local businesses throughout the holiday weekend. It’s a perfect mix of fun and high-flying entertainment with real benefits for central PA’s economy. If you’re planning to attend, be sure to grab your tickets early. This is one event you truly won’t want to miss!
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Celebrating Community at CAEDC’s Open House
I enjoyed spending Friday morning at the Cumberland Area Economic Development Corporation’s (CAEDC) open house, joining local business owners, community partners, and regional leaders for great conversation, good food, and a touch of holiday cheer. CAEDC plays a central role in driving economic opportunity here in Cumberland County and it’s always energizing to gather with the people who help make that progress possible.
It was a wonderful chance to connect, reflect on the growth we’ve achieved together this year, and look ahead to new opportunities in 2026. I’m grateful to CAEDC for hosting such a warm and welcoming event!
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Remembering Pearl Harbor
This Sunday, we pause to remember Dec. 7, 1941 – the “date which will live in infamy” – and honor the lives lost 84 years ago. The attack on Pearl Harbor near Honolulu, Hawaii, killed 2,403 Americans, wounded 1,178 others and led to the United States’ entrance into World War II.
As President Ronald Reagan stated in his 1986 proclamation for Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, “Every honor is appropriate for the courageous Americans who made the supreme sacrifice for our Nation at Pearl Harbor and in the many battles that followed in World War II. Their sacrifice was for a cause, not for conquest; for a world that would be safe for future generations. Their devotion must never be forgotten.”
The National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day Ceremony will be held at 7:30 a.m. Hawaii Standard Time, which is 12:30 p.m. local time. Learn more here.
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Deadline Nears for Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program
Older adults and Pennsylvanians with disabilities have until Dec. 31 to apply for the state’s 2024 Property Tax/Rent Rebate program. Remember, assistance through my offices is always free. You need not pay a private firm for assistance.
Income limits increased again this year to $46,520 for both homeowners and renters. This is due to a 2023 law I supported that calls for adjusting the income limit based on annual increases in the Consumer Price Index. Remember to exclude 50% of Social Security when determining your income. The maximum rebate is $1,000.
The program is open to residents age 65 years and older; widows and widowers 50 years and older; and people with disabilities 18 years and older.
Click here for additional information or to apply online or contact my offices for assistance. If you applied previously but have not received your rebate, click here. The 2025 Property Tax/Rent Rebate program will open for applications in mid- to late January.
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Heating Assistance Program Now Open
As cold weather has arrived, residents who struggle with their home heating bills are reminded they can now apply for assistance from the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).
LIHEAP is a federally funded program that helps individuals and families pay their heating bills through home heating energy assistance grants. It also provides crisis grants to help in the event of an emergency or if a resident is in danger of losing his or her heat due to broken equipment, lack of fuel or termination of utility service.
To qualify for LIHEAP in Pennsylvania, you must meet income requirements, which are set based on your household size. For example, the maximum annual income for an individual is $23,475 and for a family of four it is $48,225. For each additional person, add $8,250 to the income limit.
Residents may apply for LIHEAP online at www.dhs.pa.gov/COMPASS, by phone at 1-866-857-7095 or by contacting the County Assistance Office in their county of residence.
Click here for additional information. The program runs through April 2026.
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New Law Protects Senior Citizens’ Prescription Coverage
Medications play a vital role in preserving health and improving quality of life, but they can be costly, especially for our senior citizens. That’s why I was pleased to support a new law that will protect thousands of Pennsylvania seniors from losing access to affordable prescription drug coverage.
Act 49 of 2025 extends the current Social Security cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) moratorium for the PACE and PACENET programs through Dec. 31, 2027. Without this extension, more than 22,000 older Pennsylvanians would have faced disruptions in their benefits due to modest increases in Social Security income.
The PACE and PACENET programs serve over 250,000 Pennsylvanians age 65 and older. To learn more about the programs, who qualifies and how to apply, click here.
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