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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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Latest District Video Hits the Airways
My video tour of the 139th continues. Next up: The Grains at Volger’s Feed Store!
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O, Christmas Tree!
State leaders, capitol staff and visitors of all ages gathered Monday for the official lighting of the Capitol Christmas tree! The 25-foot Douglas Fir comes from Crystal Spring Tree Farm in Carbon County and is adorned with 2,440 LED lights and more than 1,700 handmade ornaments created by children and senior citizens from across the Commonwealth. This is the tallest tree to grace the Capitol Rotunda in at least 10 years.
If you’d like to see it in person, the tree in the Rotunda will be lit daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. through Jan. 8. An additional tree, located outdoors on the Capitol steps, will be lit daily from 5 p.m. to midnight, also through Jan. 8.
If you can’t make in person, you can check it out here!
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Happy Chanukah!
As we gather around the Chanukah candles, their light reminds us of how powerful hope and unity can be. This year, I hope we all find renewed strength to choose peace in our homes, communities and the world. May the light of Chanukah guide us toward days free of all forms of violence. Wishing everyone a safe, peaceful and joyful Chanukah.
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District Happenings
Be sure to check out my Facebook page for a recap of all district events and celebrations, including:
• Flipping the switch to light up the Gouldsboro Train Station Christmas Tree.
• Unveiling Pike County’s bell for the America 250PA’s Bells Across PA project.
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Mailing Delays from Some State Agencies
The Shapiro administration recently announced the termination of a vendor responsible for handling outbound mail from some state agencies. This vendor failed to deliver a significant volume of documents, and it remains unclear how many Pennsylvanians may have been impacted.
Among the affected agencies was the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), which indicated some invitations to renew driver licenses and vehicle registrations, driver license camera cards, vehicle registration cards and address update cards were delayed.
A new vendor has been hired, and all previously unsent mail should be delivered within 7-10 days.
If you are waiting for official paperwork from a state agency and believe your mail has been delayed, you are welcome to contact my office. We may be able to assist in determining the status of missing materials or help facilitate communication with the appropriate agency.
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More Retirees Eligible for Reduced-Fee Vehicle Registration Next Year
The income eligibility limit for Pennsylvania’s reduced-fee Retired Status Vehicle Registration will increase next year due to a change in the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Currently set at $29,906, the annual income limit will increase to $30,778 effective Jan. 1.
Retirees who qualify pay $12 rather than the standard $48 registration fee.
Qualified applicants must be retired and receiving Social Security or other pension payments. Please note, 100% of a veterans' benefit payment or payment to the unmarried surviving spouse, upon the death of a veteran, should be excluded from the income calculation.
The applicant must be listed as an owner on the vehicle’s registration and only one vehicle per qualified applicant may be registered for the reduced fee. Qualifying vehicles must be a passenger car or truck with a registered gross weight of not more than 9,000 pounds.
A new state law I supported in 2024 increased the income eligibility rate by more than $10,000 for the current calendar year and directed the income limit be adjusted annually based on CPI.
Click here to learn more about the program or contact my office for assistance.
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Nonprofit Security Grant Fund Program Accepting Applications
The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) is seeking applicants for $10 million in funding to support security enhancement projects for nonprofit organizations serving diverse communities throughout the Commonwealth.
The Nonprofit Security Grant Fund Program was part of Act 83 of 2019, which directs PCCD to administer grants to nonprofit organizations that primarily serve individuals, groups or institutions that are included within a bias motivation category for single bias hate crime incidents as identified by the FBI’s Hate Crime Statistics publication. Applicants are eligible for security enhancements designed to protect the safety and security of the users of a facility located in the Commonwealth that is owned or operated by the nonprofit organization.
More information about the program is available on PCCD’s website. The deadline to apply is Jan. 12.
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Protect Your Charitable Giving
As the year comes to a close, you’ll likely get calls, texts and emails asking for charitable donations. The Federal Trade Commission offers these tips to help make sure your money goes to real causes that matter to you instead of to a scammer.
• Confirm the charity is legit. Make sure you have the charity’s exact name and then do some research. Some dishonest telemarketers will use names that sound like well-known charities to confuse you. The Pennsylvania Department of State maintains a registry of charitable organizations, as well as other tips on charitable giving. In addition, BBB Wise Giving Alliance and Charity Watch offer reports and ratings on how charities spend donations and operate as organizations.
• Check that your donation is really going to the programs you want to help. Call the charity directly and ask how much of your donation will go to the programs you care about. You may also be able to get this information from the charity’s website.
• Consider how you pay. The safest way to donate is by credit card or check. If someone says the only way to pay is with cryptocurrency, a payment app, gift card or by wiring money, it’s likely a scam, not a real charity.
• Double-check links. Pay attention to who’s asking and who’s getting the money, even if it’s something a friend posts on social media. If you’re sent to a crowdfunding page, money will go directly to the organizer, who might not be closely tied to the cause you want to support.
Spot a fake charity? Tell the FTC at www.ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
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PA 529: Give the Gift of Education
The Pennsylvania Treasury Department recently announced a new, easy way to give the gift of education this holiday season – a partnership with Gift of College.
Friends and families can now buy Gift of College gift cards for recipients to deposit into their PA 529 College and Career Savings Program account. The digital gift cards are available by visiting www.pa529.com/gift. This is a great way to surprise someone without knowing whether they already have a PA 529 account.
Gifts to existing PA 529 accounts can also be made via Ugift. PA 529 accounts have a unique Ugift code that can be shared with friends and family who want to give the gift of savings for a child’s future education expenses. The person giving the gift gets something also – a PA state tax deduction for the amount of the PA 529 contribution.
Anyone, including parents, grandparents, relatives and family friends, can contribute to a PA 529 account. Savings can be used for qualified education expenses for K-12, higher education, credential programs and apprenticeship programs.
To learn more about PA 529, visit www.pa529.com or call 800-440-4000.
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Need a Gift for an Angler?
Fishing licenses, permits and gift vouchers for the 2026 fishing season are now available for purchase from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. The cost remains the same at $27.97 for a resident annual license and $14.47 for a senior resident annual license. Please click here to make a purchase and check out the full list of license options. Licenses may also be purchased through the FishBoatPA mobile app or by visiting one of nearly 700 retail license issuing agents.
Now is also a good time to mark your 2026 calendars for the statewide opening day of trout season on Saturday, April 4, and statewide Mentored Youth Trout Day on Saturday, March 28.
Read more here.
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Online Voting Open for Paint the Plow Program
Public voting is now open for PennDOT’s Paint the Plow program. Paint the Plow is a statewide initiative that highlights safe winter driving while showcasing the artistic talents of students across Pennsylvania. This year's theme, "Don't race. Allow some space.", encourages motorists to keep a safe distance from plows and other vehicles during winter weather conditions.
This year’s snowplows were creatively painted by high school students from Carbondale, Delaware Valley, Dunmore, North Pocono, Northwest Area, Hazleton, West Scranton and Western Wayne High Schools.
You can vote for your favorite design through an online survey posted on the PennDOT website www.penndot.pa.gov/PaintthePlow. The voting form can be found by clicking on the county names within the table.?Participation is limited to one vote per person per district.
Voting runs from December 8 through December 14, 2025. The plow with the most votes in each district will earn the title of "Fan Favorite", while PennDOT staff will also select a "Judges' Pick" based on creativity, theme execution, and overall appearance.
Winners will be announced later in December.
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