|
|
| |
|
Capitol Report
|
#Listrak\DateStampLong#
|
The latest news from the State Capitol
|
Please do not reply directly to this email, as it returns to an unmanned account.
You are welcome to contact me through this link.
|
2026 Pennsylvania Farm Show Starts This Weekend
The Pennsylvania Farm Show – the country’s largest indoor agricultural exposition under one roof – kicks off this Saturday, Jan. 10, in Harrisburg.
This year’s theme is “Growing a Nation,” a nod to the Commonwealth’s role – and Pennsylvania agriculture’s role – in building our country as we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States of America this year. To highlight that celebration, America250PA will have its interactive mobile unit on-site at the center of the Giant Expo Hall. Be sure to check it out!
The 2026 Farm Show also features fan-favorites like the 1,000-pound butter sculpture, delicious Farm Show Food Court, thousands of competitive agricultural events, homegrown celebrity cooking demonstrations at the PA Preferred® Culinary Connection, and more than 1 million square feet of hands-on agriculture education opportunities and chances to engage with the people who are growing Pennsylvania and our nation through agriculture.
Admission to the show is free, but parking is $15 per vehicle. Shuttle service is provided.
For all the latest news about the Farm Show, follow it on Facebook or click here. The show closes on Saturday, Jan. 17.
|
Defending Our Daughters: Make the Promise
Continuing our advocacy for fairness in women’s sports, I invite you to join the “Defending Our Daughters” campaign to show support for the Commonwealth’s female athletes.
All Pennsylvanians are invited to sign the “I Believe” promise to highlight the rights of girls to have a safe, fair and equal playing field; to compete to win games, championships and titles; to earn scholarships; and to have private locker rooms spaces, without males being present.
The promise also reinforces the shared responsibility of all Pennsylvanians, and specifically the state’s leaders, to get off the sidelines to protect and defend female athletes. Since 2020 in Pennsylvania alone, girls have lost medals or placements to boys in at least 66 separate instances – from swimming to fencing to track. That is unacceptable.
Majority House Democrats continue to play shell games with three bills that would address this issue by ensuring only biological females can compete in sports designated for women and girls. Let’s show them, and Gov. Josh Shapiro, that Pennsylvanians stand with our girl athletes.
Sign the “I Believe” promise at defendingdaughters.com or stop by my office for a hard copy.
|
Improving PA DUI Laws
Working to ensure repeat DUI offenders are held accountable, a new state law creates the offense of “DUI Following Diversion.”
Act 58 of 2025 applies to a person who is convicted of driving under the influence (DUI) within 10 years of completing an Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) for a DUI offense. The change comes in response to a Pennsylvania Supreme Court decision stating it is unconstitutional for a trial court to treat a defendant’s prior acceptance of ARD for a DUI as a “prior offense” for the purpose of imposing an enhanced sentence on a subsequent DUI conviction.
ARD is a longstanding and successful pretrial diversion program intended for low-level offenders with little or no prior criminal history but should not prevent the courts from holding repeat offenders accountable for their actions and protecting public safety.
|
High School Seniors Eligible for America250PA Scholarship
An application window is open for 25 scholarships of $10,000 each available to Pennsylvania high school seniors who will be attending a Pennsylvania college or university in the 2026-27 academic year. Recipients will be selected based on a demonstrated understanding of civic values as America marks 250 years of American independence.
The scholarships are available through the Semiquincentennial Scholarship Program. In addition, some educational institutions are offering to match America250PA scholarships with contributions up to $10,000. America250PA is Pennsylvania’s official commission to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States this year. It highlights how the Commonwealth helped shape American history and creates opportunities for residents to take part in this historic milestone.
More information can be found here. The deadline is Jan. 31.
|
Looking for Summer Work?
PennDOT is looking to hire college students to supplement its permanent workforce from May through August.
The job typically entails seasonal maintenance work, crash system input and analysis, and maintenance and custodial services at roadside rest facilities. Many students also perform laboring and flagging duties in maintenance organizations and at highway worksites.
To be eligible for consideration, candidates must be a Pennsylvania resident or currently enrolled full time or part time in a two-year degree, bachelor’s degree or advanced degree program at a Pennsylvania college or university. They also must be in good academic standing (as defined by a GPA of 2.0 or higher), and at least 18 years of age.
The hourly rate is $17.38. Interested applicants can apply online here.
Non-student summer positions may also be available.
|
More People Can Save Through PA ABLE
The PA ABLE Savings Program, which provides a tax-free way for people with disabilities to save, now has expanded program eligibility, allowing more Pennsylvanians to open a PA ABLE account.
Individuals can now open an account if their disability began before age 46. Previously, the disability must have occurred prior to the age of 26. The expansion is the result of a change in federal law.
Since 2017, PA ABLE has helped provide financial security for Pennsylvanians with disabilities. It allows people to contribute up to $20,000 annually without impacting eligibility for important disability benefits like Medical Assistance (Medicaid) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Savings can be used for a wide variety of disability-related expenses, and contributions can be deducted from PA state income taxes.
To learn more about saving with PA ABLE, visit paable.gov or call 855-529-ABLE (2253).
|
|
|
