|
| Mehaffie Message |
2023-24 Legislative Session Gets Underway
On Tuesday, I was honored to take the oath of office to begin my fourth term in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.
My priorities include enhancing early childhood education opportunities, supporting pro-business policies and initiatives that help those with intellectual disabilities, advocating for safe patient-to-nurse ratios at hospitals, and exploring new ways that shuttered power plants can be useful for Pennsylvania’s energy future.
I am ever mindful that we are sent to the Capitol to do the people’s work and state government works for the people.
To keep up to date with the all the latest news, be sure to follow me on Facebook and watch for my regular email updates. If you haven’t signed up to receive them, visit my website at RepMehaffie.com/email-signup to do so!
Also, all voting sessions of the House, as well as committee meetings, are streamed live at www.PAHouseGOP.com.
|
107th Pennsylvania Farm Show Starts Saturday
The Pennsylvania Farm Show – the country’s largest indoor agricultural exposition under one roof – kicks off this Saturday, Jan. 7, in Harrisburg. The show will run through Saturday, Jan. 14.
This year’s theme is “Rooted in Progress.” The show will feature hundreds of competitions and exhibits, as well as animals and products related to the state’s robust agriculture industry. The annual showcase is a family-friendly event with lots to see and do; and don’t forget to stop by the famous food court for a taste of some Pennsylvania cuisine.
Admission to the show is free, but parking is $15 per vehicle. The Farm Show is requesting credit or debit card payments for parking. Shuttle service is provided.
Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding is encouraging veterans and their families to visit the show Thursday, Jan. 12, for special events, including an Army-Navy Cookoff. Veterans can stop by Space #2208 in the GIANT Expo Hall to talked to an accredited veteran service officer.
For all the latest news about the Farm Show, follow it on Facebook or visit www.farmshow.pa.gov.
|
Londonderry Township Awarded Traffic Signals Grant
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) will distribute approximately $15 million in Automated Red-Light Enforcement (ARLE) funding to 32 municipalities statewide to fund 36 safety projects. This includes $32,421 for warning signals at the intersection of Colebrook and Schoolhouse roads in Londonderry Township.
State law specifies that projects improving safety, enhancing mobility and reducing congestion can be considered for funding. Municipalities submitted 151 applications, totaling $46 million in requests.
|
Updates Available from PHEAA
Students looking to have their 2023-24 PA State Grant eligibility reconsidered may need to submit a Student Special Consideration Form, available at PHEAA.org/Forms, with accompanying documentation to PHEAA by April 1, 2024.
The Financial Offer Letters and balances can be confusing, but there’s help. PHEAA offers webinars on these topics and PHEAA’s PA Forward Loan Program can assist with meeting the gap in aid to help families afford education. Share PHEAA.org/virtual and PHEAA.org/paforward with your student’s families to help ease the process.
The average net cost of attendance at public 4-year schools has declined to $19,250 for the current school year, after adjustment for inflation. Private nonprofit colleges also saw a decrease in their cost of attendance, falling to $32,800. A household’s share of student debt has also fallen as mortgage debt has outpaced student loan debt since the beginning of the pandemic.
The Pennsylvania Association for College Admission Counseling (PACAC) offers the PACAC Scholarship to high school seniors graduating from PACAC member schools, with the goal of supporting Pennsylvania students in their postsecondary educational goals. The selection criteria includes:
| |
• |
Academic performance, financial need & commitment to furthering postsecondary education |
| |
• |
Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 |
| |
• |
Students who work with an Independent Educational Consultant who holds PACAC membership may also apply. The application deadline is February 1, 2023. Four one-time, nonrenewable scholarships will be awarded: 1 for $1,500, and 3 for $1,000. For more information and an application, visit www.pacac.org/pacac-scholarship. |
Join PHEAA on January 18, 2023, as they discuss the FAFSA Simplification Act, which passed on December 27, 2020 as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021. PHEAA will provide an overview of the significant changes to the 2024-25 FAFSA and what these changes may mean for students and families when applying for financial aid. Register at PHEAA.org/virtual.
|
Enter the Litter Hawk Youth Award Program
Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful is accepting projects for the Litter Hawk Youth Award Program, a recognition program for students in kindergarten through 6th Grade, who complete a project specific to their grade level. Kids can participate individually or as part of a lesson initiated by schools, home-schools, scout troops, 4-H clubs, environmental clubs or other organized groups.
Two entries will be selected as winners in each grade level: kindergarten through fourth grade and grades 5 and 6. First place will receive a $50 gift card. First runner-up will receive $25 gift card. All participants will be recognized with certificates. The deadline to participate is January 31, 2023. Winners will be announced in April in time for Earth Day celebrations.
The Litter Hawk Youth Award program was created with funding provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. For more information, downloadable promotional posters and an online entry form, visit https://www.keeppabeautiful.org/grants-awards/awards/litter-hawk/. Additional questions can be answered by Michelle Dunn at mdunn@keeppabeautiful.org or 877-772-3673 ext. 113.
|
|
|