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In this Update:
Veterans Breakfast Club Celebrates 15th Anniversary
Congratulations to the Veterans Breakfast Club on their 15th anniversary! I was thrilled to see such a wonderful turnout at their event, featuring keynote speaker and Vietnam Veteran Rocky Bleier, and several WWII veterans who shared their stories. I also had the honor to present director Todd DePastino with a proclamation to celebrate. Thank you, Todd, and the entire VBC team for your tireless efforts to honor our local veterans, and thank you to all who have served. It was a privilege to celebrate with everyone.
Funding Secured for Spencer Family YMCA in Bethel Park
I was delighted to secure funding for the Spencer Family YMCA in Bethel Park! This funding from the PA Department of Community and Economic Development supported the purchase of their new Zamboni and electric edger, locker room tile upgrades, ice rink safety nets, and other building upgrades. I enjoyed a great visit to their facility with the Bethel Park Hockey Team and had a lot of fun test driving the Zamboni!
Marine Corps Celebrates 248th Birthday
The United States Marine Corps celebrated its 248th birthday on Friday, Nov. 10! I had the privilege to serve three combat tours as a Marine and was so pleased to introduce Senate Resolution 201 which honors and commemorates this important birthday in our nation’s history. Currently, about 200,000 Marines are serving on active duty, and 40,000 are in the reserves, many of whom reside and serve in Pennsylvania. I am glad to have so many of my Senate colleagues sign onto my resolution and celebrate every one of these brave men and women who work tirelessly to keep our country safe. $900 Million Moved to PA’s Rainy Day Fund
Thanks to the disciplined spending of Senate and House Republicans, nearly $900 million was transferred to Pennsylvania’s Rainy Day Fund. The transfer was the third largest in the state’s history. The fund, which exceeds $6.1 billion, provides protection from economic downturns and other unforeseen circumstances. It shields Pennsylvanians from being subjected to a tax increase at a time they would already be struggling financially. Having a healthy Rainy Day Fund has also improved the state’s rating with the nation’s major credit rating bureaus. Moody’s Financial Services and S&P Global Ratings both affirmed the commonwealth’s bond rating and revised the state’s long-term outlook from stable to positive in September. Are You Owed Unclaimed Property?
The Pennsylvania Treasury Department is currently holding more than $4.5 billion in unclaimed property, with about one in ten residents eligible to recoup that property. Unclaimed property includes dormant bank accounts, uncashed checks, insurance policies and contents of forgotten safe deposit boxes. The amounts can range from a few dollars to a few thousand dollars, with the average value of a claim being about $1,600. To find out if you or a member of your family is entitled to unclaimed property, please visit www.patreasury.gov. Unclaimed property can now be returned via direct deposit, and the process can be further expedited if the claimant provides their Social Security number when filing a claim. Because all property will be returned free of charge, there is no need to pay a private service to submit a claim. Medicare Beneficiaries: Get Free Health Benefits Counseling
The open enrollment period for Medicare beneficiaries is active now until Dec. 7. Any new coverage selected or changes to existing benefits will take effect Jan. 1, 2024. During open enrollment, new Medicare beneficiaries can sign up for Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage and health plans to complement Medicare, and current Medicare beneficiaries can review and join, switch or drop Medicare Advantage or Prescription Drug Coverage so that it better meets their needs. To help Medicare beneficiaries understand their options, the Pennsylvania Department of Aging offers free, objective health benefits counseling through Pennsylvania Medicare Education and Decision Insight (PA MEDI). Available at Pennsylvania’s 52 Area Agencies on Aging, PA MEDI counselors can assist Medicare beneficiaries with plan comparisons, help with enrollment in a new plan and evaluate eligibility for any of Pennsylvania’s Medicare cost-savings programs. Learn more here. Recognizing Outstanding Pennsylvania Educators
Pennsylvanians are encouraged to nominate their favorite teacher to be the commonwealth’s 2025 Teacher of the Year by Friday, Dec. 15. The Teacher of the Year Program celebrates excellence in teaching and honors individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the young people of Pennsylvania. The state’s 2025 Teacher of the Year will be announced at an awards ceremony in early December 2024 and will represent the commonwealth at various local, regional and national functions culminating in the National Teacher of the Year ceremony at the White House. Nominate your favorite teacher here. Heating Assistance Program Open Now
Residents struggling with their home heating bills may 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. The income eligibility guidelines for LIHEAP are $21,870 for an individual, $29,580 for a couple and $45,000 for a family of four. Find limits for other family sizes here. Residents may apply for LIHEAP online or by contacting their local county assistance office. Slow Down, Stay Alert for Deer
As the fall breeding season for deer is in full swing, it is more important than ever to slow down and remain alert for activity. This is particularly important in the commonwealth as Pennsylvania drivers unfortunately face one of the highest rates nationwide of vehicular accidents involving a big game animal, like deer: a 1-in-59 chance. Drivers can reduce their chance of collisions with deer – and the associated injuries and property damage – by staying alert and better understanding deer behavior. Deer often travel in groups and walk in single file. If one deer crossed the road in front of a driver, another could be right behind it. A driver who hits a deer with a vehicle is only required to report the accident to the Game Commission within 24 hours if the deer dies and the Pennsylvania resident wishes to keep the carcass. To do so, they can call 1-833-742-4868 or 1-833-742-9453. An agency dispatcher will collect the information needed to provide a free permit number. To report a dead deer for removal from state roads, motorists can call the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation at 1-800-349-7623. Upcoming Senior Fair
I’m looking forward to participating in this upcoming senior fair with Representative Anita Kulik at the Collier Township Community Center on Thursday, November 16th. This is another excellent opportunity for seniors to learn about the services available to them from state and local agencies. I look forward to seeing you there. Happy Diwali
Diwali marks the beginning of the Hindu New Year and signifies the triumph of good over evil. Wishing a wonderful, joyous holiday to all who celebrate! Honoring the Sacrifices of Our Veterans
Today, Nov. 11, is Veterans Day, when we take time to reflect on the bravery of the men and women who served our country in the U.S. Armed Forces. Because they were willing to put their lives on hold to defend our great country, we enjoy freedoms many other people can only imagine. To support our veterans, just this year alone Senate Republicans passed bills to create a logo promoting veteran-owned businesses, establish the Veteran-Owned Business Loan Guarantee Program, provide educational support for children of National Guard and Reserve members, exempt disabled veterans’ benefit payments from income calculations for any commonwealth program or benefit and modernizes the way fishing licenses are issued for disabled veterans and military personnel. Additionally, I proudly prime sponsored legislation to honor veterans of Afghanistan, Wreaths Across America, Purple Up for Military Kids, POW/MIA Recognition Day, provide for disabled veteran hunting permits, blind/amputee/paralyzed veteran pension programs, Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm, Anniversaries of Iwo Jima, Operation Iraqi Freedom and An-Nasiriyah, and Month of the Military Child. In honor of the holiday, my offices will be closed on Friday, Nov. 10, and reopening to serve constituents on Monday, Nov. 13.
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