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In this Update:
Power Northwest Launch
It was great to join business and civic leaders in Hermitage for the launch of Power Northwest following U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick’s Energy & Innovation Summit. Northwest Pennsylvania has the assets — from energy and AI to national defense and life sciences — but we have to advocate for ourselves and compete for those opportunities. I’m proud to stand with this 10-county coalition as we work together to ensure Erie, Mercer, Crawford, Warren, Forest, Venango, Clarion, Butler, Beaver and Lawrence counties aren’t left behind. If we’re going to secure long-term growth and good-paying jobs, we must step up, think big and seize this moment for Northwest Pennsylvania. How I Can Help
If you or someone you know is having trouble accessing state programs or services, or if you have questions about a law or government program and aren’t sure where to turn, my team and I are here to help. We can guide you through the process, connect you with the right resources, and provide support on a wide range of issues to make things easier for you. Hearings on Proposed State Budget Set to Begin
Senate hearings begin next week on Gov. Josh Shapiro’s proposed 2026-27 state budget, a plan that spends too much and steers the state ever closer to a massive tax increase. The Senate Appropriations Committee will question department heads as we seek to reduce the size of the $53.3 billion spending plan that would increase spending by $2.7 billion – a 5.4% increase. It would take $4.6 billion out of the state’s Rainy Day Fund, which is made up of emergency reserves that protect against future tax hikes. The committee begins two weeks of hearings on Monday. I’ll post recaps of each week’s hearings in this e-newsletter so you know what’s being planned for your tax dollars. Preventing Food Allergies and Cutting Costs for Taxpayers
Making preventative supplements available to families could prevent more than 80% of peanut and egg allergies and save taxpayers millions, according to testimony given at a Senate Majority Policy Committee public hearing. Approximately 1.3 million Pennsylvanians are afflicted with a food allergy. One expert testified the rate of children with a food allergy has grown by 50% over the past 20 years, with rates of peanut and tree nut allergies rising by 300%. The average cost of a child with a peanut allergy is more than $7,200 per year. Among the topics discussed was legislation that would require no-cost health insurance coverage for early peanut and egg introduction dietary supplements for infants. Video of the hearing and written testimony can be viewed here. Free Webinars Help Families Plan for Higher Education
For students and parents needing help with college financial aid, the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency offers free webinars on applying for aid and reviewing offers, options for non-traditional students and other important topics. Upcoming webinars include:
Check the full list here for dates and times. The page includes past webinar recordings for topics you might have missed. Avoiding the Emotional and Financial Toll of Romance Scams
Valentine’s Day is behind us, but romance scammers never go away. You can help yourself or a loved one avoid heartbreak and serious financial loss by knowing the warning signs. These scammers research a target’s social media to gather personal details, allowing them to mirror interests and build trust. According to state Attorney General Dave Sunday, common romance scammer behavior includes:
Consumers who feel they may have been victimized by this or any other scam may submit a complaint to the Bureau of Consumer Protection, email scams@attorneygeneral.gov or call 1-800-441-2555. Snowmobiling Opportunities in State Parks and Forests
For wintertime fun, our state parks and forests offer thousands of miles and hundreds of acres of designated snowmobile areas. Snowmobile trails are open until April 1 or earlier as determined by the district forester or park manager. It depends on having enough snow on the ground, so check the trail conditions page before you head out to see if trails are open and ready for riding. Riders must stay on roads and trails marked open for snowmobiles. Some trails used for snowmobiling may be open to vehicular traffic. Snowmobilers may also ride on state game lands on designated snowmobile areas, roads and trails.
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