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In this Update:
Grant Resources for Our Communities
This week, I was proud to host a Municipal Leaders Grant & Resource Workshop focused on helping local governments, nonprofits and community partners better navigate state and federal funding programs. Representatives from key agencies shared valuable information about available grants, technical assistance and strategies to strengthen applications. When our municipalities are equipped with the right tools and resources, our entire region benefits. PA Property Tax/Rent Rebate Help
My team set up in the UPMC Health Plan Neighborhood Center on East Ave to help residents file their PA Property Tax/Rent Rebate applications. We were glad to see so many people take advantage of this in-person assistance! We’ll have more opportunities coming up to provide help right in your neighborhood. If you weren’t able to stop by this week, mark your calendar for our next visit on 3/31. Don’t leave money on the table, let us help you get your rebate filed. Investing in Erie’s Airport and Economic Growth
I appreciate the update from the Erie Regional Chamber & Growth Partnership and the Erie International Airport on the Fly Erie Fund and efforts to improve airport operations. A strong airport drives economic growth. That’s why I’ve sponsored the AIR Act to ensure our airports have recurring revenue, so we don’t fall behind other states. More flights and more opportunities mean we must continue investing in our infrastructure. Supporting Our Teens at the YMCA
Great visit to the Downtown Teen Center at the YMCA of Greater Erie! The Y is doing incredible work for our community’s young people, offering a safe place after school, mentoring and leadership programs, academic support, and ways to stay active and engaged. For many teens, this center is more than just a building — it’s a vital support system. 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. Key Points from This Week’s Senate Budget Hearings
Efforts to trim the governor’s $53.3 billion proposed state budget – which would spend $2.7 billion (5.4%) more than the current budget – got underway this week with Senate budget hearings. Members of the Senate Appropriations Committee focused on containing the growing cost of Medicaid and other entitlement programs and how to identify and eliminate fraud during the hearing with the Department of Human Services, the highest-spending agency in the state budget. The department requests a 6.6% increase for 2026-27. The committee also questioned officials from the Department of General Services (DGS) and the Pennsylvania State Police about missing revenue, funding projections, cracking down on new, more sophisticated fake IDs and more. DGS seeks an 11.8% spending increase for 2026-27 and the State Police’s proposed budget is more than 9% higher than the current fiscal year. You can go here to find recaps of every budget hearing, plus video and a schedule of remaining hearings, which run through March 5. Hearing Explores Ideas to Combat State Housing Crisis
Efforts to make housing more attainable for working families were reviewed during a Senate hearing with local government officials, housing advocates, builders and developers. The Senate Majority Policy Committee heard how housing shortages drive up costs for Pennsylvanian families and stall economic growth. Among the solutions explored were infrastructure partnership programs to help lower upfront development costs, state tax credits, development incentives and bond financing specifically targeted to middle-income housing development, and more. Forming a robust strategy to increase housing supply, lower costs and stimulate economic activity is a key focus for the Senate this year. Video of the full hearing and written testimony can be viewed here. Share Your Thoughts with the Highway Safety Survey
Pennsylvania motorists have until Saturday to provide input on traffic safety and driving behaviors through an anonymous online survey. The aim is to understand attitudes on state Department of Transportation safety measures and reduce crashes and fatalities. The survey takes about five minutes to complete. The number of people who lost their lives on Pennsylvania highways decreased to 1,127 in 2024, the second lowest since record keeping began in 1928. While 2025 fatality data is not yet complete, preliminary numbers indicate crash fatalities have again decreased. Record-Breaking Unclaimed Property Returns to PA Residents
Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity announced that the Pennsylvania Treasury Department returned more unclaimed property in 2025 than ever before: $334.1 million. Unclaimed property can include dormant bank accounts, abandoned stocks, uncashed checks, and more. Property is always available for the rightful owner to claim. Tangible property – often the contents of forgotten safe deposit boxes – may be auctioned after three years, but proceeds remain available to claim perpetuity. Among the reasons for the record property returns was the General Assembly’s passage of a law that allows Treasury to automatically return unclaimed property valued up to $500. In the program’s first year, nearly $50 million was returned this way. To see if any unclaimed property is available for you, visit patreasury.gov/unclaimed-property. Saturday is School Bus Driver Appreciation Day
School bus drivers play a critical role in the safety and well-being of students, but shortages of these vital workers can disrupt schedules and learning. Thank you to all the men and women performing this critical task in our area. Individuals interested in becoming a school bus driver can visit the commonwealth’s Become a School Bus Driver webpage or the School Bus Hero website to learn more.
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