Senator Bartolotta E-Newsletter

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In this Update:

  • Taking Oath of Office to Continue Serving Residents of the 46th District
  • PA Farm Show Set for Jan. 7-14
  • Assistance Available for Organizations Aiding PA Veterans
  • New Initiative Supports County Home Repair Programs
  • Students Invited to Compete in Transportation Innovations Contest
  • Taking Time to Stand with Law Enforcement Officers

Taking Oath of Office to Continue Serving Residents of the 46th District

This week I took the oath of office to begin the 2023-24 legislative session and start my third term in office. I’ve also been elected by my colleagues to serve as the Senate Majority Caucus Secretary for this session and will oversee all executive nominations submitted to the Senate for confirmation. I’ll also coordinate the review of the background and experience of nominees and ensure proper documentation is submitted.

As the new legislative session begins, my focus is on bringing back jobs and restarting the economy. My other top priorities include workforce training, responsible government that effectively serves the people, adult education, helping veterans and improving access to high quality health care. I look forward to another four years of hard work to help not only the people of the 46th District, but all Pennsylvanians.

PA Farm Show Set for Jan. 7-14

The 107th Pennsylvania Farm Show – the largest indoor agricultural exposition under one roof in the nation – takes place this Saturday to Jan. 14 in Harrisburg. 

Admission is free. It features nearly 4,000 animals, 12,000-plus competitive events and exhibits, 245 commercial exhibits, and hundreds of educational and entertainment programs.

The visitor’s guide will help you plan your day, with information on hours, parking, exhibitors, food and more. For over a century, the PA Farm Show has celebrated Pennsylvania’s rich tradition of farming and agriculture’s key role in the state economy.

Assistance Available for Organizations Aiding PA Veterans

Nonprofits, veteran service organizations and county directors of veterans affairs have until Jan. 19 to apply for Pennsylvania Veterans’ Trust Fund grants for programs and services benefiting Pennsylvania veterans.

Grants will be considered in the following areas:

  • New, innovative or expanded programs or services operated by the county directors of veterans affairs or the Pennsylvania Association of County Directors of Veterans Affairs. The areas of emphasis for applicants in this category are veterans outreach, transportation services and homelessness. 
  • Veteran service organizations and nonprofit organizations with a mission of serving Pennsylvania veterans focusing on transportation services, behavioral health initiatives, homelessness, and employment and education. 

The Veterans’ Trust Fund is funded by Pennsylvanians who voluntarily donate when applying for or renewing driver’s licenses, photo IDs or vehicle registrations; purchase Honoring Our Veterans or Honoring our Women Veterans license plates; or make private donations.

New Initiative Supports County Home Repair Programs

County governments can apply now for funding through the Whole-Home Repairs Program, which will provide eligible homeowners and landlords across the state with critical home repair and weatherization assistance.

The new program aims to help low- and moderate-income homeowners and small landlords with needed repairs up to $50,000, fight blight, improve energy efficiency in homes and provide construction-related workforce development.

To apply for funding, counties or designated nonprofits must submit an application online through the state Department of Community and Economic Development’s Single Application for Assistance website by Jan. 31.

Students Invited to Compete in Transportation Innovations Contest

Students are invited to participate in the sixth annual PennDOT Innovations Challenge, which encourages students to use their problem-solving, creative and strategic-thinking abilities to resolve real-world transportation challenges in a competition among their peers.

For this year’s challenge, students are asked to develop ideas to help address the shortage of commercial truck parking along major interstate corridors in Pennsylvania. Trucks parking on highway shoulders and ramps is common during overnight hours and presents a significant safety issue.

The Innovations Challenge is open to all students in grades 9-12, regardless of their school’s learning model. Regional Innovations Challenge winners will be selected and invited to present their solutions to the PennDOT secretary and a panel of judges, who will determine the statewide cash prize winner. The submission deadline is Jan. 27.

Taking Time to Stand with Law Enforcement Officers

While lawmakers in Harrisburg and Washington, D.C. create laws, it’s police officers who risk their lives enforcing them. On Law Enforcement Appreciation Day this coming Monday, I hope citizens take a moment to reflect on the dangerous and sometimes thankless job performed by those who protect and serve our communities.

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