Dear Neighbor,
I hope the new year is off to a good start for you and your family.
If you are struggling, please contact my office for any state-related help.
In this week’s e-newsletter:
- Office closed for MLK Day
- Secretary Kennedy’s new vaccine regulations will endanger lives
- Applications for home heating help
- Multimodal transportation grants available
- State grant program funding Available
- College Financial Aid Webinars
- 2026 Pennsylvania House of Representatives Legislative Fellowship Program
- Semiquincentennial scholarships for high school students
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Office closed for MLK Day
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Please note that my office will be closed on Monday, January 19 in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
We will reopen on Tuesday, January 20 for normal business hours.
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Secretary Kennedy’s new vaccine regulations will endanger lives
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As a state representative and nurse, I am deeply concerned that U.S. Health and Human Service Secretary Kennedy is endangering lives by changing the childhood vaccine schedule without any scientific justification. The United States is not Denmark—Denmark’s reduced vaccine schedule reflects stronger public health supports like paid parental leave, not concerns about vaccine safety.
We must protect Pennsylvanians from dangerous anti-vaccine ideology. The Pennsylvania House has passed my bills to preserve insurance coverage and pharmacy access to vaccines, and I urge the Senate to act to protect the health and well-being of Pennsylvania’s children.
RFK Jr. overhauls childhood vaccine schedule to resemble Denmark's in unprecedented move
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Applications for home heating help
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Applications for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program are available. Through the program, you can apply for a cash grant to help pay your heating bill—from $200 to $1,000 based on your household size, income, and fuel type.
For more information, click here. You can also contact my office if you need help applying for LIHEAP or need help with any utility-related issues.
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Multimodal transportation grants available
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PennDOT announced recently that they are accepting applications for a new round of Multimodal Transportation Fund (MTF) grants. Applications are due by February 13.
The MTF provides grant funding to municipalities, councils of governments, businesses, economic development organizations, public transit agencies, and ports and rail freight entities to improve transportation assets that enhance communities, pedestrian safety, and transit access.
More information about applying for the MTF grants is available by clicking here.
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State Grant Program Funding Available
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The latest state grant opportunities are available on my website! My office is happy to help connect you with government funding like this, so please reach out if you have any questions or need a letter of support.
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College Financial Aid Webinars
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Interested in attending college? Check out these helpful webinars.
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2026 Pennsylvania House of Representatives Legislative Fellowship Program
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Applications for the Summer 2026 Pennsylvania House of Representatives Legislative Fellowship Program are now being accepted.
Applications for the Summer Semester are due on Monday, March 2.
The Fellowship Program is based in Pennsylvania’s magnificent Capitol building in Harrisburg. Fellows are assigned to work in House standing committees or House leadership offices, are compensated for their work (which may also include college credit), and are provided the opportunities to draft and present their own legislation, attend meet-and-greets with various public officials and staff, and tour some of the Commonwealth’s historic public spaces, to name a few. The summer semester will run from Thursday, June 4 through Thursda,y August 6, 2026.
Qualified applicants will be:
- College undergraduate juniors or seniors, graduate students, or law school students;
- Enrolled in a Pennsylvania college/university, or a Pennsylvania resident enrolled in an out-of-state institution; and
- Pursuing any major with a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
If you know of any college students who would benefit from the Fellowship Program, please invite them to visit the website at: www.pahousefellowship.us. Applications can be submitted via email to: pahousefellowship@pabmc.net.
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Semiquincentennial scholarships for high school students
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In commemoration of America’s 250th anniversary and to honor the legacy of Pennsylvania’s strong commitment to education, America250PA will be awarding $250,000 in scholarships to deserving Pennsylvania students attending Pennsylvania colleges and universities in the 2026/2027 academic school year.
Who
Pennsylvania high school seniors who are planning to attend an accredited Pennsylvania college or university for the 2026/2027 academic school year.
What
Twenty-five $10,000 scholarships will be awarded throughout America250PA’s six designated regions.
Where
Any Pennsylvania college or university
• Up to 12 awards to any Pennsylvania community college
• Up to 13 awards to any Pennsylvania post-secondary college or university
When
Application: September 16, 2025 – January 31, 2026.
Review: February 1 – March 15, 2026
Notifications: By March 30, 2026
Public Announcements: Scholarships will be awarded in April 2026 for the 2026/2027 academic year.
Luncheon Honoring Awardees: Late April in Harrisburg
Learn more here: America250PA | Start Here, America Did!
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District Office
277 Scranton Carbondale Highway
(across from the Viewmont Mall)
Scranton, PA 18508-1111
(570) 562-2350
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Pennsylvania State Capitol
527-E Main Capitol Building
PO Box 202114
Harrisburg, PA 17120
(717) 783-4874
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