Dear Neighbor,
Happy New Year! I hope 2026 is off to a great start for you and your family!
In this e-newsletter:
- Nearly $1.4 million to replace Ash Street Bridge
- It’s time to raise the minimum wage
- Applications open for home heating help
- PA ABLE expands eligibility, opening savings opportunities for more Pennsylvanians
- Multimodal transportation grants available
|
PA's Minimum Wage: It’s time for a raise!
|
Our neighbors in New York and New Jersey are getting a minimum wage hike- but not Pennsylvania.
Despite claims that employers will “run for the border” if Pennsylvania raises its minimum wage, all our neighboring states have each increased the minimum wage since 2009.
It makes you wonder where these employers are going to run to?
A strong economy is built on a fair day’s pay for a hard day’s work. House Democrats have repeatedly passed bills to boost Pennsylvania’s minimum wage, but they are continuously killed by Senate Republicans.
Send a message to the state’s Senate leadership to raise the minimum wage here.
Enough is enough. Our neighboring states are leaving the commonwealth in the dust. It’s past time Pennsylvania raises the minimum wage.
|
Applications open for home heating help
|
Applications for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) are now open. Eligible households may receive a cash grant of $200 to $1,000 to help pay heating bills, depending on 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.
|
PA ABLE expands eligibility, opening savings opportunities for more Pennsylvanians
|
The PA ABLE Savings Program has expanded eligibility, allowing thousands more Pennsylvanians with disabilities to benefit from a tax-free way to save for their future. Individuals are now eligible to open a PA ABLE account if their disability began before age 46 -- an increase from the previous age limit of 26 -- making this a significant and impactful change.
Since its launch in 2017, PA ABLE has helped people with disabilities build financial security without jeopardizing essential benefits such as Medical Assistance (Medicaid) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Participants can contribute up to $20,000 annually, use funds for a wide range of disability-related expenses, and deduct contributions from Pennsylvania state income taxes.
Currently, more than 11,500 Pennsylvanians have saved nearly $185 million through PA ABLE, with many more now eligible due to the expanded age limit. To learn more, visit paable.gov or call 855-529-ABLE (2253).
|
Multimodal transportation grants available
|
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 port 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.
|
District Office
277 Scranton Carbondale Highway
(across from the Viewmont Mall)
Scranton, PA 18508-1111
(570) 562-2350
|
Pennsylvania State Capitol
527-E Main Capitol Building
PO Box 202114
Harrisburg, PA 17120
(717) 783-4874
|
|
.png)
.png)
