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2025-26 State Budget Completed
More than four months after the June 30 due date, the House, Senate and governor came together earlier last week to complete the 2025-26 state budget process. The final plan spends $50.1 billion, a cut of $1.4 billion from the governor’s original proposal back in February.
Beyond the numbers, the budget agreement makes several policy changes that will help set up the Commonwealth for success in the future:
• A major roadblock for the state’s energy industry is removed as Pennsylvania is officially withdrawn from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). Due to uncertainty and the threat of higher costs with RGGI, our Commonwealth has missed out on 22,000 direct energy-related jobs and nearly $8 billion in economic development. With this policy change, we will see more jobs, greater energy production, a more reliable electric grid and stabilized utility costs.
• Reforms to the state’s permitting process will enhance economic growth opportunities and increase our competitiveness while holding bureaucrats accountable. Key permits will be deemed approved if not reviewed and processed in a timely manner, and each state agency is required to establish a secure permit tracking system.
• An additional $50 million will increase the number of children in economically disadvantaged schools (EDS) who are eligible for assistance to go to the school of their choice through the EDS scholarship program. The budget plan also aims to boost literacy rates across the Commonwealth through the use of evidence-based reading instruction curriculum in schools, along with required screenings and reading intervention programs for any K-3 student who is identified as having a reading deficiency.
• Taxpayer dollars are protected and directed to those most in need through several initiatives to ensure the integrity of benefit programs such as Medical Assistance and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
• Taxpayer dollars will be returned to working Pennsylvanians through the Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed (ALICE) Tax Credit Program. The credit will equal 10% of their federal Earned Income Tax Credit.
No budget is perfect, and I would have preferred a lower amount of spending, but governing requires negotiation, especially in a divided government like ours. With the policies included in this budget agreement, we are poised to boost our energy industry, improve education and grow the economy for current and future generations.
With this year’s budget more than four months late, the process for next year’s plan is already underway. As always, we will be a strong voice for rural Pennsylvania.
Click here to learn more about the 2025-26 state budget.
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Change Makers
Last week, Develop Tioga hosted a beautiful event celebrating all the positives in and around our community at the annual Change Maker Awards Dinner. This event recognizes outstanding individuals and businesses who are making a difference in the Tioga community. Congratulations to all the award recipients for your dedication to serving our community and for making a difference in the lives of the people you serve. The contributions you make each day strengthen and enrich our community in meaningful ways.
Pictured from left to right:
Kelchner Award: Kristin Hamiliton – Executive Director, Develop Tioga
Community Impact Award: Second Chance Animal Sanctuaries, represented by Jim Howe and Sue Landry
Employer of the Year: Westlake Royal Building Products – Elkland, represented by Stu Landry and Paul Tharrett
Change Maker Award: Stephanie Jacobson-English – Elkland Recreation Authority
Excellence in Leadership Award: Elisabeth “Lis” Miranda – Blossburg Memorial Library
Excellence in Leadership Award: Elisabeth “Lis” Miranda – Blossburg Memorial Library
Best New Business Award: Up the Creek Farm Store LLC, represented by Chelsea Miles
Rundell Award: Trish Wilkinson – Chair of the Board, Develop Tioga
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Thanksgiving Meal to Support Tioga County Cancer Patients
The Humble Bumble Project is offering local cancer patients and their families a FREE holiday meal complete with all the traditional favorites. If you or someone you know is a Tioga County resident currently receiving active treatments, please contact the Humble Bumble Project by Saturday, Nov. 22, to request your meal.
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FREE Community Thanksgiving Meals
If you or someone you know is looking for a place to enjoy a Thanksgiving meal, here is a list of FREE community meals being offered throughout our area. These events are open to anyone who could use a warm meal and a welcoming place to spend the holidays. Thank you to our community members and volunteers who have come together to make sure everyone can enjoy a good meal this Thanksgiving!
Saturday, Nov. 22
• First Baptist Church, located at 122 Church St. in Westfield, will offer FREE take-out Thanksgiving meals from noon to 3 p.m. There will be no dine-in options this year, but delivery is available within an 8-mile radius of Westfield.
To request home delivery, please call 814-367-5315 or message the church’s Facebook page, by 8 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 21. Be sure to provide name, phone number, delivery address and number of meals needed. Deliveries will be made between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., and someone must be home to receive the meal.
Thursday, Nov. 27
• Holy Child Church, located at 242 S. Main St. in Mansfield, is offering a Thanksgiving meal with options for pick-up, dine-in, or delivery for homebound residents in Mansfield, Covington, and Blossburg. Meals can be picked up between 11-11:30 a.m. and dine-in will be available from noon to 2 p.m. Reservations are required by Nov. 21. Please call 570-552-3568. If no answer, please leave a message.
• First Baptist Church, located at 25 Central Ave. in Wellsboro, is offering a Thanksgiving meal for dine-in from noon to 2 p.m. Delivery is available by calling 570-724-4681 no later than Tuesday, Nov. 25. Be sure to provide name, phone number, delivery address and number of meals needed.
• The Knapp family welcomes everyone to Rosie’s Restaurant, 6 Wellsboro St. in Tioga, for a free Thanksgiving dinner from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. While the meal is offered at no cost, donations are appreciated and will go toward providing Christmas gifts for families in need.
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Improving Guardianship Law
A new state law aims to protect incapacitated Pennsylvanians by requiring courts to promptly conduct a hearing on any petition to modify or terminate guardianship.
This change recognizes the unfortunate truth that there are times when an individual’s appointed guardian exploits, neglects, abuses or otherwise fails to act in their best interests, and the family of that individual is compelled to petition the courts to modify or terminate the guardianship. To ensure timely and just outcomes for the individual and their family, the law requires such petitions to be heard within 30 days.
The law, Act 39 of 2025, will take effect in late December.
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Support for Family Caregivers
November is National Family Caregivers Month, a time to recognize the nearly one quarter (23%) of adults in Pennsylvania who are providing largely unpaid and unsupported care to older parents, spouses and other loved ones.
According to AARP, family caregivers provide $22 billion in unpaid care each year in the Commonwealth, helping family members live independently at home and in their communities. Caregiving duties may range from bathing and dressing to grocery shopping, meal prep, managing medications, arranging transportation and more.
Both new and experienced caregivers can find help and support through the PA CareKit, unveiled earlier this year by the Pennsylvania Department of Aging. It is available here.
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Go ‘Glamping’ in PA in 2026!
Love the outdoors but not into “roughing it?”
The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) recently announced it is teaming up with Timberline Glamping Company to offer “glamping” at eight state parks starting in 2026, including Tioga County’s beautiful Hills Creek State Park!
Each glamping site (short for “glamorous camping”) features safari-style tents with real beds, heat and air conditioning, lighting, décor and outdoor seating. Each park with glamping sites will include one ADA-accessible tent, ensuring access for all visitors. Add-ons – such as local experiences, firewood bundles, games and gourmet s’mores kits – are also available.
Learn more here.
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Oh, Say, Can You Sing?
The Pennsylvania Farm Show is less than two months away, and the Department of Agriculture is inviting Pennsylvania singers to enter “Oh, Say, Can You Sing?” a star-spangled sing-off to win a chance to sing live at the event.
Each morning, from Jan. 10-17, the Farm Show will start by featuring an individual or group singing the national anthem live. Top vote-getters may also be selected to sing at special events and competitions.
The contest is open to Pennsylvania residents of all ages, both individuals and groups, and the deadline for submissions is Nov. 24. For details, including how to enter, click here.
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Fall Driving Tips
Fall is well underway, and winter is just around the corner. PennDOT is reminding motorists that wet leaves, fog, sun glare and frost are a few driving hazards they will encounter this season. Weather conditions can be unpredictable in the fall and an increase in deer activity adds yet another danger to be aware of.
Here are a few steps drivers can take to help make their commutes safer:
• Increase your following distance in severe weather, at dusk and dawn, and when in an area with wet leaves. If you are being tailgated, let the other driver pass.
• Check your vehicle's headlights, taillights and turn signals to ensure they are working properly since darkness will be a part of many drivers’ morning and/or evening commutes. Make sure you turn on your headlights as the sunlight fades.
• Have your vehicle's heating and wiper systems checked to ensure they are working properly.
• Be sure you have tires with sufficient tread depth in case of an early season snow.
• Watch for deer. Autumn brings an increase in deer activity, and drivers are reminded to watch carefully for deer darting across and along roadways.
For more traffic safety information, click here.
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