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Upcoming Holiday Hours
As the holidays are approaching, may our hearts be filled with gratitude for the many blessings we enjoy.
In celebration of the holidays and time with loved ones, our offices will be observing these adjusted holiday hours.
May peace rest upon your home and may joy fill your heart this season. Wishing you a blessed and Merry Christmas.
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Good News for Dairy Families, School Kids This Christmas
Christmas came early for our local dairy farmers and for children in our schools as the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act was just passed in the U.S. House of Representatives on Monday. Thank you to U.S. House Agriculture Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson for his persistence and leadership on this important legislation, and to President Donald Trump, a strong advocate for Pennsylvania farmers. A swift signing of this bill would be one of the best Christmas gifts our dairy farmers could receive.
So many of you participated in the Chocolate Milk Challenge to bring attention to the need to offer better milk options in schools, and your voices were heard. We have been working on this issue in Pennsylvania for years, and it is a huge win to see this effort advance in Washington.
When whole milk was removed from school cafeterias years ago, we lost a whole generation of milk drinkers. This legislation paves the way for whole and flavored milks – milks that our kids will actually drink instead of throwing in the trash – back in our schools. It’s a true win-win for our dairy farmers and our kids who will benefit from the high-quality protein, calcium, vitamin D and other valuable nutrients they can only get from dairy milk.
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Golden Anniversary
It is always a special treat when couples stop into the office and I have the opportunity to recognize them for their commitment to marriage, family and community.
Michael (Tim) and Diana Frazier were married in October 1975, after meeting during a blind date. Over the past 50 years their marriage has touched countless lives. Blessed with two children and five grandchildren, their love continues to set a beautiful example for those around them.
I always enjoy learning from couples who reach this milestone. When asked what has helped them through the years, they both agreed – patience and lots of communication. They shared that their marriage isn’t without its ups and downs, but choosing to support one another and appreciate each other’s interests has made all the difference. It was clear how much they genuinely enjoy spending time together.
Holidays hold a special place in the Fraziers’ hearts. They love hosting the entire family for Thanksgiving, a tradition they began early in their marriage. They laughed while remembering their first Christmas together – searching for the perfect Christmas tree, feeling the frustration of the moment and the tree being thrown to the curb, sharing a few tears, yet in the end creating a cherished memory they still laugh about today. However, they have since agreed that an artificial tree is much easier.
Congratulations on your Golden Anniversary! Wishing you many more years of joy, laughter and love!
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Energy Transfer Grant to Strengthen Local Fire Company
Pictured here: Justin Ulmer (Energy Transfer), me, Sen. Yaw’s District Director Matt Wise, Fire Chief Ray Miller, Josh Snyder (Energy Transfer), Fire Department Treasurer Jodie Bardo, Fire Department President Richard Bardo, and Bryan Savage (Energy Transfer).
Supporting our local fire companies is essential to keeping our communities safe. Last week, I had the privilege of attending the presentation of a $25,206.85 grant to Canton Fire Department from Energy Transfer, made possible through its First Responders Fund. This funding helped in the purchase of two new gear washers, an important investment that will help ensure firefighters’ equipment is cleaned properly and ready for action.
Energy Transfer, one of the nation’s largest and most diversified energy logistics companies, provides grants through a competitive application and review process to support the mission of first responder organizations like our local fire companies.
Grants like this strengthen our fire departments, improve emergency response, and enhance public safety for all who live, work and travel in our community.
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2025 Center for Dairy Excellence Grant Opportunities
The Center for Dairy Excellence has several grant opportunities currently open for PA dairy producers! The center leverages funds provided through the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to make these grants possible. Whether you're planning a project to boost milk production, seeking one-on-one consultation to support better decision making, or considering a major business transformation, there may be funding available to help.
Grants are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis - so don't wait!
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Mailing Delays from Some State Agencies
The Shapiro administration recently announced the termination of a vendor responsible for handling outbound mail from some state agencies. This vendor failed to deliver a significant volume of documents, and it remains unclear how many Pennsylvanians may have been impacted.
Among the affected agencies was the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), which indicated some invitations to renew driver licenses and vehicle registrations, driver license camera cards, vehicle registration cards and address update cards were delayed.
A new vendor has been hired, and all previously unsent mail should be delivered within 7-10 days.
If you are waiting for official paperwork from a state agency and believe your mail has been delayed, you are welcome to contact my offices. We may be able to assist in determining the status of missing materials or help facilitate communication with the appropriate agency.
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More Retirees Eligible for Reduced-Fee Vehicle Registration Next Year
The income eligibility limit for Pennsylvania’s reduced-fee Retired Status Vehicle Registration will increase next year due to a change in the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Currently set at $29,906, the annual income limit will increase to $30,778 effective Jan. 1.
Retirees who qualify pay $12 rather than the standard $48 registration fee.
Qualified applicants must be retired and receiving Social Security or other pension payments. Please note, 100% of a veterans' benefit payment or payment to the unmarried surviving spouse, upon the death of a veteran, should be excluded from the income calculation.
The applicant must be listed as an owner on the vehicle’s registration and only one vehicle per qualified applicant may be registered for the reduced fee. Qualifying vehicles must be a passenger car or truck with a registered gross weight of not more than 9,000 pounds.
A new state law I supported in 2024 increased the income eligibility rate by more than $10,000 for the current calendar year and directed the income limit be adjusted annually based on CPI.
Click here to learn more about the program or contact my offices for assistance.
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O, Christmas Tree!
State leaders, capitol staff and visitors of all ages gathered Monday for the official lighting of the Capitol Christmas tree! The 25-foot Douglas Fir comes from Crystal Spring Tree Farm in Carbon County and is adorned with 2,440 LED lights and more than 1,700 handmade ornaments created by children and senior citizens from across the Commonwealth. This is the tallest tree to grace the Capitol Rotunda in at least 10 years.
If you’d like to see it in person, the tree in the Rotunda will be lit daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. through Jan. 8. An additional tree, located outdoors on the Capitol steps, will be lit daily from 5 p.m. to midnight, also through Jan. 8.
If you can’t make it in person, you can check it out here!
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