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Capitol Report
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#Listrak\DateStampLong#
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The latest news from the State Capitol
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Please do not reply directly to this email, as it returns to an unmanned account.
You are welcome to contact me through this link.
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$1.33 Million Secured in Grant Funding to Benefit Our Communities
Over $1.3 million in Local Share Account (LSA) grants have been approved by the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) to support infrastructure improvements, public safety projects and workforce training across the 47th District.
These grants are funded through gaming revenues under Act 71 of 2004 and are used to support economic development, community improvement and public interest projects.
This funding will help our district address important needs and improve local infrastructure. I’m glad to see this gaming revenue come back to work for the communities that need it.
The approved projects are for:
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Conewago Township - $147,250. |
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Hellam Township Administration - $32,000. |
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Manchester Township on behalf of York Area United Fire and Rescue (YAUFR)- $450,000. |
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Springettsbury Township - $129,700. |
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Wrightsville Borough - Local Government - $171,948. |
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Wrightsville Borough Municipal Authority - $174,915. |
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York County Economic Alliance, on behalf of the Children’s Home of York (CHY)- $131,063. |
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York County Economic Alliance, on behalf of The Manufacturers’ Association of South-Central Pennsylvania- $90,350. |
To learn more about these projects, click here.
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New Straight to the Point Episode: COVID-Era Overreach 2.0?
Amidst the speculation around the governor's recent press conference and his Department of Human Services proposing new, invasive health regulations, I sat down with Rep. Mike Jones about this potential overreach and how it compares to six years ago. Click the links below to watch.
PART I: https://pagopvideo.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/105922353.mp4
PART II: https://pagopvideo.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/936865105.mp4
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Make Your Voice Heard by Sept. 21
I’m calling on the Shapiro administration to withdraw proposed Department of Health regulations reminiscent of COVID lockdown-era government policy that would infringe upon constitutional norms and civil liberties.
As proposed by the Pennsylvania Department of Health, the regulations would allow government officials to institute school or community mask mandates, enter private residences without warrants and seek private health information without consent. The department also would have the authority to enter any school building to interview a student of any age in private, without notification to the parent or guardian, to gather information for contact tracing and partner services. If you’d like to read the proposed regulations in full, they are available here for review.
Policies with such significant impacts on students, families and communities should be debated openly by the Legislature, not imposed through regulation. We learned important lessons about government overreach during COVID, and we should not repeat those mistakes.
You can join me by submitting your feedback.
These regulations have not yet been implemented and are currently before the Independent Regulatory Review Commission (IRRC). They are still open to public comments until Sept. 21.
Comment letters must be EMAILED to irrc@irrc.state.pa.us OR RA-DHCHAPTR27PROPREG@pa.gov.
Your email should reference the following in the subject line: Rulemaking #10-242: Communicable and Noncommunicable Diseases; IRRC #3490.
If the email does not have that subject line, the IRRC will not read your comments.
Go to my website at https://repjoed.com/comment to learn more.
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Upcoming Unclaimed Property Event
Did you know the PA Treasury keeps track of unclaimed financial assets such as lost paychecks, unused bank accounts and more? Many times, this property goes unclaimed because of simple mistakes, like misspelled names or out-of-date home addresses.
To see if you or a relative have unclaimed property:
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Come to my event on Friday, Oct. 9, any time from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at my district office. (Drop in/no appointment needed and no need to RSVP.) |
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Submit online at PATreasury.gov/Unclaimed-Property. |
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Call the Treasury at 800-222-2046. |
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Call my office at 717-840-4711 or use my website contact form for assistance. |
We’re here to help! This is money that already belongs to you — it’s time to get it back in your hands. Event attendees should bring their driver’s license/state ID and, if managing a deceased person’s unclaimed property, a death certificate.
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Key Dates for Upcoming Election
The 2026 General Election is coming up on Tuesday, Nov. 3. The ballot includes candidates for governor, lieutenant governor, U.S. House of Representatives, and state House and Senate (in even-numbered senatorial districts).
If you are not already registered to vote, the deadline to do so is Monday, Oct. 19. You may register in person at your county elections office, by mail or by visiting the state’s online voter registration website.
The last day to apply for a mail-in or civilian absentee ballot is Tuesday, Oct. 27. Completed ballots must be returned by 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 3.
For more information about voting in the Commonwealth, including how to check your registration and voting location, visit www.vote.pa.gov.
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PA March for Life Set for Sept. 21
Pro-life advocates from across the Commonwealth will gather at the state Capitol in Harrisburg Monday, Sept. 21, for the Pennsylvania March for Life. The day’s events kick off at 10 a.m. with a pre-rally praise and worship service, followed by the rally at 11 a.m. and the march at noon.
Scheduled speakers include former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum; Michael Geer, PA Family Institute; Dr. Monique Ruberu, OB/GYN and board member of 40 Days for Life; House Republican Leader Jesse Topper (R-Bedford/Fulton); Rep. Barb Gleim (R-Cumberland); Sen. Dawn Keefer (R-Cumberland/York); Pete DeMaio, Mission Love and Life; Pastor Matt Mylin, Worship Center; Brooke Nearman, PA Pregnancy Wellness Collaborative; and the most Rev. Nelson Perez, Archbishop of Philadelphia.
For more information about the event or to register to attend, visit www.MarchforLife.org/Pennsylvania.
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Attention Students: House Fellowship Program Taking Applications
The Pennsylvania House Legislative Fellowship Program is accepting applications for its spring 2027 semester.
The program is based at Pennsylvania’s Capitol in Harrisburg where fellows are assigned to work with House standing committees or 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.
Qualified applicants must 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 have a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
For more information or to apply, visit www.pahousefellowship.us. Applications can be submitted via email to pahousefellowship@pabmc.net. The deadline for applying is Oct. 1.
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$40,000 Grant Awarded to the York County History Center
I’m happy to share that the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) has awarded the York County History Center a $40,000 grant through the Cultural and Historical Grant Program. This program provides essential general operating support to Pennsylvania museums and historical societies not directly funded by other state initiatives, with awards determined by a formula based on each organization’s annual operating budget.
This investment will help ensure the York County History Center can continue preserving and sharing the rich history and legacy of our county.
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Sept. 21 Deadline Approaching to Apply for Fruit Grower Freeze Disaster Grants
The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture is offering up to $10 million in relief to Pennsylvania fruit growers whose crops were damaged by freezing temperatures between April 1 and April 21, 2026.
Eligible specialty crops that produced 30% less than expected due to freeze damage may qualify for this program.
For purposes of this grant, “eligible specialty crop” is defined as a pome fruit, stone fruit, grape, or berry grown in the Commonwealth.
The application deadline is Monday, Sept. 21, at 11:59 p.m.
Eligible growers are encouraged to review the program guidelines and application instructions before applying and submit their applications by the Sept. 21 deadline. That information and more is available here.
Send application electronically to RA-AGFREEZEREIMBURSE@pa.gov or via U.S. mail to the attention of Jake Tatge at the PA Department of Agriculture, 2301 N. Cameron St., Harrisburg, PA 17110.
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Grants for Dairy Producers Now Open
The Center for Dairy Excellence is now accepting applications for the Dairy Decisions Consultants (DDC) Grant Program and the Transition/Transformation Team Grant Program for the 2026-27 program year.
Dairy producers can utilize the grants to work one-on-one with professional consultants in one of seven strategic areas of business or form an advisory team to help create a transition plan or major business transformation plan.
Leveraging funds provided through the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and PA Dairymen’s Association, the grant program is now open with limited grants available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Farmers must complete an application and submit the required $100 application fee to participate in each program. Visit www.centerfordairyexcellence.org/grants to learn more and apply online.
Contact Melissa Anderson at 717-788-0296 or manderson@centerfordairyexcellence.org with questions about which grant might be the best fit for your operation
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Farmers, First Responders: Liquid Fuels Tax Applications Due Sept. 30
Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity is reminding farmers and first responders to submit their Liquid Fuels Tax applications by Sept. 30 for eligible purchases of unleaded gasoline and on-road, clear diesel used for machinery and vehicle operations.
Treasury’s Board of Finance and Revenue (BF&R) sent applications to eligible organizations – including farming operations, volunteer fire companies, ambulance providers and rescue squads incorporated as nonprofits.
Electronic applications and supporting documents, which are preferred, must be received by Sept. 30, and mailed applications and documents must be postmarked by that date.
To request a form or to file electronically, claimants can send completed forms and required documents to BFRLiquidFuels@patreasury.gov. Forms can also be uploaded directly on Treasury’s website, patreasury.gov/bfr. Treasury’s BF&R can also be reached by calling 717-787-6534.
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