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In this Update:
Honoring All Who Served on Veterans Day
Veterans Day is a time where we can appreciate and honor all the brave men and women who made the selfless sacrifice to serve our country. We also think of their families, who lived with the understanding that their loved ones could be in harm’s way and may not make it home. There were many events held this past week in our community, recognizing our local veterans for their invaluable contributions to our community and country and I was honored to attend a few of them. Last Friday, I spoke at Maple Point Middle School in Langhorne at their annual Veterans Day ceremony (pictures above), where the staff and students as always put forth a beautiful tribute to thank the veterans of their community. Not only did we honor and thank those brave men and women that were in attendance, but we remembered those of the Neshaminy Community that made the ultimate sacrifice serving our country to preserve our beloved American freedoms. Of those remembered were Ensign Sarah Mitchell, Staff Sgt. Jae Moon, and Corporal John Muffler – all who recently had local bridges dedicated in their memory so that their sacrifices are always remembered. I also had the opportunity to speak at Robert K. Shafer Middle School in Bensalem for their Veterans Day Assembly. The assembly began with the presentation of the American flag by the Bensalem High School MCJROTC students and included many moving speeches from local veterans. I applaud the work and dedication that went into the assembly from the staff and students at Robert K. Shafer Middle School to honor the veterans in their community. I was honored to be able to thank the veterans at the Jesse W. Soby American Legion Post #148 in Langhorne and the Warrington Veterans Affairs events on Monday as well. Celebrating Diwali
I was happy to join our local BAPS community for The Grand Annakut Darshan, a Hindu festival celebration that takes place on the day after Diwali, which marks the beginning of the Hindu New Year. I am pictured here with Dipant Patel at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Levittown. I presented a citation from the Senate of PA for the 50th anniversary of BAPS North America. SRA Bucks County Legislative Breakfast
Recently, I joined many legislators from across the county and members of the Bucks County Association of Realtors, for the SRA (Suburban Realtors Alliance) Bucks County Legislative Breakfast. We discussed the current housing issues, including affordable housing and first-time home buying and potential legislative solutions. As chair of the Urban Affairs & Housing Committee in the Senate, I have led on many of these issues. I am pictured here with SRA Vice Chair Kathie Ramer and SRA president/CEO Jamie Ridge. Giving First Responders More Support
We recently passed a law that will give first responders greater access to workers’ compensation benefits for a post-traumatic stress injury (PTSI). As a first responder myself, I was happy to join colleagues from both sides of the aisle working on this very important issue for the last several sessions. Firefighters, police officers, emergency medical technicians and paramedics will be entitled to benefits for psychological traumas resulting from their employment – even in the absence of physical injuries. To receive benefits, they need to be diagnosed by a licensed psychiatrist or psychologist. Previously, Pennsylvania law required a first responder to prove there were “objective abnormal working conditions” to establish a PTSI claim. This standard was often difficult to meet, considering the natural abnormal working conditions our first responders often face in doing their job. The men and women who chose this profession, whether volunteer or career, deserve our support when they face challenges from serving the public. I am pictured here with State Rep. Jennifer O’Mara (D), who serves Delaware County and one of the authors of the legislation, along with some of the first responder leaders in the Commonwealth. Seasonal PennDOT Jobs Open Now
PennDOT is hiring individuals for its winter maintenance program that runs until April 2025. The jobs pay from $17.00 to $27.75 an hour and could become a career. Roles include equipment operators, dispatchers, mechanics, tradesman helpers, semi-skilled laborers and tunnel maintainers. Job requirements vary based on position. Learn more regarding required experience, training and eligibility. Submit an online application. Call 855-524-5627 if you have trouble accessing your account. Home Energy Assistance Available
The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) for the 2024-2025 season is now open and accepting applications. This program provides financial assistance to eligible households to help cover heating costs during the winter. LIHEAP is a federally funded program that helps individuals and families pay their heating bills through home heating energy assistance grants. It also provides crisis grants to help in the event of an emergency or if a resident is in danger of losing his or her heat due to broken equipment, lack of fuel or termination of utility service. The application period is November 4, 2024, to April 4, 2025 for homeowners and renters meeting income guidelines. To apply or learn more about the program, please visit peco.com/liheap or www.compass.state.pa.us.
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