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In this Update:
Gebhard Announces Nearly $5 Million in Gaming Revenue to Support 48th District
I was honored to work with my counterparts in the house to advocate and secure nearly $5 million in Local Share Account (LSA) funds from the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) this week. Under the Pennsylvania Gaming Act, Local Share Account funds are allocated to counties that host a casino to help offset its impact. In addition, the Statewide LSA Program uses proceeds from online gaming revenue to support projects of public interest across the commonwealth. I’m happy to have helped secure this funding, which will pay for most if not all these projects’ costs. We all depend on clean water, reliable sewer systems and strong public safety departments to keep our communities safe and healthy. You can see the full list of projects for Lebanon County here. You can see the full list of projects for Berks and Lancaster County here. The CFA was established in 2004 as an independent agency of the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development to administer the commonwealth’s economic stimulus packages. The Pennsylvania Race Horse Development and Gaming Act of 2004 provides for the distribution of gaming revenue through the CFA. In addition to LSA funding, I also helped secure $250,000 for Jackson Township through the Greenways, Trails and Recreation Program to support the development of Wheatland Woods Park. More information is available here. Align Pregnancy Services Tour
It was a pleasure to meet with the team at Align Pregnancy Services and tour their facility in Lebanon. They provide a wide range of compassionate support for women who are pregnant or may be pregnant, as well as for new fathers. Their services include free ultrasounds, pregnancy tests, and prenatal and parenting education and support. They have locations in Lebanon, Lancaster, Ephrata, and Columbia. Unfortunately, while I was there, my colleagues in the House passed a radical amendment that would make abortion up to birth a constitutional right in Pennsylvania. I am confident that this measure will not be supported by the Senate, and I remain committed to protecting life and supporting families across our Commonwealth. Congratulations to Conrad Weiser High School Boys Soccer Team!
It has been an outstanding season for the Conrad Weiser Boys Soccer team, as they captured the District 3 Class 3A championship for the first time since 2007. With an impressive 24-0-1 record, the team secured both the county title and the district title this year. I was honored to recognize these student-athletes and coaches with a Pennsylvania Senate citation and wish them the very best of luck as they continue their pursuit of a state championship. Successful Start for New Program Connecting Young Pennsylvanians to High Demand Careers
The first year of the Grow PA program to help connect young people to quality careers in Pennsylvania has been a tremendous success, according to statistics from the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA). The Grow PA Scholarship Grant Program was created by the legislature last year to help reverse the trend of young Pennsylvanians seeking education and job opportunities in other states. The program offers grants of up to $5,000 per year for in-state students who agree to attend college in Pennsylvania, pursue a degree in an in-demand occupation and work in that occupation in Pennsylvania after graduation. PHEAA reports more than 11,000 applications for Grow PA in the first year. More than 4,000 applicants have already received grants, and another 2,300 applications were approved through early December. The average award per student was $4,650. The top programs of study in the first year of Grow PA included registered nursing, early childhood education, business administration and management, biological sciences and accounting. Next year’s application period is expected to open in early February. Committee Examines CDLs and REAL IDs Being Issued to Illegal Immigrants
The Senate Transportation Committee held a public hearing to examine commercial vehicle safety and nondomiciled commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) following recent claims of CDLs and REAL IDs being issued to illegal immigrants. Pennsylvania law bans regular and commercial driver’s licenses for anyone unlawfully present in the commonwealth. Last month, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested an illegal immigrant from Uzbekistan wanted for belonging to a terrorist organization. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) issued him a CDL with a REAL ID indication in July. The committee examined commercial vehicle safety and nondomiciled commercial driver’s licenses with driving advocates, along with officials from PennDOT and the Pennsylvania State Police. You can view the hearing and read testimony here. Dec. 31 Deadline for Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program The deadline to apply for the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program is Dec. 31. Eligible residents could qualify for up to $1,000 (plus supplemental rebates for qualifying applicants). The program provides financial relief to older adults and people with disabilities who paid property taxes or rent in 2024. To qualify, applicants must be age 65+, widows/widowers 50+ or individuals with disabilities 18+, and their household income must be $46,520 or less (excluding half of Social Security income). Applications can be submitted online, by mail or in person, or by calling 1-888-222-9190 for assistance. My office is also available to help you apply for this rebate. Assistance Available to Help Rural Communities Fight Wildfires
State grants are available to volunteer fire companies to help protect rural communities from wildfires. Eligible applicants include local firefighting forces in rural communities with fewer than 10,000 residents. Funding can be used for training and equipment purchases directly related to fighting brush and forest fires. Recipients are selected based on vulnerability and adequacy of existing fire protection, with a focus on improving volunteer readiness and protecting lives and property in under-protected areas. Administered by the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), the maximum grant award in 2026 is $15,000 per fire company. Applications must be submitted electronically through DCNR’s grant website by Dec. 31. Happy Hanukkah
This week, Jewish families across our district are celebrating Hanukkah, the festival of light dating back more than 2,000 years, when the Jewish people won a battle against the Greeks to practice their religion freely. I wish everyone celebrating Hanukkah a time of warmth and appreciation with family and friends. Local Events
Saturday, December 20, 4-5:30pm: Winter Solstice Walk at Coleman Memorial Park Saturday, December 20, 10am-3pm: Santa’s Workshop Free Gift Wrapping Saturday, December 20, 10am-1pm: Santa’s House in Downtown Ephrata! Saturday, December 20, 9am: Kutztown Community Fire Company Santa Run Saturday, December 20, 8-2pm: Hamburg Christmas Marketplace Friday, December 19 & 20, 6pm-8:30pm: A Journey to Bethlehem Free Drive-Through Saturday, December 20, 10:30-11:30am: Gingerbread Build-Off Saturday, December 20, 12-6pm: Children’s Miracle Network Vendor Fair Sunday, December 21-30, 11am-5pm: Yuletide Around the World Holiday Display
*Please do not reply to this email, as that mailbox is unattended. To better serve the constituents of the 48th District, I have set up a contact form on my website. Please email cgebhard@pasen.gov if you would like to send me a message. If you are not already subscribed to this newsletter please sign up here. Follow me on Facebook, Twitter, or visit https://senatorgebhard.com/ |
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