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In this Update:
Do You Have Unclaimed Property?
With the Pennsylvania Treasury holding more than $4.5 billion in unclaimed property, my team and I are partnering with Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity and her office to help District 25 residents to determine if they have unclaimed property and, if so, help them claim it. On Thursday, Feb. 15, from noon until 4 p.m., a Pennsylvania Treasury Department representative will be conducting a free Unclaimed Property Clinic at the Heritage House, 4 Sylvania Street, Brookville, PA 15825. Unclaimed property can include dormant bank accounts, abandoned stocks, uncashed checks, saving bonds and other tangible assets such as collectible coins, sports cards, jewelry, military medals and antiques. More than one in ten Pennsylvanians is owed unclaimed property, and the average claim is worth about $1,600. During the last fiscal year, ending June 30, 2023, the Treasury Department returned the most unclaimed property ever in a single year – almost $274 million. Again, the fundamental reason my office is hosting this Unclaimed Property Clinic is to reconnect the citizens we serve with any money or other assets that rightfully belong to them. Best of all, you do not need to hire or pay anyone to make your claim. We always stand ready to assist you in navigating thru the entire unclaimed property process as this is already a free legislative service offered during regular district office hours. Individuals who wish to search the unclaimed property database on their own may do so at www.patreasury.gov. For more information or to RSVP for the Unclaimed Property Clinic on Feb. 15, please contact my Brookville district office at 814-646-7272. Kane VFW Post 1132 Celebrates 100th Anniversary
On Jan. 27, Rep. Marty Causer (R-67) and I had the privilege of attending the 100th Anniversary celebration for Kane VFW Post 1132 which was chartered on Jan. 29, 1924. We also presented House and Senate citations to Post Commander Dave Swanson and State Commander David “Spike” Gyger. One personal note from this “grizzled” veteran, Commander Gyger fulfills a large role in helping homeless veterans, so much so that he has slept alongside many of them out on the streets. I know this because I served with Spike in the193rd Special Operations Wing of the Pennsylvania Air National Guard. Commander Swanson was also presented with the American Post Commander Award in recognition of his outstanding leadership which contributed to Kane VFW Post 1132 receiving the All-American Post Century Award. Kane VFW Post 1132 continues to go above and beyond the call of community service by supporting the Kane youth baseball team, purchasing body cams for the Kane police force and donating to Tunnel to Towers to place Killed in Action (KIA) monuments at Memorial Point in Evergreen Park. Another example demonstrating the tremendous generosity and community impact of Kane VFW Post 1132 occurred when the remains of a MIA Korean War veteran from Mount Jewett were recently identified and returned home. Kane VFW Post 1132 funded the Patriot Riders, and the motorcycle led procession to this honored veteran’s final resting place was over a mile long. Thank you all for your service. Here’s to another 100 years of supporting our hometown military veterans and our communities! We do not forget! Saluting Jefferson County Sheriff Gotwald on Well-Deserved Retirement
Commemorating an outstanding law enforcement career spanning more than three decades of dedicated service, on Jan. 30, I had the honor of participating in the retirement ceremony for Jefferson County Sheriff Carl Gotwald. Sworn in with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office as a special deputy on May 10, 1992, Carl served as a part-time deputy before accepting a full-time position in 1995. In 2004, Carl was appointed Chief Deputy, and he was sworn in as Sheriff in 2008. Pictured with me (from left to right) is current Jefferson County Sheriff Sam Bartley, Carl Gotwald, Sen. Joe Pittman (R-41) and Rep. Brian Smith (R-66). Thank you, Carl, for your 31 years of protecting and serving our local communities. Best wishes for a healthy and happy retirement! Get Your State and Federal Government Questions Answered on Thursday, Feb. 8
Congressman Glenn “GT” Thompson and I are pleased to announce our upcoming Cameron County area satellite office hours. On Thursday, Feb. 8, team members from both offices will be available from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Cameron County Chamber of Commerce, 34 East Fourth Street, Emporium, PA 15834. This is your opportunity to get important state and federal government questions answered at one location. No appointments are necessary. For further information, contact my Smethport district office at (814)-734-2785. Improving Pennsylvanians’ Experiences by Increasing Broadband Access
Federal grants are available to improve the experiences Pennsylvanians have at medical care facilities, schools and libraries. The Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority’s Capital Projects Fund allows for investment in high-quality broadband infrastructure as well as other connectivity infrastructure, devices and equipment. The $45 million of competitive grants can be used for community projects to construct, acquire or improve facilities that will enable work, education and health monitoring. Grants will be awarded in amounts ranging from $250,000 to $2 million. Apply online through April 20. While the grant funding was awarded through a federal program, it supports Senate Republicans’ priority of infrastructure advancement. PA VETConnect Helps Veterans Access Programs and Services
Because of legislation supported by Senate Republicans, PA VETConnect makes it easier for Pennsylvania’s 700,000 veterans to access the programs and services available to help them. Administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, PA VETConnect benefits service members, veterans and their families. The database of resources enables local veteran advocates to point veterans to information, resources, programs and services in their area and across the commonwealth. Resource areas include benefits, employment, financial assistance, post-traumatic stress, mental wellness and substance use. Protecting PA’s Local Governments from Cyberattacks
This week, as a member of the Senate Local Government Committee, I participated in a joint hearing with the Senate Communications and Technology Committee to examine cybersecurity threats faced by local governments and municipal authorities. Recent cyberattacks targeting the Bucks County emergency dispatch system and the Aliquippa Water Authority highlight the vulnerability of Pennsylvania’s more than 2,500 local governments and authorities. Based on the evidence presented and my military experience with safeguarding classified information programs, I strongly believe these cyberattacks are a real danger to local, state and national security. While exposure of residents’ personal information is a serious concern, these attacks can also interfere with ways people satisfy basic needs, such as the delivery of clean drinking water to their homes and being able to call for help in the case of an emergency. Learn more from the cybersecurity experts and local government officials who took part in the hearing.
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