Senator Coleman E-Newsletter

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In this Update:

  • Unlock Your Property Tax/Rent Rebate!
  • Grow PA Scholarship Grant Program Now Accepting Applications
  • Strengthening Pennsylvania’s Economy and Creating More Jobs
  • Concerned About Winter Energy Bills? Call Utilities Now
  • The Dangers of Walking on Frozen Bodies of Water
  • Celebrating Presidents’ Day

Unlock Your Property Tax/Rent Rebate!

Do you qualify for a Property Tax/Rent Rebate or need assistance filing your Property Tax/Rent Rebate paperwork?

Stop by the Lutheran Church of the Holy Spirit, 3461 S. Cedar Crest Blvd. in Emmaus, on Wednesday, Feb. 25, between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., and my staff can help you with all your PTRR needs.

If you’re interested in attending, you can find out more information and register here.

Should you not be able to attend this event, we will be hosting additional pop events over the next few weeks which you can view here.

My office is partnering with the United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley, River Crossing YMCA and the Bucks County Opportunity Council to offer these assistance hours for our local seniors and residents with disabilities who can benefit from this rebate.

Grow PA Scholarship Grant Program Now Accepting Applications

Eligible Pennsylvanians can now apply for a Grow PA Scholarship Grant for the 2026-27 academic year. Applications are available at pheaa.org/growpa.  

This program offers grants of up to $5,000 per year for in-state students who pursue a degree or certification in an in-demand occupation and administered by the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA).

Courses of study that qualify for the grant include agriculture, computer science, business, education, special education, STEM education, engineering, nursing, allied health, criminal justice and other programs as approved by PHEAA. The full list is available here.

To qualify, applicants must submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as well as agree to live and work in Pennsylvania in that occupation after graduation for 12 months for each year they received the grant.

Please note: Applicants who received this grant last year MUST reapply to receive the grant again for the upcoming academic year.

Strengthening Pennsylvania’s Economy and Creating More Jobs

As we prepare to examine Gov. Josh Shapiro’s new state budget proposal, one of the things I’ll be most focused on is improving our state’s economy and laying the groundwork to allow businesses to create more family-sustaining jobs. Over the past several years, we’ve steadily improved the tax climate in Pennsylvania by, for example, reducing the corporate net income tax, which used to be second-highest in the nation.

We’ve also positioned Pennsylvania to be a national leader in the emerging field of drone research and deployment, protected seasonal workers from unemployment compensation benefit cuts (UC), improved the systems for training barbers and cosmetologists, and much more.

One of the most important things we can do to make our state’s economy work better is to enact a state budget that includes responsible state spending. We must also take steps to make Pennsylvania a better place for entrepreneurs to start and grow their businesses, bringing more jobs to the commonwealth and strengthening our communities.

Concerned About Winter Energy Bills? Call Utilities Now

January and February are usually the months when home energy bills tend to peak, due largely to increased heating demand.

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission encourages consumers who are concerned about their utility bills to call their utility company to discuss available options. Utilities can help customers explore payment arrangements, budget billing and assistance programs that may help manage winter energy costs before a bill becomes unmanageable.

Utility representatives can also help direct consumers to additional state and local resources. Read more about reducing energy use and how to find help with bills here.

The Dangers of Walking on Frozen Bodies of Water

Cold weather means more frozen bodies of water and the risk that comes with walking on them, especially rivers and streams.

The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission offers this safety advice:

  • No ice is considered “safe” ice. There is no official authority that measures ice thickness.
  • Never go out on ice alone.
  • Never walk on ice that has formed over moving water such as a river or stream.
  • The PFBC recommends a minimum of 4 inches of ice for walking onto the surface of a lake or pond.
  • Always wear a life jacket or float coat while on the ice. (Inflatable life jackets do not perform well in freezing temperatures.)
  • Survey the ice and listen for loud cracks or booms, which are signs of deterioration.

Look for new ice, which is clear or has a blue tint, and remember that ice thickness is not consistent across the surface of a lake or pond. Learn more about ice fishing and ice safety, including an ice thickness and safety chart, here.

Celebrating Presidents’ Day

Monday is Presidents’ Day, a federal holiday that began as a celebration of George Washington’s Feb. 22 birthday and was expanded to cover Abraham Lincoln’s on Feb. 12.

While it’s now considered an occasion to honor all the nation’s chief executives, the first and 16th presidents hold a special place in the hearts of Americans. General George Washington led the Continental Army and became the nation’s first president, stepping aside after two terms.

President Lincoln guided the country through a horrific Civil War, holding the United States together when victory was not assured, and setting the tone for unity by declaring “malice toward none.”

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