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In this Update:

• Nearly $7.5 Million in Grants Announced for Local Water Infrastructure, Arts and Culture Projects
• Toys for Tots Gift Drive Delivers Hope to Children
• Bill to Combat Package Thefts Signed into Law
• New Law Gives Young Adults Strong Financial Literacy Foundation
• Sharing the Holiday Spirit with PA Veterans
• Driving Safely During Inclement Weather
• Merry Christmas to You and Yours

Nearly $7.5 Million in Grants Announced for Local Water Infrastructure, Arts and Culture Projects

Nearly $7.5 million in state grants have been awarded for water infrastructure, arts and culture projects in Bucks and Lehigh counties.

Five grants are being funded with money from the federal COVID-19 American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) that is disbursed through the H20 PA Program:

• The City of Allentown will receive $3 million to rehabilitate multiple sewer lines.
• Lehigh County Authority was awarded $1 million to install a pump station in Upper Macungie Township.
• Pennridge Wastewater Treatment Authority will receive more than $875,000 to upgrade its ultraviolet disinfection system at its West Rockhill Township wastewater treatment plant.
• Telford Borough Authority was awarded nearly $270,000 to extend sewer service along County Line Road in West Rockhill Township.
• North Whitehall Township will receive more than $325,000 for a stormwater improvement project.

Seven grants are being funded with money from the federal COVID-19 ARPA funds administered through the PA Small Water and Sewer (SWS) Program:

• Slatington Borough will receive more than $235,000 for a water main and service line replacement project.
• Dublin Borough was awarded more than $190,000 for a sanitary sewer lining project.
• Macungie Authority will receive nearly $425,000 to replace the water main on Buttonwood Street.
• Lehigh County Authority was awarded more than $385,000 to replace the sewer main and lateral pipes in its wastewater system in Heidelberg Township.
• Alburtis Borough will receive more than $190,000 for a water transmission and distribution project.
• Lower Macungie Township was awarded more than $165,000 to build a swale.
• Richland Township Water Authority will receive $500,000 to replace the water storage tank at the Richland Court well site.

Four grants are being funded with federal COVID-19 ARPA money that is being distributed through the PA Arts and Culture Recovery (PACR) Program:

• Lehigh County Historical Society was awarded more than $20,000 to offset operating expenses and pay for marketing services.
• Lehigh Valley Zoological Society will receive $95,000 for operating expenses and to establish new programs at the Lehigh Valley Zoo and market to visitors.
• Pearl S. Buck International was awarded nearly $55,000 to pay for a new marketing program.
• Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival will receive nearly $60,000 to offset lost revenue, cover operating expenses and pay for marketing services.

Learn more about these grant programs and how they work by reading the full article on my website.

Toys for Tots Gift Drive Delivers Hope to Children

Thank you to those of you in our community who participated in our Marine Toys for Tots Foundation toy drive. Our district office collected toys from various members of the community, including Brookwood Management Partners LLC, South Whitehall Township Commissioner Diane Kelly and the Office of the Pennsylvania Attorney General.

Toys for Tots is a wonderful organization that aims to deliver joy and hope to children whose families could use a little help for the holidays. The organization’s focus on spreading happiness and making a positive impact in our community is something everyone can support. We are blessed to live in a very generous community as these gifts will bring joy to a child’s heart and create a positive ripple effect in our area.

Bill to Combat Package Thefts Signed into Law

The Senate passed legislation to combat porch pirating – the theft of packages delivered to people’s homes – and it was recently signed into law.

Senate Bill 527, now Act 41 of 2023, implements specific penalties for theft of mail, which includes a package, bag or letter. In Pennsylvania, theft of mail is currently charged based solely on the value of the item taken.

According to Forbes, Americans spent $1.7 trillion shopping online since 2020 and nearly eight in 10 Americans have had a package stolen in 2022. Pennsylvania now joins eight other states ­that have already made porch pirating a felony.

New Law Gives Young Adults Strong Financial Literacy Foundation

Legislation to provide students with basic money management skills was recently signed into law. Specifically, it requires completion of a half-credit personal finance course to graduate high school.

Recent estimates calculate there are more than 350 million American-owned credit card accounts, and, on average, credit card owners have about four cards apiece. Families in the United States are approaching approximately $1 trillion dollars in credit card debt and more than $15 trillion dollars in debt overall.

The course will give high school students the understanding they need about topics like credit and credit scores; savings and investments; college, home and auto loans; and planning for postsecondary education and retirement.

Sharing the Holiday Spirit with PA Veterans

If you would like to support our veterans and military families this holiday season, making a monetary donation goes a long way toward helping the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs provide members, veterans and their families with essential programs and services that would not be available otherwise.

Donations can be made by mail or online. They are tax-deductible, and gifts of any amount are appreciated. Learn more about making a donation.

Driving Safely During Inclement Weather

Pennsylvania has nearly 40,000 miles of roads – which translates to 96,000 snow-lane miles – that must be maintained during inclement weather so people can travel safely.

The approximately 2,200 PennDOT-owned and rented plow trucks have in-truck technology that logs and shares data in real time so the public can monitor the routes of their interstate and expressway travels on www.511PA.com.

Of course, drivers should avoid the roads until they have been cleared, if possible. Anyone who must travel is urged to use extra caution by slowing down, increasing their following distance and avoiding distractions. Read more winter driving tips here.

Merry Christmas to You and Yours

This holiday season, I would like to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas. May you enjoy the real gifts of love, peace and happiness.

My district office hours may be limited due to the holidays. Please call ahead to be sure my offices are open.

Also, PennDOT Driver License Centers will be closed on Dec. 23 and 25 for Christmas, and on Dec. 30 and Jan. 1 for New Year’s. Customers may still obtain a variety of driver and vehicle products and services online through PennDOT’s Driver and Vehicle Services website.

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