View this email in a browser

Click here to find the latest information on coronavirus from the Pennsylvania Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

 Updates

 PA Senate convenes this week….Stream Maintenance Package on Environmental Committee agenda for Tuesday at 9:30AM.

On Wednesday, the Center for Rural Pennsylvania Board of Directors will hold a public hearing on youth mental health and Pennsylvania rural schools to highlight some of the challenges Pennsylvania rural school leaders face in addressing the growing mental health crisis among youth.

The application period is open for water and sewer projects across the Commonwealth.  Specifically, $214.4 million was directed to the H2O Grant Program and $105.6 million was directed to the Small Water and Sewer (SWS) Grant Program.  The application period closes December 21^st.  Awards are tentatively scheduled for July of next year.

PHEAA urges student loan borrowers to beware of student loan forgiveness scams.

Promoting Pennsylvania Agriculture

On Oct. 7^th, I held my third regional meeting to discuss the future of Pennsylvania agriculture.  Held at the Endless Winds Fire Hall in Shunk, Sullivan County, the discussion was designed to listen to concerns and answer questions on how to improve agricultural conditions throughout Pennsylvania.  It also included a discussion with PSU Extension staff.  The event welcomed members of our agriculture community, FFA and 4-H students from Athens and Northeast Bradford School Districts, as well as our Dairy Royalty – Sullivan County Dairy Princess Lynsay Trostle.

Voter Registration Deadline is Oct. 24

 Monday, Oct. 24 is the last day to register for the Nov. 8 general election.

You can submit your application:

• Online
• To your county voter registration office.
• By mail to your county voter registration office, received by Oct. 24.
  (Click here to download a blank voter registration form.)

If you are on active duty in the military, or you are a hospitalized or bedridden veteran, you can register at any time. See www.fvap.gov for more information.

Polls are open on election day from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. The last day to request a mail-in or absentee ballot is Nov. 1. If you have any questions, you can call 1-877-VOTESPA (1-877-868-3772).

Civic Engagement Discussion Held at Lycoming College

I recently had the pleasure of speaking with students at Lycoming College who are enrolled in the fall Civic Engagement class taught by Dr. Angela Kurtz. The class is not only engaged in academic coursework, but is also taking part in the All In Voter Challenge, a national challenge to encourage colleges and universities to increase voter registration and voter participation amongst their student body. During my time with the class, we discussed the importance of voting and being engaged in your community. I also stressed the importance of being an informed voter, no matter your political affiliation.

Protecting Yourself from Cybercriminals

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, a good time to brush up on the tips for staying one step ahead of criminals intent on stealing your personal information and committing other online crimes.

There are four easy ways to protect yourself online: 

• Think Before You Click: If a link looks a little off, think before you click. It could be an attempt to get sensitive information or install malware. 
• Update Your Software:If you see a verified software update notification, act promptly and turn on automatic updates.
• Use Strong Passwords:Use passwords that are long, unique and randomly generated. Use password managers to generate and remember different, complex passwords for each of your accounts. A passwords manager will encrypt passwords, securing them for you.
• Enable Multi-Factor Authentication:You need more than a password to protect your online accounts, and enabling MFA makes you significantly less likely to get hacked.

You can find more detailed information on these and other cybersecurity issues in this Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency public toolkit.

Families Can Begin Applying Now for 2023-24 College Aid

PA college students have left millions of dollars in aid on the table by not completing their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Families can get a head start on the 2023-24 FAFSA now.

The FAFSA is an application required to apply for federal student aid such as federal grants, work-study and loans to help pay for college. To apply and qualify for a Pennsylvania state grant, learners must have their FAFSA on file as well.

The high school class of 2021 left behind an estimated $3.75 billion in Pell grants nationwide by not completing the FAFSA – dollars that students do not have to repay. The General Assembly approved a $220 million increase in funding for higher education institutions in the 2022-23 state budget.

Medicare Open Enrollment Begins, Free Insurance Counseling Available

The annual open enrollment period for Medicare beneficiaries begins Oct. 15^th and ends Dec. 7^th.

Pennsylvania Medicare Education and Decision Insight (PA MEDI) provides free and objective information about Medicare Advantage Plans, prescription drug plans and Medicare Supplement plans to help Medicare beneficiaries compare plans and determine what best meets their needs. This work is done with the help of nearly 650 volunteers across the commonwealth.

You can learn more about PA MEDI counseling or becoming a volunteer on the Department of Aging’s website or by calling the PA MEDI Helpline at 1-800-783-7067, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Older adults can also call your Area Agency on Aging.

Statewide Litter Clean-up Efforts Underway

The annual Pick Up Pennsylvania fall campaign is underway and runs through Nov. 30. Individuals, families, neighbors, students, civic organizations and local governments are invited to participate in this anti-litter effort.

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation spends nearly $14 million a year cleaning up litter along state roadways. This money could be better spent on maintaining and improving our transportation network.

Residents can use this Events Calendar to join Pick Up Pennsylvania cleanup events in their community. Those who’d like to register their own local cleanup event can do so at Organize an Event. Registered events are provided with free trash bags and gloves.

2024 © Senate of Pennsylvania | https://www.senatorgeneyaw.com | Privacy Policy