Dear Neighbor,

This week I’ve been in Harrisburg with my colleagues as we work with the Senate and Gov. Josh Shapiro to pass a 2025-26 budget. While we don’t know what the final product will look like yet, I want to assure you that I’m fighting for a budget that improves the lives of residents in Luzerne County by boosting investments in public education, economic development, public safety and health care access.

Stay tuned for updates and information as the budget process progresses!

The Pennsylvania Treasury recently announced that the second round of Pennsylvania Money Match checks, totaling more than $9.2 million, have hit Pennsylvanians’ mailboxes and are encouraging folks to cash them. Pennsylvania Money Match is a program that allows Treasury to return certain unclaimed property to rightful owners automatically, which was approved unanimously by the General Assembly and signed by the Governor last year.

This second round of Pennsylvania Money Match includes 39,045 checks, totaling $9.2 million in returned unclaimed property. Money Match checks will be sent quarterly. The next batch, which will include about 40,000 letters, will go out in August. Treasury plans to return $30 million through Pennsylvania Money Match in 2025. 

Pennsylvania Money Match authorizes Treasury to automatically return single-owner properties valued at up to $500 after a thorough identification and verification process. At least 14 other states have successfully implemented similar programs.

Please note that Pennsylvania Money Match does not apply to claims for properties valued above $500 or those that have multiple owners or other complexities. Those claimants will still need to file a claim and provide any required documentation. Anyone can search online at patreasury.gov/unclaimed-property or contact my district offices to schedule a time for us to help see if PA has any of your unclaimed property!

As the co-chair of the Pennsylvania Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus, I’d like to remind hunters that hunting and furtaker licenses for Pennsylvania’s 2025-26 seasons are now on sale!

This year, all Pennsylvania residents are guaranteed to get an antlerless license for the Wildlife Management Unit (WMU) of their choice, so long as they buy it by 7 a.m. on Monday, July 14, the day license sales open to nonresidents.

That’s three full weeks for resident hunters to find a convenient time to buy and avoid waits.

Learn what else is new this year and how to get your license by clicking here.

The Area Agency on Aging for Luzerne and Wyoming counties is currently distributing the annual Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) vouchers provided by the United States and Pennsylvania Departments of  Agriculture. They have also added new dates for July, which are listed above.

Please remember, the Area Agency on Aging is asking that residents to check for updates on their website regularly, by clicking here. Due to delays and federal funding, the number of vouchers provided to each agency has been reduced and will be distributed on a first come first serve basis.  Vouchers will only be given out in person and no applications will be accepted.

To be eligible for this program, you must meet all three requirements below:

• Be a resident of Luzerne or Wyoming County.  
• Be at least 60 years of age by Dec. 31, 2025.
• Meet income guidelines based on 2025 Total Household Income: (All income is included, i.e. Social Security, Pension, Unemployment Compensation, interest on Savings, Veterans payments, Public Assistance, Child support, Annuities, Net Rental income, Wages).

The 2025 household income eligibility is:

• 1 Person/Household – $28,953 or less.
• 2 People/Household – $39,128 or less.
• 3 People/Household – $49,303 or less.
• 4 People/Household – $59,478 or less. 
• 5 People/Household – $69,653 or less.

Any questions, please call any of the Luzerne County Active Adult Centers or Area Agency on Aging at 570-822-1159.

PHEAA is giving away $2,500 no essay scholarships to12 lucky winners through its PA Forward and Keystone Student Loan Programs!

The scholarship sweepstakes is for college students, graduate students and their parents for the 2025-26 academic year who opt in to receive communications from PHEAA between June 5 and Dec. 15. The communications are designed to provide students and families with tips on planning and paying for college.

PA Forward's scholarship is open to PA residents only; Keystone’s scholarship is open to DE, MD, NJ, OH, PA, VA, and WV residents.

To enter the PA Forward scholarship sweepstakes, visit pheaa.org/ss, or visit keystonestudentloans.org/ss to enter the Keystone scholarship sweepstakes.

College students: here’s an opportunity to gain real-world experience, education, and insight into the people, issues, and politics that shape Pennsylvania’s legislative process.

The Pennsylvania House of Representatives Legislative Fellowship Program is now accepting applications for the Fall 2025 semester.

Fellows work full time in Harrisburg at the state Capitol, where they’re placed in House Standing Committee or Leadership offices. The program is paid, may count toward college credit, and includes chances to draft legislation, attend events with lawmakers and staff, and explore public service up close.

Applications are due July 1, 2025. To learn more about eligibility and how to apply, click here.

If you’re a school bus driver and your hours drop during summer break, please take a look at this website from the PA Department of Labor & Industry for unemployment compensation information and resources.

Did you know my website has a list of open state grant programs that you or your organization may be eligible to apply for funding? Check it out here and contact my office if you need more information about a program or assistance with your application.

Let us continue to work together to build a stronger and safer America by searching for the TRUTH and finding the FACTS to guide our words, and our actions. Please, STAY STRONG and SAFE! Our democracy needs us to come together for the good of all.

Sincerely,

Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski

121st Legislative District