Dear Neighbor,

I hope that you will join me in standing with the police, first responders, and people of York County in light of this week’s horrific attack on officers in their community.

This week I had the pleasure to join the Luzerne County Farm Bureau, its members, and fellow legislators for the Bureau’s Legislative Update at Smith Family Farm! As both a Luzerne County state legislator and Chairman of the PA House Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee, I appreciated hearing from farmers in our region about their concerns and how Harrisburg and Washington can better support them.

In addition to an engaging discussion, we were able to tour the beautiful and impressive operation at the Smith Family Farm – including a hayride! This farm is preserved under the Luzerne County Farmland Preservation Program, which administers funding provided by the state through the PA Department of Agriculture. The preservation program compensates farm owners for the purchase of the conservation easement to the property, limiting uses of the land to agriculture and related activities.

I’d like to extend my sincere gratitude to the members of the Luzerne County Farm Bureau, President Marty Smith and the Smith Family Farm for hosting such an engaging and enjoyable event. I also want to thank The Country Butcher Shop in Drums for providing delicious food for us all!

Under new federal rules, you may be required to work, volunteer, or participate in a training or education program for at least 20 hours per week and report your compliance to keep your SNAP benefits. These rules apply to SNAP recipients who:

• Are between 18 and 54 years old
• Do not have a dependent child under age 18
• Are considered physically and mentally able to work
• Do not meet certain exemptions listed on the DHS website

Starting November 1, the requirements are scheduled to expand to include adults ages 18 to 64 who do not have a dependent child under age 14.

For more details on the requirements, how to report compliance, and to find out if you qualify for an exemption, visit dhs.pa.gov/work.

Note: Your SNAP benefits will NOT change without direct notice from DHS. Make sure the agency has your current address on file. To report an address change, visit COMPASS here or contact the Luzerne County Assistance Office by calling 570-826-2100 or 866-220-9320.

September is National Suicide Prevention Month, and Pennsylvania’s Department of Military and Veterans Affairs is reminding everyone of the resources available for those in crisis or in need of additional support.

Veterans remain at an elevated risk of suicide — and one veteran suicide is one too many. The DMVA encourages everyone to reach out to the veterans in their lives and remind them that someone cares about and appreciates them, even if it has been a while since you last spoke.

If you are a veteran in crisis — or if you are concerned about one — free and confidential support is available 24/7. Call the Veterans Crisis Line by dialing 988, then press 1, or send a text message to 838255, or chat online.

Another resource available to veterans facing challenging times is VETConnect, an outreach program that connects veterans and their families with local resources to meet their needs when it comes to finding a place to live, finding a job, getting mental health support, and more. 

With Medicare Open Enrollment right around the corner, you may begin receiving notices in the mail outlining changes to your plan for 2026. As a reminder, the Medicare & You Handbook is available online at medicare.gov.

Carefully consider your options by reviewing your health and prescription drug needs to determine if your plan will continue to meet your needs in 2026.

Call PA MEDI, 1-800-783-7067, to schedule an appointment for free, personalized, unbiased and confidential Medicare insurance counseling.

To commemorate America’s 250th anniversary and honor Pennsylvania’s strong commitment to education, America250PA will award $250,000 in scholarships to deserving Pennsylvania students attending in-state colleges next school year.

Any Pennsylvania high school senior who plans to attend a college or university in Pennsylvania for the 2026–27 academic year may apply. Twenty-five scholarships, each worth $10,000, will be awarded.

Applications are due January 31. More details, including matching funds from partner institutions, can be found here.

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