Dear Neighbor,

This week, State Reps. Carol Hill-Evans, Tina Davis, Kyle Mullins, and I held a news conference at the state Capitol to unveil a House resolution designating September 15–21, 2025, as Diaper Need Awareness Week in Pennsylvania.

Diaper need is often a hidden crisis affecting many families in the U.S., forcing parents to make difficult choices between buying diapers and paying for food or rent. Diaper Need Awareness Week is a vital opportunity to shed light on this issue and rally our communities to support the health and dignity of every baby and caregiver.

According to the National Diaper Bank Network, one in two families struggles to provide enough diapers to keep their children clean, dry, and healthy. Nearly one in four parents report missing work or school because they cannot afford the diapers required to place their child in childcare.

For older adults, the need is just as urgent. Adult incontinence products can cost up to $1,000 annually and are not covered by Medicare or many private insurance plans. According to the Western Pennsylvania Diaper Bank, adult diapers cost nearly three times more than infant diapers, placing a significant strain on seniors with low or fixed incomes.

In addition to the resolution, we also launched the 11th annual Capitol Diaper Drive, which runs through Friday, Oct. 3. Bins for new, unopened infant diapers and adult incontinence products are available for public donations in the Main Rotunda, East Wing Rotunda, and outside participating House offices. Locally, residents are encouraged to drop off diapers at my district offices if they wish to contribute.

Scammers are sending fake texts pretending to be from the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue, trying to steal your personal information by promising a refund. Don’t fall for it.

Important Reminder: The Department of Revenue does NOT send unsolicited text messages requesting your banking information or Social Security number.

If you receive a suspicious text message:

• Do not click any links
• Do not reply
• Delete it immediately

If you have questions or want to report a scam, contact the Department of Revenue at 717-425-2495, Ext. 72267.

Stay safe and help spread the word!

The Federal Shutdown took effect at midnight on October 1 and could impact a wide range of programs and federal government offices. Please see the chart above for more information.

The Office of the State Fire Commissioner is accepting grant applications from fire companies and EMS squads for a wide range of purposes. Grants may be used for facility improvements, equipment purchases, debt reduction, training, education, and recruitment and retention efforts. Grant amounts range from $2,500 to $20,000 per fire company and up to $15,000 per emergency medical service.

The application deadline is October 20, 2025. For more information, visit the Office of State Fire Commissioner Website.

Pennsylvania’s PACE and PACENET programs help qualified residents aged 65 and older access prescription medications at lower costs. These programs work alongside Medicare Part D and other drug plans—such as those offered through retiree plans, employers, Medicare Advantage, and Veterans’ benefits—to reduce your out-of-pocket medication expenses.

For more information about these programs, you can visit this website or contact my office.

Autumn is here and I wanted to share news that will make planning your fall outings easier and more enjoyable. The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) is launching a redesigned weekly fall foliage report that began recently.

The report will be posted every Thursday during peak foliage season with regional updates, photos, and expert tips to help you find the best places to enjoy Pennsylvania’s autumn colors.

The State Museum of Pennsylvania is hosting a free Virtual Archaeology Month series every Friday in October. Each 20-minute lunchtime session will highlight current work in Pennsylvania archaeology and explain efforts to preserve our cultural heritage. Registration is required for each program.

Sessions begin at 12:15 p.m. and include a short Q&A. You can register and find more information at https://statemuseumpa.org/pa-archaeology/

My apologies to Dr. Andrea McClanahan, Professor of Communication at East Stroudsburg, whose name was omitted in last week’s Week in Review, in the picture above with President Long in the story about my legislative fellowship.

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