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Dear Neighbor,
I hope October is off to a great start for you! I love breathing in the crisp fall air and watching the leaves change colors.
As always, I want to keep you up to date on events in the district and in Harrisburg through my weekly e-newsletter:
- Upcoming Events: My Oct. 9 $CAM JAM, Oct. 28 Medicaid Town Hall, Nov. 6 PTRR Office Hours
- In the District: Lancaster, the Capital of the U.S. (for a day); Patients ‘R Us; and Teachers of Tomorrow
- At the Capitol: Opening Prayer and Legislative Update
- Beware, Seniors! Signs of Contractor Fraud
- State Grant Program Funding Available
- Registration for Toys for Tots is NOW OPEN!
- America250PA Semiquincentennial Scholarship Program
- National Civics Bee Applications Available
- Coats for Kids
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Upcoming Events
Have you RSVP’d to My Oct. 9 $CAM JAM?
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In partnership with the PA Department of Banking & Securities, I’m hosting a $CAM JAM event from 10 a.m. to noon this Thursday, Oct. 9, at Calvary Homes by Tandem Living, 502 Elizabeth Dr., Lancaster.
As scammers become increasingly technologically savvy, the best way to protect yourself from crime and fraud is through education.
My $CAM JAM event is a fun and engaging way to learn how to spot and avoid common scams and frauds. Representatives from the PA Department of Banking & Securities will lead this interactive event, teaching you how to protect your money from financial fraud and abuse.
Attendees will also have the chance to play Fraud BINGO, with opportunities to win prizes!
RSVPs are required as spaces are limited. Please call my office at (717) 295-3157 or email RepRivera@pahouse.net to reserve your seat.
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Medicaid Town Hall--October 28
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My office and Rep. Izzy’s office will be co-hosting a Medicaid Town Hall on Tuesday, October 28, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at J.P. McCaskey High School Cafeteria, 1051 Lehigh Ave., Lancaster. Join us to learn about changes to benefit programs, share your concerns, and brainstorm community solutions! Please RSVP by signing up at tinyurl.com/49-96-TownHall, calling our office at 717-295-3157, or emailing us at RepRivera@pahouse.net.
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Property Tax/Rent Rebate Office Hours at Lancaster Public Library – November 6
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The Dec. 31 deadline to apply for the 2025 Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program is coming up fast. My office and Rep. Izzy’s office are co-hosting office hours to assist individuals with completing their applications on Thursday, November 6, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., at the Lancaster Public Library, 151 North Queen Street, Lancaster.
If you are unsure of what documents may be needed or have other questions, please contact our offices at: reprivera@pahouse.net or (717) 295-3157
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Lancaster has a remarkable history, and I was proud to join the Lancaster chapter of the Sons of the Revolution at their annual ceremony in Penn Square to commemorate that historic day—248 years ago—when the Second Continental Congress fled the advancing British troops in Philadelphia and brought their session to Lancaster. On September 27, 1777, we served as the nation’s capital for a day.
Click on the image below to hear my remarks.
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Our community is truly fortunate to have Dr. Sharee Livingston among us—an OB-GYN, co-founder of the Diversifying Doulas Initiative (DDI), and founding board member of Patients R Waiting. It was wonderful visiting PRW’s Black Doctor Factory headquarters in Lancaster and meeting the medical professionals involved in Dr. Livingston’s 9th annual Diversity in Medicine Conference. Trailblazers like Dr. Livingston and Dr. Hamblin help bring our community closer to eliminating health disparities by increasing diversity in medicine.
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One of the aspects of my job that I love most is the opportunity to speak with residents about legislation that impacts their lives. Last week, I had the pleasure of speaking with student teachers in Dr. Marian Pontz’s class about legislation affecting public education in the Commonwealth. A huge thank you to everyone!
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Last week, I was honored to deliver the Opening Prayer before the House of Representatives and to have the chance to acknowledge my daughter, Itzia, who just became a U.S. citizen! I am so proud to honor her and all immigrants who built this country with their hands, minds, and hearts. May we always welcome others with compassion.
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My Legislation to Protect Minors from
Sexually Explicit AI Deepfakes
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Last week I returned to Harrisburg.
We’re still waiting on the Republican-controlled Senate to pass the budget. Our schools, municipalities, and social services are struggling because they don’t have the funding needed to operate in the new fiscal year.
Despite the Senate’s lack of leadership, my House colleagues and I have continued to fulfill our duty by passing important bills that help our neighbors and strengthen our communities:
- Protecting consumers: We required disclosure of flood-related risk factors during the homebuying process (HB 1704); mandated that companies collecting personal information electronically take steps to protect that data from breaches (HB 997); established the Landslide and Sinkhole Insurance Program (HB 589); and strengthened consumer rights regarding personal data, requiring certain businesses to protect consumer privacy and limit the collection of consumer information (HB 78).
- Protecting communities: We closed loopholes in our laws by expanding background checks for the purchase of long guns (HB 1593).
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Beware Seniors! Signs of Contractor Fraud
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Many contractors see Pennsylvania’s nearly 2 million senior residents as ripe for construction fraud.
Construction/contractor fraud, or home improvement fraud, includes overpayment for home construction projects, incomplete work or damaged property.
Watch out for these signs of contractor fraud: demands for upfront payment, scope creep, shoddy or non-existent work, altered invoices, and high-pressure sales tactics.
To protect yourself and your finances, keep these things in mind when hiring a contractor:
- Get several bids on your home repair to make sure you aren’t overpaying for work.
- Carefully verify contractors’ backgrounds. All contractors must display their official registration number on all contracts, estimates, proposals, and advertisements distributed within the Commonwealth. To verify, call toll free 1-888-520-6680.
- Be wary of online ads and social media claims as scammers use fake reviews or PO boxes for their listed addresses to build trust.
- Make sure the contract is in writing. Go here for a list of what must be included in the contract.
- Carefully review the contract with another person. If you have questions, consult a contract attorney to review the terms with you before signing.
If you have any reason to suspect contractor fraud, report it!
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State grant program funding available
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The latest grant opportunities from the state have been released! My office is happy to connect you with government funding opportunities like these, so please reach out if you have any questions or need a letter of support.
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Registration for Toys for Tots is NOW OPEN!
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Families who need a little extra help this holiday season can sign up today to receive toys for their children. Register early to secure your spot!
Please make sure you read the updated information about applying before you register.
Click here to register: https://lancaster-pa.toysfortots.org/local-coordinator-sites/lco-sites/local-toy-request-single-form.aspx or contact our office to sign up.
Help us spread the word by sharing this post so that every child has the chance to experience the joy of Christmas morning.
Our office is one of many Toys for Tots drop-off locations throughout Lancaster County. Toys can be dropped off at our office Monday–Friday, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. If you’re looking for a location closer to you, please visit the following website Home - Toys for Tots for other locations.
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America250PA Semiquincentennial Scholarship Program
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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 planning to attend a college or university in Pennsylvania for the 2026–27 academic year is eligible to apply. Twenty-five scholarships of $10,000 each will be awarded.
Applications are due January 31, 2026. More details, including matching opportunities from partner institutions, can be found here.
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National Civics Bee Applications Available!
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The Lancaster Chamber of Commerce is proud to once again serve as a regional host for the National Civics Bee®, an initiative that encourages middle school students to explore the importance of civic engagement and deepen their understanding of how our government works. This competition provides a unique opportunity for students to become more active, informed members of their communities and potentially earn recognition and cash prizes—including $100,000 in a 529 education savings account—along the way.
The National Civics Bee® is open to all 6th-, 7th-, and 8th-grade students across Pennsylvania. To enter, students must submit a short essay responding to a civics-related prompt. The application portal is now open, and the deadline to submit is February 3, 2026. Participation is free.
Finalists from the Lancaster regional competition will advance to the 2026 Pennsylvania State Finals, with the chance to compete nationally in Washington, D.C.
Students ready to participate can submit their application here!
Interested in volunteering as an essay judge, supporting a student project, or giving as a corporate sponsor? Contact Kat DeSantis at kdesantis@lancasterchamber.com!
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The Salvation Army will be hosting its Coats for Kids event in partnership with WGAL. Please visit their Facebook page or scan the QR code on the flyer for registration and more information.
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Pennsylvania State Capitol
109A East Wing
PO Box 202096
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2096
(717) 787-3555
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District Office
1560 Lititz Pike, Suite 2
Lancaster, PA 17601
(717) 295-3157
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