|
Dear Neighbor,
I hope to see you at the rally to increase funding for Lancaster’s transit system this Tuesday, Dec. 9 at 10 a.m. We need your support!
|
|
|
|
In this e-newsletter, I share with you information I hope you find helpful:
- Upcoming Events: Transit Rally (Dec. 9), SCTA Open House (Dec. 9), and PUC Hearing on PPL Rate Hikes (Dec. 11), Farewell Drop-In (12/29)
- Invaluable Lessons in Clean Energy
- In the District: Look for the Helpers and Learning about Women’s Health
- Home Heating Help Available
- Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program Deadline is Dec. 31
- Unclaimed Property
- TSA $45 Fee Option for Travelers without REAL ID (starts Feb. 1)
- Older Driver Safety Awareness
- State Grant Program Funding Available
- Community Resources
The House will return to voting session later this month. When not in Harrisburg for committee meetings and legislative session, I am in the district attending local events and serving residents alongside my dedicated staff at my local office at 1560 Lititz Pike in Lancaster. Our doors are open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. You also can reach us by phone at 717-295-3157 or by email at RepRivera@pahouse.net.
I look forward to seeing you at the rally this Tuesday and around Lancaster in the coming weeks!
|
|
|
|
Lancaster Transit Rally – Dec. 9
|
|
|
|
PUC Hearing on Proposed PPL Rate Hikes – Dec. 11
|
|
I encourage everyone to attend the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission’s in-person public hearing about PPL’s proposed rate increase for Manheim Township at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 11 in the Manheim Township Public Library Morgan Center, 595 Granite Run Drive.
You can read more about the in-person hearing and a telephone hearing on Dec. 15 here: Rivera encourages residents to attend PUC hearing on PPL’s rate increase.
|
|
Come Say Goodbye to Our Wonderful Fran!
|
|
Fran’s last day as our Senior District Office Director for House District 96 is approaching quickly! Join us for Fran’s Farewell Drop-In on Monday, December 29, 2025, between 10 a.m.-4 p.m. We’ll have light refreshments and plenty of time for you to wish Fran well as she transitions to a new career path. Our office and our constituents are so fortunate to have had Fran at the helm for 6.5 years – let’s give her a heartfelt sendoff!
|
|
Invaluable Lessons in Clean Energy
|
|
I recently participated in the National Caucus of Environmental Legislators 2025 Bay Area Electrification Conference in Berkeley and San Francisco.
I was able to see the everyday use of electric/battery storage kitchen appliances, home heating/cooling systems, electric vehicles of all shapes and sizes (including farm equipment and school bus fleets) and more. California’s investment in clean energy and electrification/battery usage has brought down prices and helped residents give back to the energy grid in profitable ways.
It was a fantastic learning experience, and I am eager to use what I learned in Harrisburg to advocate for programs and legislation that will broaden the reach of clean energy in PA.
|
|
In the District
Look for the Helpers
|
|
Gifts That Give Hope was a phenomenal event highlighting non-profits and fair trade organizations in our area!
As a proud former teacher of Gifts That Give Hope’s founder, Jennifer Knepper, and her sister, Jess, I can’t say enough about the good work they are doing in the community.
Mr. Rogers was spot on when he said, “Look for the helpers!”
|
|
Learning about Women’s Health
|
|
I learned more about my pelvic floor and perimenopause than I had ever learned before!
Luz Medicine hosted a conference titled Connections in Women’s Health, which brought together many local organizations and experts to talk about female anatomy and systems.
I especially appreciated hearing from a UPMC surgeon and OB/GYN about the ever-changing landscape of the uterus.
A Saturday well spent!
|
|
Home Heating Help Available
|
|
Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program Deadline is Dec. 31
|
|
The Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program helps homeowners and renters by providing rebates of $380 to $1,000 to eligible older adults and people with disabilities aged 18 or older.
The deadline to apply for this program is coming up fast—Dec. 31! Please contact my office if you have questions or need help with the application.
Click here to learn whether you qualify, how much you would receive and to apply online.
|
|
New Online Tool for Working Pennsylvanians Tax Credit
|
|
As your state representative, I am always working to find ways to put money back in your pocket. According to the Pennsylvania Treasury, we have $16 MILLION in unclaimed property in the 96th District!
Some of this money could be yours, so why not find out?
Go here: Unclaimed Property. It takes just a couple of minutes to find out if the state is holding property that belongs to you.
As always, my office can help you file your claim for FREE.
|
|
|
|
TSA Introduces $45 Fee Option for Travelers Without REAL ID Starting Feb. 1
|
|
|
|
The Transportation Security Administration announced that it will refer all passengers who do not present an acceptable form of ID and still want to fly the option to pay a $45 fee to use a modernized alternative identity verification system, TSA Confirm.ID, to establish identity at security checkpoints beginning on Feb. 1.
Travelers will be able to pay $45 to use TSA Confirm.ID for a 10-day travel period. The agency urges travelers who do not have a REAL ID to schedule an appointment at their local DMV to update their ID as soon as possible.
More details are available here.
|
|
|
|
Older Driver Safety Awareness
|
|
In 2024, there were 21,986 crashes involving at least one driver aged 65 or older that resulted in 308 total fatalities. This represents 19.8% of all crashes and 27.3% of all fatalities. Older drivers generally have fewer crashes per driver than the national average – but they have more crashes per mile of driving.
Here is a list of resources for older drivers:
The Senior Shared Ride Program allows seniors to ride at a reduced fare.
Find My Ride is an online tool that allows older drivers to access free ride services online. The app allows transit agencies to process applications more efficiently, so users can access benefits more quickly. The app can be found at: findmyride.penndot.pa.gov, or at www.pa.gov/penndot by clicking on Traveling in PA, then Public Transit Options.
A list of approved mature driver courses can be found online on PennDOT’s Mature Driver Improvement Courses page.
Signs that can indicate it may be time to limit or stop driving altogether include:
- Feeling uncomfortable, fearful, or nervous when driving.
- Unexplained dents/scrapes on the car, fences, mailboxes, or garage doors.
- Frequently getting lost and frequent “close calls” (i.e. almost crashing).
- Slower response times, particularly to unexpected situations.
- Difficulty paying attention to signs or staying in the lane of traffic.
- Trouble judging gaps at intersections or highway entrance/exit ramps.
PennDOT offers older drivers and their loved ones a resource to help assess older drivers’ abilities and offer guidance on next steps if their medical condition is reported to PennDOT. The Seniors Driving Safely publication series can be downloaded for free here PennDOT Driver and Vehicle Services website.
Additionally, CarFit is an educational program to help older drivers find out how well they currently “fit” their personal vehicle, to learn how they can improve their fit, and to promote conversations about driver safety and community mobility.
The following safe-driving habits, which should be routine at any age, are especially useful to older drivers:
- Plan ahead: lengthy car trips should be made during daylight hours. Morning may be best because most people aren’t as tired as they are in the afternoon.
- Don’t drive in rush-hour traffic if you can avoid it. Plan trips after 9 a.m. or before 5 p.m. Know what roads near home are most congested and avoid them.
- When driving long distances, especially in winter, call ahead for weather and road condition updates.
- Look ahead. Good drivers get a jump on trouble by looking far down the road and making adjustments before encountering problems that may involve other vehicles, pedestrians, bicyclists or animals.
- Maintain a safe speed. This depends on what the road is like, how well the driver can see, how much traffic there is and how fast traffic is moving.
- Keep a safe distance from the vehicle ahead of you. The PA Driver’s Manual advises that you should always keep a 4-second gap between you and the vehicle in front of you.
Pennsylvanians with insurance questions can contact the Insurance Department Consumer Services Bureau online or at 1-877-881-6388.
Additional information on older driver safety and mobility resources is available at both PennDOT Driver and Vehicle Services and the Department of Aging websites.
|
|
|
|
State Grant Program Funding Available
|
|
|
|
The latest grant opportunities from the state are located on my website! 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.
|
|
|
|
Holiday Food Box Giveaway
|
|
On Saturday, Dec. 20, Lancaster County Project for the Needy (LCPN) will provide food boxes filled with essential staples for holiday meals. Registration is now open. Register and learn more here: Project for the Needy - United Way of Lancaster County
Note: Registration may close early if the maximum of 1,200 registrants is reached.
|
|
Experience Holiday Magic Right Here at Home
|
|
|
|
District Office
1560 Lititz Pike, Suite 2
Lancaster, PA 17601
(717) 295-3157
|
|
|
Pennsylvania State Capitol
109A East Wing
PO Box 202096
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2096
(717) 787-3555
|
|
|
|
|