Dear Neighbor,

I hope by now you have taken a few moments to appreciate the beautiful fall weather and foliage that we’re so fortunate to have in Centre County. My drive across Seven Mountains to Harrisburg this week was filled with fall colors as the PA House returned to session. And while we are all still waiting (im)patiently for my Republican Senate colleagues to come to the table and finally pass a responsible, compromise budget, my work has not stopped.

I hear from folks every single day about the negative impacts of our overdue state budget. Across Pennsylvania, people are facing real harm because Senate Republicans continue to hold state funding hostage, refusing to do what is needed to pass a responsible budget that supports schools, kids, seniors, people with disabilities, and the outstanding agencies and organizations that provide care in our communities. Instead of working in good faith toward a responsible compromise, they seem unable to come together to deliver the votes needed to reach a compromise. And some have even resorted to spreading misinformation, falsely stating that the budget passed with bipartisan support by the House in July would raise taxes. That is simply not true. The sad result of all this dysfunction and lack of leadership is gridlock.

The unnecessary delay in funding means that schools and vital programs cannot plan or operate with certainty, leaving teachers and administrators scrambling to meet student needs, and human service providers unsure of how to continue serving our most vulnerable neighbors. Many are facing a real financial crisis. Here in Centre County, I’ve heard from several organizations that are reaching the point of having to make very difficult decisions.

Today, I’d like to highlight just one: Centre Safe, a mission-driven organization that advocates for a community free of relationship and sexual violence. It is a member of both the PA Coalition Against Domestic Violence (PCADV), as well as the Pennsylvania Coalition to Advance Respect (PCAR), and is one of the 34 programs statewide that provide services for both domestic violence and rape victims.

However, thanks to the Senate Republican budget impasse, organizations like Centre Safe will soon have difficulty meeting the needs of our community, leaving survivors of domestic abuse and rape without critical support. In fact, many of their sister organizations across the state are already facing cutbacks and even layoffs. For me, that is unconscionable.

This week, I was back in Harrisburg, ready to vote on a fiscally responsible budget compromise, but to no avail. As I remain on 24-hour standby, ready to return and get this done, I call on my Senate colleagues to get serious about doing the people’s work and to finally meet our constitutional obligations.

Has your organization been impacted by this budget impasse? Reach out and let me know how, so I can share your story with my colleagues and push for a speedy resolution.

I always stand up for the rights of workers and unions. Strong unions help build strong communities and prosperity for all. That is why I was so honored to speak at Monday’s UAW press conference in the PA Capitol Rotunda, where I stood alongside UAW members and Penn State graduate students in support of their right to freely organize and vote on forming a local chapter of UAW on campus.

Check out my full video above!

This week, I am celebrating the passage of my bill HB 1667 with overwhelming bipartisan support in the House (182-21), which will be a major win for rural employers and workers. This legislation clears the way to unlock $50 million in funding through the Rural Jobs Investment Tax Credit. 

Ensuring that these much-needed funds reach qualified rural employers will help preserve jobs, spur new investment, and give rural Pennsylvania a stronger foundation for long-term economic growth. HB 1667 now heads to the state Senate for consideration where I am hopeful it will pass with bipartisan support. In the meantime, I will continue to work with my Senate colleagues, Shapiro administration officials, and other stakeholders to secure final passage and ensure the rapid deployment of the funds.

On Tuesday, Pennsylvania Department of Aging Secretary Jason Kavulich unveiled the PA CareKit – a new one-stop shop for tools, information, and resources to help support the 1.5 million unpaid caregivers in our commonwealth, including spouses, adult children, and even grandparents raising grandchildren. This is a key component of Governor Shapiro’s 10-year plan to improve how we deliver care and support our aging communities. Check out more about the plan here! Aging Our Way, PA

I want to thank everyone who joined us at our local events this past month. We had incredible turnouts for both our first License Plate Restoration Event and our third annual Free Shredding Event, in partnership with the Centre County Recycling & Refuse Authority and Centre County PAWS.

All together, we replaced more than 70 damaged license plates, shredded more than 6,700 pounds of paper to protect sensitive personal information, and thanks to your generosity, collected hundreds of pounds of pet food and supplies for our furry friends!

My team and I also attended the Snow Shoe Fall Festival and Wingate Faith Church’s first annual Veteran and Community Fair to provide support and state resources throughout the district. Many thanks to all those who work so tirelessly to make these great community events happen.

Check out some of the highlights from September.

A big thank you to Officer Abrahamson with the State College Police Department for helping out at our license plate restoration event at the Boalsburg Military Museum.

The generosity of our community always blows me away! We collected hundreds of pounds of food, toys, treats, and supplies for PAWS at our annual shredding event. 

We have another busy month ahead! Even if you are unable to join one of our events, please know that our district and mobile offices are always available as resources for you. Mark your calendar for any or all of these great events in October.

On Thursday, October 16th from 7 – 8 pm, you can catch me on my annual Tele-Town hall! We’ll make a districtwide phone call at 7 pm and once you’ve joined, you’ll be able to ask questions about community and state issues, provide feedback, and hear up-to-the-minute updates from Harrisburg and across the district. Call our office at (814) 308-0569 to make sure we have your correct number on file.

On Sunday, October 19th from 1 – 4 pm, I’m proud to partner with Centre County PAWS and Penn State on an exciting new event to help bring affordable care to the district with People, PAWS and PSU: A Health Clinic for Dogs, Cats, and their Humans, at the Howard United Methodist Church.

PAWS will be providing a low-cost vaccine and microchip clinic, while Penn State’s Lion Mobile Clinic, College of Nursing, and Extension will be providing free flu vaccines, information about ticks and tick-borne diseases, and much more. I’m also excited to announce that I will personally cover the cost of the first 75 rabies vaccines and 25 cat and dog distemper vaccines.

On Wednesday, October 22nd  from 3 – 5 pm, our fantastic Penn State interns are helping to coordinate our very first Accessibility Resource Fair as their capstone project. We’d love to have you join us at Schlow Library as we connect individuals with cognitive and physical disabilities to state, local, and community organizations. There will be interactive games, door prizes, and a guest speaker! I’m so proud of these two dynamic and dedicated students, and hope you’ll come meet them, as they host such an important event.

As always, thank you for your continued trust and support. Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns to RepTakac@pahouse.net or calling 814-308-0569.

And please follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or Bluesky to stay in touch and find out about our previous and upcoming events in the community!

Pennsylvania State Capitol

103-B East Wing
Harrisburg, PA 17120

(717) 772-0750

District Office

216 W. Hamilton Ave.
State College, PA 16801

(814) 308-0569