Dear Neighbor,

As we head into November, I’m again reminded that public service takes many forms. From the school board members, township supervisors, and judges we elected on Tuesday, to first responders, non-profit leaders, and community volunteers, our communities thrive because of those who step forward to serve and lead. Their commitment ensures that our local governments work, our schools remain strong, and our justice system upholds fairness, justice, and accountability. These roles often demand long hours and tough decisions, but they’re rooted in a shared belief in the value of community and the power of working together for the common good.

As Abraham Lincoln so eloquently said, ours is a nation rooted in the belief government must be of the people, by the people, and for the people. That is the beating heart of our democracy, and I am so grateful for all those who voted and made their voices heard on Election Day.

However, we must always remember that the liberty and freedoms we enjoy are not guaranteed. They must be continually renewed and defended. So, as we look ahead to Veterans Day, I hope you will join me in recognizing and honoring the brave men and women who have served in our nation’s Armed Forces. Whether they served at home or overseas, in times of peace or conflict, our veterans exemplify public service—placing country above self to defend the principles we hold dear. Let’s take a moment this month to thank our veterans for their sacrifices to this country.

For over four months (129 days!), Pennsylvania has been mired in a Senate Republican-led shutdown. While food banks, schools, and community service providers across the Commonwealth wait for essential funding, Senate Republican Leadership has been unable or unwilling to come to the table and negotiate a compromise budget that both sides can support. Meanwhile the House has passed three separate budgets, all with bipartisan support.

Compromise is essential to good governance and is frankly, what we were elected to do. None of us will get everything we want, and that is OK. What is not acceptable is a stalemate, which hurts those most in need. The negative impacts of the state budget impasse are already being felt in our communities: domestic violence resource shelters, food banks, and schools are having to take out loans, cut hours, or even lay off workers. And of course, the federal government shutdown is just making a bad problem worse.

Time is up. We must move forward, together. We have 23 Democratic Senators ready to pass a bipartisan state budget today. We need Senate Leadership to move ahead and schedule a vote. And if they do, I am sure that there are enough votes to pass a budget.

I urge you to call our State Senators and Senate Leadership NOW and tell them to get serious about passing the state budget. Our communities cannot wait any longer.

Miranda N. is one of our interns this year. She is a senior at Penn State majoring in Political Science with a minor in Psychology. In our office, Miranda has been an outstanding all-around team player—supporting constituent services, assisting with events, and leading outreach initiatives throughout the district. Recently, she helped organize our first Accessibility Resource Fair which helped connect individuals with disabilities to state, local and campus resources.

Outside the office, Miranda stays active on campus through organizations like Kappa Alpha Pi Pre-Law Fraternity and the Women and Gender Studies Honors Society. Driven by a deep commitment to giving a voice to underrepresented communities, Miranda hopes to continue her career in Pennsylvania state politics after graduation, advocating for equality and access for all.

When she’s not working or studying, you’ll likely find her thrifting, visiting local coffee shops, or spending time with her cats and her friends. Her dedication, empathy, and energy make her a truly valued member of our team. We cannot wait to see what Miranda does next!

November 1st marked the start of Open Enrollment for health insurance purchased through PA’s state marketplace, known as Pennie. However, due to the refusal of the Republican-controlled Congress to extend the Affordable Care Act’s Enhanced Premium Tax Credits, the cost of health insurance is projected to rise sharply, making it unaffordable for tens of millions across the country. And that hurts us all. When health care gets too expensive and many folks cannot afford to enroll, insurance companies raise costs for everyone else in order to make up for lost revenue and uncompensated costs. This will dramatically affect hospitals and healthcare providers across PA, especially in rural and underserved communities.

So, while you are selecting the right health care plan for your family, join me in calling our federal officials and urging them to support a budget that extends these key health care tax credits — helping to prevent further increases in insurance costs.

The federal government shutdown also means that November SNAP benefits have not been released and the need for nutritious food in our communities has never been greater. In response, my office is partnering with the Centre County YMCA’s Anti-Hunger Program to collect and distribute Thanksgiving Blessing Boxes to families in our community, as well as collecting food for the Centre County MilitaryShare Food Distribution to support veterans.

Unfortunately, the need is fast outpacing the supply of food available. We already have 350+ families signed up and more are coming in every day. If you can help, please check out the graphics below for details on how to donate canned and shelf-stable food.

Please bring any donations to my district office at 216 W. Hamilton Ave., State College. We are open Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM. If you are interested in providing monetary donations instead, please donate directly to the Centre County YMCA’s Anti-Hunger Program. Let’s make sure no one in our community goes hungry this Thanksgiving.

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 by calling our office at 814-308-0569.

And please follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Bluesky to find out more about what we’re up to and our upcoming events in the community!

District Office

216 W. Hamilton Ave.
State College, PA 16801

(814) 308-0569

Pennsylvania State Capitol

103-B East Wing
Harrisburg, PA 17120

(717) 772-0750