HARRISBURG, Feb. 8 – Two Centre County school districts were awarded grants totaling $130,323, state Rep. Paul Takac, D-Centre, announced today. The announcement is part of the $4 million statewide investment for schools and technical centers to purchase new equipment for use in training students for in-demand occupations. The grants announced today include: $84,217 for Keystone Central Career and Technical School $46,106 for State College Area School District “Time and again, I’ve heard from businesses and investors that a serious workforce shortage is holding our Commonwealth back.,” Takac said. “The well-trained, highly skilled workers needed to help drive Pennsylvania’s current and future prosperity must be trained on and experienced using the latest technology. “We are fortunate to have two outstanding career and technical education programs housed here in our local school districts. Therefore, I’m excited to announce these grants to help them to better prepare students for the good-paying, high demand jobs we need.” Pennsylvania has more than 80 career and technical centers that offer a combination of classes approved by the Department of Education. Thousands of students earn industry credentials for local jobs in high demand. More information about this funding is available here. Read more
HARRISBURG, Feb. 7 – State Rep. Paul Takac, D-Centre, released the following statement today in response to Gov. Josh Shapiro’s 2024-25 proposed state budget: “Governor Shapiro’s proposed 2024-25 state budget is an exciting and forward-looking first step in crafting a budget that tackles many of the most urgent and important issues facing our commonwealth,” Takac said. “As the governor emphasized, budgets reflect our values, vision, and commitments. This proposal, which reflects many of the key priorities of House Democrats, delivers for every Pennsylvanian. “The proposed budget includes historic and long overdue investments in education at all levels. It includes over $1.5 billion in new funding for K-12 school districts, along with hundreds of millions in projected savings to local taxpayers by reforming overpayments to cyber charters. These increases, modeled on the recent report from the Basic Education Funding Commission, begin to close the adequacy gap and fulfill our constitutional and moral responsibility to ensure that every child, regardless of their ZIP code, has a real chance to succeed.? “The governor also proposes development of a blueprint for reform and reinvestment in higher education. After decades of stagnant funding, today Pennsylvania ranks almost dead last in the entire nation in terms of college affordability (48 th ), with the result that far too many students either Read more
HARRISBURG, Feb. 5 – A key regional agency committed to protecting and enhancing Centre County’s natural resources was awarded a grant totaling $510,000, state Rep. Paul Takac, D-Centre, announced today. The grant was awarded by the Pennsylvania State Conservation Commission through the Conservation Excellence Grant Program. The award to the Centre County Conservation District will be earmarked toward two projects within Centre County designed to mitigate runoff of nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment that impact the Chesapeake Bay. The Smith Farm, near Julian, will build a waste storage facility, reducing nutrient runoff into Bald Eagle Creek. The Weaver Farm, near Port Matilda, will implement measures to control barnyard runoff, enhancing water quality in the Halfmoon Creek Watershed. “Protecting the health of our environment and ensuring continued access to clean air and water for all Pennsylvanians will always remain of the upmost importance to me,” Takac said. “This award showcases the importance of collaboration between local, state, and private entities for the benefit of Centre County and the entire Chesapeake Bay watershed.” This grant will deliver funds to implement two agricultural best management practice projects within the Bald Eagle Creek watershed and the Halfmoon Creek Watershed. The Halfmoon Creek watershed partnership has been in place for over 15 years. The partnership has worked to Read more
$1 million+ in Grants Awarded, Rural Healthcare Roundtable, Climate Talk at Foxdale Village Read more
HARRISBURG, Jan. 30 – Multiple projects geared toward enhancing traffic safety in both College and Harris townships received two grant awards totaling $444,669, state Rep. Paul Takac, D-Centre, announced today. The grants are funded by the Automated Red Light Enforcement program. $298,349 was awarded to Harris Township to designate, design and install a bike/pedestrian crossing point on Boal Avenue and the intersection of the Pennsylvania Military Museum entrance and Old Boalsburg Road. $146,320 was awarded to College Township for signal upgrades on the Route 26 corridor, including advanced radar units, new signal heads with reflective back plates, and new pavement markings and alignment at the Route 26 and U.S. 322 ramps. “Pedestrian and traffic safety is one of the most basic, and critical, responsibilities of state and local governments,” Takac said. “Therefore, I am delighted that these significant ARLE grants will be directed toward projects along two of the most important and well-traveled thoroughfares in our region. “The Route 26 and 322 interchange sees some of the highest volume of traffic in our region and the enhanced visibility and signage funded by this grant will be a huge benefit for both local residents as well as those visiting State College and Penn State. “Likewise, the grounds of the Pennsylvania Military Museum and the Boal Mansion, Boal City Brewing, and Read more
HARRISBURG, Jan. 30 – State Rep. Paul Takac, D-Centre, released the following statement today in response to Gov. Shapiro’s proposed economic development plan: “I applaud Governor Shapiro and his team for proposing a comprehensive economic development plan to help propel Pennsylvania forward into a future of innovation, growth, and prosperity. I look forward to working with the administration, my colleagues in the General Assembly, and both public and private stakeholders to ensure that everyone and every community benefits from this vision and commitment to the future of our Commonwealth. “My previous experience in business and technology has taught me very clearly that timing is everything, and that strategic investments can and will pay dividends for a very, very long time. Now is the time to invest in Pennsylvania and to not only meet the challenges we face, but to seize the opportunity at hand and to lead the nation and the world.” Read more
STATE COLLEGE, Jan. 26 – To support and grow Pennsylvania’s agricultural industry, the Department of Agriculture awarded $877,290 to the Pennsylvania State University, announced Reps. Paul Takac and Scott Conklin, both D-Centre. The funding includes: $500,000 for Penn State’s Agriculture and Environment Center . $127,424 for research on planting hairy vetch and industrial hemp to remediate abandoned coal mine land, sequester carbon, and serve as a potential market commodity for environmentally sustainable technology practices. $100,000 for Penn State’s Center for Agricultural and Shale Law . $75,000 for research to identify marginal lands across the commonwealth suitable for solar energy production and determine implementable management practices for solar farms to benefit soil, water, and vegetation. $74,866 to research the effects of acetylsalicylic acid during the dry off period of Holstein dairy cows, approximately 60 days prior to calving. “I’m excited to announce these new significant grant awards, which showcase Penn State’s key expertise and leadership at the intersection of agriculture, energy and the environment,” Takac said. They include funding for the important work of both the Center for Agricultural and Shale Law and the Agriculture and Environment Center in tracking the latest legislation and regulations, as well as addressing water Read more
STATE COLLEGE, Jan. 11 – To combat food insecurity, state Reps. Paul Takac, and Scott Conklin, both D-Centre, announced that the PA Department of Education awarded $60,000 to the Pennsylvania State University. The funding will make fresh produce more accessible, as well as expand the University Park Basic Needs Hub and food pantries at all Penn State campuses across the commonwealth. Takac said, “Hunger affects every community, including among students here at Penn State’s University Park campus. Fortunately, there are several student groups and organizations working with university administrators to address this problem and ensure that every student has reliable access to healthy, nutritious food. This PA Hunger Free Campus grant will help address food insecurity on campus, including expanding access to food options, creating awareness, and developing innovative and flexible solutions to meet the unique needs of college students.” “Penn State is dedicated to ensuring food access for all students,” said Leanne Lenz, associate director of Student Care and Advocacy. “The PA Hunger Free Campus grant allows us to advance our food security and other basic needs initiatives in a way that increases accessibility and contributes to the overall wellbeing and success of Penn State students.” “As the cost of tuition and meals continues to increase Read more
STATE COLLEGE, Jan. 10 – Reps. Paul Takac, and Scott Conklin, both D-Centre, announced more than $3 million to provide for electric vehicles and infrastructure at the Pennsylvania State University. The Department of Environmental Protection awarded $3,305,011 from the Medium and Heavy-Duty Zero Emission Vehicle Fleet Pilot Grant Program to replace five Class 6 and Class 7 box trucks with battery electric vehicles, install four DC fast EV chargers, and one Level 2 EV charging plug at three locations across Penn State’s campus. “I am excited to announce this multi-million grant award to help support Penn State’s efforts to transition to electric vehicles in order to reduce their impact on the environment, while also saving money,” Takac said. “Sustainability and environmental responsibility are critical to the future of our Commonwealth and our world. As Pennsylvania’s land grant institution, Penn State’s commitment and leadership on this issue are critically important.” “By providing infrastructure for EVs, we make EVs more accessible for rural Pennsylvanians, but also to those who travel through central Pennsylvania so they may charge their vehicles,” Conklin said. “Rural areas cover 97% of the country’s land and with the lack of EV charging stations in rural Pennsylvania, it poses a barrier for rural Pennsylvanians and Read more
COLLEGE TOWNSHIP, Jan. 5 – A project to aid watershed restoration along Slab Cabin Run in the Millbrook Marsh Nature Center has been selected to receive a $211,341 grant, state Rep. Paul Takac, D-Centre, announced today. “As a nearby neighbor of both Slab Cabin Run and Millbrook Marsh, I am proud to announce this Growing Greener Program grant to support this important rehabilitation and restoration project. The funding will help rehabilitate the upper Spring Creek ecosystem by building out riparian buffers, helping control stormwater, and restoring critical habitat to support the great variety of native plants and wildlife that rely on this local treasure. The marsh also serves as a first-class educational and recreational resource and this project will help contribute to that mission, and I’m proud to have written a letter of support in 2023 for funding this project,” Takac said. “And as former chair of the Spring Creek Watershed Commission, I know first hand the incredible work that the Spring Creek Chapter of Trout Unlimited has done in our area. Their expertise and dedication is unmatched and I am delighted to help support their continuing efforts to protect and enhance this watershed and the many natural resources that we are so blessed with here in Centre County.” Ford Stryker, Spring Creek Chapter of Trout Unlimited board member and chair of the Conservation Committee, stated, “We (Spring Creek Read more
State Budget Finalized, Grants Awarded, and Happy Holidays! Read more
HARRISBURG – Sen. Cris Dush (R-25) and Rep. Paul Takac (D-82) today announced the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) has awarded more than $1 million in grants for infrastructure improvement projects in Centre County. Read more
HARRISBURG, Dec. 19 – State Rep. Paul Takac, D-Centre, today announced more than $4.3 million in state grants for local water and sewer projects, with the lion’s share going toward the Calder Way infrastructure improvement project. Read more
Tele-Town Hall Wrap-Up Grants Secured Sustainability Expo Read more
Find out what our friends & neighbors had to say about the issues impacting our communities. Read more
Rep. Paul Takac invites residents to ‘Town Hall’-type events next week Read more
?Supporting Veterans • ?? Upcoming Tele Town Hall • ? Funding Penn State Read more
HARRISBURG, Nov. 15 – Rep. Paul Takac, D-Centre, released the following after House passage of H.B. 1461: “While I am pleased that this long-overdue funding for Penn State and our other state-related institutions is finally nearing completion and the governor’s signature, I am disappointed that continued resistance from many Pennsylvania Republicans has resulted in flat year-over-year funding rather than the much-needed increase requested by the universities and supported by both the Shapiro administration and by House and Senate Democrats. “State funding provides direct financial support to reduce tuition for Pennsylvania students and families. Therefore, this unnecessary delay has forced university administrators to make very difficult decisions -- decisions that have negatively impacted employees and their families, communities and vital programs across the commonwealth. This has been entirely due to the insertion of unrelated and divisive political issues by certain members of the Republican Caucus and their leaders. House Democrats voted on three separate occasions to increase support for Pennsylvania students, but each time fell short of the necessary two-thirds majority thanks to these harmful, politically motivated tactics. “As a member of the House Education Committee -- and as someone who is both a beneficiary of, and lifelong advocate for, public education -- I remain fully committed to doing Read more
HARRISBURG, Oct. 31 – State Reps. Paul Takac and Scott Conklin, D-Centre, announced the PA House of Representatives has passed legislation to provide funding to PA’s state-related universities. The bill would allocate more than $259 million to Penn State, $28 million to the Pennsylvania College of Technology, $165 million to the University of Pittsburgh, $169 million to Temple University, and $19 million to Lincoln University. The bill also would freeze tuition for the 2024-25 school year. It increases funding for Penn State by 7%. “House Bill 612 would provide the necessary funding for Penn State University and the other state-related universities,” Conklin said. “This will support Penn State students in Centre County and students all across Pennsylvania.” “For months I have been a strong and persistent advocate for finding a way to move forward with long-overdue funding for Penn State and the other world-class universities we support,” Takac said. “This unnecessary and politically driven impasse has created difficulty and uncertainty for not only students and their families, but also real hardship for employees, agencies, and communities across Pennsylvania. “I am hopeful that today’s bipartisan vote in the House is quickly followed by action in the Senate to finally resolve this urgent issue. While H.B. 612 is not ideal, it does Read more
I really love the district that I’m in. It truly represents the diversity of Centre County. I have everything north of I-80. I promised that I would represent the whole district, not just part of it. Read more
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