Due to the winter storm our region is expecting this weekend, my staff and I will be working remotely on Monday, January 26. You can still contact us at 412-348-8028 or RepVenkat@pahouse.net.

For resources and tips for winter storms, information from Duquesne Light Company can be found here. Here are some important precautions to consider:

• Have snow removal equipment on hand.
• Have alternative fuel available to heat your home.
• Locate your main water supply and valves. Make sure you know how to shut them off in case a pipe bursts.?

When winter weather hits, go to www.511pa.com before you travel. You can check conditions on more than 40,000 roadway miles, including color-coded winter conditions on 2,900 miles. 511PA also shows plow-truck locations and details of when state-maintained roadways were last plowed.

For more tips on winter driving, check out PennDOT.pa.gov/Winter.

This week, US Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. brought his anti-science agenda to Harrisburg. I was proud to make clear, as our only physician-legislator, why we must oppose his anti-vaccine ideology.

You can read more on WGAL and ABC27.

We are facing an energy affordability challenge from rapidly increasing demand from data centers and a failure to add more supply from all energy sources. As a member of the House Energy Committee, I participated in a hearing on multiple potential pieces of legislation to address this crisis.

I will support efforts to quickly add more energy sources to our grid, reduce bureaucratic barriers that prevent responsible energy development and deployment, and require large-load customers like data centers to supply and pay for the energy they use so as not to pass costs onto the public.

Thank you to City & State PA for inviting me to participate in a discussion at their healthcare summit about making healthcare more affordable and accessible. As a physician-legislator, I am focused on working with all stakeholders to make sure we have access to the quality healthcare we deserve.

I’m happy to announce that over $1 million in grant funding from the Small Water and Sewer program will be coming to our district. I continue to advocate for state support of the infrastructure needs for our community.

Applications are now being accepted for the PA House of Representatives Scholarship Program. The Program – administered through The Foundation for Enhancing Communities – is for graduating high school seniors who reside in the Commonwealth of PA.

TFEC awards two four-year scholarships to high school seniors each year. The award consists of the value of one semester of tuition at the State System of Higher Education for each of four years. Students must maintain eligibility criteria in all four years to receive the ongoing award.

Applications are due April 15. Requirements and the application form can be found here.

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 who plans to attend a college or university in Pennsylvania for the 2026–27 academic year may apply. Twenty-five scholarships, each valued at $10,000, will be awarded.

Applications are due January 31, 2026. More details, including matching contributions from partner institutions, can be found here.

The Keystone Contractors Association is accepting applications for their scholarship program. This program supports students interested in pursuing a construction-related degree.

More information, including application paperwork, can be found here. Applications are due March 1.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health is hosting an art competition for students to create content raising awareness around ticks and Lyme disease.

More information can be found here, and submissions are due March 13.

Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful has announced the return of their Litter Hawk Youth Award Program. This year’s theme is Celebrate America250 – Keep It Beautiful, inviting Pennsylvania students in grades K–6 to share their creativity and inspire pride in our communities as we approach America’s 250th anniversary.

Whether through art, writing, or video, young leaders can show how powerful their voices can be. As a bonus, winners will be announced in April 2026 in coordination with an awards ceremony at the PA State Capitol.

All winners and their families, guardians and teachers are welcome to attend. Special guests will include representatives from the Department of Environmental Protection and America250PA.

The program deadline is January 31, 2026. Contest details and the application can be found here: Litter Hawk Youth Award Program - Keep PA Beautiful.

Please remember that my talented staff can help you with a variety of state-related matters – from filing an application for the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program to obtaining a disability placard or senior bus pass, just to name a few. Contact us or stop by to see how we can help!

You can read my e-newsletter in a way that’s most convenient for you by visiting my legislative website here and clicking on the accessibility icon in the lower right corner.

District Office

9800B McKnight Road, Suite 130
Pittsburgh, PA 15237

(412) 348-8028

Pennsylvania State Capitol

101 B East Wing

PO Box 202030

Harrisburg, PA 17120

(717) 772-2363

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