Hello, Northsiders! I hope all of you had a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa and Happy New Year! I’m eager to share with you some of the important work I’ve been doing in Harrisburg and here at home.

First, however, I want to let everyone know that my district office has moved. As of Jan. 3, the first day of the new legislative year, we will be located at 730 James St. To mark the occasion, my staff and I will be holding an open house at our new location from 10 a.m. to noon on Jan. 21. It’s great to be on the Northside, and I look forward to seeing everyone and finding out how I can help with all your state government-related questions and concerns.

Speaking of the new legislative year, I’d like to reflect on some of the previous year’s biggest measures my colleagues and I on both sides of the aisle helped to secure. These will have innumerable positive impacts on all commonwealth residents.

We secured $120 million in funding for a new Whole-Home Repairs Program. County governments and nonprofit entities authorized by them can now apply for funding, and by January, individuals will be able to apply. The residents whom I’m proud to serve and those across the commonwealth are one step closer to being able to afford to make the repairs and renovations their houses need to ensure the safety and well-being of themselves and their families.

Another new crucial program we created was the Child and Dependent Care Enhancement Program. A total of $25 million was allocated to benefit all working families with children in day care who already qualify for the federal child care tax credit. The state credit of 30% of the federally approved expense will remove a heavy burden from families already struggling to make ends meet, especially with inflation just beginning to ease.

Education was another sector that benefited tremendously from our collective efforts. Early education, in particular, will benefit from $60 million toward Pre-K Counts, and $19 million will support Head Start Supplemental Assistance. I’m so pleased to see this investment in our future generations and hope they go on to make their unique mark on our society.

I’m also excited to announce that a total of $27 million in state grants was awarded to Allegheny County in December courtesy of the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency. These dollars will go a long way toward helping survivors of violent crime and making the people and communities I’m proud to represent safer and more secure.

Thank you, stay warm during these winter months, and I look forward to seeing and talking with you soon.