Westmoreland Review

State legislators are placing an emphasis on priorities during the ongoing budget process in Harrisburg, particularly when it comes to education funding. "The money being spent is not Harrisburg’s; it’s yours," says an elected official, reflecting the importance of making wise decisions with taxpayer funds. One key area of concern is the potential closure of branch campuses of Pennsylvania State University, including Penn State New Kensington.

Penn State New Kensington is recognized for providing higher education accessibility to students who may not attend larger campuses. This includes a diverse population of first-generation and non-traditional students. The official notes, "Higher education is one of several paths that leads to a young person’s successful career."

The New Kensington campus has played a vital role in local economic development through partnerships like The Corner Launchbox and Digital Foundry New Kensington. Programs like these, along with business initiatives from TECfusions and Re:Build Manufacturing, have contributed to revitalizing the area.

Penn State, as the Commonwealth's only land-grant university, has responsibilities that include teaching, research, and outreach—missions that Penn State New Kensington supports. It is also one of the state's four "state-related universities," benefitting from state funding aimed at reducing tuition costs for in-state students.

Recent discussions about the $700 million renovation of Beaver Stadium in State College highlight the need for transparency in how taxpayer dollars are allocated. There is a call for decisions related to university closures to be made transparently, involving all stakeholders.

In financial news, over $1.7 million is being distributed through the Pennsylvania Money Match initiative to property owners. "7,380 checks are being issued in this first round of the Money Match program," according to Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity. This is part of a program enacted through the bipartisan Senate Bill 24, known as Act 81 of 2024, aimed at returning unclaimed property to rightful owners.

In transportation, a new text messaging service from the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission offers real-time updates about traffic backlogs. By texting “info” to 47676, drivers receive information about incidents and roadway conditions.

Drivers are reminded that Paul Miller’s Law will be effective in June, prohibiting the use of hand-held mobile devices while driving, to enhance road safety.

Representative Jill Cooper from the 55th Legislative District is actively communicating these updates, showing her commitment to keeping residents informed.