In the last month, I've announced awards totaling more than $1.3 million for our district.

• First, an additional half-million dollars brings Bethlehem Emergency Sheltering to more than 75% of its overall $6 million goal to provide for operations to continue year-round. Currently, BES is only able to operate from November through April, leaving our most vulnerable population struggling to receive services, meals, and a place to sleep the other six months of the year.
• Second, $350,000 was awarded to ArtsQuest as part of their conversion of the former Bethlehem Steel Turn & Grind Shop space to a multipurpose venue for the performing arts.
• Third, $300,000 will allow Hanover Township's Volunteer Fire Co. to purchase self-contained breathing apparatuses and related equipment. When our first responders are safe, they can better ensure our safety too.
• The most recent grant, a little more than $160,000, was awarded to the Wildlands Conservancy for major streambed improvements and enhancements of the Monocacy Creek between Illick's Mill Road and Burnside Plantation.

These funds will go a long way to improving the quality of life for the residents of Bethlehem and Hanover Township in Northampton County.

In the last two weeks, five of the bills we passed in the state House of Representatives  already had been approved by the Senate and will now become law; the rest will need to go to the Senate for review and approval. I'd like to highlight two bills in particular in this issue.

House Bill 2380 --  I am co-sponsoring this bill, along with my Lehigh Valley colleagues Reps. Robert Freeman and Jeanne McNeill. Families and businesses need an electric grid that is reliable, affordable and prepared to meet growing energy demand.

This bill would:

• use energy storage to reduce peak demand and better manage periods of high electricity use.
• strengthen reliability by providing grid support and backup power during outages or other electric service disruptions.
• require utilities to identify where storage can address congestion, reliability problems and other needs on the electric grid.
• look for opportunities to use storage as a cost-effective alternative to traditional transmission and distribution infrastructure investments, helping deliver savings to ratepayers.
• require an open, fair and competitive procurement process, with projects evaluated for cost-effectiveness, reliability and overall value to customers.
• consider benefits to Pennsylvania businesses and workers when evaluating energy storage projects.

House Bill 1411 -- the bill helps to recognize menopause education. Approximately 1.3 million Americans experience menopause every year and half of Pennsylvania’s entire workforce is made up of women – and yet there is little to nothing done to make sure treatments are affordable, jobs are accommodating, and that education is readily available on menopause and perimenopause symptoms. This bill would require the Department of Health to partner with providers across Pennsylvania to provide education on symptoms and issues related to perimenopause and menopause, so symptoms are recognized earlier and appropriate support and treatment is available.

• Menopause continues to be under-discussed and misunderstood, perpetuating stigma and creating more opportunities for misinformation to spread.
• Many women suffer these symptoms in silence – both at home and in the workplace.
• Providing clear, accessible education empowers individuals to advocate for their health, workplace needs, and personal well-being.
• Menopause education is critical in underserved communities, where limited access to healthcare makes self-awareness and prevention even more necessary.

On Oct. 1, Northampton County recognized the most senior members of our community -- women and men 100 years old and older -- at a luncheon at Green Pond Country Club. Forty-five people RSVP'd, along with many of their family members! Eleven of the 45 are from our district. I had the privilege of meeting one of our centenarians ahead of the luncheon. I visited Vivian Fishbone, who turned 100 in July, at Moravian Village. Her son Daniel drove in from Central Pennsylvania, and I presented her with a citation signed by me and her son's Representative, Dallas Kephart.

One of our constituents, Elena Jimenez, turned 101 on the day of the luncheon! Unfortunately, she was unable to make it, so on Friday I visited her and her family at her home in Hanover Township. She lives with her daughter and son-in-law, and we were able to visit together, present her with her citation and other recognitions, and even sang Happy Birthday, as her family had a cake ready to go for her!

Visiting with our centenarians is always a very rewarding part of my responsibilities as your representative. If you have a loved one turning 90, 95, or 100, and would like to recognize them with a formal House Citation, please reach out to Cheryl Baker in my office at cbaker@pahouse.net or call the office at 610-867-3890.

As Hispanic Heritage Month draws to a close, we want to celebrate the many observances we have enjoyed in Bethlehem, including the flag-raising on Chilean Independence Day and the Sister City Celebration honoring Patillas, Puerto Rico.

Remember, you can always contact my office if you have questions about anything in this email or other state-related issues. Give us a call at 610-867-3890, email RepSamuelson@pahouse.net, or stop by and see us at 104 E. Broad St. in Bethlehem.

District Office

104 East Broad Street
Bethlehem, PA 18018

(610) 867-3890

Pennsylvania State Capitol

209 Irvis Office Building

PO Box 202135

Harrisburg, PA 17120-2135
(717) 705-1881