Dear Neighbor,

Summer is in full swing here in Centre County! With Arts Fest and the People’s Choice Festival in the rearview mirror and Ag Progress Days and the Grange Fair just ahead, now is a fantastic time to play tourist right here at home. Take advantage of the many wonderful attractions and events our area has to offer—things that make Centre County, and this time of year, so special.

From free Friday night concerts on the Lemont Village Green to Tuesday evenings at the Boalsburg Farmers Market, and from a leisurely stroll through the Penn State Arboretum or the Palmer Museum of Art to action-packed adventures at Bald Eagle State Park or along hundreds of miles of some of the best hiking, biking, and running trails anywhere, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

I’m somewhat partial to what I often call the unofficial ice cream tour of the 82nd District. Whether your favorite treat comes from Twin Kiss in Howard, The Dairy Barn in Jacksonville, Meyer’s Dairy in College Township, nearby Wasson’s in Harris Township, the Penn State Creamery, Sweet Dreams in Snow Shoe, or one of our many other fantastic ice cream shops, you really can’t go wrong. Every scoop is delicious, and supporting our local businesses is always in season.

What’s on your midsummer “can’t-miss” list? Tag me in the comments with your favorite local shops, restaurants, hidden gems, and must-do activities around the area. I’m always looking for new places to explore, and I’d love to add your recommendations to my own summer bucket list!

Today marks the final day of SEIU Healthcare’s strike for fair wages and safer working conditions for its members. I stood with SEIU long before I was elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, and I continue to stand with its members today.

I once again urge the Mount Nittany Medical Center administration and its negotiating team to return to the bargaining table with both the authority and the commitment needed to resolve this impasse and reach a fair and equitable agreement with SEIU.

At a time when Mount Nittany Medical Center is reporting significant profits and investing in its facilities and physical infrastructure, it must also invest in the people whose dedication and hard work make that success possible. Every worker deserves a fair share of the rewards earned through their labor, commitment, and service.

The standard of living and personal safety of frontline healthcare workers and support staff should never be sacrificed to protect corporate or executive profits.

The HOME Foundation (THF) is helping residents make their homes more energy efficient through its Energy+ Program. These mini-grants support energy rehabilitation projects that can improve a home's energy efficiency, lower utility costs, reduce environmental impact, and enhance overall comfort.

Eligible homeowners may qualify for grants of up to $1,200 to help complete these improvements.

Find more information about the program and eligible projects here!

In response to recent increases in energy costs, the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) is issuing a one-time $100 LIHEAP supplemental payment to eligible households that received a 2025–26 LIHEAP grant.

The supplemental payment will be sent automatically to the same utility vendor that received the household's LIHEAP cash grant during the regular program season. No additional application is required. Eligible households will receive a notice from DHS informing them that they qualify for the supplemental payment.

Join me this Tuesday at 7 p.m. for my fourth annual tele-town hall!

If we have your phone number on file, you'll receive a call from my office when the program begins. This is your opportunity to listen in, ask questions, and share your thoughts on the issues that matter most to you—both in Harrisburg and here in the 82nd District.

To make sure we have your current phone number, or if you'd like to be added to the call list, contact my District Office at 814-308-0569. And as always, please feel free to reach out anytime to let us know what’s on your mind or what we can do to help.

A quick reminder that next week is your last chance to donate to our third annual Back-to-School Drive in partnership with the State College YMCA and the Centre County Pearls!

We're still accepting donations of new school supplies, which will be distributed to local students and families during our annual Back-to-School Cookout at the State College YMCA this August.

Check out the flyer below to see our most-needed school supplies. Every donation helps ensure local students start the school year ready to succeed!

And, as always, thank you so much for your generosity! Working together, we can help make sure that every student has what they need to succeed.

Mark your calendars for one of our biggest and most fun annual events!

On October 3rd, from 9 a.m. until noon, we will once again host a Free Paper Shredding Event & Pet Supply Drive at 253 Transfer Road (just past the Nittany Mall) with the Centre County Recycling & Refuse Authority, benefiting Centre County PAWS. Shredding old paper documents with personal information helps protect you and your loved ones from identity theft.

We will also be collecting pet supplies and food to donate to PAWS! We’ll be accepting unopened dog/cat food and toys, leashes, blankets, and more! Check out the full list of most in-demand supplies we’ll be accepting on the flyer below!

I hope you can join us for my third annual Senior Fair and Scam Seminar on Thursday, October 14th. This event will once again be hosted in collaboration with Centre Care and will feature a wide range of services, information, and resources tailored to older adults, as well as the family members, caregivers, and loved ones who support them.

We will also offer a new and updated seminar focused on how to recognize common scams, identify warning signs, and learn best practices for protecting yourself and preventing fraud.

Snow Shoe Summer Parade

I always love the annual Snow Shoe Summer Parade - enjoying the carnival, the food, the rides, and just seeing so many folks out. Thanks for braving the heat and smoky skies!

CATA Rural Transit Tour

Recently, I joined representatives from other state legislative offices at CATA for Rural Transit Day to learn more about how public transportation is delivered across rural Pennsylvania. The event highlighted innovative solutions, including CATAGO! and CATARIDE, that help expand access and improve mobility for residents throughout our communities.

It’s easy to think that public transit is only an issue in major cities, but it actually makes a difference in every one of the 67 counties in our Commonwealth. Did you know that CATA is the third largest public transportation provider in PA? It serves many of our rural neighbors, including from adjacent counties! Learn more at catabus.com.

Centre County Farm Bureau Dinner

The Centre County Farm Bureau works hard to support and uplift its members through advocacy, education, and action. We saw a strong turnout of farmers and agricultural professionals at their Summer Picnic held at Wasson Farm.

Programs included in the recently enacted 2026–27 state budget that benefit farmers and rural communities were a key topic of discussion. These included the Ag Innovation Grant Program, which my legislation helped create; Fruit Grower Disaster Support in response to this year’s devastating spring freeze; the Farmers Market Nutrition Program for low-income seniors and families; and many other important initiatives.

Stuckey Automotive Groundbreaking

Our office team recently attended the groundbreaking of Stuckey Automotive’s newest dealership along the Benner Pike, joining representatives from the Chamber of Business & Industry of Centre County, fellow elected officials, and local businesses.

The event was a wonderful opportunity to recognize and celebrate those who are investing in our community and contributing to its continued growth. Congratulations once again to the entire Stuckey team on this exciting next step!

CCRRA Recognized with the RMC annual William M. Heenan Markets Development Award 

I am so proud of the team at the Centre County Recycling and Refuse Authority (CCRRA) and their partners at Industrial Propane Services (IPS). With grant assistance from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, they recently launched an innovative new facility that safely processes disposable propane cylinders while capturing unused propane for future use.

The portable extraction and recovery unit behind this groundbreaking achievement is being recognized as the first of its kind in the United States. In recognition of this innovative work, the PA Recycling Markets Center awarded CCRRA and IPS the William M. Heenan Markets Development Award.

Welcoming Hunter and Gillian to the team!

Hunter and Gillian joined our team this month and are already hard at work learning the ropes and helping serve the people of the 82nd District. Please stop by our office or visit one of our upcoming events to say hello and welcome them to the team!

As always, thank you for your continued trust and support. If you have any questions or concerns, please email us at RepTakac@pahouse.net or call our office at 814-308-0569.

And please follow us on  Facebook,  Instagram, and Bluesky  to find out more about what we’re up to and our upcoming events in the community! 

District Office

216 W. Hamilton Ave.
State College, PA 16801

(814) 308-0569

Pennsylvania State Capitol

103-B East Wing
Harrisburg, PA 17120

(717) 772-0750