Welcome to my monthly newsletter! I’m Jacklyn Rusnock, your State Representative for the 126th Legislative District. I love connecting with my constituents-- so much so that I wanted to create a monthly email that highlights what’s happening across the district and in Harrisburg.

In these recaps, I’ll share news from the Capitol, updates on legislation affecting our community, and how I’m working for you!

In this edition, I’m breaking down the 2025-26 budget that was signed into law by Gov. Shapiro, who qualifies for the Working Pennsylvanians Tax Credit, a new scam targeting veterans, and more!

This month, I voted for a balanced budget with no tax increases. The budget was long overdue, but we won the fight to invest in our schools, prevent tax increases, preserve services, cut costs, and help create jobs here in Berks County.

This budget:

• Cuts your costs and makes it easier for you and your family to survive when the federal government is unpredictable.
• Makes sure Berks County won’t be forced to lay off the hardworking people who keep us moving.
• Increases school funding and makes sure those dollars go to kids in the Antietam, Exeter Township, Muhlenberg, and Reading School Districts, so they have tools they need to learn.
• Gives people in crisis somewhere to turn.
• Fixes roads & bridges, protects our air & water, and supports the local businesses that invest in you and our communities.

While the budget isn’t perfect, compromising and finding middle ground was imperative. The state budget I fought for lives up to our obligations while assuring state costs and fees do not continue to rise.

However, it can’t be ignored that our schools, communities, and nonprofits suffered greatly from this budget’s extended delay. Moving forward, I will continue to advocate for a more responsible budget timeline.

I was proud to cut taxes for working families as part of this year’s budget. Right here in Berks County, we have just over 35,000 Working Pennsylvanians Tax Credit recipients. That could mean up to $800 back in your pocket during tax time!

If you qualify for the Federal Earned Income Tax Credit, you automatically qualify for this state tax cut. It’s that simple!

Additionally, the Shapiro administration launched a new online calculator that helps determine whether you qualify for the tax credit and estimates how much you may receive. Check it out here!

I’m so proud of the work we’ve done to make sure hard-working families have more money in their pockets, and I will keep fighting to cut costs for you.

The latest scam targeting veterans’ benefits is more sophisticated than many others. It involves a direct-mail postcard claiming that eligible veterans can receive an additional $160 per month through the so-called “PA Veteran Savings Program 2025.”

This program is fake and does not actually exist. The postcard appears official at first glance, using formal language and referencing real programs such as CHAMPVA and TRICARE for Life.

It urges you to call within five days to “help manage call volume,” a tactic often used to pressure older folks into responding quickly.

If you or a veteran family member is contacted by a suspected scammer, please reach out to the PA Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) at 800-547-2838. Accredited Veteran Service Officers are available at no cost to provide guidance, verify legitimacy, and help protect veterans from scams that threaten their financial well-being.

At the Capitol, the Intergovernmental Affairs Committee conducted a joint hearing with the Veterans Affairs & Emergency Management Committee last week to hear testimony on HB 157, which would offer a safe and effective treatment for PTSD.

The treatment, known as stellate ganglion block (SGB), works by applying an injection into the bundle of nerves that sends signals of fight or flight to the body. The treatment reduces feelings of stress for those with PTSD and provides them with a renewed chance to heal.

I plan to work with my colleague across the aisle, Rep. David Zimmerman, to see what we can do at the state level to help veterans receive access to this treatment in the meantime.

In energy news, the House Energy Committee is actively working to increase energy supply to the grid. We’re looking at all options, including solar and nuclear.

As a result, I had the opportunity to tour Three Mile Island and listen to experts at a hearing. In plain terms, they broke down how safe nuclear energy can be and how much of it they could use to supply our grid.

Our committee is committed to supporting policies that encourage safe, renewable energy development that reduce costs for Pennsylvanians.

This month, my team and I volunteered at the Helping Harvest Community Kitchen to package over 1,700 hot turkey sausage skillet dinners packed with fresh frozen vegetables and cheesy potatoes.

These aren’t just meals — they’re a bridge of support for our neighbors in Berks and Schuylkill counties who are facing food insecurity.

Many of these ready-to-eat meals go to low-income seniors, including those in senior housing or participating in their Senior Food Box program.

We’re proud to roll up our sleeves — not just to pack food, but to be part of something that makes a real difference in the lives of our community’s most vulnerable.

I was honored to attend the grand opening and ribbon cutting for a new women-owned daycare in Muhlenberg. Daisy’s Daycare is owned by Mildred Torres and her two beautiful daughters, Daisy and Paola.

Having access to quality daycare is important to me and my constituents. We have worked hard to make sure that it is a reality for the families who need it most.

How did we do this? By making sure the people we hire for these positions are receiving the pay they deserve. Quality early childhood care supports cognitive, emotional, and social development while laying a foundation for lifelong learning and well-being.

It’s so important that we continue to uplift these great local resources that pave the way for our future thinkers!

My team and I are ready to help you with a range of services, including filing for your Property Tax/Rent Rebate, help with PennDOT and unemployment services.

Please stop by my office (4933 Kutztown Road), call us at (610) 921-8921 or email RepRusnock@pahouse.net to learn more about the services we offer and get started!

District Office

4933 Kutztown Rd.
Temple, PA 19560

(610) 921-8921

Pennsylvania State Capitol
152 Main Capitol Building
Harrisburg, PA 17120

(717) 783-3290