Dear Neighbor,

Like many of you, I woke up this Saturday to the sad and disturbing news that the United States had entered into war with Iran. Such moments are truly sobering. Any time American service members are put in harm’s way — and when so many innocent lives are lost — the stakes become painfully real for families across the country, including many here in our community with loved ones serving abroad or living in countries under attack. That’s why the decision to enter a costly and likely protracted war should never happen without Congress being fully involved. And when decisions of such magnitude happen without transparency or accountability, the American people have every right to demand answers.

While decisions about war are made in Washington, my responsibility is to ensure Pennsylvania’s government remains focused on the needs of people here at home. At a time when many Americans are looking for accountability and for leaders to stay focused on the concerns of their communities, officials at every level of government must remain responsive to those they serve. I remain fully committed to doing just that.

In Pennsylvania, many of us are focused on the everyday pressures facing our families, especially skyrocketing gas prices, rising grocery and utility bills, and health care coverage that costs more but covers less. These are the issues I hear about when I talk with folks across our district and why the work we’re doing in Harrisburg is so important. Currently, the General Assembly is in the middle of annual budget hearings to review Governor Shapiro’s budget proposals and decide how our state tax dollars should be invested.

I’m encouraged that many of the proposed investments focus directly on strengthening our people and communities. That includes funding for public schools and career and technical education programs, reducing red tape to make it easier for small businesses to grow, cleaning up parks and waterways, protecting consumers, and supporting programs to improve quality of life — from public transportation to community violence prevention.

These are the kinds of investments that residents consistently tell me they want their tax dollars supporting: strong schools, safe communities, economic opportunity, and a future where every Pennsylvanian can thrive. Now is the time: please reach out and tell me about your priorities and share your thoughts on how to make our commonwealth better.

On Tuesday, the PA Department of Education testified in support of their budget request for the year ahead. Most, if not all, of the issues facing our school districts are the same in rural areas as they are in urban areas, even if the solutions may look a little different. Reliable transportation, safe and healthy classrooms, support for teachers and staff, and healthy, nutritious food for every student are key to creating opportunity for all. I’m proud that House Democrats are continuing the fight to reinvest in our public schools, while holding cyber charter schools accountable for the local tax dollars they receive and the quality of the services they provide.

Last weekend, my District Office Director, Sonia, and I visited the Bryce Jordan Center for Penn State’s THON. We cheered on the more than 700 dancers and their supporters, as the world’s largest student-run philanthropy once again raised a record-breaking sum ($18.8 million) for the Four Diamonds Foundation to help fund research and support kids and families fighting childhood cancer. THON is always one of the highlights of my year—it’s great to see the hard work and energy that thousands of students bring, carrying on a legacy that has provided more than a quarter of a billion dollars to fight childhood cancer. I’m so proud to represent these students at the state level and I can’t wait to join them in celebrating 50 years of THON’s partnership with Four Diamonds in 2027 -- FTK!

On March 10th and April 23rd, the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) will host Financial Aid Assistance Webinars to help students and families understand how to financially plan for higher education. Join them to learn about scholarships, estimating costs, and available resources to make the best decisions.

Regan and I were honored to once again join the One Hand Foundation and the State College Muslim community to celebrate Ramadan Itfar on Wednesday evening. We joined them in breaking their daily fast at sundown, in observance of the Muslim Holy Month. Ramadan is a time of reflection, prayer, fasting, and serving others. We are so thankful for the amazing work that the One Hand Foundation is doing in our community, from distributing food and school supplies, to offering free dental services and educational events for kids and seniors. Ramadan Mubarak.

My team will once again be hosting an informational table at the Howard Winter Festival next Saturday from 9 AM to 1 PM! We’ll have all our regular office resources available for you and can help answer any questions you might have about state programs and the work we do day-to-day. The Howard Winter Festival always has a ton of great food and craft vendors from across Centre County, so I hope you’ll come out and say hello!  

Interested in learning what it’s like to work for a state representative? This summer could be your chance to find out!

My District Office in State College is now accepting applications for paid summer internships. Interns will learn about the legislative process while working alongside an experienced and dedicated team serving the people of the 82nd District, and beyond.

This internship is a great fit for students majoring in government, political science, public affairs administration, law, or similar related fields. Summer 2026 internships are 10 weeks long, with interns working approximately 20 hours per week.

Applications are due on March 13th. For more information on how to apply, find out here: District Office - Intern/Temporary | Job Details tab | Career Pages

As always, thank you for your continued trust and support. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to 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