Dear Neighbor,

For me, the past week has been pretty emotional, as several events prompted me to think deeply about our shared history, our current challenges, and, most importantly, the kind of future we are building for our children and grandchildren.

First, many of our neighbors in District 82 suffered significant flooding and storm damage from torrential downpours—more than 7 inches in some parts of Centre County—on September 2 and 3. As a result, my staff and I spent much of last week working with local and state officials to help get information and aid to those still recovering and to assess and document the extensive damage.

When any type of disaster happens, I am always reminded of government's essential role in keeping us safe and helping folks recover. I also think we are all reminded of how indispensable first responders and volunteers are to our communities. My sincere thanks go out to all those who answered the calls for help last week.

Please look for more information on resources later in the newsletter.

Speaking of first responders and public service, last week also marked the 25th anniversary of the horrific attacks on 9/11. For those of us old enough to remember, the image of brave first responders running toward, rather than away from, danger in the Twin Towers and at the Pentagon—as well as the incredible bravery of the passengers and crew of Flight 93—will forever be etched in our memories, along with the tragic and unimaginable loss of so many innocent lives on that sunny fall morning.

We will never forget, and we must ensure that the more than 100 million Americans who were either not yet born or were too young to remember 9/11 also learn and understand the importance of that day.

I was honored to speak at a service honoring those we lost, including Centre County’s own Lt. Jonas M. Panik, and to attend the annual memorial service on the Old Main lawn for the 2,977 people killed that day, including 10 Penn State alumni. And I think it is worth noting that at these memorials, speaker after speaker talked about what I consider to be one of the most important lessons of that terrible day – that we as Americans can set aside our many differences, at least temporarily, and recognize that there is much more that unites us than divides us. In tragedy and mourning, we and our many allies around the world came together. These days that may be difficult to imagine, but it is a lesson I believe is worth commemorating and committing to our collective memory.

And speaking of history, last week I was honored to participate in a Special Session of the PA House of Representatives at Congress Hall in Philadelphia (more on that below), as well as join our good friends in the labor movement to highlight the issues facing local working people and families in our community at a joint Labor Day Picnic at Sidney Friedman Parklet.

The event was sponsored by the Seven Mountains AFL-CIO, Teamsters Local 8, AFSCME, PSEA, UAW, Penn State Faculty Alliance, the American Federation of Musicians Local 660, and, of course, SEIU Healthcare.

The organized labor movement in this country is responsible for many of the benefits and protections we all too often take for granted. Especially now, when so many folks are struggling with the ever-rising costs of everything from groceries and gas to health care, we need to remember that unions helped build the middle class and strong communities.

We all do better when we all do better.

In case you haven’t heard, the 950 members of SEIU Healthcare just approved a new three-year contract with the Mount Nittany Medical Center! This is a hugely important step for our community, and I am grateful to all those who played a role in working toward an agreement that we hope will usher in a new era of mutual respect and cooperation. 

As I mentioned above, September began with a once-in-193-year flooding event across much of Northern Centre County. If you sustained any property damage, please report it as soon as possible: the online link can be found here. Information on property damages (personal, business or municipal) is used by the county in working to access additional resources for our community.

Please find other resources below and reach out to my team with any questions.

• Power Outage Tips: https://www.pa.gov/agencies/ready/get-prepared/power-outages

• Pennsylvania 211: https://www.pa211.org/

• Post-Disaster Resources: https://www.pa.gov/agencies/ready/recover-from-disaster/available-help

• Reporting and assessing community damages: https://www.pa.gov/services/pema/community-storm-damage

I’m proud to announce that over $1.3 million in Commonwealth Financing Authority grant funding is coming to Centre County to support local projects. These investments respond directly to what people here have asked for — better animal care facilities, forward-looking educational opportunities, reliable water systems, and the equipment our townships need to keep roads safe and in good shape.

The funding includes:

• $300,000 to Centre County PAWS for a facility expansion and renovation project to improve animal care, safety, and shelter operations. 
• $279,400 to Milesburg Borough Water Authority to replace water mains on Cross Street, improving reliability and safety while reducing long-term maintenance costs.
• $149,165 to Snow Shoe Township for the purchase of a roller to maintain approximately 40 miles of township roads, enabling more regular maintenance and eliminating costly rentals.
• $146,487 to Howard Township for a utility truck and trailer, including traffic control devices and cargo boxes.
• $129,057 to Liberty Township for a skid steer with a paver and milling head to support road construction and maintenance.
• $125,000 to Discovery Space of Central Pennsylvania Inc. for a comprehensive master plan to guide future expansion, including site analysis, architectural design, and program and business plans.
• $100,000 to the Centre County Recycling & Refuse Authority for transportation equipment to improve the efficiency of glass recycling.
• $50,000 to Howard Township for the purchase of a mini excavator to increase efficiency and safety for roadway work and construction projects.
• $50,000 to Mountaintop Area Municipal Authority for a truck with an attached crane to streamline maintenance operations and reduce injury risk for personnel.

We’re funding what’s necessary today while planning for what’s next. These projects will strengthen municipal services, improve public safety, expand community amenities, and lay the foundation for continued growth across Centre County. The funding comes through the Statewide Local Share Account, which is financed by gaming revenues and supports projects that serve the public interest across Pennsylvania.

I’ll continue working to bring state resources home and invest in the people and communities of Centre County. Together, we’re building a stronger future while making sure our communities have what they need today. Find more information here.

Last Wednesday, September 9th the PA House of Representatives returned to democracy's birthplace in Philadelphia for a historic Legislative Session in Congress Hall, next to Independence Hall, to commemorate the 250th anniversary of both the Declaration of Independence and of Pennsylvania’s first Constitution—ratified in that very hall on Sept. 28, 1776. Congress Hall later served as the capitol of the United States until 1800, during that time the Bill of Rights and US Constitution were ratified.

I was joined by a local student, Cooper P., for a special program sponsored by America250PA to learn more about our government and the key role played by the PA General Assembly in the founding of our nation. I was also privileged to join Pennsylvania House Speaker Joanna McClinton for a special panel event, “A More Perfect Union: From Independence to Inclusion – 250 Years of American Democracy" (find a video of the event here).

She was joined by three other Speakers of the House from Illinois, New York, and Delaware at Mother Bethel A.M.E. Church for a deeply impactful discussion reflecting on our nation’s journey thus far: the progress we’ve made in living up to our founding ideals, as well as the challenges we face in preserving and protecting our democracy and continuing our work to forge “a more perfect union.”

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

On Oct. 3, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., 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 documents that contain your personal information helps protect you and your loved ones from identity theft.

We will also once again be collecting pet supply and food donations for our furry friends! We can accept unopened dog and cat food, toys, leashes, blankets, and more. Check out the full list of the most in-demand supplies on the flyer below!

I also hope you can join us for my third annual Senior Fair and Scam Seminar, in collaboration with Centre Care. This always-popular event takes place on October 14 and will feature a wide range of services, information, and resources tailored to older adults and those who love and support them. 

We will also be hosting a new and updated seminar on how to spot scams, and best practices for how to avoid and prevent them.

For the second year in a row, I’m thrilled to announce that we are partnering with Centre County PAWS and Penn State’s College of Nursing, College of Agricultural Sciences, and Lion Mobile Clinic to bring you one of our favorite events, “People, PAWS, and PSU: A Health Clinic for Dogs, Cats and Their Humans”.

We’ll have low-cost pet vaccines and microchips, as well as free human flu vaccines, blood pressure checks, and tons of good information about tick-borne diseases to help you and your pets stay healthy going into the fall.

Finally— Calling all veterans - Save the Date! On Nov. 7 from 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m. at the State College YMCA, I’m proud to partner with the Centre County YMCA to provide an appreciation lunch for Veterans and Military Personnel as a thank you to all those who have served. 

There will be a free lunch (generously provided by Texas Roadhouse), giveaways, a special guest speaker, and more!

Please RSVP by Oct. 30 using the QR code above or give us a call.  

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