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Dear Neighbor,
This month, my colleagues and I returned to the Capitol in Harrisburg for the final few sessions of this legislative term, which ends on November 30th. As you may know, each legislative term exists on its own, and any unfinished business or pending legislation must be reintroduced and started over again in the next term. That makes these final opportunities to advance your interests and priorities in the 2025-26 legislative session so important. As always, my primary focus is on representing the entire 82nd District and Centre County and ensuring that our Commonwealth continues to be a government that serves “we the people.”
My team and I have also been very busy here at home and, as I drive to and from Harrisburg and around the district, there’s a crackle in the air and I am regularly taking a moment to enjoy the view of our ridges and valleys dappled with the brilliant yellows, oranges and reds that make fall in PA so special. And while autumn brings football, pumpkins, and festivals, this year it also means an upcoming general election on November 3rd. Please be aware that some polling locations in Centre County have changed this year, so it is important to double-check your assigned precinct.
You can check your polling location HERE and find other voting and registration information at vote.pa.gov. And remember, the last day to register to vote is this Monday, October 19th! For those of you who have already returned your mail in ballot, thank you! Regardless of who you support, our democracy is stronger when more eligible voters participate.
While we encourage folks to be prepared for the upcoming general election, we also recently voted in the PA House to increase voter engagement in our primary elections by passing bipartisan legislation to allow unaffiliated, independent voters the opportunity to vote in Pennsylvania’s traditionally ‘closed’ primary elections that occur in May. Today, only registered Democrats can vote in Democratic primaries, and only registered Republicans can vote in Republican primaries.
Passing this legislation would open our primary elections to the more than 1.5 million voters who do not currently identify with either major party. That includes not only many veterans, but an increasing number of young voters. The bill now moves to the PA Senate, and I urge my colleagues to support this bill, which expands access to more Pennsylvanians to have their voice heard.
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Dems Invest in Rural Broadband
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A lack of reliable, affordable high-speed Internet is one of the most common issues and complaints I hear from folks in rural areas of Centre County and across central Pennsylvania generally.
Things that many of us take for granted can be a serious challenge in rural communities, which often lack access to grocery stores, banking or other services, and pharmacies and healthcare providers, not to mention basic infrastructure, including high speed Internet. But make no mistake, a lack of broadband internet is not simply a quality-of-life issue, it is also a significant economic development issue – limiting or precluding access to business, educational, and healthcare opportunities, including telehealth services.
And just one month ago, our region was hit by a once-in-a-193-year flood event – many of the areas hardest hit lack the accessible internet access to report the catastrophic damage done to their homes and businesses, not to mention potential impact on public safety in an emergency.
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All of which contributed to my excitement in joining Governor Shapiro at Bald Eagle High School for the announcement of more than $448M in Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) grants. These investments will allow communities like ours across the Commonwealth to have the tools they need to support students, working people, and business owners to compete on a fair playing field with communities across the state.
I want to recognize and thank Governor Shapiro, other elected officials, and program administrators supporting BEAD for their leadership and commitment to delivering this important and much needed funding to help provide high-quality, high-speed internet connectivity to our local communities
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I’m thrilled that we are once again partnering with Centre County PAWS and Penn State’s College of Nursing, College of Agriculture, and the Lion Mobile Clinic to host our second annual “People, PAWS, and PSU” event — 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 stay healthy this Fall. See you there!
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Visit My Team at Liberty Township Pop Up Office
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This Tuesday, Oct. 20th my team will be at the Liberty Township Municipal Building from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to assist you with any state-related matters. Or just stop by to say hello; we’d love to see you!
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Don’t Miss Your Chance To Talk with Takac
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Nothing is more energizing than engaging with our local university students and hearing what they consider to be the most pressing issues impacting their future.
Make sure any students in your life mark their calendars for this Oct. 27th event, and I’ll see them in the Lions Lair Lounge in the Penn State HUB at 5:30 p.m.!
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Veterans’ Appreciation Luncheon
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Calling all veterans - Save the Date! On Friday, Nov. 6 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 below, clicking here, or giving us a call at 814-308-0569. Space is limited, so sign up today!
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Disaster Recovery Resources: Low-Interest Loans & Grants
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The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) announced last week that Governor Shapiro had secured access to federal U.S. Small Business Association (SBA) low-interest loans for qualifying individuals impacted by the severe storms and flash flooding on Sept. 2 and 3 in many parts of Centre County. Additionally, PEMA has activated the Commonwealth’s Disaster Recovery Assistance Program (DRAP) which provides grants for those who qualify in municipalities that issued a local disaster proclamation—in the 82nd District that includes Curtin Township, Howard Township, and Liberty Township.
Our office can provide assistance in navigating the process of applying for the SBA’s Disaster Loan Program and the Commonwealth’s DRAP grants. My staff can help you file all the necessary paperwork. Please call 814-308-0569, and we can work to make sure you have everything we need to file your claims. Keep an eye on our social media as well for more ways our office is focusing on supporting our neighbors filing for disaster relief.
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Congratulations to Chief Peary Schmoke!
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Recently, I was honored to present former Pine Glen Fire Company Chief Peary Schmoke with an official citation from the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in recognition of his more than 50 years of service to the fire company and to our community.
Peary joined the Pine Glen Fire Company when he was just a teenager in 1975. He then succeeded his father as fire chief in 1983, after only eight years of service, and went on to hold the position of chief until just last year in 2025. Under Peary’s leadership, the fire company expanded and grew into an indispensable and reliable partner, serving Centre and Clearfield counties and beyond, including traveling all the way to Louisiana and the Gulf Coast to support folks after Hurricane Katrina.
While he may have stepped down as chief, he continues to be an active member and advocate for the fire company. His dedication and service on the Mountaintop is deeply appreciated.
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Two weeks ago, I was thrilled to participate in the ceremonial transfer of WPSU to WHYY following more than a year of hard work and tireless advocacy from members of the community, Penn State, and the teams at WPSU and WHYY. I am proud to have played a role in helping secure funds and bring stakeholders together to help make this dream a reality.
It was inspiring to join this group and look ahead to WPSU’s next chapter, while building on the strong foundation and legacy created by Penn State over more than 60 years. The central mission and focus remain the same: serving the people of central and northern Pennsylvania by sparking discovery, enriching learning, and strengthening community through vibrant public media, high-quality news, and community content.
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My fall season kicked off with so many celebrations in the 82nd District and throughout Centre County. It was fabulous to recognize 100 years of style at Harpers clothing store in State College, and the excitement just kept coming. What would fall be without Penn State’s Homecoming Parade and the annual festivals and car shows in Snow Shoe and Milesburg!
I also had a chance to stop by the Snow Shoe Rails-to-Trails pig roast; joined the good folks at Alpha Fire Company for the presentation of a $10,000 check from Bloom Energy as part of the ESPN Radio’s College Football Campus Tour; participated in a discussion group at Constitution Day at the Delta School; and enjoyed the season at the annual Downtown Fall Fest.
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And last but certainly not least, we recently held our annual Free Shredding Event and Pet Supplies Drive in partnership with our good friends at Centre County Recycling & Refuse Authority and PAWS. We welcomed more than 250 vehicles over 3 hours and collected nearly SIX TONS of paper and two vehicles full of pet supplies!
I can’t tell you how much my team and I enjoy being part of events like these that help bring our community together.
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I mentioned that I have been in Harrisburg a lot recently as well. I met with the new Executive Director of THON and Four Diamonds; helped celebrate the beauty and diversity of cultures from around the world in the Main Rotunda with the Peace Islands Institute and the Turkish Cultural Center of PA; and marked the annual kickoff of Breast Cancer Awareness Month by turning the East Wing Fountain pink! Breast cancer is deeply personal for me.
This year marks 50 years since my Mom passed from this awful disease, when I was just 10 years old. Since those dark days however, research and treatments have improved tremendously and the current 5-year survival rate for localized early-stage 1 cancer is now over 99%! Which is why I am so proud of Act 1 of 2023 (the first bill I supported that became law) which guarantees preventive breast cancer screenings at no-cost for every Pennsylvanian. Early Detection Saves Lives.
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Upcoming Penn State Project ECHO programing for Primary Care Providers
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Before closing, I want to highlight an important resource available to healthcare providers across the Commonwealth. Penn State Project ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) connects healthcare providers with specialists to provide mentoring, case-based discussions, and guided learning to expand access to quality care.
In particular, the Newest Developments in Treatments (Nese) series spotlights trending topics to expand the scope of primary care practice specifically for rural and high need community providers where there are unprecedented barriers to accessing health resources.
Aside from the planned Nese Sessions that benefit rural providers, an additional special series will equip primary care providers to integrate oral health into routine medical care.
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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!?
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District Office
216 W. Hamilton Ave.
State College, PA 16801
(814) 308-0569
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Pennsylvania State Capitol
103-B East Wing
Harrisburg, PA 17120
(717) 772-0750
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