STATE COLLEGE, Sept. 10 – Once again delivering on his commitment to improve local schools and ensure safer learning environments for all, state Rep. Paul Takac, D-Centre, today announced a new $105,906 grant to State College Area School District as part of the new $75M Public School Environmental Repairs Program, made possible by funding that Takac voted for in the 2023-24 Pennsylvania state budget. "There is no better investment we can make in our future than public education,” Takac said. “But unfortunately, many school buildings are aging and districts often struggle to find the money needed to repair and modernize them. “Our kids deserve buildings that are safe and free from asbestos, lead-based water pipes and paint, and inadequate or non-functioning critical infrastructure such as air conditioning and heating systems. “Like others across the commonwealth, the State College Area School District will use these funds to improve learning environments for students, teachers and staff, in this case to support much-needed renovations and upgrades at the high school’s North Building. “This is a great example of the good that government can and should do – working together to build better, safer schools for all,” Takac added. Read more
Summer 2024 Newsletter Read more
Listen to what our friends and neighbors had to say about the issues that matter to Centre County! Read more
“The lack of good-paying jobs and opportunities is leading to a falling population, as young people move away, with a corresponding decrease in local small businesses and services such as grocery stores, banks and even health care,” said Rep. Paul Takac, who hosted the House Majority Policy Committee tour and roundtable discussion. Read more
The program will help boost Pennsylvania's agriculture sector, the commonwealth’s leading industry and a key pillar of Shapiro's economic development plan. Read more
HARRISBURG, July 31 – Nearly $2.1 million will be earmarked to municipalities in Centre County to improve traffic safety, Rep. Paul Takac, D-Centre, announced. The Green Light-Go Program grants for Centre County, which are awarded through the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, are as follows: Benner Township - $168,220 for upgrades to traffic signal equipment at the intersections of Eagle Point, Amberleigh Lane, Stonecrest Drive and Benner Pike (Route 150). College Township - $463,116 for updated traffic signal equipment at seven intersections including six intersections along Park Avenue (Route 3007) and one along University Drive (Route 3022). State College Borough - $1.46 million for upgrading the boroughs existing signal network communication system. “One of the most important responsibilities of state and local governments is ensuring public safety, especially on our roads,” Takac said. “Totaling nearly $2.1 million, this significant and much needed ARLE funding will help protect drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians on some of our busiest and most heavily traveled routes. “As the former chair of the Centre Region COG’s Public Safety Committee, I am committed to partnering with local municipalities to ensure that these funds are made available and being used where they are needed most,” he added. Read more
2024-25 state budget wins, $10 million Agricultural Innovation Fund Signed into Law, In-District update, & more! Read more
STATE COLLEGE, July 18 – A grant totaling $133,106 has been awarded to Pennsylvania State University to bolster tutoring programs for adult learners, state Rep. Paul Takac announced today. The grant was awarded through the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s Tutoring Program for Adults and will be earmarked to train adult literacy education tutors who provide instruction to students participating in adult education and literacy activities. “This grant support underscores the power of literacy and lifelong learning,” said Takac, D-Centre. “I am excited to see Penn State receive this award, which will significantly enhance their adult tutoring programs and positively impact communities across the commonwealth. “It is our responsibility to ensure that every Pennsylvanian has access to the tools and resources they need to succeed. I am committed to working to continue investing in and supporting programs and initiatives that open doors for adult learners to achieve their academic and professional goals." Read more
HARRISBURG, July 11 -- The state House passed legislation today authored by state Reps. Lisa Borowski and Paul Takac that would protect communities from losing access to vital health care services due to health system consolidations and closures, by providing the state attorney general with tools to shield Pennsylvanians from corporate mergers that would devastate the availability of health services and increase patient costs. House Bill 2344 would amend the Health Care Facilities Act to provide needed oversight from the Office of the Attorney General when for-profit and non-profit hospitals change hands or undertake major corporate or financial restructuring. Right now, the office’s ability to review these sales is limited. “This is about the due diligence we owe to the people who call this commonwealth home. Health system mergers literally put their lives at stake when they result in Pennsylvanians no longer being within reach of a hospital or specialized care – like maternity wards – without hours of travel,” Borowski said. “I spent more than 30 years working in health care and saw how community hospitals are not only essential for health and wellness, but for social and economic stability, as well. The fact that 14 out of the last 15 hospital closures in Pennsylvania over the past five years occurred following a merger or acquisition shows us this legislation is necessary to keep up with the new Read more
HARRISBURG, July 12 – Legislation ( H.B. 1086 ) that will help connect veterans with government and community resources is on its way to Gov. Josh Shapiro for his signature, the bill’s prime sponsor, state Rep. Paul Takac, D-Centre, announced today. Takac’s bill updates state law to allow the state Department of Military and Veterans Affairs to transmit information from the voluntary Veterans Registry to providers and community outreach partners that participate with the Pennsylvania VETConnect Program. “With the enactment of this simple, but important, bill, we are not just updating state law, we are reaffirming our unwavering commitment to those who have worn our nation's uniform,” Takac said. “By streamlining the transmission of information from the voluntary Veterans Registry to our dedicated partners in the Pennsylvania VETConnect Program, we are enhancing our ability to reach out, connect, and deliver vital services to our veterans and their families more efficiently and effectively than ever before. “In addition, earlier this year, the House passed my resolution creating a Pennsylvania Task Force on Agent Orange and Other Toxins in order to ensure that all eligible veterans are aware of and receiving the benefits they deserve. And I am proud to announce that I was recently appointed to that Task Force by Pennsylvania House Speaker Joanna McClinton,” Takac added. Read more
My Agriculture Innovation Bill Passes House, Celebrating Pride Month, Fairly Funding Public Education & more! Read more
HARRISBURG, June 18 – Grant totaling nearly $120,000 have been awarded to several fire companies serving rural areas in the 82 nd Legislative District for equipment upgrades and general support, state Rep. Paul Takac, D-Centre, announced today. The special grant awards were made possible by federal American Rescue Plan dollars through the PA Department of Community and Economic Development. The awards and amounts are as follows: Beech Creek Blanchard Fire - $20,000. Boalsburg Fire Co. - $20,000. Citizens Hook and Ladder in Milesburg - $20,000. Howard Fire Co. - $20,000. Pine Glen Fire Co. - $20,000. Snow Shoe Fire Co. - $20,000. “These additional grant dollars will help boost our local volunteer fire companies’ capabilities, allowing for the purchase of new equipment, training, and improvements to facilities,” Takac said. “This substantial financial support is not just a recognition of their unwavering service, but a testament to the critical role they play in safeguarding our homes and families. “I am always very happy to help support these heroes so that they can continue their life-saving work with the best equipment and training available." Read more
HARRISBURG, June 14 – Funding totaling nearly $400,000 has been awarded to entities with a focus on ensuring residents in Centre County have access to safe, affordable housing, state Rep. Paul Takac, D-Centre, announced today. The groups and amounts are as follows: Habitat for Humanity of Greater Centre County– $200,000. State College Community Land Trust-$100,000. The HOME Foundation-$65,000. Centre County Government– $30,000. “Investing in affordable housing is not just about building homes; it's about building communities, strengthening economies, and opening doors to opportunities for everyone,” Takac said. “Young families, older adults, and workers who are the backbone of our economy should not struggle to find a place they can afford and call home. “I remain committed to ensuring that every individual and family has access to safe, affordable, and dignified housing. We must continue to work tirelessly to break down the barriers to affordable housing and make the American dream an achievable reality for all.” The funding was awarded through the Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement Fund. PHARE was established by Act 105 of 2010 (the "PHARE Act") to provide the mechanism by which certain allocated state or federal funds, as well as funds from other outside sources, would be used to assist Read more
This week, I proudly joined colleagues in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in passing H.B. 2370, a critical first step in the multi-year process of repairing the broken, inadequate and unconstitutional system of funding public education in our Commonwealth. Our plan would make critical and long overdue investments to begin to level the playing field without taking one dime from any district. It also would allow local schools to keep $530 million in local tax dollars and provide over $1 billion in tax relief for overburdened taxpayers. And it would do all of this without a tax increase. This plan delivers for every student in Centre County. In the upcoming school year, districts that serve Centre County students would receive nearly $4.5 million in new funding, including almost $300,000 in tax relief for Bald Eagle Area School District. And by reforming excessive payments to underperforming, unaccountable cyber charter schools - who today receive FAR more than they actually need - our districts would be able to keep $4 million of YOUR tax dollars, while still allowing for school choice. That would be a total of nearly $8.5 million in funding this year to improve our schools, again ?????????????? ?? ?????? ???????????????? . Despite much misinformation and even deception, H.B. 2370 is a reasonable, responsible and sustainable path to ensure full and adequate funding for all. It Read more
HARRISBURG, June 11 – Recognizing the ongoing need to invest in Pennsylvania agriculture, the Pennsylvania House passed H.B. 2310 today, according to the legislation’s prime sponsor, state Rep. Paul Takac, D-Centre. Takac said the bill, which cleared the House with bipartisan support , would provide farmers and agribusinesses with grant opportunities, via a newly created Agriculture Innovation Fund , to adopt innovative new technologies that will help increase efficiency and productivity while also promoting sustainability and environmental benefits. Takac said the bill aims to offer grants to farmers and agribusinesses through the establishment of an Agriculture Innovation Fund. The fund is designed to facilitate the adoption of emerging new technologies and integration of the latest research and best practices in PA agriculture, which is the Commonwealth’s top industry and a key pillar of Gov. Josh Shapiro’s economic development plan. Takac further emphasized that the legislation is crafted to provide clear program guidelines while also ensuring that the definition of innovation remains broad enough to be inclusive and responsive going forward. The initiative is intended not only to enable Pennsylvania's farmers to integrate the latest technology and best practices, while also to prepare for future advancements as the pace of innovation and research continues to accelerate. Read more
Memorial Day Events in Centre County | Senior Fair/Scam Seminar Recap & more! Read more
HARRISBURG, June 3 – In a move that would help propel Pennsylvania agriculture into the future, the Pennsylvania House Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee cleared H.B. 2310 , according to the legislation’s sponsor, state Rep. Paul Takac. Takac said the bill, which was reported out of the House committee with bipartisan support , would provide farmers and agribusinesses with grant opportunities, via a newly created Agriculture Innovation Fund, to adopt new technologies, increase efficiency, and promote sustainability and environmental benefits. Takac emphasized that this legislation strikes a balance between creating clear guidelines and not defining innovation too narrowly. This program would allow Pennsylvania farmers to adopt new technology and best practices now, with a keen eye toward the future as rapidly developing technologies become more readily available and accessible. “Pennsylvania farmers and food processors have a long history of embracing new technologies and best practices to both improve their conservation stewardship and create resiliency in their businesses. What were once revolutionary practices - such as no-till planting and cover crops - are now widely adopted and benefit both farms and the environment,” Takac said. “In an era where agricultural research and innovation is rapidly accelerating - including the use of drones, augmented reality and even artificial Read more
Upcoming Senior Fair | Advocating for Public Transit Funding | $1.5M Awarded to College Township Bike Path Project Read more
HARRISBURG, April 26 – Grant awards totaling nearly $886,721 have been awarded to schools throughout the 82 nd Legislative District to improve safety and mental health resources, state Rep. Paul Takac, D-Centre, announced today. The awards and the amounts are as follows: State College Area School District – $231,714. Keystone Central School District-$195,619. Bellefonte Area School District-$174,432. Bald Eagle Area School District – $154,131. Keystone Central CTC-$70,000. St. Joseph’s Catholic Academy-$50,000. Central Intermediate Unit 10 - $10,825. “In this era of unprecedented challenges, our commitment to the welfare of students and educators has never been stronger,” Takac said. “By prioritizing mental health and school safety, we are acknowledging the complex needs of our youth and dedicating ourselves to creating an environment where every child can thrive emotionally, socially, and intellectually. “Our message is clear: the safety and well-being of our students are paramount, and we will spare no expense to safeguard our future generations." More about the funding, which was awarded through the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, is available here. This most recent round of funding completes the $155 million school safety grants program package appropriated in the bipartisan 2023-24 state budget Read more
HARRISBURG, April 25 – A $1.5 million grant will be earmarked for the construction of a shared use path in College Township, state Rep. Paul Takac, D-Centre, announced today. College Township was awarded the grant that will be utilized to construct a 10-foot shared use path running from the new sidewalk at Puddintown Road to an existing 8-foot path near Hastings Road in State College Borough on the property of Penn State University. This funding is in addition to the $500,000 recently awarded for the project from the Multimodal Transportation Fund administered by the Commonwealth Financing Authority, bringing a total of $2 million in state funding for the project. This approximately 1-mile path will fill a critical gap in the regional bicycle and pedestrian network, and will provide a safe, offset and continuous connection along East College Avenue, linking the existing College Township Bike Path, which parallels the Mount Nittany Expressway, with the existing paths and bike lanes on campus and in State College Borough. “This College Avenue project was originally conceived when I was still a member of College Township Council, so I am thrilled about this very substantial grant award to help make it a reality,” Takac said. “Enhancing the ability of pedestrians and bicyclists to navigate this very busy corridor in order to access the University Park campus and State College Borough will have a profound impact on Read more
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216 W. Hamilton AvenueState College, PA 16801-5218
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