Jun. 28—WILKES-BARRE — The Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry (L&I) this week highlighted the continued success of its Summer Academies for high school students who are blind or visually impaired and students who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Hosted annually by L&I’s Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR), these programs provide students the tools and training needed to live independently, pursue higher education, and secure meaningful employment.
As part of a visit to an academy at Penn State University, L&I Secretary Nancy A. Walker met with 20 students attending the Summer Academy for Students who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing.
Last week, she visited students participating in the Summer Academy for students who are Blind or Visually Impaired. Both programs are held at Penn State’s University Park campus and are offered at no cost to students or families through federal pre-employment transition funding.
“Every young person transitioning from high school faces unique challenges, and students with disabilities often require additional support,” said Walker. “These summer academies offer hands-on experiences and practical skills, equipping students and their families with the resources necessary for success beyond high school.”
Since 2016, more than 478,500 Pennsylvanians have received services from OVR, including vocational counseling, evaluations, medical diagnostic services, medical restoration services, employment training, placement services and career support services.
Students participating in these academies experience authentic college living, including dormitory accommodations and dining hall meals and engaging in team-building activities. The curriculum covers mobility training, requesting accommodations, assistive technology use, emotional and social development, career planning and adaptive sports.
Personalized reports provided to students and families outline individual strengths and areas for further growth. Students attending the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Summer Academy have an opportunity to utilize captioning and interpreting services, which provide them with full communication access.
Rep. Meuser votes to advance FY26 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act
U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser, R-Dallas, this week voted in favor of H.R. 3944 — the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2026 — a major appropriations bill that reflects the values of national security, military readiness, and care for those who have served.
The bill fully funds veterans’ medical care at $131.4 billion and provides robust support for military construction, housing, and defense infrastructure. Meuser said it prioritizes quality-of-life improvements for military families — such as updated housing and expanded child development centers — and continues upgrades to Guard and Reserve facilities.
It also furthers U.S. strategic readiness by investing in infrastructure needed to support advanced weapons systems and operations in the Indo-Pacific region.
“H.R. 3944 is a strong, principled bill that honors our commitment to veterans, strengthens our national defense, and provides critical resources to military families,” said Meuser. “I’m proud to represent more than 45,000 veterans in Pennsylvania’s Ninth District. This legislation supports our VA system, improves living conditions for service members, and reflects the renewed strength and support for our military under President Trump’s leadership.”
To support veterans at home, Meuser said the bill backs President Trump’s effort to end veteran homelessness by investing in targeted rental assistance and transitional housing programs. It also protects the rights of those who served.
Meuser said the bill safeguards veterans’ Second Amendment rights by prohibiting the VA from sharing veterans’ information without a judge’s consent. He said it further ensures that taxpayer-funded benefits are not extended to individuals in the country illegally. Meuser said these provisions reflect a broader commitment to accountability and service within the Department of Veterans Affairs.
The legislation passed the House on Wednesday, 218 to 206, and now awaits consideration in the Senate.
Senate confirms Gov. Shapiro’s nominee Jessica Shirley to lead Department of Environmental Protection
The Pennsylvania Senate this week overwhelmingly confirmed Gov. Josh Shapiro’s nomination of Jessica Shirley as secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) in a bipartisan vote.
With more than 14 years of service with DEP, Shirley has served as an executive policy specialist, policy director, first-of-its-kind infrastructure implementation coordinator, and executive deputy secretary, where she oversaw the influx of federal funding supported by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and developed groundbreaking executive orders related to PFAS, climate change, energy conservation, and sustainability within Commonwealth operations.
“Secretary Shirley has spent her career serving the people of Pennsylvania and she is committed to delivering timely answers while protecting Pennsylvanians’ constitutional rights to clean air and pure water,” said Shapiro. “During her 14 years with the department, Secretary Shirley has been a driving force in safeguarding our environment while streamlining permitting processes and promoting economic growth.”
Shirley said, “I look forward to leading this agency of talented professionals as we continue to serve Pennsylvanians by protecting the air we breathe, the land we live on, and the water we drink from pollution. We will continue to work as partners with people, businesses and organizations to protect our natural resources and public health.”
Under her leadership, DEP has undertaken significant modernization efforts, such as the launch of the Payback program and the online permit tracker, that have reduced the permit backlog by 94% since Nov. 1, 2023.
Reach Bill O’Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.