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In this Update:
Meet Our New District Office Director
I am pleased to announce Nicholas Shields has joined my team as the new district office director in the Dillsburg office. He brings a strong background in public service, leadership and community engagement to the role. A former U.S. Army infantry officer and military veteran, he has led teams in high-pressure environments, managed complex operations and demonstrated a commitment to service. His background includes grassroots outreach efforts, where he developed relationships with community leaders across multiple counties. As district office director, Nick will oversee the day-to-day operations of the Dillsburg office, supervise staff and ensure constituents receive timely and effective assistance. He will also serve as my local representative, working closely with residents, businesses and community organizations to address concerns and connect people with state resources. His background in leadership, logistics and constituent engagement makes him well-suited to handle complex issues and maintain strong relationships throughout the district. We look forward to the work ahead and continuing to serve you. When you stop into the office or see him out and about, please be sure to say hi! Celebrating Community on St. Patrick’s Day
I was thrilled to attend the third annual St. Patrick’s Day Party in downtown New Cumberland, along with Rep. Sheryl Delozier. It was great to see the community come together to celebrate, support local businesses and enjoy the festive spirit of the day. Thank you to everyone who stopped by our booth. We enjoyed connecting with residents and local business owners, answering questions and sharing information about legislative priorities and other initiatives that matter to our community. A Future Without School Property Taxes: Join the Conversation
Are skyrocketing school property taxes weighing down your budget? For many homeowners in Pennsylvania, the answer is yes. That’s why I introduced Senate Bill 962, alongside House Bill 1649 introduced by Rep. Wendy Fink, to eliminate school property taxes and replace them with a fairer, more stable funding system. The plan is designed to provide real relief for homeowners, improve affordability, and ensure strong, reliable funding for our schools and educators. I invite you to attend our School Property Tax Elimination Town Hall to learn more and ask questions. I am co-hosting this event with Rep. Fink, Rep. Mike Jones and Sen. Kristin Phillips-Hill on Saturday, March 28, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Golden Connections Community Center, 20 Gotham Place, Red Lion. Residents are encouraged to RSVP by calling 717-244-9232 or visiting this link. This is your opportunity to understand how the proposal could affect your household and share your thoughts. I hope you’ll join us and be part of this important conversation about delivering meaningful property tax relief. Agriculture Literacy Week Comes to Dillsburg Elementary
I had the opportunity to help kick off Agriculture Literacy Week with students at Dillsburg Elementary as a guest reader, alongside the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau and the Gifford Pinchot FFA. We read this year’s featured book, Cows Can Moo! Can You? All About Farms by Dr. Seuss, providing a fun and engaging way to introduce students to Pennsylvania agriculture and highlight the commonwealth’s top industry. It was a joy to celebrate our agriculture roots with the next generation and spark curiosity about the farms and farmers who help feed our communities. Events like this help students understand where their food comes from while connecting them to the important work happening across Pennsylvania. Photo credit: Curt Werner Touring Advanced Coating Technology in Mechanicsburg
I recently had the pleasure of touring Advanced Coating Technology in Mechanicsburg to learn more about the innovative work happening in the 31st District. Founded in 1976, the company helped lead the way in bringing powder coating to Pennsylvania and now provides high-performance coatings for industries ranging from aerospace to military and defense. During the visit, I had the opportunity to meet their team, see their process firsthand, and learn how much skill and care goes into their work. Advanced Coating Technology continues to grow while providing quality jobs and supporting our local economy. Discussing Pennsylvania’s Priorities at the Legislator’s Forum
I want to thank the Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC for inviting me to participate in their annual Legislator’s Forum. We discussed key issues shaping Pennsylvania’s future, including workforce development, economic growth, infrastructure priorities, the housing market and other topics affecting the state and region. It was a productive conversation about building a stronger, more vibrant region where families, businesses and communities can thrive. Forums like this are important for connecting leaders from government, business and the community to address today’s challenges while preparing for tomorrow’s opportunities. Legislation Introduced to Cut Red Tape and Support Affordable Housing
I recently introduced Senate Bill 1236 to help address rising housing costs by streamlining the state’s stormwater permitting process for small construction projects. Under current law, the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting process can create costly and time-consuming hurdles for landowners and developers before construction even begins, with those costs often passed on to homebuyers and renters. The bill would allow construction projects disturbing between one and five acres of land to apply for a waiver from certain NPDES permit requirements if they meet federal criteria for low-risk stormwater runoff. By reducing permit fees and administrative delays, this reform could save landowners thousands of dollars per site, encourage responsible development and support more affordable housing options, particularly in rural and suburban communities. Importantly, the legislation maintains strong environmental protections by limiting waivers to projects that pose minimal risk to water quality. Senate Bill 1236 is now before the Senate for consideration. For more details, read the full news release here. PennDOT Roadwork Schedules for Cumberland and York Counties
As we move into the winter months, PennDOT road work schedules are released less frequently. To ensure you stay informed, we will share PennDOT news releases about specific construction projects planned in our senatorial district. Because these updates are issued based on project timelines, the information at the link may not change each week, and it may not include every project or reflect the latest conditions. We hope these updates help you plan ahead, avoid delays and travel safely throughout the season.
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