|
View this email in a browser
In this Update:
- Protecting Farmland Is Key to National Security
- Attend the Utility Fair to Get Support With Bills, Rates and Services
- Local EMS Professionals Receive Star of Life Award
- Malicious Deepfake Scams Targeted by New Law
- Protecting Our Children: Sex Offender Registry Loophole Closed
- Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program Application Deadline Extended to Dec. 31
- PennDOT Roadwork Schedules for Cumberland and York Counties
Protecting Farmland Is Key to National Security
Last week, I accepted an invitation to attend the joint U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Department of Defense press conference announcing the seven-point National Farm Security Action Plan.
I am grateful for President Donald Trump’s steadfast support of legislators like me who are working to protect our farmland and strengthen America’s food supply. Farm security is national security, and that is why I am proud to sponsor Pennsylvania’s Farmland Protection Bill, Senate Bill 386, to help safeguard our farmland from foreign ownership and secure it for future generations.
Special thanks to Attorney General Pam Bondi and Secretaries Brooke Rollins, Pete Hegseth and Kristi Noem for recognizing how vital farmland protection is to our nation’s security and for their leadership on this important issue.
You can watch the full press conference here.
Attend the Utility Fair to Get Support With Bills, Rates and Services
I will be hosting a Utility Fair on Saturday, July 19, from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Gunter Smith Center for Community Engagement, 59 E. Market St., York.
Stop in at your convenience to meet face-to-face with your utility providers, get answers to your questions, address any concerns and learn about:
- New financial assistance programs
- Upcoming rate changes
- General service information
- Federal and state assistance programs
Participating companies include American Water, Adams Electric Cooperative, Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania, PECO and The York Water Company.
I hope you’ll take advantage of this chance to connect with your utility companies to get the information and help you need. Please RSVP here so we know to expect you. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to my office at 717-432-1730 or dkeefer@pasen.gov.
Local EMS Professionals Receive Star of Life Award
It was a privilege to present Pennsylvania Senate citations to Dr. Jed Seitzinger and Sarah Fishburne, two residents of my Senate district, in recognition of receiving the EMS Star of Life Award.
Seitzinger has dedicated 25 years to providing emergency medical services, serving as a medical command physician since 1998. His tireless commitment to preserving the health and safety of our community has earned him the respect and gratitude of so many.
Fishburne has also faithfully served our community for 25 years as a paramedic, providing exceptional care and compassion to those in need. Her devotion to duty sets an incredible example for all.
The American Ambulance Association’s Stars of Life program honors EMS professionals who go above and beyond the call of duty and highlights the critical role EMS plays in our health care system.
This recognition reflects the outstanding contributions both have made to emergency medical services and the well-being of our community.
Malicious Deepfake Scams Targeted by New Law
Technology such as artificial intelligence has been used to commit financial scams, injure personal reputations and disrupt the political process. Legislation we passed is now enacted to classify these deepfakes and other forms of digital impersonation as digital forgeries, punishable by law.
Act 35 of 2025 amends the current forgery provisions in state law to include “forged digital likeness.” Under the new provision, if someone creates a digital representation of a real person without their consent and distributes it as genuine, with the intent to defraud or injure, they would be subject to penalties. The law targets harmful impersonations while safeguarding legitimate artistic, journalistic and expressive works.
The new law will go a long way toward combatting scams that target teenagers, senior citizens, small businesses and other victims.
Protecting Our Children: Sex Offender Registry Loophole Closed
Pennsylvania took a huge step forward in efforts to protect children from sexual abuse in youth sports and nonprofit programs with legislation that was passed by the Senate and signed into law.
Act 22 of 2025 adds the crime of sexual assault by a sports official, volunteer or employee of a nonprofit association as a Tier II offense under the state’s Sexual Offender Registration and Notification Act.
Without the change, a conviction for this crime did not require sexual offender registration – a gap that left children and families at risk.
Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program Application Deadline Extended to Dec. 31
The deadline to file for the state Property Tax Rent/Rebate Program has been extended to Dec. 31, 2025, allowing eligible older adults and people with disabilities age 18 and older more time to apply for rebates on property taxes and rent paid.
The maximum eligible income is $46,520 and the maximum rebates range from $380 to $1,000 depending on the income level of the homeowner or renter. Check income, age and other eligibility details here.
Treasurer Stacy Garrity recently announced that 423,092 Property Tax/Rent Rebate payments totaling $256 million were sent to eligible Pennsylvanians on July 1. Please contact my office if you need help filling out your application.
PennDOT Roadwork Schedules for Cumberland and York Counties
To help you stay informed and plan your travels, I will be sharing weekly updates on PennDOT’s roadwork schedules for Cumberland and York counties. This information comes directly from PennDOT but may not include every roadwork project or be completely accurate. Updates will be posted every Friday as long as PennDOT provides the information. There may be weeks when no new details are shared. I hope these updates help you avoid delays and make your travel easier.
|
