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In this Update:
Where’s Your National Night Out?
On Tuesday, Aug. 4, neighborhoods across Cumberland and York counties will celebrate National Night Out, an evening that brings residents together with law enforcement, first responders and community organizations. It’s a great opportunity to meet the people who help keep our neighborhoods safe while enjoying family-friendly activities, emergency vehicle displays, demonstrations and food. If you want to see what your community has planned, contact your local township, borough or municipality. I’ll be visiting several National Night Out celebrations throughout the 31st Senatorial District and hope to see many of you there. Free Document Shredding and License Plate Replacement Event Set for July 30
Looking for a safe way to dispose of sensitive documents or need to replace a damaged Pennsylvania license plate? Rep. Thomas Kutz and I invite you to join us for a FREE Document Shredding and Damaged License Plate Replacement event on Thursday, July 30, from 4-7 p.m. at Mechanicsburg Middle School, 1750 S. Market St., Mechanicsburg. Whether you’re cleaning out old files or replacing a worn or damaged license plate, this convenient drive-thru event makes it easy to take care of both in one stop. Participants should review the following details before attending: Document Shredding:
Damaged License Plate Replacement:
For more information or to register for this event, please visit my website or contact my office at 717-432-1730 or Rep. Kutz’s office at 717-975-2235. A New Approach to Funding Pennsylvania Public Schools
Pennsylvania’s public education system relies too heavily on school property taxes, placing the burden primarily on homeowners and renters. My School Property Tax Elimination Act would eliminate these taxes and replace them with a broader-based model where everyone who buys taxable goods and services in Pennsylvania helps support education. My proposal would replace school property taxes with increases of 1.88% for the personal income tax and 2% for the sales and use tax. This creates a more balanced and predictable funding system, while giving Pennsylvanians more control over their tax burden instead of facing annual school property tax increases that can occur regardless of your ability to pay. Join me at one of my upcoming School Property Tax Elimination Town Halls to learn more about this proposal, ask questions and discuss the future of education funding in Pennsylvania.
The Bill Will Come Due for Pennsylvania Taxpayers
The consequences of unbridled government spending cannot be ignored, and next year the bill will come due for Pennsylvania taxpayers. I recently joined the Matt Gaetz Show on One America News Network to discuss the commonwealth’s 2026-27 state budget, the challenges ahead and the difficult choices lawmakers will soon face with spending at its current pace. Without meaningful fiscal restraint, Pennsylvania will be forced to make tough decisions — cutting services, reducing programs, raising existing taxes or creating new ones. That is why I have continued to vote “no” on state budgets that spend more than the state’s revenue. Tremendous Win for Private Property Rights
Every Pennsylvanian deserves to feel safe and secure on their own property, and this week the Pennsylvania Supreme Court upheld the strong privacy and property protections provided by our state constitution. The court’s unanimous decision, which came in a case involving two hunting clubs and the Pennsylvania Game Commission, is a major victory for private property rights across the commonwealth. It puts needed restrictions on the use of warrantless searches and correctly overturns the court’s 2007 decision in Commonwealth v. Russo. Specifically, the court held that “Article I, Section 8 provides Pennsylvania citizens with greater protection than the Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution as it relates to the open fields of any landowner that has demonstrated a reasonable expectation of privacy by taking sufficient steps to exclude intruders therefrom.” State game wardens have an important and dangerous job, which we all respect. However, the court emphasized the Game Commission must also respect the lawful rights of property owners. Protecting Our Communities from Child Predators and Human Trafficking
We are making progress in the never-ending fight against child predators and human trafficking in Pennsylvania. Senate Bill 45, which I supported and which was recently signed into law as Act 41 of 2026, will help Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday and law enforcement officials across the state target and prosecute human trafficking more effectively. This is a huge step forward. And in the new state budget, we also increased funding for two key programs overseen by AG Sunday – the Child Predator Interception Unit and the Human Trafficking Enforcement and Prevention program. If you believe you may have information about a trafficking situation, call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 888-373-7888. Investing in the Future of PA College Students
The successful Grow PA Scholarship program invests in Pennsylvania students looking to pursue a college education, develops the future of our workforce and incentivizes jobs to remain here in the commonwealth. Importantly, the program secures a commitment for students to stay and work in Pennsylvania communities after graduation, helping to address the state’s future economic and demographic challenges. With demand rising for Grow PA scholarships, the Senate secured a $10 million funding increase for the program in the 2026-27 state budget – bringing the annual funding total to $42.5 million. Grow PA, established in 2024, offers grants of up to $5,000 per year for in-state students who pursue a degree or certification in an in-demand occupation and is administered by the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency. Learn more about this program here. Honoring Veterans with Visual Impairments with a Capitol Monument
A Braille Flag monument honoring veterans with visual impairments could be installed at the Pennsylvania Capitol Building under legislation passed by the Senate and sent to the House of Representatives for consideration. The Braille Flag was created to honor the service of veterans who have been left with life-long visual disabilities. Under Senate Bill 1303, the monument would be made of bronze and include the Pledge of Allegiance in Braille. The display would be sponsored by the Moose Lodge and the American Braille Flag Project, a non-profit organization dedicated to the placement of these flags throughout the country. Read more about Senate Bill 1303 here. Find Summer Getaway Ideas Here in PA
There’s plenty of summer left. If you haven’t had time for a vacation yet, or you’re looking for another getaway, there’s plenty to experience here in our commonwealth. Use VisitPA to explore by regions, such as the Pennsylvania Wilds, Great Lakes, Laurel Highlands, the Lehigh Valley, Dutch Country and more. Break it down by things to do, outdoor activities, dining and other experiences. From rivers and trails to iconic attractions and historic sites, you can start planning your trip at the VisitPA website. Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Photo Contest Accepting Entries
Amateur and professional photographers: Take your best photos of the landscapes, wildlife and activities in a Pennsylvania state park or forest and enter the 2026 Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation “Through the Seasons” photo contest. A panel of experts will select a Judges’ Choice in each category prior to the photos being made available for public voting on the foundation’s Facebook page. Award winners receive gift cards and may be showcased in photo exhibitions. Find rules and entry info at the Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation website. All photos must be submitted by Sept. 30. PennDOT Roadwork Schedules for Cumberland and York Counties
Please see the latest PennDOT road work schedules provided to my office. These updates are issued periodically and may not include all projects or reflect the most current conditions. Additional updates are shared as they become available and posted on my Facebook page. If you have a road concern such as potholes, bridge issues or other roadway problems, you can report that information directly to PennDOT through the Customer Care Center form. I hope this information helps you plan your travel and avoid delays. |
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