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In this Update:
Remembering 9.11: Honoring Courage and Unity
This Thursday, we pause to honor the lives lost, the heroes who rose and the enduring resilience of our nation on 9.11 Remembrance Day. We will never forget the courage, sacrifice and unity displayed on that day, which continue to inspire us all. As we reflect, we pay tribute not only to those who perished in the attacks but also to the first responders, volunteers and everyday Americans who came together in the face of tragedy. Their bravery and selflessness remind us of the strength found in community and the importance of standing united. UCP Central PA Showcases Participant Creativity
United Cerebral Palsy of Central PA recently stopped by my office to share a beautiful piece of artwork created by Michael, one of their program participants. This thoughtful gift highlights the creativity and talent thriving in our community. I’m grateful for their gesture and proud to continue supporting the vital work this organization does to empower individuals and families. Their commitment to providing resources, opportunities and support truly makes a difference in our community. York City Police Department Launches First-of-Its-Kind Pocket Park
This past week, the York City Police Department officially opened its new outdoor waiting area and pocket park at 50 E. King Street. This innovative space provides children with a safe and engaging environment while families conduct business at the department. Located in downtown York, the park also serves as a meeting space for officers, visitors and residents. This initiative is a strong example of community-focused policing and I commend the department for its commitment to the people it serves. Unleashing Workforce Growth Through Apprenticeship Reform
On Sept. 2, I participated in a joint Senate and House policy hearing on higher education and workforce development. The hearing aimed to address the myriad of issues surrounding workforce development, education and retention. One area I have been focusing on is apprenticeships and the reforms necessary to yield their full potential. Apprenticeship is an excellent, time-tested model for career success, but current 4:1 ratio regulations for nonunion/merit shop programs unnecessarily restrict apprenticeship opportunities and ultimately stifle the growth of Pennsylvania’s workforce. In March 2023, Gov. Josh Shapiro stated, “In Pennsylvania, the people should decide what path is best for them, not have it decided by some arbitrary requirement or any arbitrary limitation.” Ironically, Pennsylvania’s Department of Labor and Industry refuses to address 60-year-old, arbitrary apprenticeship ratio requirements that limit the growth of the state’s workforce. During the hearing, we heard how employers are in dire need of employees, yet Pennsylvania refuses to address the department’s adherence to the antiquated 4:1 apprenticeship ratio rule, which arbitrarily restricts nonunion/merit shop apprenticeship opportunities. It makes no sense. The Pennsylvania Apprenticeship and Training Council (ATC), established to approve, oversee and advise state apprenticeship programs, has a documented history of aiding union apprenticeship programs, allowing them to establish ratios as low as 1:1, while dismissing nonunion/merit shops by denying anything less than a 4:1 ratio. Even worse, the ATC provides no guidance when issuing nonunion/merit shop ratio denials. The council offers no help or corrective action plan that might lead to a reduced apprentice ratio. The ATC denials of nonunion/merit shop ratio reduction requests have never referenced concerns over safety, graduation rates or program quality—issues that could actually impact apprenticeship programs. Policymakers and leaders cannot continue to profess a commitment to expanding and strengthening our workforce while ignoring arbitrary ratio rules that directly contribute to workforce shortages and small business stagnation. It’s a simple reform that costs the commonwealth nothing. I commend nonunion/merit shop apprenticeship programs that continue to operate with appropriate oversight and provide quality education despite discriminatory state limitations that reduce apprentice numbers. I will continue to champion commonsense policy reforms that create a platform where all workforce programs can excel. If the goal is an expanded, well-trained workforce to propel Pennsylvania’s economy, all champions of workforce development should join me in clearing this unnecessary obstacle once and for all. Join Us on School Property Tax Elimination
Pennsylvanians want real relief from skyrocketing property taxes. That’s why I introduced Senate Bill 962 and Rep. Wendy Fink introduced House Bill 1649—the School Property Tax Elimination Act. This plan replaces school property taxes with a fairer, more stable revenue model while ensuring strong funding for our schools. Key highlights of the plan:
You can get an idea of how your taxes would change under our legislation by clicking here. You will need to know your annual income, property taxes paid annually and your retirement income. Please join us at one of our upcoming town halls:
Want to bring a town hall to your community? Call my office at 717-432-1730. Let’s keep the momentum going! Eliminating Waste and Fraud in State Government
Reforming the way state government operates includes removing barriers to creating good jobs and preventing fraud and waste of taxpayer dollars. This year, we passed legislation I authored to implement stricter oversight to block regulations that will cost employers or taxpayers more than $1 million, and require automatic review of these kinds of regulations after three years to ensure they remain in the public interest. Other bills passed by the Senate require the Department of Human Services to prevent fraud in public assistance, prevent dead people from receiving benefits and ensure unemployment compensation benefits don’t go to claimants who try to avoid work. To reduce the risk of data breaches in taxpayer-funded systems, we passed legislation requiring all state IT contracts to meet national cybersecurity standards. You can review all the notable bills we’ve passed in 2025 here. Jobs Available with PennDOT’s Winter Maintenance Program
The coming end of summer means job opportunities for those with the skills to maintain and clear Pennsylvania’s roadways in the winter with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT). Positions and hourly pay include CDL equipment operator ($23), dispatcher ($17.38), diesel and automotive mechanic ($24.97 – $28.37 based on title), tradesman helper and semi-skilled laborer ($18.46), and more. These temporary positions could be a pathway to a permanent PennDOT career. You can find more background information and links to job openings here. Help for Caregivers: PA CareKit
Caring for a loved one is a selfless act that strengthens family bonds but can be difficult for the caregiver. The PA CareKit can be a great help. From the Pennsylvania Department of Aging, the PA CareKit is a collection of tools and information to help you manage stress, navigate the health care system, stay connected and find support. Topics include the First Five Steps, Understanding Your Needs, Key Caregiving Terms and Concepts, and Caregiving Resources. If you’re a caregiver, I hope you find this information useful for this challenging but lifechanging role. 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.
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