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In this Update:
Important Notice – In observance of the General Election and Veterans Day, my offices will be closed Nov. 4 and 11. Regular business hours will resume the following days. Reminder: Today Is Election Day in Pennsylvania
Today, Nov. 4, is Election Day, the last chance of the year for voters to weigh in on races for local, county and judicial positions. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. For those voting by mail, county election offices must receive completed ballots by 8 p.m. on Election Day. Find your polling place and other voter information here. Celebrating Cumberland County’s Taekwondo Champions
This past week, I had the pleasure of welcoming two outstanding young athletes, Charlie Caraker of Mechanicsburg and Joseph Hess of Camp Hill, to the Pennsylvania Senate floor, to recognize their incredible achievements at the 2025 U.S. National Taekwondo Championships. Charlie Caraker captured the gold medal in the Tiger Sparring competition, demonstrating exceptional athletic excellence and perseverance. Joseph Hess earned a bronze medal in the Dragon Poomsae Individual competition, showcasing remarkable skill, focus and determination. Both Charlie and Joseph are shining examples of how dedication, hard work and discipline lead to success. Their accomplishments make Cumberland County and the commonwealth of Pennsylvania proud. Congratulations to both athletes on these impressive achievements. Spending Time with Our Youngest Readers
I enjoyed visiting a fifth-grade class at Elmwood Academy in the Mechanicsburg Area School District. Reading a book with the students, answering their questions and chatting about school and their interests made for a rewarding visit. Thank you to the students, teachers and administration for welcoming me into your classroom. Collaborating on Student Success with Cyber Charter School Leaders
I had the opportunity to join leaders from Pennsylvania’s public cyber charter schools for a roundtable discussion, hosted by Reach Cyber Charter School. The day began with a tour of the school and a chance to sit in on a live virtual class. The visit was followed by a roundtable discussion focused on improving student outcomes and well-being. School leaders and lawmakers explored ways to collaborate on student-centered solutions. I am grateful for the invitation to participate and for the perspectives shared during the discussion. These conversations are essential as we work together to ensure all students across the commonwealth have the support and resources they need to succeed. Answers to Common Questions About the School Property Tax Elimination Act
For too long, Pennsylvanians have struggled under the weight of ever-increasing school property taxes, with many fearing they could lose their homes because the current system doesn’t consider a person’s ability to pay. That’s why I’ve introduced the School Property Tax Elimination Act (Senate Bill 962 and House Bill 1649) with Rep. Wendy Fink. Our plan would eliminate school property taxes and replace that funding through adjustments to both Pennsylvania’s sales and use, and income tax rates. This proposal ensures our schools remain fully funded while giving homeowners long-overdue relief and greater control over their finances. Below are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about the plan: Q: If you propose eliminating Pennsylvania’s school property taxes, which fund our education system, how would your plan provide funding for education? A: The School Property Tax Elimination Act would shift education funding by increasing the sales and use tax by 2% and the income tax by 1.88%. This means Pennsylvania’s sales and use tax would become 8% and the income tax would increase to 4.95%. Q: Would the 2% increase in sales and use tax apply to clothing and food? A: The sales and use tax on clothing would only be 2%, not the full 8%. There would be no tax on food. Q: Would you tax my pension? A: Under this proposal, pensions would be taxed only when money is withdrawn, with some exceptions. Social Security, military pensions and any portion of pension withdrawals that have already been taxed would not be taxed again. It’s worth noting that most states already tax pensions when funds are withdrawn, while pensions in Pennsylvania remain untaxed. This has led to Pennsylvania becoming a destination state for retirees from places such as Maryland and New Jersey. Our plan would align Pennsylvania with this common approach while providing relief from school property taxes. Q: How is your School Property Tax Elimination Act a better solution than the current property tax system? A: It’s important to understand that every year, property taxes continue to rise regardless of a person’s income or ability to pay. Under the School Property Tax Elimination Act, you would no longer need to worry about making that property tax payment or fear losing your home from your inability to pay. With this plan, you have control over what you spend and how much. If you can’t afford something, you simply don’t buy it. Your taxes would reflect your financial choices, not an arbitrary assessment. In fact, more than 75% of Pennsylvanians would fare better under this plan compared with what they currently pay in property taxes. Q: How do I know if this plan will benefit me? A: You can visit noprop.tax to see how your taxes would change under the School Property Tax Elimination Act. You’ll just need your annual income, property taxes paid, and any retirement income to calculate your results. Our School Property Tax Elimination Act gives Pennsylvanians fairness, predictability and control — three things our current property tax system fails to deliver. By replacing an unfair, ever-growing property tax with a system tied to what people earn and spend, we can fund education responsibly while protecting homeowners and families across the commonwealth. Senate Local Government Committee Holds Public Hearing on Firearm Preemption Law
On Wednesday, Oct. 29, as chair of the Senate Local Government Committee, I led a public hearing to gather testimony on Pennsylvania’s firearm preemption law and Senate Bill 822. The legislation reaffirms the General Assembly’s sole authority to regulate firearms and prohibits municipalities from enacting their own local firearm ordinances. It also allows anyone adversely affected by such an ordinance to seek declaratory and injunctive relief and recover reasonable expenses, including attorney fees. The hearing featured several panels:
Senate Bill 822 is an important measure to ensure that firearm laws remain consistent statewide rather than being subject to a confusing patchwork of local regulations. I strongly support this legislation and remain committed to protecting our constitutional rights under the Second Amendment. I appreciate the contributions of all panelists and attendees to this important conversation. For those who were unable to attend, the public hearing can be viewed online. Bill Requiring Parental Notification of School Weapons Incidents Set to Become Law
Legislation requiring school districts to notify parents and school employees of any incidents involving possession of weapons on school property is set to become law. Under current law, school districts are not required to inform parents or guardians about incidents when a weapon is brought onto school grounds or to related activities. The changes in Senate Bill 246 apply to public, nonpublic and private schools. The bill, which first passed the Senate in May, received strong bipartisan support from the General Assembly and now awaits the governor’s signature. Senate Votes to Eliminate Unnecessary Boards and Commissions
Legislation to streamline state government operations by eliminating outdated, unnecessary and inactive boards, commissions and advisory committees was passed by the Senate. Senate Bill 755 would eliminate 13 government entities that are expired, dormant, no longer have any members or are unnecessary. Examples include the Greater Pennsylvania Council that has been long dormant; the Senior Citizen Advisory Committee, whose duties were all assumed by a different committee; the High-Speed Intercity Passenger Rail Commission, which expired in 1987; and the Climate Change Advisory Committee, which has produced no specific beneficial outcomes while continuing to expend taxpayer dollars. Many of the commonwealth’s nearly 400 boards, commissions and advisory committees do not publicly share information about their duties, meetings or other activities, raising concerns about transparency. The bill was sent to the House of Representatives for consideration. 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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