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In this Update:

• Recognizing the Service and Sacrifice of Our Veterans
• Pennsylvania Expands Access to Veterans’ Benefits
• Mapping Out the Big Plan – A Senior Transitions Seminar
• Philadelphia Town Hall to Discuss My School Property Tax Elimination Act
• Nov. Satellite Office Hours
• Watch Out for Increased Deer Crossings
• State Police Accepting Applications for Youth Camp
• Celebrating Pennsylvania’s Nurse Practitioners
• Roadwork Schedules for Cumberland and York Counties

IMPORTANT NOTICE – My offices will be closed for in-person services on Wednesday, Nov. 11 in observance of Veterans Day. Virtual services will continue to be accessible via my website.

Recognizing the Service and Sacrifice of Our Veterans

Veterans Day, observed on Nov. 11, is an opportunity to recognize the men and women who have served our country and express our gratitude for their sacrifices. I appreciated the opportunity to attend two local events honoring our veterans: the York County Veterans Affairs Annual Celebration and Breakfast in York and Rep. Joe D’Orsie’s Veterans Appreciation Breakfast in Mount Wolf. Both events brought our community together to recognize the service and sacrifices of those who wore our nation’s uniform.

To all our veterans, thank you for your service and for the sacrifices you and your families have made to protect our freedoms. I encourage you to take a few moments to watch my personal Veterans Day message, where I share what this day means to me and express my gratitude to all who have served.

Pennsylvania Expands Access to Veterans’ Benefits

November is National Veterans and Military Families Appreciation Month, and in recognition of this, Pennsylvania is expanding access to state veterans’ benefits through the most extensive regulatory updates in 35 years. The Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) estimates nearly 650,000 veterans could benefit from changes that broaden eligibility, update income limits and account for cost-of-living expenses.

The updates affect several programs, including the Disabled Veterans’ Real Estate Tax Exemption, Amputee and Paralyzed Veterans’ Pension, Blind Veterans’ Pension, Veterans’ Temporary Assistance and Educational Gratuity.

You can find updated application documents for these programs here. The DMVA suggests veterans contact their local county director of veterans affairs, or any certified veteran service officer to discuss how these regulations might impact their benefits.

Mapping Out the Big Plan: A Senior Transitions Seminar

Planning for the next chapter of life can bring important questions about housing, finances, legal matters and the transition process. I’m hosting Mapping Out the Big Plan – A Senior Transitions Seminar on Thursday, Nov. 12, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the American Legion Post 26, 301 U.S. Route 15, Dillsburg, to help seniors navigate these decisions with greater confidence.

Featured topics include downsizing, navigating the physical and emotional aspects of a major life transition, planning for the unexpected and understanding elder law. A buffet breakfast will be provided.

I encourage seniors and those preparing for a future transition to attend and take advantage of this opportunity to learn about available options, ask questions and plan for the future. To RSVP, call 717-432-1730 or visit my website.

Philadelphia Town Hall to Discuss My School Property Tax Elimination Act

Philadelphia residents face significant property tax bills, while the School District of Philadelphia continues to grapple with serious financial challenges. The district faces a projected budget deficit, with rising costs, funding pressures and long-term financial obligations adding to the strain. These challenges raise important questions about how we fund public education without continually increasing the burden on taxpayers. Rep. Wendy Fink and I will host a School Property Tax Elimination Town Hall on Tuesday, Dec. 1, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the 2300 Arena, 2300 S. Swanson St., Philadelphia. You can RSVP to 717-432-1730 or on my website.

During the town hall, we will discuss our School Property Tax Elimination Act (Senate Bill 962), which would eliminate school property taxes and replace that revenue with a 1.88% increase in the personal income tax and a 2% increase in the sales and use tax. The proposal would also provide an estimated $300 million in additional funding to Philadelphia schools in its first year.

Residents will have an opportunity to learn how the proposal could affect their tax bills, ask questions and share their concerns about the future of education funding in Pennsylvania.

November Satellite Office Hours

Need help with a state government service or have a question about an issue affecting you or your community? My satellite offices will be open throughout November, giving residents another convenient way to connect with my team and access assistance with state-related issues closer to home.

York City Satellite Office
First and third Wednesdays
9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
York County Administrative Center, Suite 216
28 E. Market St., York

Cumberland County Satellite Office
Second Thursday
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Lower Allen Township Municipal Services Center
2233 Gettysburg Road, Camp Hill

Manchester Satellite Office
Third Thursday
9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Manchester Township Municipal Building
3200 Farmtrail Road, York

Please take note of the specific days and hours for each location before stopping by. My team and I look forward to assisting you in your community throughout November.

Watch Out for Increased Deer Crossings

The end of daylight-saving time means more vehicles will be on the road during dusk and dawn – peak hours for deer movement. Autumn is also deer breeding season, meaning motorists should be on the lookout for more deer crossing our roads.

Pennsylvania drivers face some of the highest risks of vehicle collisions with deer or other large animals. Understanding deer behavior – if one deer crosses the road, another could be right behind it – and taking note of “Deer Crossing” signs can make a difference.

A driver who hits a deer with a vehicle is not required to report it to the Pennsylvania Game Commission. To report a dead deer for removal from state roads, motorists can call 1-800-FIX-ROAD. Learn more from the Game Commission.

State Police Accepting Applications for Youth Camp

Pennsylvania residents aged 15 to 17 interested in a career in law enforcement or the military can apply now to attend the State Police Youth Week camp taking place June 6-12, 2027, at Messiah University in Mechanicsburg, Cumberland County.

Held in collaboration with the Pennsylvania National Guard and the Pennsylvania American Legion, the camp provides cadets hands-on learning experiences and physical fitness training to build their understanding of law enforcement as well as their confidence, teamwork, self-esteem and leadership abilities.

Candidates should be physically fit with a strong academic record. Local American Legion posts sponsor cadets and cover the registration fees. For more information and an application, visit the State Police Youth Week webpage.

Celebrating Pennsylvania’s Nurse Practitioners

National Nurse Practitioner Week, Nov. 8-14, recognizes the dedicated professionals who help deliver quality healthcare and expand access to services across Pennsylvania. I am grateful for their knowledge, compassion and commitment to caring for our communities.

Ensuring patients have access to care also means addressing the nursing shortage and removing barriers for those entering the profession. That’s why I introduced Senate Bill 891 to eliminate a redundant State Board of Nursing process for reviewing and approving applications to take the licensing exam. Pennsylvania’s accredited nursing programs already verify that students have successfully completed the required coursework, making an additional board review unnecessary. Removing this duplicative step would reduce the administrative burden on an already overburdened licensing process and help qualified nursing graduates enter the workforce sooner.

PennDOT Roadwork Schedules for Cumberland and York Counties

As we move into the cooler months, PennDOT road work schedules are released less frequently. 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.