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In this Update:
Important Notice – My offices will be closed Thursday, Dec. 18 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Honoring Veterans at Wreaths Across America
I was honored to be part of the Wreaths Across America ceremony at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in New Cumberland, joining Rep. Marc Anderson and many community members to pay tribute to our veterans. This year, Mt. Olivet received over 600 wreath sponsorships, covering every veteran’s gravesite. It was a moving reminder of the sacrifices these heroes made and the importance of remembering their service. Thank You for Joining Me at My Holiday Open House
A big thank you to everyone who came out to my holiday open house! We loved visiting with everyone and sharing some holiday cheer. Your presence helped make the evening special, and we sincerely appreciate you stopping by. Wishing you all a joyful holiday season, a very merry Christmas and a happy new year! Thank You for Joining Our School Property Tax Elimination Town Hall
Thank you to everyone who came out to the School Property Tax Elimination Town Hall in Kittanning, with Rep. Josh Bashline, Rep. Wendy Fink and Sen. Joe Pittman. Despite the cold weather, community members filled the room with thoughtful questions and a serious commitment to finding real solutions for eliminating school property taxes in Pennsylvania. We had valuable conversations about how we can fund education more fairly and sustainably while lifting the burden of property taxes from homeowners. Your engagement and willingness to be part of this discussion makes a difference as we continue pushing for meaningful reform. If you’d like to bring a similar town hall to your community, my office would be glad to help make that happen. Call us at 717-432-1730. Senate Passes Bills to Strengthen Local Government
The Senate advanced a bipartisan package of bills from the Senate Local Government Committee, which I chair, to improve the efficiency and accessibility of local government operations across Pennsylvania. One key measure was Senate Bill 1036, which I sponsored. This bill consolidates the First Class Township Code into Title 73 — a step that makes it easier for lawmakers to improve local government laws and for the public to access to them. Other bills passed include:
These measures represent an important step toward strengthening local governance and supporting municipalities across the commonwealth. Unprecedented Spending Prompts Senate Committee Subpoenas
In response to instances of unprecedented spending by the Shapiro Administration, including more than $1 million in improvements to the governor’s private residence, the Senate Intergovernmental Operations Committee, which I serve on, issued subpoenas to the Pennsylvania State Police, Abington Township (Montgomery County) and aviation company Lets Go Air, Inc. There’s no question that the governor’s security is vital, but we also have a duty to ensure that taxpayer money is being spent appropriately. Through thoughtful and efficient review, I believe we can ensure our laws and procedures protect both the governor and the taxpayers. Legislative oversight isn’t optional — it’s a constitutional responsibility. We need to evaluate if our laws as they are written today are enough to protect the governor and Pennsylvania taxpayers at the same time. I believe there’s a place where both can exist. More information about the subpoenas is available here. Senate Votes to Make State Funds Available for Local Bridge Projects
Legislation to make state funding available for local bridge projects was approved by the Senate. Counties receive dollars through the Highway Bridge Improvement Restricted Account within the state Motor License Fund to pay for repair and replacement of county-owned bridges. However, current law does not allow for further practical uses of leftover funds. Senate Bill 1070 would give counties the flexibility they need to improve local, municipal-owned bridges before they become at-risk. Senate Bill 1070 was sent to the House of Representatives for consideration. Dec. 19 Deadline to Apply for Veterans Services Grants
Nonprofits, counties and other groups that provide services to veterans have until Dec. 19 to apply for Veterans’ Trust Fund (VTF) grants to help fulfill their missions. Administered by the state Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, the VTF supports programs that improve services to veterans at the county, regional or state level. For nonprofit and veterans’ organizations, funding priorities include mental and behavioral health, transportation and employment. These applicants may request up to $40,000. County directors and their association may apply for up to $15,000 per county. Their funding priorities must include outreach initiatives, enhancing veteran service officer and advocate capabilities and addressing emerging needs such as transportation, food insecurity, suicide prevention and legal assistance. PennDOT Roadwork Schedules for Cumberland and York Counties
As we move into the winter months, PennDOT road work schedules are released less frequently. To ensure you stay informed, we will share PennDOT news releases about specific construction projects planned in our senatorial district. Because these updates are issued based on project timelines, the information at the link may not change each week, and it may not include every project or reflect the latest conditions. We hope these updates help you plan ahead, avoid delays and travel safely throughout the season.
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