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In this update:
Kicking Off 2025-26 Legislative Session with Swearing-In Day
The Pennsylvania Senate convened on Tuesday to mark the beginning of the 2025-26 legislative session, highlighted by the swearing-in of new and reelected members. This special day is always particularly memorable for those taking the oath of office for the first time, including former State Rep. Dawn Keefer, who now represents northern York County (and parts of Cumberland County) in the Senate of Pennsylvania. The proceedings included the formal reelection of Sen. Kim Ward (R-39) as Senate President Pro Tempore and a vote on the rules that will govern the body for the next two years. Following the November 2024 General Election, Senate Republicans hold a 28-22 majority. I also had the opportunity to catch up with Attorney General-elect Dave Sunday and Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity, who joined us for this exciting day. Still ahead are committee assignments for the 2025-26 legislative session, but the momentum from swearing-in day has set the stage for a productive and impactful term. Learn more about the newly elected senators, those returning after reelection, and the leadership team guiding the Senate this session here. Stay tuned for some podcast discussions with the newest members of the Senate Republican Caucus and learn more about who I will be working with to stand up for the hardworking taxpayers of Pennsylvania. Subscribe to my podcast on Apple and Spotify. Our Community Wants to Save Women’s Sports
Thank you to everyone who participated in my recent survey on the Save Women’s Sports Act, which would prohibit biological men from competing in women’s sports in Pennsylvania. Of the responses I received, 96% support the legislation, 3% oppose the legislation, and 1% are still undecided on the legislation. Additionally, 92% of the responses believe it should be a priority in the new legislative session. These surveys are a great way to gauge feedback on hot-topic and pressing issues impacting our neighbors. As always, if you have an opinion or feedback on any legislative matter before YOUR state government, I want to hear from you. Scholarships Available Soon for Students Earning Degrees in In-Demand Jobs
Pennsylvania students pursuing a degree for an in-demand occupation will soon be able to apply for a $5,000 scholarship through the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) because of a law passed by Senate Republicans. To bolster industries with lots of open positions, the law requires them to agree to live and work in Pennsylvania in an in-demand occupation for at least one year for each year they accept the scholarship. Those occupations include agriculture, computer science, business, education, special education, STEM education, engineering, nursing, allied health, criminal justice and other programs approved by PHEAA. The list of in-demand occupations will be adjusted regularly to reflect Pennsylvania’s workforce needs. Out-of-state students are eligible for scholarships that allow them to pay in-state tuition rates. If a student receives a scholarship but does not complete the educational program or fails to meet other terms of the agreement, the scholarship will be converted to a loan and must be repaid by the student. The application is expected to be available on PHEAA’s website in the coming weeks, and more information will be shared then. A Day at the 109th PA Farm Show
The Pennsylvania Farm Show is always a highlight of the year, and this 109th event did not disappoint! I had the pleasure of reconnecting with some familiar faces and meeting some new citizens who make our agricultural industry thrive. The day was filled with memorable moments. I started by stopping by Swartz Farm’s Kiss A Cow exhibit and visiting the iconic Rutter’s cows! I also had the chance to speak with the future of farming at Walk-Le Farm in Thomasville, where young farmers are already making an impact. Rick and I got to see this year’s impressive butter sculpture, a Farm Show tradition that never fails to amaze. Later, I teamed up with FFA State Sentinel Kennedy Laird for the Mike Waugh Feed Scurry. You can check out how we did here. I also had the privilege of “Meeting the Breeds” and learning how a new law that I authored is benefiting kennels across Pennsylvania. And of course, no trip to the Farm Show would be complete without enjoying a delicious Farm Show milkshake to cap off the day. If you haven’t visited the Farm Show yet, there’s still time! With the show wrapping up Saturday, Jan. 11, at 5 p.m., I encourage you to come out, enjoy the exhibits, and celebrate the best of Pennsylvania agriculture! Mobile Office Hours in Penn Township: Jan.18
We’re excited to bring our mobile office hours back to Penn Township for 2025! Next Thursday, my team will be at the Penn Township Municipal Building, 20 Wayne Ave., Hanover, PA 17331, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. During these hours, my team will be available to assist with PennDOT forms, Property Tax/Rent Rebate applications, notary services, and other state-related needs. My team looks forward to seeing you there! You can find more information on the mobile offices here. Online Resource Tracks State Plows
Winter weather can impact safety on the roads, particularly before snow is cleared and salt is spread to mitigate icy spots. As the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) crews work to keep roads passable, you may be wondering where the plow is in your area. All of PennDOT’s roughly 2,200 owned and rented plow trucks are equipped with automated vehicle location systems, which use in-truck technology to log and share data in real time for that truck. View the routes of these interstate and expressway trucks here. PennDOT maintains nearly 40,000 miles of roads and 25,400 bridges statewide, which translates to more than 95,000 snow-lane miles. More Veterans are Eligible for Free Birth and Death Certificates
New this year, more Veterans and their families are eligible for free birth and death certificates from the Pennsylvania Department of Health because of legislation passed by Senate Republicans. All Veterans who were discharged or released from services under conditions other than dishonorable can receive a Veteran fee waiver. Previously, they were only available for military members who were in active service or who were honorably discharged. Normally, there is a non-refundable $20 fee per copy, but with this law, up to 10 free copies will be available. The fee waiver may be applied to applications for the Veteran, spouse and dependent children. To be eligible for the waiver, applications for birth and death certificates must be submitted with documentation proving military status. If you are interested in receiving more Veteran-related updates, I encourage you to sign up for my monthly Veterans newsletter here. Register for PHEAA Student Financial Aid Webinars
The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) is offering free webinars to simplify the financial aid process and help students and families make informed decisions about paying for higher education. This month, PHEAA will host two webinars. The first, “Borrowing for Education – Which Loan is Right for Me?,” will be held next Thursday, Jan. 16, at 6:30 p.m., and again on Thursday, Jan. 30, at noon. This one-hour session will explore various loan programs, their advantages, and how to decide which options are best for your family. The second webinar, “Searching for Scholarships and Affording the Balance,” will be held next Tuesday, Jan. 14, at noon, and Tuesday, Jan. 28, at 6:30 p.m. Participants will learn about scholarship opportunities, tips for applying, and strategies to manage any remaining balances after financial aid. Students and families can register for these webinars here. For additional information or resources, visit PHEAA’s website here. Schedule Your Free State Capitol Tour
If you’re looking for a fun educational activity for your family, you can tour the state Capitol for free. During a 30-minute guided tour, Capitol tour guides point out architectural and artistic highlights as they make the Capitol’s history come alive. There is also an Interactive Welcome Center and Capitol Gift Shop to enjoy during your visit. Guided tours are offered every half hour Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Weekends and most holidays, tours are offered at 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Schedule a tour online or by calling the Tour Guide Office at 1-800-TOUR-N-PA (868-7672). Groups of 10 or more require advanced reservations. For your safety, group size is limited to 40. Upcoming PennDOT Maintenance Projects
Most weeks, PennDOT provides me with its upcoming maintenance schedule. While my team and I aim to keep this information up to date, please note that the page may not always reflect the latest changes. For the most accurate details, I recommend checking back on Friday afternoons or over the weekend, as we usually receive updates from PennDOT on Fridays. You can view the full list here to see if any roadwork might impact you and your family.
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