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In this update:
New Podcast: The Future of Ag Starts with FFA
In recognition of National FFA Week, I had the opportunity to sit down with York County’s own Leah Flinchbaugh, the current Pennsylvania FFA Secretary, for a conversation about her experience in FFA and the impact the organization is having on the next generation of leaders. Leah shared her journey into agriculture, what inspired her to get involved in FFA, and how the organization is helping students develop leadership skills, build confidence, and explore careers that are critical to Pennsylvania’s future. From public speaking to hands-on learning, FFA continues to open doors for young people across our communities. Agriculture remains one of Pennsylvania’s top industries, and organizations like FFA play an essential role in ensuring its continued success. Hearing directly from Leah provides valuable insight into the passion, dedication, and innovation that is shaping the future of our agricultural community. I am grateful to Leah for taking the time to share her story and representing York County so well on the state level. You can find our conversation on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. Key Points from This Week’s Senate Budget Hearings
Efforts to trim the governor’s $53.3 billion proposed state budget – which would spend $2.7 billion (5.4%) more than the current budget – got underway this week with Senate budget hearings. As a member of the committee, I’m focused on asking the tough questions and making sure we’re holding agencies accountable. The Department of Human Services is the highest-spending agency in the state budget. My colleagues and I pressed them on the rising cost of Medicaid and what is being done to eliminate fraud. With a proposed 6.6% increase for the 2026-27 fiscal year, we have to ensure every taxpayer dollar is being used responsibly. We also questioned the Department of General Services and the Pennsylvania State Police. We followed up on concerns about missing revenue, funding projections, and efforts to crack down on increasingly sophisticated fake IDs. I also raised questions about the $1.3 million in taxpayer-funded upgrades to the governor’s residence, emphasizing the need for transparency, clear justification of costs, and accountability when taxpayer dollars are being used. These hearings are about transparency, accountability, and making sure your tax dollars are being spent wisely. You can go here to find recaps of every budget hearing, plus video and a schedule of remaining hearings, which run through March 5. Subscribe to my YouTube Channel to catch all of the hearings and follow me on X to get the latest updates on YOUR state budget. Op-Ed: Preventing Fraud and Protecting Taxpayer Dollars in Pennsylvania
How could a YouTuber uncover a multi-billion dollar fraud scandal in a state run by someone who stood months ago as the vetted Democratic nominee for vice president in Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz? In my latest op-ed, I outline how we can take a proactive approach in Pennsylvania that empowers whistleblowers, strengthens oversight, and stops fraud before it starts. Read it in the York Daily Record here. Hearing Explores Ideas to Combat State Housing Crisis
Efforts to make housing more attainable for working families were reviewed during a Senate hearing with local government officials, housing advocates, builders and developers. The Senate Majority Policy Committee heard how housing shortages drive up costs for Pennsylvanian families and stall economic growth. Among the solutions explored were infrastructure partnership programs to help lower upfront development costs, state tax credits, development incentives and bond financing specifically targeted to middle-income housing development, and more. Forming a robust strategy to increase housing supply, lower costs and stimulate economic activity is a key focus for the Senate this year. Video of the full hearing and written testimony can be viewed here. ICYMI: 2026 Farmers Breakfast
Thank you again to everyone who joined us for our 2026 Farmers Breakfast. It was a great morning of conversation with the farmers and agricultural leaders who are vital to southern York County. We were honored to hear from U.S. Senator Dave McCormick, Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding, and PA FFA Secretary Leah Flinchbaugh, who shared updates and insights on the future of agriculture. It was especially encouraging to see so many local FFA members in attendance, highlighting the next generation of leaders in our ag community. If you missed it, you can find the recap video here. Recognizing Westley Smith Earning Eagle Scout
I recently had the pleasure of recognizing Westley Smith of Red Lion for earning the rank of Eagle Scout. Westley, the son of Jessie and Jayme Smith, is a member of Troop 28 in Red Lion. Throughout his time in Scouting, he has demonstrated strong leadership, serving in multiple roles including Chaplain Aide, Quartermaster, Scribe, Assistant Patrol Leader, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, and Senior Patrol Leader. He is also a member of the Order of the Arrow. For his Eagle Scout project, Westley installed a three-dimensional printing laboratory at the DreamWrights Center for Community Arts in York, creating new opportunities for creativity and learning within the community. Congratulations to Westley on this incredible accomplishment! His commitment to service and leadership is truly commendable, and I wish him continued success in the years ahead. Share Your Thoughts with the Highway Safety Survey
Pennsylvania motorists have until Saturday to provide input on traffic safety and driving behaviors through an anonymous online survey. The aim is to understand attitudes on state Department of Transportation safety measures and reduce crashes and fatalities. The survey takes about five minutes to complete. The number of people who lost their lives on Pennsylvania highways decreased to 1,127 in 2024, the second lowest since record keeping began in 1928. While 2025 fatality data is not yet complete, preliminary numbers indicate crash fatalities have again decreased. Record-Breaking Unclaimed Property Returns to PA Residents
Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity announced that the Pennsylvania Treasury Department returned more unclaimed property in 2025 than ever before: $334.1 million. Unclaimed property can include dormant bank accounts, abandoned stocks, uncashed checks, and more. Property is always available for the rightful owner to claim. Tangible property – often the contents of forgotten safe deposit boxes – may be auctioned after three years, but proceeds remain available to claim perpetuity. Among the reasons for the record property returns was the General Assembly’s passage of a law that allows Treasury to automatically return unclaimed property valued up to $500. In the program’s first year, nearly $50 million was returned this way. To see if any unclaimed property is available for you, visit patreasury.gov/unclaimed-property. If you have any questions or need assistance on unclaimed property matters, please feel free to contact me here or call 717-741-4648. Also, stay tuned for the announcement of our unclaimed property event this spring! Saturday is School Bus Driver Appreciation Day
School bus drivers play a critical role in the safety and well-being of students, but shortages of these vital workers can disrupt schedules and learning. Thank you to all the men and women performing this critical task in our area. Individuals interested in becoming a school bus driver can visit the commonwealth’s Become a School Bus Driver webpage or the School Bus Hero website to learn more. 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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