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In this update:
Join Us for Coffee and Conversation Next Week
I’ll be hosting a Coffee and Conversation on Thursday, March 19, from 9–10 a.m. at Noni’s Table at Heritage Hills Golf Resort. These events are a great opportunity to stop by, ask questions, share concerns, or simply catch up on what’s happening in Harrisburg and around our community. No registration is required, just stop in for a cup of coffee and conversation. If you’re coming to Heritage Hills, pass the hotel on your left as you enter the resort. Near the steps that lead down to Avenue Ale House, you’ll see doors on the left marked Noni’s Table. Looking ahead to next month, I’ll be joining Rep. Kate Klunk for a Coffee with Kate in Hanover at Ghouls and Grinds. Because of space limitations at that location, registration will be encouraged in advance. You can RSVP by calling Rep. Klunk’s office at 717-630-8942 or here. School Property Tax Elimination Town Hall
For many homeowners across Pennsylvania, rising school property taxes continue to place a growing strain on household budgets. Throughout my time in public service, I have consistently worked to advance policies that provide meaningful property tax relief for families and seniors who are increasingly being taxed out of their homes. The effort to eliminate school property taxes has been debated in Harrisburg for many years. In fact, the last time legislation to eliminate school property taxes came before the Pennsylvania Senate, prior to my time in office, the vote ended in a 24–24 tie and ultimately failed when the lieutenant governor cast the deciding vote. Since then, lawmakers have continued working to refine proposals and build the bipartisan support needed to reach an agreement that will deliver meaningful relief to homeowners while ensuring stable funding for our schools. I have long supported a proposed constitutional amendment to ELIMINATE school property taxes. You can read more about that plan here. As part of that ongoing effort, Sen. Dawn Keefer introduced Senate Bill 962, alongside House Bill 1649 introduced by Rep. Wendy Fink, which proposes eliminating school property taxes and replacing the lost revenue with increased and expanded income and sales taxes. You can learn more here. The Pennsylvania Independent Fiscal Office recently reviewed the proposal and showed it generates enough revenue for the tax shift to work. You can read the report here. To help citizens learn more and ask questions, I will be co-hosting a School Property Tax Elimination Town Hall with Sen. Dawn Keefer, Rep. Wendy Fink, and Rep. Mike Jones. Saturday, March 28 Citizens are encouraged to RSVP by calling 717-244-9232 or visiting the registration link. This event is an opportunity to learn more about the proposal, understand how it could affect your household, and share your thoughts as we continue working toward meaningful property tax relief for Pennsylvania homeowners. Ribbon Cutting Held for New WellSpan Shrewsbury Hospital
Southern York County will soon have expanded access to high-quality medical care with the new WellSpan Shrewsbury Hospital, and I was pleased to join community leaders and health care professionals for a recent ribbon-cutting celebration marking this important milestone! The new hospital is set to open in April and designed to bring convenient, high-quality care closer to home for citizens throughout the southern York County region. The facility will include a 24/7 emergency department, inpatient care, and onsite imaging and laboratory services, allowing many patients to receive prompt diagnosis and treatment without traveling far from home. WellSpan’s innovative care model is designed to help patients be seen quickly while maintaining strong connections to the broader WellSpan network of specialists and hospitals when more advanced care is needed. Residents are invited to explore the new facility during a Community Open House, Saturday, March. 21 from 1 to 4 p.m. Learn more here. I encourage everyone to take advantage of this opportunity to visit the new facility and learn more about the care that will soon be available right here in our community. Poultry Owners Urged to Continue Efforts to Combat Avian Influenza
The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture is reminding poultry owners – backyard flock owners and commercial producers – to continue taking steps to protect their birds from highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). Since the current outbreak began in 2022, Pennsylvania has lost more than 14.3 million birds, with approximately half of these lost since the beginning of 2026. Steps to reduce HPAI risk include:
Poultry owners should report sick birds or unexplained deaths to 717-772-2852. Anyone encountering sick or dead wild birds should contact the Pennsylvania Game Commission at 1-833-PGC-WILD. You can find more information here. ICYMI: Conversation with PA FFA Secretary Leah Flinchbaugh
I recently sat down with York County’s own Leah Flinchbaugh, the current Pennsylvania FFA Secretary, to talk about her journey in agriculture and the role FFA is playing in developing the next generation of leaders. During our conversation, Leah shared what inspired her to get involved in FFA and how the organization helps students build leadership skills, gain 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. It was great hearing directly from Leah about the passion and dedication shaping the future of our agricultural community. You can find our conversation on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. Recognizing Service at Rose Fire Company’s Annual Awards Banquet
It was a pleasure to join the members of Rose Fire Company No. 1 in New Freedom for their annual awards banquet, a night dedicated to recognizing the volunteers who work tirelessly to keep our community safe. During the evening, two outstanding members were honored for their service to the department. Donnie Miller was recognized for 50 years of service with Rose Fire Company. Five decades of dedication, sacrifice, and commitment to protecting our community is truly remarkable and a testament to the spirit of volunteerism that strengthens departments like Rose Fire Company. Nathaniel Rosier was also recognized after being named the department’s 2025 Firefighter of the Year, an honor that reflects his leadership, dedication, and service to the company. Volunteer firefighters represent the very best of our communities’ neighbors stepping forward to serve others when it matters most. I am grateful to everyone at Rose Fire Company for their continued commitment to protecting New Freedom and the surrounding communities. You can find more photos here. Next Commonwealth Vehicle Auction is April 14
Used commonwealth fleet vehicle auctions featuring more than 200 vehicles are open to the public, including dealers. The next auction is April 14. The auctions are conducted at the Manheim Keystone Pennsylvania Auto Auction, 488 Firehouse Road in Grantville, Dauphin County. Auctions begin at 10 a.m. and prospective buyers should register on the Saturday, Sunday or Monday before the sale. There is no registration on sale day. You can see what was sold at prior auctions and the most updated offerings, along with registration information and more here. Additional information, including payment options, can be found in the auction policies or by calling 717-469-7900 Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Mobile Office in Penn Twp. Next Week
Our mobile office will be back in Penn Township next week and our team will have all state tax forms available, including forms for the Property Tax/Rent Rebate (PTRR) Program. Tax season can be confusing, and these events are a convenient way to stop by, pick up the forms you need, and get assistance from our team. Whether you are applying for the Property Tax/Rent Rebate for the first time or simply need the correct paperwork, we are happy to help. This is a great opportunity to get one-on-one help and ask any state-related questions! Thursday, March 19 We look forward to bringing these resources directly to the community and helping residents access the support they deserve. Learn more about special events that will prioritize certain state-related services throughout the year at our mobile offices. Happy St. Patrick’s Day
Nearly two million Pennsylvanians proudly claim Irish ancestry, reflecting generations of families, workers, and community leaders who helped shape our commonwealth’s heritage. Whether you’re Irish or Irish-for-a-day, I hope you enjoy St. Patrick’s Day on March 17th. 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. On Deck
The Senate of Pennsylvania reconvenes on Monday, March 16, at 1 p.m. Follow me on X for the latest updates on session convening times. You can watch Senate votes and view our agenda here.
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