Senator Phillips-Hill E-Newsletter

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In this update:

  • Laurel Fire Station Open House & License Plate Replacement Event
  • Providing Loan Interest Forgiveness to Counties and Head Start
  • Recognizing Manufacturing Day in Pennsylvania
  • Open Government: How to Access Public Records
  • Celebrating the Service of York County’s Firefighters
  • Applications Accepted for Keystone ChalleNGe Academy January Class
  • Resources for Choosing an Insurance Provider
  • Rock the Ribbon During Breast Cancer Awareness Month
  • Wellspan Hospital Coming to Shrewsbury Next Year
  • Central York Communities that Care Program
  • Find the Best Fall Foliage Nearby and Statewide
  • Tune in: This Week in Pennsylvania
  • On Deck
  • Upcoming PennDOT Maintenance Projects

Laurel Fire Station Open House & License Plate Replacement Event

Join us Sunday, Sunday, Oct. 12, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. join us for a fun and family-friendly afternoon at the Laurel Fire Station Open House located at 94 Schoolhouse Lane in Windsor. My team and I are proud to partner with the Pennsylvania State Police to provide license plate replacement services during this community event.

This open house is a chance to enjoy food, raffles, and kid-friendly activities while meeting your local first responders and learning important fire safety tips. It’s a great way to spend time with neighbors and support the Laurel Fire Department.

License Plate Replacement Details:

  • If your plate is damaged, peeling, or hard to read, this is your opportunity to replace it at no cost:
  • Personalized plates will be replaced with the same number/letter combination for free.
  • Special plates (like Wildlife Resource or alumni plates) are also eligible. If your type has been discontinued, you’ll receive a standard replacement.
  • To keep the same number on a standard plate, you’ll need to apply for a personalized plate for a small fee.

Please remember to bring your driver’s license and vehicle registration. If more than one name is listed on the registration, all registrants must be present with their licenses.

This event combines community fun, fire safety education, and a practical service to help you stay in compliance with state law. Don’t miss the chance to stop by, enjoy the activities, and take care of your plate replacement needs all in one afternoon!

Please visit my Facebook Page for more information.

Providing Loan Interest Forgiveness to Counties and Head Start

As work continues on finalizing a state budget for 2025-26, my priority remains to enact a budget that respects taxpayers and does not spend beyond our means. Spending too much this year would set Pennsylvania on a course of fiscal uncertainty and tax increases, and we cannot allow that to happen.

It’s important to get a budget finished as soon as possible – but it’s important to get it done right.

Recognizing the impact of the incomplete budget, the Senate is expected to advance legislation providing loan interest forgiveness to counties and Head Start early childhood education programs that receive state Treasury loans to keep their services available while budget discussions continue.

I will update you on the status of this legislation as it moves forward.

Recognizing Manufacturing Day in Pennsylvania

This week, I joined fellow legislators, industry leaders, and workers at our state Capitol to recognize Manufacturing Day in Pennsylvania. I was honored to present the Senate’s Manufacturing Day resolution on behalf of Senator Devlin Robinson, the current co-chair of the Senate Manufacturing Caucus. As a former co-chair, it was a privilege to step in and show my continued support for Pennsylvania’s manufacturers.

Manufacturing has always been a major part of Pennsylvania’s identity. More than 500,000 Pennsylvanians work in this field, contributing over $100 billion every year to our state’s economy. In our own York-Hanover region, more than 32,000 people are employed in manufacturing.

From motorcycles to potato chips, York County is one of our state’s leading counties when it comes to manufacturing.

Om Manufacturing Day, we honor the men and women whose work keeps our economy strong and our communities thriving. Their dedication ensures that Pennsylvania will always be a place that makes things today, tomorrow, and for generations to come. You can find my full remarks on my YouTube here.

Open Government: How to Access Public Records

Under Pennsylvania’s Right-to-Know Law (RTKL), all state and local government agency records are presumed to be public. If an agency wants to withhold a record, it must prove that it is entitled to do so under state law or court order.

The Office of Open Records maintains information about the RTKL and Sunshine Act, which governs public meetings. This includes information about filing a request for records, a database of Agency Open Records Officers and a Citizens’ Guide to the RTKL.

The office also provides information about filing an appeal when a RTK request is denied and provides a variety of training resources including PowerPoint presentations and videos.

Celebrating the Service of York County’s Firefighters 

I had the honor of joining the Firefighters Association of York County for their 113th Annual Convention and the Old Fire Farts of York County for their 12th Annual Muster this evening.

This year’s joint event, hosted by Southern Area Fire and Emergency Rescue in Dallastown, was the first of its kind and a wonderful celebration of York County’s proud fire service tradition.

We are deeply grateful to the brave men and women who serve as emergency responders across York County. Their courage, dedication, and tireless service keep our communities safe every hour of every day. These organizations not only honor the rich history of the fire service, but also help inspire and support the next generation of first responders.

Applications Accepted for Keystone ChalleNGe Academy January Class 

Teens between the ages of 16 and 18 can apply now for the Jan. 2026 class of the Keystone State ChalleNGe Academy at Fort Indiantown Gap in Lebanon County.

A National Guard program, the academy uses a military academy training model to provide structure and discipline for youth. Classes begin in mid-January and mid-July each year. The residential portion of the program runs for 22 weeks.

All meals, housing, uniforms and school supplies are provided at no cost. You can learn more and apply here.

Resources for Choosing an Insurance Provider

Cost matters when choosing insurance, but it’s not the only factor. Comparing quotes, checking coverage and reviewing customer feedback can help you decide.

A good rule of thumb is to compare at least three companies, according to the Pennsylvania Insurance Department. The department has resources to help you:

  • Find and research insurance companies and agents.
  • View consumer complaints.
  • Search regulatory and enforcement action.
  • Search specialized insurance professionals.

Access information to help you make these important decisions here.

Rock the Ribbon During Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I hope you’ll join me in supporting those affected by breast cancer by raising awareness and encouraging early detection. You can find plenty of useful information to share at this resource page.

I was proud to support Senate passage of legislation to strengthen Pennsylvania’s no-cost breast cancer screening law by ensuring diagnostic imaging is fully covered. The measure awaits action in the House of Representatives. Let’s come together and Rock the Ribbon with purpose and compassion.

Wellspan Hospital Coming to Shrewsbury Next Year

I had the chance to tour the new WellSpan Health Hospital in Shrewsbury, which is set to open next year. This facility will provide 24/7 emergency care, inpatient services, and onsite lab and imaging, bringing health care closer to home for southern York County.

Central York Communities that Care Program 

This weekend, I had the honor of joining Central York School District’s Communities That Care to celebrate the incredible young people in the community and the adults who guide them.

It was inspiring to see the kindness, leadership, and light shining from these students! Congratulations to all of the honorees. You are shaping a brighter future, and we are so proud of you!

Find the Best Fall Foliage Nearby and Statewide

Pennsylvania offers one of the longest and most varied fall foliage seasons in the world. You can find the best spots to view these vibrant displays with the fall foliage map from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

In addition, the department’s weekly Fall Foliage Reports offer regional updates, photos and expert tips to help you experience these seasonal landscapes.

Tune in: This Week in Pennsylvania 

This Sunday at 10 a.m., I will be joining Dennis Owens on ABC 27’s “This Week in Pennsylvania” alongside Rep. Paul Friel, who represents parts of Chester County.

We will be talking about the bipartisan Competitiveness Caucus, which Rep. Friel and I co-chair, and the work we are doing to keep Pennsylvania in business, including how we can continue to make the state more efficient when it comes to permitting and regulatory reform. I hope you will tune in to hear how we are working to build a stronger Pennsylvania.

On Deck

The Senate of Pennsylvania reconvenes Monday, Oct. 6, at 1 p.m. Follow me on X for all of the latest updates on session convening times. You can watch all of the Senate votes and view our agenda here.

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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