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In this update:
Protecting Tax Dollars and Public Trust
In the wake of the tragic attack on the Pennsylvania Governor’s Residence, the commonwealth has made significant investments to strengthen security and protect public officials. To date, more than $33 million in taxpayer funds have been spent on security upgrades at the Governor’s Residence. However, after questioning by my colleague, Sen. Jarrett Coleman, who chairs the Intergovernmental Operations Committee, it was uncovered the Shapiro Administration is spending more than $1.2 million to upgrade the governor’s private residence, which is 100 miles away from where the attack occurred. While protecting public officials is essential, it is equally important to ensure responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars. That is why I am introducing the Safeguard Act, legislation designed to protect the public interest by requiring that any taxpayer-funded improvements made to private property be reimbursed to the commonwealth if the property is sold. My goal is to prevent these tax dollars from leaving the Pennsylvania Treasury Department for these personal upgrades to a private residence in the first place. However, moving forward, please know that any upgrades to any non-governmental building should require the taxpayers to be made whole, should those dollars leave Treasury. Additionally, I have continued to support the claw back of misspent or unspent grant funding in Pennsylvania. This bill was introduced at the start of this session, and it is something I have continued to sponsor throughout my tenure as your state senator. You can read more about this bill here. These commonsense proposals strike a necessary balance that safeguard public trust and limited taxpayer resources. Successful Start for New Program Connecting Young Pennsylvanians to High-Demand Careers
The first year of the Grow PA program to help connect young people to quality careers in Pennsylvania has been a tremendous success, according to statistics from the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA). The Grow PA Scholarship Grant Program was created by the legislature last year to help reverse the trend of young Pennsylvanians seeking education and job opportunities in other states. The program offers grants of up to $5,000 per year for in-state students who agree to attend college in Pennsylvania, pursue a degree in an in-demand occupation and work in that occupation in Pennsylvania after graduation. PHEAA reports more than 11,000 applications for Grow PA in the first year. More than 4,000 applicants have already received grants, and another 2,300 applications were approved through early December. The average award per student was $4,650. The top programs of study in the first year of Grow PA included registered nursing, early childhood education, business administration and management, biological sciences and accounting. Next year’s application period is expected to open in early February. Honoring Caleb Snouffer’s Eagle Scout Achievement
The son of Bradley and Jacquelyn Snouffer, Caleb is a member of Troop 69 in Jacobus, where he has served as Den Chief, Historian, and Patrol Leader. For his Eagle Scout service project, Caleb built benches for Saint Jacob’s Lutheran Church outdoor activity and workshop area, creating a lasting benefit for the congregation and the surrounding community. It was an honor to recognize Caleb for his dedication, leadership, and commitment to service. Achievements like this reflect the values of hard work and community involvement that make our district proud. We wish Caleb continued success as he moves forward and takes on new leadership opportunities. Committee Examines CDLs and REAL IDs Being Issued to Illegal Immigrants
The Senate Transportation Committee held a public hearing to examine commercial vehicle safety and nondomiciled commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) following recent claims of CDLs and REAL IDs being issued to illegal immigrants. Pennsylvania law bans regular and commercial driver’s licenses for anyone unlawfully present in the commonwealth. Last month, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested an illegal immigrant from Uzbekistan wanted for belonging to a terrorist organization. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) issued him a CDL with a REAL ID indication in July. The committee examined commercial vehicle safety and nondomiciled commercial driver’s licenses with driving advocates, along with officials from PennDOT and the Pennsylvania State Police. You can view the hearing and read testimony here. York Country Day’s Holiday Visit to State Capitol
Students from York Country Day School recently visited the Pennsylvania State Capitol and experienced the building in all its holiday splendor. From the decorated halls to the Capitol Christmas tree, their visit offered a memorable glimpse into both the beauty of the season and the work of state government. It was a pleasure to join the students for their tour and talk with them about how decisions made in Harrisburg impact our local communities. Opportunities like this help bring civics to life and encourage the next generation to take an interest in how their government works. If you haven’t visited the Capitol during the holidays, now is a wonderful time. The Capitol Christmas tree and seasonal decorations make it a special experience for visitors of all ages. Tours are available year-round and can be arranged by contacting my office here. Dec. 31 Deadline for Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program
The deadline to apply for the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program is Dec. 31. Eligible residents could qualify for up to $1,000 (plus supplemental rebates for qualifying applicants). The program provides financial relief to older adults and people with disabilities who paid property taxes or rent in 2024. To qualify, applicants must be age 65+, widows/widowers 50+ or individuals with disabilities 18+, and their household income must be $46,520 or less (excluding half of Social Security income). Applications can be submitted online, by mail or in person, or by calling 1-888-222-9190 for assistance. My office is also available to help you apply for this rebate. It’s Annual Dog License Time
The deadline to purchase an annual license renewal for your dog is Jan. 1, 2026. Many counties allow you to purchase a lifetime license. Licensing fees help the millions of dogs in Pennsylvania by funding the Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement. If your dog gets lost, a current license is the fastest way to get your dog back home. Dogs must be licensed at the point of adoption or purchase, or at three months if no transfer of ownership has taken place. Annual licenses can be purchased online from your county treasurer in one location here. Assistance Available to Help Rural Communities Fight Wildfires
State grants are available to volunteer fire companies to help protect rural communities from wildfires. Eligible applicants include local firefighting forces in rural communities with fewer than 10,000 residents. Funding can be used for training and equipment purchases directly related to fighting brush and forest fires. Recipients are selected based on vulnerability and adequacy of existing fire protection, with a focus on improving volunteer readiness and protecting lives and property in under-protected areas. Administered by the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), the maximum grant award in 2026 is $15,000 per fire company. Applications must be submitted electronically through DCNR’s grant website by Dec. 31 Happy Hanukkah
This week, Jewish families across our district are celebrating Hanukkah, the festival of light dating back more than 2,000 years, when the Jewish people won a battle against the Greeks to practice their religion freely. I wish everyone celebrating Hanukkah a time of warmth and appreciation with family and friends. 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. Christmas and New Year’s Office Hours
Please be advised of our office hours of operation over the next two weeks due to the Christmas holiday and New Year. Monday, Dec. 22 – Open (9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.) Monday, Dec. 29 – Open (9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.) As always, our online office is open 24/7/365. |
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