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In this update:
Wishing You a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy Chanukah
This holiday season, I’d like to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas. May you enjoy the real gifts of love, peace, and happiness. Our community is alive with Christmastime traditions – from festive tree lighting ceremonies to breakfast with Santa to carolers – most notably, the Glen Rock Carolers. Since 1848, this group of dedicated community members has gathered to sing in the streets of Glen Rock from midnight on Christmas Eve until dawn on Christmas Day. Last year, I was able to catch up with some of the members and learn more about their traditions. You can explore their museum virtually here. As the carolers prepare to spread joy again this Christmas Eve, I want to wish them a safe and merry route as they fill the night with the timeless gift of song.
Next week also marks the beginning of Chanukah, the Jewish festival that celebrates the ancient miracle of the oil that burned for eight nights. From Dec. 25 to Jan. 2, people of the Jewish faith will light a candle on their menorahs each evening for eight nights in honor of this special holiday. As our friends celebrate the rededication of the Holy Temple, we wish them Chag Sameach! Remember, Honor, Teach: Wreaths Across America
Last weekend, I joined Sherry Dietz and the Windsor Lions Club for their Wreaths Across America event at Windsor Cemetery. The ceremony honored 191 Veterans laid to rest, with each name read aloud and a wreath placed at their gravesite. These wreaths symbolize our deep gratitude and a solemn promise: the sacrifices of our fallen heroes will never be forgotten. You can find more photos from this event on my Instagram. Spreading Holiday Cheer with Shop with a Cop
Thank you to Walmart and the Springettsbury Township Police Department for hosting the annual Shop with a Cop program! Local families received gift cards and enjoyed shopping alongside our dedicated law enforcement officers. This fun event brings holiday joy to those in need while fostering connections with the men and women who serve and protect our community. You can find more photos from the program on my Facebook. Hopewell Fish and Game’s $30,000 Grant for Range Improvements
Earlier this week, I joined State Rep. Mike Jones, Game Commissioner Michael Mitrick, PA Game Commission Executive Director Steve Smith, and Mike Males from Hopewell Fish and Game to celebrate their $30,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s Shooting Range Improvement Program. This funding will help with lead remediation at their rifle range and the construction of new backstops, ensuring greater safety and opportunities for our local sportsmen and women. The Game Commission’s Shooting Range Improvement Program, launched this year, is a fantastic investment in clubs across Pennsylvania – supporting projects like range upgrades, lead remediation, and Hunter-Trapper Education classes. Stay tuned for details on next year’s program at www.pa.gov/pgc. Supporting PA Veterans and Military Families
Pennsylvania owes a tremendous debt of gratitude to the brave men and women who have defended our freedoms, as well as those who continue to serve and protect our nation at home and abroad. This legislative session, my colleagues and I worked hard to pass several bills supporting our Veterans and their families, all of which have been signed into law. One new law expands access to benefits for disabled Veterans, ensuring they get the support they deserve. Another strengthens community outreach to make sure Veterans are aware of the resources available to them. We also passed legislation allowing Veterans to fish for free during therapeutic recreation events and programs, recognizing the importance of activities that promote healing and connection. We also know that military families face unique challenges, especially when it comes to their children’s education. That’s why we passed laws to provide educational support for children of National Guard and Reserves members and to guarantee in-state tuition for students when their military parent is reassigned out-of-state. These are just a few of the ways we’re working to honor our Veterans and uphold our commitment to those who have sacrificed so much for our freedom. You can read more about these efforts here. If you or someone you know is interested in receiving monthly email updates from me specifically on Veteran related matters, you can sign up here. Celebrating the Season with the Hanover Chamber
It was a pleasure to join the Hanover Chamber for its annual holiday luncheon to celebrate the season and reflect on this year’s accomplishments. Thank you to the Chamber staff and members for your continued partnership and looking forward to what 2025 brings to the community! Last Chance: Take My Survey
Time is running out to weigh in on my latest legislative survey! If you or someone you know is interested in sharing your thoughts on whether Pennsylvania should pursue a policy that bans biological men from competing in women’s sports, please let me know. Thank you to everyone who has participated in my survey. I look forward to sharing the results with you in the coming weeks! New Military License Plates to Honor PA Veterans
Pennsylvania is proud to offer six new license plates to honor our military Veterans and recognize their extraordinary service. Three of the new plates pay tribute to service members who earned specific medals or honors for their achievements or deployments. These include:
Each plate, which features a graphic of the respective medal, is available for just $26 and can be displayed on cars or trucks. The other three plates are dedicated to honoring female Veterans. Two are designed for motorcycles and one for cars and trucks:
These plates are a meaningful way to celebrate the service and sacrifices of our nation’s heroes. Learn more about how you can honor a veteran in your life with one of these special plates. Driver Training Program to Improve Work Zone Safety
A new statewide training program is available to all motorists, geared particularly toward new drivers, to improve driver safety and roadway worker protection. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s program uses videos, infographics, knowledge checks and testimonials to teach new drivers work zone laws, signage and key facts. It also offers real-life scenarios to enhance understanding. The free, 35-minute virtual course is available in English and Spanish. There are more than 1,400 work zone crashes across Pennsylvania annually, with more than 600 resulting in injuries and 15 in death. Giving the Gift of Education with PA 529
If you’re still looking for a gift for the children in your life, consider the gift of education. A gift made to their PA 529 College and Career Savings Program will help make their future bright, no matter what path they take. PA 529 offers two plans: the PA 529 Investment Plan and the PA 529 Guaranteed Savings Plan. Friends and family can also help save using Ugift, a free gifting platform. The unique code they need to contribute to your child’s account can be found in your PA 529 account online. Contributions to a PA 529 account made by Dec. 31 qualify for deductions on 2024 PA state income taxes, including those made by a gift giver. 2025-26 FAFSA Form is Live
The online and paper form of the 2025-26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is available now. Colleges and career schools use the FAFSA form to determine how much financial aid students are eligible to receive. The aid may include grants, scholarships, work-study funds and loans. Students must apply for aid every year. The Department of Education addressed issues with the FAFSA system and modernized internal systems and processes. It also updated resources to help students and families better navigate the FAFSA form and process. Learn more. Holiday Office Hours
Please be advised that due to the holidays, below are our office hours for the next few weeks. Monday, Dec. 23: 9 a.m. to noon Normal office hours resume on Thursday, Jan. 2. You can always access many state resources on our online office at SenatorKristin.com. 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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