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Senate Convenes This Week

The state Senate will reconvene on Monday, February 2, at 2 p.m.  for another busy week at the State Capitol. 

Gov. Josh Shapiro will deliver his Budget Address on Tuesday, Feb. 3, at 11:30 a.m. before a joint session of the Pennsylvania House and Senate. The proposal put forth is only the first step in the process. In the weeks ahead, the Senate Appropriations Committee will hold a series of hearings to closely examine the spending plan to determine how it can be improved.

Watch Session and Committees LIVE.

Session Calendar and Schedule HERE.

Tour of PDC Spas Highlights Local Innovation

Last week, I visited Williamsport’s PDC Spas, a manufacturer of hot tubs and swim spas with a history spanning over six decades in the industry. Many of their products are designed for athletes in training, fitness enthusiasts and those seeking a healthier lifestyle and can be found in 31 of 32 NFL team practice centers. 

Supporting Pennsylvania businesses like PDC Spas is key to strengthening our economy and showcasing the incredible talent and innovation happening in our communities.

America250PA Kick-Off Tour Continues

The America250PA team made a stop in Union County last week as part of their journey across the commonwealth to kick off the countdown to America’s 250^th birthday.

America250’s mission is to plan, encourage and coordinate Pennsylvania’s commemoration of America’s 250th anniversary in 2026, highlighting the commonwealth’s pivotal role in the nation’s founding and its ongoing contributions.

They’re visiting every county in Pennsylvania on the Kick-Off Tour, bringing communities together to celebrate this historic milestone. 

$3 Million Invested in Bradford County Railroad

Bradford County’s R.J. Corman Railroad has been awarded $3,005,018 through PennDOT’s Rail Transportation Assistance and Rail Freight Assistance programs.

This investment will help rehabilitate 22 miles of track along the Lehigh Line, including new ties, ballast, and surfacing. These improvements strengthen our freight rail network, support local jobs, boost economic growth and ensure a reliable flow of goods across the Northern Tier.

Read more HERE.

Celebrating 30 Years of Saint John’s School of the Arts

Saint John’s School of the Arts recently celebrated their 30-year anniversary with a ribbon cutting ceremony.

Elizabeth Vollman of my Williamsport office was there to help recognize the teachers, students and supporters who have made this milestone possible. Their dedication ensures that the arts continue to thrive and bring joy to generations to come.

PA Career Fire Chiefs Association Visits Williamsport

More than 50 members of the Pennsylvania Career Fire Chiefs Association visited Williamsport earlier this month for their quarterly training session.

Elizabeth Vollman of my Williamsport office was there to welcome members to my Senate district and to talk to them about the collaborative relationships we have with our local fire departments, legislation impacting departments across the commonwealth and some of the issues they are facing in our region.

Help Improve PA’s Business Climate

I’m joining the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry to gather feedback from businesses and chambers of commerce across the 23rd Senatorial District.

Your responses will help guide legislative oversight and future reforms aimed at strengthening Pennsylvania’s business climate.

There’s still time to provide additional feedback. If you’re interested, please complete the survey on my website.

Veterans Beware of New Scam

Many veterans have received a letter stating a request to receive federal benefit payments by mail cannot be processed because there was not enough information present for verification.

The malicious senders are trying to gather information for nefarious purposes and ask for personal documentation. Veterans should be aware that this is a SCAM and should NOT reply to the letter.

If you have questions about Veterans Affairs correspondence or anything pertaining to your VA benefits, please call the local office: 570-327-2365 or the National VA helpline : 1-800-827-1000. VA staff can verify the legitimacy of any letters you receive.

If you receive a scam letter or phone call, please reach out to the Sheriff’s office at 570-327-2280 and/or the PA Office of Attorney General 717-787-3391.

Bradford Co. United Way Grant Application Period Now Open

The 2026 United Way grant applications are now live. The grant is available to any 501(c)3 nonprofit in Bradford County that falls into one of the funding principles:

• Healthy Community (Improving health and well-being for all)
• Youth Opportunity (Helping young people realize their full potential)
• Financial Security (Creating a stronger financial future for every generation)
• Community Resiliency (Addressing urgent needs today for a better tomorrow)

Agencies interested in funding for the upcoming year can access guidelines and apply online.

Keeping Construction Jobs Local

Legislation to boost the hiring of local workers for public works projects was the topic of a hearing held by the Senate Labor and Industry Committee.

Senate Bill 1076 is modeled after existing local hire programs in West Virginia, Montana and Illinois, and specifies at least half of workers on state and local projects exceeding $500,000 must be residents of Pennsylvania or a neighboring county. Contractors can seek a waiver if they’re unable to secure local workers even after utilizing a local PA CareerLink® office for recruitment.

Testifiers included representatives of local building trades, contractor associations and others. They discussed how a local hire requirement could help address the skilled trade shortage, save taxpayer dollars, promote accountability within the construction industry and more. You can find video of the hearing here.

State Law Requires Removing Ice and Snow from Vehicles

It’s a chore, but removing ice or snow from your vehicle not only improves safety, it’s the law.

Under state law, drivers must remove ice or snow from vehicles, including the hood, trunk and roof, within 24 hours after a snow or ice event. It is also illegal to drive with snow and ice obstructing your vision through the front, side or rear windows.

It’s a $50 fine for failing to reasonably clear your vehicle and up to $1,500 if dislodged snow/ice causes serious injury or death. The fines were set under “Christine’s Law,” named for Christine Lambert, who died on Christmas Day 2005 when ice from a tractor trailer crashed through her windshield.

Celebrating National School Choice Week

The week of Jan. 25-31 is designated as National School Choice Week to recognize the importance of empowering parents and families to choose educational options that meet each student’s unique learning needs. School choice programs like the state’s popular Educational Improvement Tax Credit program – which was expanded this year to help more families in disadvantaged schools – are a key component of Pennsylvania’s efforts to ensure every student reaches their full potential.

Education is not a one-size-fits-all experience. National School Choice Week highlights how a broader range of educational options can boost student achievement and encourage competition and innovation in education.

Recognizing Catholic Schools Week in PA

Throughout Pennsylvania, Catholic schools deliver an outstanding education grounded in strong values and character, helping students develop confidence and strong leadership skills that strengthen our communities. Nearly 140,000 students are enrolled in Catholic schools throughout our commonwealth, and data show that 99% of Catholic school students graduate from high school and 96% go on to college after graduation.

Senate Republicans led efforts to designate Catholic Schools Week in Pennsylvania from Jan. 25 through 31 to recognize the key role these schools play in educating the next generation of leaders.

DEP Recommends Testing Your Home for Radon

Radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer after smoking in the U.S. To help mark Radon Action Month, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is encouraging Pennsylvanians to test their homes for radon.

DEP recommends all homes, schools, public and private buildings get tested. Radon test kits are also available at many home improvement and hardware stores, as well as from state-certified radon laboratories. Call DEP’s Radon Division at 717-783-3594, or the Radon Hotline at 800-237-2366, for help with interpreting their test results and what follow-up action may be necessary. 

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