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State Champion Loyalsock Lady Lancers Recognized at the Capitol

It was a pleasure to welcome PIAA 3A girls’ basketball state champions, the Loyalsock Lady Lancers to the Capitol this week! Following a very impressive 30-2 season, the Lady Lancers defeated Shady Side by a score of 55-43 in the championship game in Hershey, becoming the first team in program history to win a state title. The team was joined by head coach, Curtis Jacobson, Loyalsock Township School District athletic director, Benjamin Lorson and members of the coaching staff.

Watch my remarks from the Senate Floor HERE.

An Update from the Environmental Resources and Energy Committee

Last week, the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, where I serve as chairman, approved a slate of bills to reform Impact Fee distribution, address power generation needs, improve oil and gas well plugging and rename Pennsylvania’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). Read more on these measures here HERE.

The committee also convened for a joint public hearing with the Senate Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee to assess how Pennsylvania is preparing to meet rapidly growing electricity demand. Held at the state Capitol, the hearing brought together key energy sector leaders, regulators and developers. Read more and watch the full hearing HERE.

Lastly, legislation I sponsored which was previously approved by the committee to encourage responsible solar development and offer better protections for landowners was passed by the Senate. Read more on the bill HERE. 

Protecting Your Right to Choose How You Power Your Home

A bill I sponsored to ensure Pennsylvania residents have choices when it comes to fuel availability was overwhelmingly approved this week by the Senate Local Government Committee.

Senate Bill 311, known as “Energy Choice,” would limit municipal entities from banning a specific type of fuel source for appliances and heating homes or businesses. Read more HERE.

Upcoming Local Memorial Day Events

FEMA Requests Public Input on Experiences with FEMA Disaster Responses

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Review Council requests information and comments from the public and other interested stakeholders to gain an understanding of their experience with FEMA during disasters. The public information and comments will ensure that the FEMA Review Council’s findings and recommendations are informed by a broad spectrum of perspectives, experiences, and ideas.

Comments must be received by May 15, 2025, to be assured of consideration. Learn more and submit comments HERE.

Local Students Visit Capitol

Thank you to the students from Sullivan County Elementary School, Williamson Elementary School and Don Gill Elementary School for stopping by our beautiful State Capitol for a tour during your visits to Harrisburg!

Alzheimer’s Association Advocacy Day

Earlier this week, members of the Alzheimer’s Association of Pennsylvania stopped by my office during their annual State Advocacy Day. My chief of staff, Nick Troutman, met with local members and caregivers to discuss the importance of dementia specific training for home healthcare workers.

Growing Greener Grants Program Now Open!

The Growing Greener Plus Grant Program is now accepting applications to restore and protect area waterways. The deadline to apply is June 20.

The Growing Greener Plus Grants Program includes:

• Growing Greener Watershed Restoration and Protection
• Surface Mining Conservation and Reclamation Act (SMCRA) Bond Forfeiture
• Stormwater Management Planning (Act 167) Grants

Learn more on eligibility and apply HERE.

Applications Open: Keystone State ChalleNGe Academy for At-Risk Youth

Since 2022, the Keystone State ChalleNGe Academy (KSCA) has been transforming the lives of teenagers using a military academy style training model to provide structure and discipline. KSCA is a joint effort between the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and the National Guard Bureau, in consultation with the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

Applications may be submitted now through July 12 for the 22-week class that begins in July. The program is open to 16- to 18-year-old Pennsylvania residents who are at risk of not graduating from high school, no longer attending any school or have not received a high school diploma or equivalent certificate. Applicants must be willing to be drug free, free of felony convictions and voluntarily commit to the program. If selected, students will attend the residential phase at Fort Indiantown Gap in Lebanon County.

Learn more about eligibility requirements and begin the application process. Anyone who prefers to have an application mailed or would like to talk with someone about the program may contact the academy by emailing RA-MVPAChallenge@pa.gov or calling 717-861-8437.

Senate Votes to Help Fire and EMS Departments

The Senate passed legislation to address Pennsylvania’s volunteer firefighter shortage that, if left unaddressed, threatens to cause local tax hikes to fund paid services. The bill would also fix recent issues with emergency services grant funding.

Senate Bill 466 would allow job training credits to count toward Firefighter I Certification, giving volunteer recruits a more flexible pathway to credentialing. It would also correct a recent administrative error that led to a number of Fire Company and Emergency Medical Services grants being rescinded. Many departments had already budgeted for those funds, and the bill would ensure they receive the support they were promised.

To prevent similar issues, the bill would also establish a one-time, 15-day grace period – available once every three years – for fire and EMS companies to submit required reports without needing to demonstrate undue hardship. It moves to the House of Representatives for consideration.

Bill Ensuring Sportsmen’s Rights are Protected Receives Senate Support

Legislation to protect sportsmen’s rights by aligning state law with the federal and state constitution passed the Senate and is headed to the House of Representatives for consideration.

The Pennsylvania Game Code contains sections indicating it is unlawful to refuse to answer questions from representatives of the Game Commission. However, that violates the United States and Pennsylvania constitutions, which ensure no person may be “compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself” and “he cannot be compelled to give evidence against himself.”

Senate Bill 518 would remove the offending sections, ensuring the protection of sportsmen’s constitutional rights.

Senate Votes for the Save Women’s Sports Act

With a bipartisan vote, the Senate passed legislation to protect athletic opportunity, competitive fairness and safety for female athletes across Pennsylvania. The Save Women’s Sports Act would ensure athletic teams designated for girls and women are reserved for biological females in K-12 and collegiate sports across the commonwealth.

Senate Bill 9 would reinforce the original intent of Title IX by ensuring female athletes are not denied scholarships, placements or opportunities due to unfair competition from biological males.

It is now headed to the House of Representatives for consideration.

PA Treasury Continues Working to Return Money to the People

More than 40,000 Pennsylvanians may soon find a check in their mailbox for money they didn’t know they had, thanks to legislation passed by Senate Republicans.

PA Money Match is a new law that allows Treasury to automatically return certain unclaimed property. The program includes properties valued at $500 or less that belong to a single owner. Those with eligible properties will receive a letter in the mail to confirm their address. About 45 days later, they’ll receive a check for their property.

PA Treasurer Stacy Garrity is working to return more than $4.5 billion in unclaimed property, which includes dormant bank accounts, uncashed checks, rebates and insurance payments. The average claim is worth more than $1,000. Because PA Money Match will not automatically return properties exceeding $500 or those that may have more than one owner, you are still encouraged to regularly use Treasury’s website to check if you have unclaimed property.

Election Day is Tuesday, May 20

Election Day is Tuesday, May 20, and polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. If you are in line by 8 p.m., you will be able to vote.

If you applied for a mail-in or absentee ballot, your county election office must receive it by Tuesday, May 20, at 8 p.m. Track your ballot to confirm it was received.

Any voter who requested to vote using a mail-in or absentee ballot but would prefer to vote in person may do so. Bring the ballot and the envelope to surrender at the polls. If you don’t have those materials, you may vote using a provisional ballot. Call 1-877-VOTESPA (1-877-868-3772) if you experience any issues.

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