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Lewis Township Celebrates $250,000 for Municipal Building Project

Lewis Township will receive $250,000 in state funding to support flood recovery efforts and prepare the site for a new municipal building outside the floodplain.

After the devastating impacts of Tropical Storm Debby, this project will help provide a safe, reliable location for emergency response, municipal services and public safety operations when residents need it most. I’m very proud to have secured this funding.

Read more about the award on my website.

Protecting Pennsylvania Energy Consumers

I’m calling on PJM Interconnection to reform its regional energy market to ensure states with aggressive climate and energy mandates are responsible for the costs of those policies, not Pennsylvania families and businesses.

States that continue investing in reliable power generation, including Pennsylvania, should not be forced to subsidize energy shortages and higher prices caused by neighboring states’ policies.

Read more on my website.

Sayre Engine Company No. 1 Celebrates 100^th Anniversary

Sayre Engine Company No. 1 recently celebrated its 100^th anniversary with a special open house honoring a century of dedicated volunteer service protecting Sayre Borough and surrounding communities.

My District Director, Matt Wise, was on hand to present members with a Senate Citation to recognize the department’s remarkable milestone and generations of firefighters who have served the community.

BRIDGE Program Opens Doors to Independence at Lycoming College

Last month, Elizabeth Vollman of my Williamsport office was there as BLaST Intermediate Unit 17 opened its doors at Lycoming College to showcase the transformative BRIDGE Program (Build Relationships and Independence, Develop, Grow, Employ) they offer on campus.

Students who receive special education services may remain in a public-school setting until age 22, making the BRIDGE Program an important transition to adulthood. The program offers students an authentic college experience at Lycoming College, where they navigate campus life while building independence. Through classroom instruction and hands-on work experience at local job sites, students develop career skills, explore their interests and prepare for employment after graduation.

If you are interested in learning more about the referral process, or simply just want more information, please reach out to Ty Eason at teason@iu17.org.

America250PA Countdown Visits Mansfield

America250PA’s “Countdown to 250” made a stop in Mansfield, Tioga Co., earlier this month as communities across Pennsylvania are preparing to celebrate America’s 250^th birthday. Deb Rudy of my Wellsboro office volunteered at the event, which featured games, prizes and a traveling “Liberty Bell” for attendees to sign.

Montoursville Students Recognized for Achievements

The Montoursville Chamber of Commerce held their Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Scholarship Award Ceremony and Legislative Update luncheon earlier this month and Elizabeth Vollman of my Williamsport office was there to provide an update on legislative issues impacting our region.

This year’s scholarship winners, Evelyn Weng and Carlos Tira, were recognized for their outstanding academic accomplishments through the FBLA.  Congratulations!

Local Students Visit Capitol

Thank you to the students from Elkland Elementary, Northeast Bradford Elementary and R.B. Walter Elementary school for stopping by our beautiful State Capitol during your visit to Harrisburg!

A Reminder to Stay Connected with Me Online

I encourage you to stay connected with me on social media for the latest updates on legislation, community events, local projects and what’s happening in Harrisburg and across our region.

By following my pages, you can keep up with the work we’re doing and see photos and highlights from around the district. I hope you’ll take a moment to give me a follow and stay engaged throughout the year!

Find me on Facebook at Facebook.com/SenatorGeneYaw

Find me on X (formerly Twitter) at X.com/SenatorGeneYaw

Find me on Instagram at Instagram.com/senatoryaw

Improving Stream Maintenance, Reducing Flood Hazards

Legislation I sponsored to give counties and municipalities more flexibility in handling flood-related hazards and obstructions was passed by the Senate in March and now awaits action in the House of Representatives.

Currently, entering streams to remove obstructions requires a permit from the state Department of Environmental Protection, a process that is lengthy, tedious and inefficient.

Senate Bill 403 would allow local government organizations to apply for an extended permit, allowing maintenance to continue for 10 years or more. Senate Bill 404 would allow counties to obtain emergency maintenance permits in consultation with their county conservation district. Read more about how these bills will help protect against flooding here.

New Law Requires AEDs at School Sports Events

Legislation approved by the Senate to help prevent the leading cause of death among young athletes – sudden cardiac arrest – is now law.

Senate Bill 375, now Act 17 of 2026, will require automated external defibrillators (AEDs) to be present at all PIAA-sanctioned athletic events and practices. The law also requires schools to develop and rehearse emergency action plans for cardiac incidents. AEDs are portable, life-saving devices used to restore normal heartbeats with electrical shock.

The legislation was introduced after the tragic death of Greg Moyer, who passed away from sudden cardiac arrest during a high school basketball game in East Stroudsburg, Monroe County. Read more about passage of this new law here.

Midwifery Modernization Law Supports Mothers and Babies

A new law we passed will help ensure women and families have access to safe, high-quality care throughout pregnancy and postpartum recovery by modernizing Pennsylvania’s laws governing midwives.

Senate Bill 507, now Act 14 of 2026, updates licensure requirements for certified midwives, improves collaboration with physicians and expands prescription authority in certain circumstances. The law also addresses healthcare shortages in rural and underserved communities by expanding the number of trained professionals available to provide maternal care services.

Read more about our work to expand this care for mothers and babies here.

Hearing Examines Bill Ensuring Lead-Free Drinking Water in Schools

A recent Senate hearing examined legislation to ensure Pennsylvania students have access to safe, lead-free drinking water in schools.

The Senate Institutional Sustainability and Innovation Committee discussed Senate Bill 759, which would require school districts to replace outdated drinking fountains with lead-filtering hydration stations by 2028 while providing funding mechanisms to help schools cover implementation costs.

Committee members heard testimony from experts in environmental advocacy, public health, plumbing and pediatric medicine on the dangers of lead exposure and the need for preventative action in schools across Pennsylvania. Watch the hearing and read testimony here. Read more about the hearing and Senate Bill 759 here.

Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program Kicks Off in June

Beginning in June, the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program offers vouchers to eligible seniors (60+) to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables at local farmers markets.

Call your county aging office to apply and find out when and where they are distributing the vouchers. You can find aging offices and voucher information here.

Available on first come, first served basis.​ Click here for details and where to find participating markets.

Recapping Mammo May 2026

As we wrap up Mammo May, Mammography Month, I hope you or the women you know are better informed on the importance of early breast cancer detection.

If you’re one of the average 38 Pennsylvania women diagnosed with breast cancer each day, catching it early greatly increases your odds of successful treatment. Some resources to keep handy:

No-Cost Screenings Information
No-Cost Diagnostic Imaging Information
Information on No-Cost Mammograms if You Don’t Have Insurance

Most mammograms take about 20 minutes. Please spread the word and share this important information from the Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition.

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