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Dear Friends, Hello! Thank you for subscribing to my E-newsletter. I am honored to serve the 23rd Senate District and look forward to working with you toward building a better future for Pennsylvania! This E-newsletter serves to keep you updated on what is happening throughout Bradford, Lycoming, Sullivan, Tioga and Union counties and what I am doing as your state senator in Harrisburg. I hope that you will find this E-newsletter helpful, and if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me. Gene Yaw
Celebrating 100 Years of Williamsport’s Bowman Field
Few places in our region carry as much history and pride as Bowman Field. It was an honor to join Crosscutters General Manager Doug Estes, Mayor Derek Slaughter, Rep. Jamie Flick, local leaders, community members and baseball fans in celebrating the 100th anniversary of this Williamsport landmark last week. For a century, Bowman Field has brought people together through America’s pastime, creating memories for generations of families as one of the nation’s oldest professional baseball stadiums. New Platform Improves Accessibility for Fishing in Pine Creek
A new accessible fishing platform at Tomb Flats Campground near Cammal is helping make one of Pennsylvania’s premier fishing destinations available to more people. I recently joined Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn, along with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission and many others to celebrate the completion of the project. The 100-foot fishing platform, along with accessible parking, boat launch improvements and habitat enhancements, will provide anglers of all abilities with greater access to Pine Creek. PA Wrestling Day of Champions
State Champion wrestlers from across Pennsylvania were at the Capitol on June 1st, including Montoursville’s own Gage Wentzel! A PIAA Class AA State Champion at 172 pounds, Gage capped off a remarkable career with 188 victories, becoming Montoursville’s all-time wins leader. Congratulations to Gage and all of this season’s champions for their hard work, dedication and outstanding achievements on and off the mat! Greater Hope Care Center Showcases Support in Lycoming County
The Senate Maternal and Infant Health Caucus recently visited Jersey Shore’s Greater Hope Care Center to learn more about the important work being done to support women and families. Greater Hope provides compassionate, dignity-centered services and practical support at no cost, ensuring that financial barriers never stand in the way of mothers and babies receiving the care they need. Deb Rudy of my Wellsboro office joined Rep. Jamie Flick, Sen. Judy Ward, Executive Director Dilonna Coran and Rep. Joe Hamm for a tour of the facility. Jersey Shore Students Recognized for Achievements
The Jersey Shore 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, Makayla Wrench, Mazden Lupton and Lucy Stevenson were recognized for their outstanding academic accomplishments through the FBLA. Congratulations! Local Students Visit Capitol
Thank you to the students from Sullivan County Elementary School, Renn Elementary School and Westfield Area Elementary School for stopping by our beautiful State Capitol during your visit to Harrisburg! Rainbow Bridge Reopens Ahead of ScheduleThe Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced the Rainbow Bridge in Bradford County opened last week, nearly one month ahead of schedule. The bridge suffered extensive damage when an oversized load struck the structure on March 24. Upon inspection, the bridge was closed until repairs were completed. Upcoming Flags Across America Celebration
Senate Approves Bills to Make Housing More Attainable Across PA
The Senate acted to help alleviate Pennsylvania’s growing housing shortage by approving three bills to expand access to housing while preserving local control. Senate Bill 1279 creates a Housing Development Regulatory Compliance Officer to improve coordination and efficiency in the permitting process. Senate Bill 1236 reduces regulatory burdens on small-scale home construction projects by reforming the stormwater permitting process. Senate Bill 1281 empowers local governments to streamline approval processes using uniform housing plans, helping reduce delays and cut unnecessary red tape. These reforms reduce several of the barriers contributing to Pennsylvania’s housing shortage, helping create more opportunities for homeownership while giving communities the flexibility to encourage growth in a way that reflects local needs and priorities. The bills were sent to the House of Representatives for consideration. Task Force on Child Protection in the Digital Age
To make sure state laws keep pace with emerging online threats, the Senate voted to establish a Task Force on Child Protection in the Digital Age. Senate Resolution 244 would direct the Joint State Government Commission to convene a task force to review Pennsylvania’s laws, assess new technologies and identify legal gaps in protections for children in the digital environment. The commission will issue a recommendation for action to the General Assembly. The proposal builds on previous work by the legislature: In 2024, we passed a law to combat AI generated child sexual abuse materials (CSAM). In 2025, we acted to classify deepfakes as digital forgery for more severe punishment. The Senate also approved bills to strengthen reporting requirements for AI-generated CSAM and to establish commonsense safeguards for AI chatbots accessible by minors. Read more about our efforts to protect children in the digital age here. Cellphone Law to Reduce Distracted Driving Takes Full Effect
After a one-year warning period, a state law aimed at reducing distracted driving is now fully enforceable. The law prohibits the use of hand-held devices while driving, even while stopped temporarily due to traffic, a red light or other delays. Drivers can still use their phones to alert authorities in the event of an emergency and use hands-free technology to make phone calls, use a GPS and listen to music. Drivers convicted of using a hand-held device while driving will pay a $50 fine, plus court costs and other fees under Paul Miller’s Law. The law is named for Paul Miller Jr., who was tragically killed in a 2010 Monroe County crash by a tractor trailer operator distracted while reaching for his phone while driving. Read more about this new law here. Protecting Yourself During Tick Season
Pennsylvania recorded more than 18,700 cases of Lyme disease in 2025, and the Centers for Disease Control estimates the true number may be much higher due to underreporting. Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses can cause serious long-term health complications, particularly when left untreated. Nearly 55% of ticks tested in Pennsylvania were found to carry at least one tick-borne pathogen, and blacklegged ticks have now been identified in all 67 counties. You can protect yourself by using repellent, avoiding brushy areas and checking your body and pets after outdoor activities. Learn more about protecting yourself from ticks here. Remembering D-Day
On June 6, 1944, the fate of Europe would be determined by the largest amphibious invasion in history, including 13,000 aircraft and gliders, 23,400 paratroopers, 5,000 ships and landing craft and 160,000 American, British and Canadian troops. More than 9,000 Allied servicemen were killed or wounded that day in northern France. It is our responsibility as Americans to honor their bravery, tell the stories of their heroism and preserve what they defended so their sacrifices were not in vain. |
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