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REMINDER: Upcoming FREE Senior Expo

Join me for a FREE Senior Expo!

September 17

Community Baptist Church, Montoursville

9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

This event includes door prizes, health screenings, and refreshments. Over 80 exhibitors from government agencies and non-profit organizations will be on hand.

I encourage all seniors and their caretakers to come gather information and take advantage of these essential services.

For more information, please call 570-398-4476.

My Latest Op-Ed: A Self-Inflicted Wound Pennsylvania Can Still Avoid

How do you intentionally cut the income of tens of thousands of Pennsylvanians? By undermining an industry that’s become essential to local businesses, veterans’ organizations, fraternal clubs and small businesses across the commonwealth.

For nearly two decades, skill games have been part of Pennsylvania’s local fabric. They help keep neighborhood establishments open, support VFWs and American Legions, fund volunteer fire companies and provide a financial lifeline for organizations and social clubs.

In all, thousands of Pennsylvanians rely on the supplemental income from these games, and conservative estimates suggest the industry touches 30,000 to 40,000 livelihoods. Now, the future of these games is more uncertain than ever.

Read more on my website.

New Air Service Coming to Williamsport

Better air service means better opportunities for our region, and I’m encouraged by the announcement that Contour Airlines will begin offering daily service from Williamsport Regional Airport to Charlotte, NC.

This new route will give residents and visitors more convenient access to a major hub and connections throughout the country. Supporting reliable air service is important to growing our local economy, attracting businesses and making it easier for people to travel to and from the region.

174^th Annual Sullivan County Fair

For more than 40 years, Rick Heess has helped make the Sullivan County Fair a lasting community tradition. This year, he was named the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture’s 2026 Friend of the Fair.

Since joining the Fair Association in 1982, Rick has contributed in countless ways and this recognition is well-deserved. I was happy to present Rick with a Senate Citation during the celebration. Congratulations, Rick!

The Sullivan County Fair has long been a reflection of the people who work behind the scenes and this year, a new flagpole was dedicated in memory of two people who gave decades of service to the fair and the agricultural community.

Jody Lambert served as secretary of the Sullivan County Fair Association for 30 years, while her husband Bill was a lifelong member of the Agricultural Society and a fifth-generation farmer. Together, they helped strengthen our agricultural traditions and pass them onto the next generation. Their legacy will continue to be a part of the fair and our community for years to come.

While at the fair, I also had the opportunity to visit with the 2026 Sullivan County Fair Queen, Madalyn Broschart and even called a game of bingo. It was a great day at the fairgrounds!

Lycoming County Residents Should Report Property Damage from Recent Storm and Flooding

Lycoming County is using Crisis Track as its primary method for residents and property owners to self-report storm and flood damage.

Scan the QR code or report damage online through the Crisis Track system.

This reporting is available countywide, regardless of municipality, and will help Lycoming County and PEMA document the extent of the damage and support the ongoing assessment process.

Please take a few minutes to report any damage to your property and help ensure the full impact of these storms is documented.

You can also visit the Crisis Track website.

Protecting Children and Families from AI Deception

It’s critical for state laws to keep up with fast-evolving Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology, especially as it relates to protecting our children online. I’m proud of our work to address the alarming rise in AI-generated sexual images of children, as well as non-consenting adults, through  Act 125 of 2024 which gives prosecutors the ability to go after criminals who create “deepfake” AI images of minors and child sexual abuse materials.

Previously, Pennsylvania law made it illegal to share intimate images without consent, and Act 125 took it a step further to combat the use of AI technology for this purpose and prohibits AI from being utilized to generate child sexual abuse material. As technology continues to advance, we must be vigilant in making sure proper safeguards are put in place.

New Law Cracks Down on Robocalls, Scam Texts and Caller ID Spoofing

Legislation we unanimously passed enacting stronger protections from deceptive telemarketing practices will take effect next month.

Under Act 47 of 2026, Pennsylvania’s telemarketing law will now cover modern forms of solicitation, including text messages, voicemails, ringless voicemails and robocalls. It also establishes stronger rules for when and how telemarketers can contact Pennsylvanians, including:

• Prohibiting telemarketing calls before 9 a.m. and after 7 p.m. and on Sundays.
• Requiring prior express written consent for most robocalls and telemarketing text messages.
• Prohibiting telemarketers from falsely identifying themselves or using deceptive caller ID information, including spoofed numbers.
• Requiring telemarketers to stop a solicitation when a consumer asks them to do so.

The legislation also prohibits the use of AI-generated messages to deceive consumers. The new law takes effect Oct. 19.

Phishing Scam Targets “MyChart” Patient Portal Users

If you use MyChart — a popular online patient portal used by many hospitals and healthcare providers — please be aware of a phishing scam targeting patients.

State Attorney General Dave Sunday reports scammers are impersonating MyChart by sending emails or text messages that offer patients a chance to claim a reward in the form of a “MyChart Medicare Kit.” No such program or reward exists.

These emails and text messages are attempts to trick recipients into clicking on malicious links, and obtain passwords and personal information from patients, which allows hackers to gain access to the patients’ MyChart portals. Read about how to avoid this and other phishing scams here.

Fire and EMS Companies Can Apply Now for State Assistance

Attention local fire companies, emergency medical services and volunteer rescue squads: Applications are being accepted for the latest round of the state Fire Company and Emergency Medical Services Grant program.

The funds can be used to help pay for facility construction/renovation, equipment, training, debt reduction and more. The application period closes Oct. 22.

Providing communities with fire, medical and rescue services comes with a considerable price tag, especially for volunteer organizations. The General Assembly funds these grants to ensure these life-saving services are available. Find more information and applications here. 

Remembering 9/11 25 Years Later

On Sept. 11, 2001, terrorists highjacked four airliners on America’s east coast and turned them into deadly missiles, ultimately taking the lives of nearly 3,000 citizens in the name of Islamic fundamentalism.

Filled with passengers, two of the planes were flown into the World Trade Center towers in New York City and another into the Pentagon in Washington, D.C.  The fourth, perhaps destined to strike the White House or U.S. Capitol, was brought down in Somerset County by brave passengers who fought back.

Twenty-five years later, we recall the shock and anger over the attack, the grief over lives taken and the resolve to prevent another act of that scale. I hope we also remember the nation coming together in response, and the power of a unified people facing adversity. As the number of people who experienced this event declines, it becomes more important to dedicate ourselves to never letting that day slip from our nation’s memory.