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Latest Op-Ed: PA is Standing in Its Own Way on Broadband

Pennsylvania is finally getting the hundreds of millions of dollars it needs to bring high-speed internet to rural communities. This is our chance to connect homes, schools, farms and small businesses that have been left behind.

But unless we fix a problem rooted in Pennsylvania’s bureaucratic barriers, too much of that money will be wasted, and too many people will remain unconnected. Outdated labor classifications are inflating costs and limiting progress.

Read more from Rep. Tina Pickett and I HERE.

Tune In WEDNESDAY: Talking Skill Games on PCN

I’ll be joining PCN’s On the Issues segment on Wednesday, November 19th at 7:30 p.m. to discuss bipartisan legislation I sponsored to protect small businesses and veterans’ organizations from crushing taxes on legal skill video games.

We’ll cover what legal skill games are, why they matter to small businesses and how they’re shaping conversations in Harrisburg. I hope you’ll tune in!

Watch on PCN, on their website or on demand at www.pcnselect.com.

Lycoming Engines Commemorates Veterans Day

Local leaders and community members gathered to honor the service and sacrifice of our nation’s heroes on Veterans Day at Williamsport’s Lycoming Engines. I joined Williamsport Mayor Derek Slaughter, Rep. Joe Hamm, Rep. Jamie Flick, and guest speaker Retired U.S. Army Sergeant First Class Michael Orwig to pay tribute to the men and women who have worn the uniform with pride.

Route 14 Bridge Reopens in Trout Run

It was a great day in Lewis Township as we celebrated the reopening of the Route 14 bridge in Trout Run. After the devastation caused by Tropical Storm Debby, this project is a testament to what can be accomplished through strong partnerships, smart planning and a shared commitment to public safety.

Center for Rural Pennsylvania Welcomes Executive Director Zachary L. Adams

It’s a pleasure to welcome Zachary L. Adams as the new Executive Director of the Center for Rural Pennsylvania, where I serve as chairman of the Board of Directors. With a strong background in education policy and workforce development, Zach brings a wealth of experience and energy to the role. I look forward to working with him as we continue to strengthen the Center’s mission and expand its impact across rural communities throughout the Commonwealth.

Read more about the Center for Rural PA HERE.

LycoCTC Breaks Ground for Expansion Project

Last week, the Lycoming County Career and Technology Center marked the start of a major expansion and renovation project with a groundbreaking ceremony. My district director, Matt Wise, joined the LycoCTC team and the Lycoming Chamber of Commerce to celebrate.

The expansion project will enhance the center’s ability to meet regional workforce needs by adding new programs in welding and diesel technology, relocating the early childhood education program into the main facility and increasing the school’s capacity by approximately 150 students.

America250PA Keystone Classroom Initiative

As part of the America250PA Keystone Classroom Initiative, Elizabeth Vollman of my Williamsport office visited Sullivan County Elementary School and read K is for Keystone to Mrs. Holcombe’s 1^st grade class.

The Keystone Classroom Initiative is a storytelling and visitation program for pre-K through fourth grade classrooms, children’s hospitals and youth camps across Pennsylvania.

Be On Alert for Open Enrollment Scams

Scammers are extra busy this time of year. They may pretend to be from Medicare or an insurance company to try to steal your personal information — or even enroll you in a plan without your knowledge. 

Remember, legitimate agents and brokers who represent Medicare plans need your permission before contacting you. If you get an unsolicited call, just hang up. Uninvited emails or texts? You can ignore those, too.

If you suspect Medicare fraud, report it immediately to Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE or visit Medicare.gov/fraud. And as always, never give your Medicare Number, Social Security number, or financial information to anyone you don’t know.

Pro-Growth 2025-26 State Budget Now Complete

The Senate approved a bipartisan state budget plan, now signed into law, that will help grow Pennsylvania’s economy and make key improvements to the spending plan Gov. Josh Shapiro proposed earlier this year.

The $50.1 billion budget approved by the Senate and the House cuts nearly $1.4 billion in spending from Shapiro’s proposal, utilizes billions in lapsed funding in state agencies and special funds in the best interests of taxpayers, protects Pennsylvanians from the devastating consequences of Shapiro’s proposed electricity tax and incentivizes job growth across the commonwealth by implementing key reforms to the permitting process and maintaining important tax cuts.

The agreement includes new money to promote student achievement and empower families, including a $50 million expansion of the state’s popular Educational Improvement Tax Credit program to support more school choice opportunities for families in disadvantaged schools.

Additional funding is also included for the Ready to Learn Block Grant program ($562 million increase), Basic Education ($105 million increase), Special Education ($40 million increase) and Pre-K Counts ($9.5 million increase). Find more details about the final 2025-26 state budget plan here.

RGGI Electricity Taxes Eliminated from State Budget

As part of the budget agreement, legislation I sponsored to repeal the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) carbon tax– a multi-state pact that would have added more than a billion dollars in new electricity taxes on Pennsylvania families and job creators – was signed into law.

Preventing Pennsylvania from entering RGGI and stopping this tax protects consumers from dealing with even more severe consequences, including the closure of Pennsylvania power plants, job losses and the threat of rolling blackouts in the years ahead.

Stopping the RGGI electricity tax is a huge win for every consumer of electricity in this commonwealth. At a time when families continue to feel the strain of inflationary pressure, we must look for ways to decrease, not increase, the cost of electricity.

Budget Makes PA Competitive Through Sweeping Permitting Reform

The new budget includes new permitting reforms that will continue the significant progress we’ve made in recent years to cut red tape and prevent endless layers of bureaucracy from limiting business and job growth statewide.

The reforms will require a wide variety of environmental permits to be deemed approved after a certain period of time, ensuring applicants will know the time frame for consideration of their application and can appeal any permits that are denied.

This provides certainty to the process and ends the current practice of dragging out the permitting process for months without resolution. In addition, the reforms will require permit tracking for applicants across all state agencies, adding transparency to the process.

Proud to Support Pro-Jobs, Pro-Growth Policies

I’m proud to share that I once again received a legislative voting score of 100% from the PA Chamber of Business and Industry –recognizing my consistent support for pro-jobs and pro-growth policies.

Pennsylvania is the best place to live, work and raise a family and I’m committed to making sure our state continues to grow and thrive. That’s why I’ve sponsored key legislation this session to support our energy sector, defend consumer choice and protect small businesses and veterans’ organizations from crushing taxes on legal skill video games.

I appreciate the Chamber’s recognition and their continued advocacy for Pennsylvania’s business community.

Legislation Advances Cracking Down on AI-Generated Child Sexual Abuse Material

Legislation to better protect young people against the serious threats posed by child abuse materials generated using artificial intelligence (AI) is advancing in the Senate.

The Senate Judiciary Committee approved Senate Bill 1050, which would require mandated reporters to report all instances of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) they become aware of, including those produced by a minor. This applies to teachers, child care workers, health care providers and other individuals responsible for caring for children.

There has been a startling increase in the amount of AI-generated CSAM being created and shared in recent years, including troubling cases in school settings. Law enforcement officials and child advocacy organizations shared their support for the measure during a public hearing of the Senate Majority Policy Committee.

Keystone Scholars Offers November Incentive to Start Saving for College

State Treasurer Stacy Garrity announced a statewide incentive for Keystone Scholars this month which will give children a head start on education savings.

Families who claim their child’s $100 scholarship from Keystone Scholars in November and open and link their own companion PA 529 College and Career Savings Program account will get an additional $50.

Keystone Scholars provides a $100 scholarship for every child born in Pennsylvania since 2019. This money grows alongside the child and will be available to use after their 18^th birthday to help pay for costs associated with four-year degrees, community college, technical training, apprenticeships and credential programs.

To learn more, visit pa529.com/keystone.

State Police Will Help Ensure Your Child Car Seat is Properly Installed

Throughout November, certified Pennsylvania State Police technicians are setting aside dates to help ensure child car seats are safe, secure and properly installed.

Caregivers will receive instruction on the proper installation and have seats installed, learn how to properly harness a child in a seat and check seats for recalls.

Find the nearest free car seat check here. If none are scheduled locally or you can’t make it, check your local state police station for free monthly child seat fittings.

Oh Say, Can You Sing? The PA Farm Show National Anthem Contest

Think you’ve got what it takes to sing the National Anthem at the Farm Show? The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture is looking for singers to kick off each day of the 2026 edition of the nation’s largest indoor agricultural exposition.

Submit your original video entry by Nov. 24 to be considered. Winners will be selected by fan voting on Facebook. You must be available at least one day of the Farm Show, which runs from Jan. 10 through Jan. 17.

You can find details about eligibility, video requirements, voting and how to apply here.

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