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Join Me for a Telephone Town Hall Meeting This Thursday!
Let’s talk about the issues affecting our region and discuss many of the questions surrounding development and the future of our communities at my telephone town hall meeting this Thursday, June 18, at 6 p.m. We will hear from local county commissioners, and you’ll have the opportunity to take part in the discussion from the comfort of your own home!
Calls inviting you to participate will start going out about five minutes before the telephone town hall meeting is to begin. You can simply stay on the line to listen, or press *3 if you would like to make a comment or ask a question.
If you miss the call or don’t receive one, you may call in, toll-free, at 1-877-229-8493 and then enter the code 118374. The call will also be streamed here.
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Understanding Land Development in Your Community
The Tioga County Commissioners and Planning Commission are hosting a public learning seminar on Tuesday, June 23, at 7 p.m. at the Straughn Auditorium on the campus of Commonwealth University-Mansfield. The event will provide an overview of the county’s land development process, including an opportunity to learn about zoning, subdivision and land development ordinances, and other local regulations that shape development proposals and the review process.
As conversations continue around data centers and other potential development projects in Tioga County, now is a great time to learn how land development decisions are made and what safeguards help guide growth in our communities.
This is a great opportunity to be more informed and to better understand how land decisions are made in your community.
You can learn more here.
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Standing Together to Protect Children
Last week, the House chamber stood together in unanimous support of my proposal to combat the unspeakable, unimaginable evil of child sex abusers who target their own children, siblings, nieces, nephews or other relatives. My House Bill 1835, which provides an enhanced sentence for people convicted of creating, distributing or possessing child sexual abuse materials that depict relatives, was approved as an amendment to a separate bill addressing similar issues.
I appreciate the opportunity to work in bipartisan fashion to protect our kids and am grateful to the local prosecutor who brought this issue to my attention. I’m looking forward to working with our colleagues in the Senate to get House Bill 2522 done!
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One in a Million
Last week, I had the opportunity to honor David Butters for 50 years of dedicated service to the community of Morris through the Morris Fire Department. It was a privilege to catch up with Dave and present him with an official citation from the House of Representatives in recognition of this remarkable milestone.
Many of you reached out to offer your congratulations, but his wife may have said it best:
“He is willing to serve almost anywhere, anytime and for whomever needs help. You are one in a million, Dave.”
Those words capture the spirit of a man who has spent five decades putting others before himself. Thank you, Dave, for your unwavering dedication, selfless service and commitment to your community. Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition.
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Swearing In Tioga County’s New CASA Volunteers
On June 10, CASA of Tioga County celebrated a swearing-in ceremony at the Tioga County Courthouse, where the program’s newest volunteers were officially appointed by the Honorable Judge George Wheeler.
Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) are dedicated volunteers who commit their time, talents, and compassion to advocating for children who have experienced abuse or neglect. These advocates serve as a consistent voice for children in the court system, helping ensure their best interests are heard and represented.
This ceremony marked an important milestone in the relaunch of the CASA program in Tioga County. Thank you to the CASA Advisory Board members, community stakeholders, and Program Director Sherri Turner-Shults for their leadership and commitment in bringing this valuable program back to our community.
Congratulations and thank you to the first group of CASA advocates who have successfully completed CASA's specialized training and are now serving the youth of Tioga County. Your dedication, compassion, and willingness to serve will make a meaningful and lasting difference in the lives of children and families throughout our county.
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Pictured from left to right: Honorable Judge George Wheeler,
Kylee England, Katie Summers and Daren Getty.
Not pictured, Betty J. Dent.
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Garrett Kaltenbach Selected for Pennsylvania FFA State Officer Team
It is a great honor to have a young student from our area selected to serve on the 2026-27 Pennsylvania FFA State Officer Team. This team represents the very best of Pennsylvania FFA.
Congratulations to Garrett Kaltenbach for his hard work, dedication, and the outstanding leadership he demonstrated throughout the selection process. Your community is incredibly proud of you.
We look forward to seeing all that you and your fellow state officers will accomplish as you inspire youth, strengthen connections with local FFA chapters and continue to champion agricultural education across Pennsylvania.
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Welcome Onvo and Burger King
Last week we welcomed Onvo and Burger King to Tioga County.
This opening represents more than a new travel plaza and restaurant. Onvo is an investment in our community, new jobs and confidence in the future of our region.
Founded in 1988 as a single truck stop operation, Onvo is a Pennsylvania-based company headquartered in Scranton that now operates 42 travel plazas and convenience stores across Pennsylvania and New York. We are excited to welcome them to our area.
We also appreciate Onvo’s commitment to giving back, including donations of $2,500 each to Richmond Township and the Tioga County Special Olympics.
Thank you to everyone who helped make this project possible. Congratulations to Onvo and Burger King, and best wishes for many years of success in Tioga County!
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Bill to Expand Prescription Drug Repository Passes House
To minimize waste and improve access to medications for those in need, I recently joined a unanimous vote in the state House for legislation to expand our Cancer and Prescription Drug Repository Program.
Under House Bill 69, both healthcare facilities and individuals would be able to voluntarily donate unused prescription drugs (other than cancer drugs) to the program. The program would ensure safety by requiring donated drugs to meet strict criteria before being accepted under the program.
The existing Cancer and Prescription Drug Repository Program was created in 2008 to help low-income cancer patients receive access to life-saving medications. The proposed expansion is similar to laws already in place in 44 other states. House Bill 69 now heads to the Senate.
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Fighting Back Against Forever Chemicals
The state House this week approved legislation that would ban so-called “forever chemicals” from popular consumer products in the Commonwealth.
House Bill 2145 would ban the use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, also known as PFAS, in many common household products, such as cosmetics, dental floss, menstrual products, and juvenile products, such as crib mattresses and strollers.
The chemicals have been linked to serious health issues such as cancer; immune-system suppression; reproductive and developmental complications; and increased risk for thyroid disease, liver damage and more.
The bill now goes to the Senate for consideration.
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2026-27 Hunting Licenses Available Soon
The first day to purchase your 2026-27 Pennsylvania hunting and trapping licenses, as well as resident antlerless licenses for all Wildlife Management Units (WMUs), is Monday, June 22.
Like last year, all resident hunters are guaranteed an antlerless license in any WMU in the first round, as long as they are purchased prior to July 13. There is no need for hunters to wait in line, as you’ll have 21 days to get your guaranteed antlerless license.
One antlerless deer license per hunter can be purchased per round in the first three rounds. More information is available here.
Licenses are available for purchase online at huntfish.pa.gov or in-person at license issuing agents. Click here for a map of agents across the Commonwealth.
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Driver License Centers Closed for Juneteenth
All PennDOT driver license and photo centers, including the Riverfront Office Center in Harrisburg, will be closed Friday, June 19, in observance of Juneteenth National Freedom Day.
Customers may still obtain a variety of driver and vehicle products and services, including all forms, publications and driver training manuals, online through PennDOT's Driver and Vehicle Services website, www.dmv.pa.gov.
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Office Closure
Please note my offices in Wellsboro and Troy will be closed on Friday, June 19. We will reopen for regular hours on Monday, June 22.
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