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Mud on Your Boots
Real life advocacy starts with getting a little mud on your boots and rain on your jacket.
While at a site visit last week to the Wilson Creek Habitat Project near Wellsboro, I met up with officials from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, Tioga County Conservation District, Northcentral Conservancy, and the Department of Environmental Protection, along with Tioga County Commissioner Marc Rice. This meeting provided a valuable opportunity to discuss local watershed conservation efforts and stream maintenance improvements.
We know the need is huge, and I appreciate the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission and its partners for the work they are doing in this area, and together we are committed to taking the “bull by the horns” approach to save lives and property. I applaud the county commissioners for their comprehensive approach, and together we are advocating to be able to provide a five- to 10-year plan that improves stream preservation, maintenance and flood mitigation.
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Bill to Offer Lifeline to Struggling Students Reintroduced
Every student learns differently, and they shouldn’t be punished for that because of where they live or because their parents don’t have the means to find something better.
Our kids and their families deserve to have a choice. Choice brings competition, and where there is competition, there is growth and improvement, and ultimately the consumer – in this case, the student – wins.
While we are blessed with great schools here in our area, too many kids across the state are finding themselves trapped in schools that simply aren’t meeting their needs. That’s why I have again joined with Rep. Martina White of Philadelphia to reintroduce the Lifeline Scholarship bill.
House Bill 1489 would provide students (in kindergarten through grade 12) and qualified families with the resources they need to pursue high-quality educational alternatives. It would affect families who either have a household income below 350% of the federal poverty guidelines or who reside in the attendance areas of the state’s lowest-performing schools. It would be funded through the state Treasury and would not divert any funding away from our schools.
You can read more about the bill and why it is needed here.
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Congratulations to Leadership Tioga County Class of 2025!
Here’s another reason I LOVE talking about our region’s future! Last week, we applauded graduates of the youth leadership program provided by the Tioga County Partnership for Community Health, and this week we get to extend congratulations to our current community leaders who are working to grow in their commitment to service through Develop Tioga’s Leadership Tioga County program.
It was an honor to recognize these participants for the time they have invested into developing their personal leadership skills and to gaining a better understanding of their strengths and how those can be channeled into meeting community needs. They are now well-equipped with tools, relationships and connections to make a positive impact in our community.
They are an inspiring group and a shining example of all that is good here in Tioga County. Keep up the good work!
If you think you’d like to participate in next year’s class, you can learn more about it here. Thanks to Develop Tioga for your commitment to our community and our people!
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A Day in Harrisburg
It is wonderful when local students can explore our state government with a trip to our historic Capitol building in Harrisburg. I regret that I missed meeting with the students, but I hope their visit and tour of the building were both educational and fun. If you’d like to visit the Capitol, contact our office or check out the tour website here.
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| Westfield Elementary School |
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| Troy Intermediate School |
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| Troy Intermediate School |
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| Troy Intermediate School |
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Canton Girl Scout Troup 40121
Last week I got to meet with some awesome Girl Scouts from Troup 40121 at Canton Elementary – they are working on their democracy badge! It was fun chatting with them about government and how laws are made. Keep up the great work, girls!
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Handheld Devices Ban Takes Effect June 5
A new Pennsylvania law banning the use of handheld devices while driving takes effect on June 5.
Paul Miller’s Law limits the use of handheld cellphones or other communication devices while operating a motor vehicle. The law is named for a young man who was killed in a crash involving a distracted tractor-trailer driver in Monroe County, Pennsylvania, in 2010.
Under the law, driving while holding a mobile device is a primary violation, meaning police can pull over drivers solely for the violation. For the first 12 months, the penalty is a written warning. Effective in June 2026, the penalty is a summary offense, which carries a $50 fine, plus court costs and other fees. If a driver is convicted of homicide by vehicle and driving while distracted, they may be sentenced up to an additional five years in prison.
Drivers can still use their phones if using hands-free technology, such as a docking station, Bluetooth or speaker technology. You may also use your phone to contact emergency responders.
According to PennDOT, more than 11,000 crashes were the result of distracted driving, leading to 65 deaths and 6,700 injuries in 2023. Pennsylvania joins 28 other states with hands-free laws.
Read more here.
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