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Sunshine and Smiles at the Tioga County Special Olympics
On Friday, May 30, the Tioga County Special Olympics received a break from the rain and enjoyed a beautiful day. Over 200 athletes competed in track and field events at Commonwealth University – Mansfield’s Karl Van Norman field. The Special Olympics has been a highly anticipated event for many years, starting back in 1968, and coming to Tioga County in 1990 by special education teachers in the area. Athletic competitions included wheelchair races, tennis ball toss, 100-meter walk, running, long jump, and more.
The mission of Special Olympics PA is to provide year-round sports training and competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness; demonstrate courage; experience joy; and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills, and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes, and the community.
I always enjoy attending this event, but this year I was happy to share the experience with my wife, Lauren, allowing her to share in the joy of congratulating our Special Olympics athletes and seeing their big smiles and sense of accomplishment as they receive their well-deserved ribbons.
The Special Olympics has remained a valuable part of our community because of all the volunteers - community members, local high school students, local businesses, and organizations. I am so encouraged by the community support! Congratulations to all the participants and a huge thank you to all the volunteers!
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Congratulations to the Class of 2025!
Congratulations to all our students for reaching this remarkable milestone. Your futures are bright and full of potential, and we look forward to seeing where your path takes you. I am proud to share that 23 graduates have chosen to serve our country in the armed forces, and many will be joining the work force, traveling, going to college, or pursing a trade. Regardless of your chosen path, your community is proud of you, and you will always be an important part of our community. Our region offers abundant opportunities, and there has never been a better time to be a part of our community, whether it is health care, skilled trades, manufacturing or entrepreneurship. The possibilities are truly limitless!
Congratulations to the parents and guardians of these students as well. Your love and support for your children has helped them this far and will continue to carry them forward into adulthood. As a dad of four myself, I certainly appreciate the challenges and rewards of parenting!
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Suspicious Text Messages
Penn DOT has recently received reports of scammers trying to impersonate PennDOT or the Department of Motor Vehicles to obtain personal information, such as bank account information, through a tactic known as smishing. These scam messages indicate that the inaction of the message recipient to pay an outstanding fee could result in additional fines, suspended vehicle registration, or suspended driving privileges if not acted upon immediately. PennDOT does not send texts about traffic violations or fines.
Customers are advised to ignore the texts and avoid clicking on any links. Customers may forward the text to 7726 to report text messages as spam to their cell carrier. Customers receiving a similar email may report the email as spam to their email providers.
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Offering a Lifeline to Struggling Students
No child should be trapped in a school that isn’t meeting their needs.
I recently joined with Rep. Martina White of Philadelphia to reintroduce the Lifeline Scholarship bill to ensure students in the lowest performing school districts across the state do not miss out on the opportunity to learn, grow and succeed.
I hope you’ll take a moment to watch the video above and consider the plight of students who are missing out on a solid education. You may also read more about House Bill 1489 here.
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Protecting Our Children, Holding Offenders Accountable
Effectively protecting our children from predators also means holding offenders accountable. That’s why I recently voted in favor of a bill that would provide a sentencing enhancement for courts to consider in sexual assault cases where the defendant is a mandated reporter.
The people we encourage our children to trust – such as school employees, health care professionals, child care providers, law enforcement, clergy and social service workers – are mandated reporters. It is especially egregious when someone who is required by law to report suspected child abuse or neglect instead chooses to victimize a child.
House Bill 355 now goes to the state Senate for consideration.
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Application Deadline Extended for 2024 Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program
The deadline for senior citizens and Pennsylvanians with disabilities to apply for rebates on rent and property taxes paid in 2024 has been extended to Dec. 31.
Income limits for the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program increased this year to $46,520 for both homeowners and renters. If you were earning too much to qualify before, you may be eligible now. Remember to exclude 50% of Social Security when determining your income. The law I supported to expand the program also increased the maximum rebate to $1,000.
The program is open to residents age 65 years and older; widows and widowers 50 years and older; and people with disabilities 18 years and older.
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Marking Women Veterans Day
Thursday, June 12, is Women Veterans Day, marking the 77th anniversary of the 1948 Women’s Armed Services Integration Act.
While the law allowed women the right to permanently serve in the regular armed forces, women served in America’s wars and conflicts long before it took effect. According to the U.S. Veterans Administration, women played vital roles in the Revolutionary War, and more than 400 women fought in the Union and Confederate armies during the Civil War. In World War I, about 35,000 women officially served, and by World War II, 350,000 women served in a variety of roles.
In Pennsylvania, drivers have the opportunity to further this recognition by purchasing an “Honoring Our Women Veterans” license plate, now available for passenger cars and trucks, as well as motorcycles. A portion of the cost for the plates goes directly into the Pennsylvania Veterans' Trust Fund, which provides grants to organizations that serve veterans in need.
For more information about Women Veterans Day, click here.
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Celebrate Flag Day
Saturday, June 14, commemorates the adoption of the United States flag. Since a 1916 proclamation by President Woodrow Willson, this date has been marked as “Flag Day.” Congressional legislation designating that date as national Flag Day was signed into law by President Harry Truman in 1949.
From 13 stars to 50, the American flag has been a symbol of freedom and liberty throughout the world. To learn more about the history of the American flag, click here.
To learn more about how to treat the flag and how to display it, read the United States Flag Code here.
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