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A Weekend of Celebrations
Throughout our district, communities were vibrant with patriotic activities as we celebrated the 249th anniversary of our nation’s birth and our independence! On July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress approved the final wording of the Declaration of Independence, which was fully signed on Aug 2, 1776, and is displayed at the National Archives in Washington, D.C. It wasn’t until another 100 years later, after the war of 1812 had passed, that Congress officially declared July 4 as a national holiday, a day that has been faithfully observed every year by American citizens.
We all love July 4, right? It is always fun to celebrate with parades, picnics and fireworks. My family and I had a great time celebrating at Mansfield’s annual July 4 parade, but I am once again reminded that our freedom comes at a cost. Our forefathers of this great nation have given us the right to live freely as citizens. We should remain grateful and always work to protect our nation’s freedom and independence, both for our generation and future generations.
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| Photo courtesy of Peter Kutbay Photography |
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Budget Talks Need to Look Beyond This Year’s Spending
The 2025-26 fiscal year is now underway, and the Commonwealth does not yet have a budget in place to guide spending over the next 12 months.
Overall spending remains a key sticking point, as Gov. Josh Shapiro and majority Democrats in the House are pushing to spend far more than we anticipate collecting in revenues during the next year. Depleting the state’s emergency and reserve funds, and relying on new taxes on skill games and legalizing recreational marijuana, is not sustainable budgeting.
While we focus on getting spending under control this year, House Republicans are also focused on long-term solutions. We must enact policies to grow the economy, boost the energy industry, eliminate fraud and waste in the state’s benefits programs, and ensure our students – the future leaders of our Commonwealth – get the kind of education they need to succeed.
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Human Trafficking Prevention Bill Passes House
Recognizing human trafficking as one of the fastest growing crimes in the nation, I recently joined my fellow lawmakers in approving a bill that would direct higher education institutions to provide exploitation prevention and education programs to their students.
House Bill 538 would allow these institutions to partner with nonprofit organizations to provide first-year students with an opportunity to attend a series of in-depth prevention and education programs regarding sex trafficking and exploitation. Program materials would be provided at no cost to students.
Under the bill, students would learn about federal and state laws relating to human trafficking, facts and statistics about the crime, methods used to coerce victims, risk factors that make an individual more vulnerable to human trafficking, and how to identify victims and what to do to help them.
The bill is awaiting Senate consideration.
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Mark Your Calendars - Senior Expo Coming Soon
Our Annual Senior Expo is coming up on Friday, Aug. 1. Join us between 9 a.m. and noon. Admission is FREE!
My staff and I are preparing for our district’s annual Senior Expo that has been going on for over 25 years. The event offers our age 50-plus residents the opportunity to connect with professionals, services and government agencies that are here for their needs as a new chapter in life continues. Health screenings will be available.
Our senior guests, their family members and caregivers will have the ability to obtain pertinent information, ask questions, and connect with close to 80 different exhibitors, ranging from a diverse selection of government agencies, health care services and providers, insurance/financial and legal services, long-term care professionals, travel and transportation services, utility companies, and representatives from offices within the federal, state and local governments. This is all being offered within one space, under one roof, located at the Wellsboro Area High School Gymnasium. The morning is filled with connections, education, live music, fun and door prizes!
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A Capitol Tour
As the Republican Caucus Secretary, I have the opportunity to mentor all our new legislators who were elected last November. As part of that work, I make sure they get to experience everything that Harrisburg has to offer.
Recently, we toured the chambers of the House, Senate and Pennsylvania Supreme Court. The Capitol Preservation Committee did a great job sharing with the group the importance of their jobs and all they do to maintain the integrity of the historic building. We ended the morning with a climb to the top of the Capitol for a stunning view of our iconic dome.
If you’d like to visit the Capitol, contact our office or check out the tour website here.
Fun fact: The 272-foot, 52-million-pound dome was inspired by Michelangelo’s design for St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome!
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Fun for All Ages Awaits at PA Fairs
Summer is in full swing, and so is Pennsylvania fair season! Communities across the Commonwealth are hosting dozens of fairs featuring food, fun and entertainment, as well as competitive exhibits highlighting animals, produce, crops, crafts, baking and more.
In Bradford County, the Troy Fair is set for July 21-26, while the Tioga County Fair is set for Aug. 4-9.
Check out the 2025 PA Fair Guide here.
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State Higher Education Grant Application Now Open
In case you missed it, the 2025-26 PA State Grant application is now available to students pursuing higher education. Remember, you must also file your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in order to qualify for a state grant, as well as financial aid offered through the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA).
Visit www.pheaa.org/signin to submit your state grant application and take care of any additional action items.
For more details and answers to frequently asked questions, go to pheaa.org/grant.
Don’t miss out. Get a head start on your financial aid today!
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