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Agriculture Breakfast Brings Leaders Together
We had an excellent turnout at last week’s Breakfast on Agriculture hosted by Sen. Gene Yaw and me. The event brought together state and federal officials, industry leaders, and local community members highlighting the vital role agriculture plays in Pennsylvania.
We were honored to welcome U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick (pictured above) and Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding, along with local officials and agricultural representatives.
The morning began with a special ceremonial milk toast led by Bradford County Dairy Princess Sophia Tice. Legislative updates were provided by Sen. McCormick, Sen. Yaw and me, followed by remarks from Secretary Redding on the current state of agriculture in Pennsylvania.
We also appreciated hearing from guest speakers Kurtis Eby of Bare Wealth Advisors and Tony Brubaker of Brubaker Farms LLC, who shared valuable perspectives on helping farmers preserve and pass on their legacy to the next generation.
It was especially great to have students from Canton FFA and Grand Canyon FFA in attendance, representing the future of agriculture leadership in our area.
Thank you to everyone who joined us and to our sponsors for supporting Pennsylvania agriculture!
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A Diamond Anniversary: Butch and Nancy Baker
One of the most meaningful parts of my job is sitting down with couples and honoring their commitment to marriage and family values. Last week, I had the pleasure of visiting with Erwin “Butch” and Nancy Baker, who celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in February.
Nancy fondly recalls going to Butch’s mother’s house the morning after their wedding and making eggs and toast for him, and she’s been making eggs and toast ever since. Their story is full of memorable moments, and I could easily spend all day listening to them.
They met in October 1965 and were married by February 1966. Just over a year later, Butch was drafted and served in the Vietnam War. Shortly after his deployment, he learned his young bride was pregnant, and it was by telegram that he learned his little girl was born. It wasn’t until their daughter was seven months old that he finally got to meet her. Butch reflects, “I left for the war as a kid, but came home a man and a dad.”
The couple laughed about being slower, wiser, and better now, but they credit the strength of their marriage to their faith. As Nancy put it, “We made a promise to God when we got married, and we are not quitters.”
In retirement, Nancy has simplified her cooking to just two meals a day, and the couple can often be found enjoying lunch at the Wellsboro Diner. If you see them around town, be sure to congratulate them on an incredible 60-year marriage.
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Data Center Update
The conversation and debate about data centers is incredibly important and we must get it right for our citizens, our communities and our Commonwealth. But we aren’t going to get it right if we don’t put politics aside and work TOGETHER.
I’m taken back to just how important it was to get broadband policy right as well. Having served on that bipartisan and bicameral working group, I saw firsthand how bringing different perspectives and experiences together allowed us to tackle important issues, identify any pitfalls or unintended consequences, and ultimately bring about policies to move our state forward.
Sadly, right now, that is not the priority of the majority party in the House. They are 100% putting politics over policy. Offering bills that would require data centers to get nearly one-third of their energy supply from “renewable” sources by 2035 is one crazy example. Do we really want those data centers covering hundreds of acres of good farmland with solar panels to comply? That’s not good policy.
Or how about the state putting our local governments and the people they serve in a bad spot by creating a so-called “model” ordinance addressing data centers? After being here in the House for the last several years, I’ve certainly learned one size does NOT fit all in Pennsylvania. Why would we try to force that with something as impactful as data centers?
I’m all about our local governments and officials doing the work they need to do to protect their communities’ interests, not mandates from Harrisburg. We have seen and will continue to see our local governments making meaningful decisions that affect their neighbors and friends.
State government has a role to play, and I fully supported an amendment (A02670 to House Bill 1834), ultimately voted down, that would have ensured any “large load” users, such as data centers, were held accountable for the costs related to increased energy demands. Rather than jump at this reasonable approach that would have protected consumers, House Democrats chose to move forward with bills full of poison pills that have no chance of bringing about consensus.
While our district certainly has people in favor of and opposed to data centers, we must approach this the way we do any development: leaning on our constitutional rights as landowners, local ordinances and zoning, locally elected officials who know their areas the best, and enforcement agencies who monitor our natural resources and energy.
Until both Republicans and Democrats in the House, Senate and Governor’s office sit together at the table and use the broadband working group model, I’m afraid it’s just going to be politics over good sound policy.
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Ready When It Matters Most
Last week, I had the opportunity to invite new members of the House to tour Pennsylvania College of Technology with Patrick Marty, Chief Government and International Relations Officer. During the visit, members connected with students across a variety of academic programs and participated in an emergency management training opportunity.
As a representative, you never know when disaster will strike. This hands-on experience provided valuable insight into how to respond in critical moments.
Having seen firsthand the expertise from Penn College’s Emergency Management Homeland Security Instructor, William Schlosser, when our area faced severe flooding over a year ago, this visit was especially meaningful. It was a great opportunity for our new members to learn, engage and better prepare to serve our communities.
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Working Together to Fight Hunger in the Northern Tier
I was able to meet with advocates from the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank in Harrisburg recently, and a member of my office attended the North Central Pennsylvania Hunger Summit last week to better understand food insecurity in our area and how we can help strengthen the charitable food network in our region.
According to a recent report from the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank, food insecurity is rising sharply across Pennsylvania’s Northern Tier. Since 2021, overall rates have increased by more than 30%, with child food insecurity surging by 56%. Currently, about 1 in 7 residents, nearly 40,000 people, including 11,000 children, struggle to access enough food.
Bradford and Tioga counties face similar challenges, with approximately 14% of residents affected. Limited access to nearby food pantries, especially in rural areas, continues to make it harder for families to get the support they need. While initiatives like summer meal programs in the North Tioga School District provide some relief, the report underscores a growing need for expanded resources and improved access to food across the region.
These figures are more than statistics; they represent our neighbors, families and children. By identifying where the need is greatest, communities and organizations can better target resources, expand access and work toward a future where no one is left behind.
Learn more and explore the full report.
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Only You Can Prevent Wildfires
Wildfires are a powerful and destructive force of nature, but in Pennsylvania, they are almost entirely preventable. In fact, 99% of wildfires in the state are caused by human activities, often unintentionally. Accidental fires destroy property but, more importantly, they place lives at risk, including the lives of our firefighters who answer the call to contain these often quick-moving fires.
The risk is especially high during the spring and fall seasons, when dry conditions make it easier for fires to ignite and spread quickly. That’s why it is so important for us all to stay vigilant.
By taking simple precautions, you can help protect our communities, support our local volunteer firefighters who protect us, and preserve our natural environment. Being mindful of your surroundings and making responsible choices can make a real difference. It is important that we all do our part and be mindful of our surroundings to help prevent wildfires.
Click below for a guide to help safeguard Pennsylvania’s natural beauty and resources, along with information about prescribed burns.
Click here for more information about wildfire risks.
Click here for more information about prescribed fires.
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Public Hearing Series on Data Centers
The Center for Rural Pennsylvania invites you to attend the first session in its Public Hearing Series on Data Centers on Friday, April 17, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Coolidge Theatre at the Deane Center, 104 Main St., Wellsboro.
The hearing will explore the current landscape of data center development, including infrastructure needs, regulatory considerations and impacts on rural communities.
Learn more here.
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Watch Out for These Scams
Investment scams on social media and attempts to steal state benefits are both making headlines in the Commonwealth.
EBT Fraud
Last week, the Department of Human Services (DHS) warned of electronic benefits transfer (EBT) fraud phone calls in which a caller is leaving voicemails and claiming to be “Pennsylvania EBT Customer Service” in an effort to steal benefit card numbers. The agency emphasized it will never call or text an individual to request personal information.
Please report any suspicious texts or calls about DHS benefits by calling the DHS fraud tip line at 1-844-DHS-TIPS (1-844-347-8477).
Find tips to keep your accounts safe here.
Social Media Investment Scams
This week, the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General is warning about the prevalence of fraudulent investment schemes on Meta platforms, including Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp. Citizens are urged to scrutinize social media investment advertisements before investing. Most reputable broker-dealers and investment advisors do not post specific investment advice on social media platforms.
To learn more about the scams and tips to protect yourself, click here. Victims of these types of scams should report them to the Bureau of Consumer Protection at 800-441-2555 or scams@attorneygeneral.gov.
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Seeking Solutions to Make Child Care More Affordable
As part of its “Affordability Starts Here” tour, the House Republican Policy Committee met in Hanover, York County, to examine the growing challenges facing Pennsylvania families and child care providers, as well as identify practical solutions to improve affordability, access and workforce stability.
Testifiers, including child care providers, educators, employers and local leaders, outlined a system under significant strain:
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Rising costs for families: Infant care averages around $13,000 annually and can consume up to 50% of household income. |
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Workforce shortages: Approximately 3,000 child care positions remain unfilled statewide. |
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Limited access: Many providers report waitlists of 50-75 children or more. |
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Economic impact: Child care challenges cost Pennsylvania billions annually in lost productivity and workforce participation. |
Providers consistently pointed to burdensome and inconsistent regulations as a major driver of cost and limited access. In response, lawmakers pledged to work toward reforms that would aim to reduce unnecessary regulatory burdens while ensuring children remain in safe, high-quality care environments.
To view the hearing, click here.
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Donate Life Month
April is Donate Life Month, an opportunity to raise awareness about the growing need for organ donation across the Commonwealth and the country. According to Donate Life PA, 16 people on average die each day while waiting for a life-saving organ transplant.
Across the country, more than 100,000 people are waiting for a transplant to save their lives, and every eight minutes, another person’s name is added to the national waiting list. In Pennsylvania alone, more than 6,000 people are on the waiting list for a life-saving organ transplant.
About 5 million Pennsylvanians have added the donor designation to their driver’s license, learner’s permit or state identification card, but this represents only half of those eligible to register. If you’d like to register as an organ donor, you may sign up here. You are also encouraged to let your loved ones know of your wishes.
For more information about organ donation, visit donatelifepa.org.
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