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Please do not reply directly to this email, as it returns to an unmanned account.
You are welcome to contact me through this link. |
Fighting for Flood Prevention in the Northern Tier
Less than two years after the devastating flooding caused by the remnants of Hurricane Debby, our communities are once again facing heartbreaking losses.
Last week, I returned to Potter Brook Road in Westfield, where families were once again cleaning up after floodwater invaded their homes. While it is difficult to witness this repeated devastation, I am continually inspired by the strength of our communities. Our emergency responders answered the call without hesitation, and neighbors stepped up to help neighbors—just as they always do.
But one question remains: How many times must our communities endure this before meaningful action is taken?
The bridge at the center of this latest flooding is the same one where Gov. Josh Shapiro stood following Hurricane Debby and pledged to support policies that would help reduce future flooding. Yet, despite repeated advocacy, the necessary reforms have not moved forward.
We have several common-sense proposals that would empower our communities and significantly help lower the risk of extreme flooding events. They include:
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House Bill 327, which would allow a local government organization to apply for a permit for continuing maintenance for a period of at least 10 years for the streams within their jurisdiction. Sen. Gene Yaw has a similar bill, Senate Bill 403. |
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House Bill 328, which would require Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), when granting an emergency permit for stream clearing activities to a governmental entity like PennDOT or a municipality, to grant approval for work within 250 feet of a bridge. |
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Senate Bill 404, sponsored by Sen. Yaw, would create a program to allow counties to work with their county conservation districts to better address hazards within their streams. |
These bills have remained in the House Environmental and Natural Resources Protection Committee since early 2025. I am also preparing legislation to reduce unnecessary red tape and expand PennDOT's authority to perform stream maintenance using policies similar to those already in place in New York.
I am often asked, “What can people do to help effect these much-needed changes?”
One suggestion is to reach out to the people in a position to advance these bills out of committee and, ultimately, to the governor’s desk:
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Rep. Greg Vitali, majority chairman of the House Environmental and Natural Resources Protection Committee: 717-787-7647. |
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Gov. Josh Shapiro’s office: 717-787-2500. |
Be assured, I will not stop fighting for these policy changes until we get them across the finish line.
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Mark Your Calendars for These Upcoming Free Events
Friday, Aug. 7 – Senior Expo
Senior citizens, their family members and caregivers are invited to join us for the opportunity to gather information, ask questions and connect with nearly 80 exhibitors from government agencies, health care and long-term care service providers, insurance and financial services, and more. No registration required.
Tuesday, Aug. 11 - Scam Awareness Seminar
Senior Citizen’s Day at the Tioga County Fair is Tuesday, Aug. 11! Come on down early and join my Scam Awareness Seminar co-hosted by First Citizens Community Bank, C&N Bank and PA Attorney General’s office. The event is scheduled from 9:30-10:30 a.m. You will learn about numerous scams targeting senior citizens in the Commonwealth and how to protect yourself. Please note: Admission to the fair is free to seniors ages 62 and over until 5 p.m. that day.
Register at www.repowlett.com/events to reserve your seat.
Thursday, Sept. 10 – Game Commission Night
Join us for a fun and informative evening at the Wellsboro Fire Company Annex from 6-8 p.m. You will hear from our Pennsylvania Game Commission officials and learn all about bears. Register at www.repowlett.com/events to reserve your seat. This event typically fills up fast, so be sure to reserve your seat sooner rather than later.
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Celebrating Community at the Tioga YMCA Summer Camp
On Wednesday, July 1, Tara from my office visited the Tioga YMCA Summer Camp. Although the day's activities were moved indoors due to the extreme heat, the campers were having a blast enjoying carnival games and spending time together.
For Tara, the visit was especially meaningful. Having grown up in Mansfield, she remembers the building when it served as the Mansfield Armory. Seeing it transformed into a vibrant space where children and families from across Tioga and Bradford counties can gather, learn, and grow was a wonderful reminder of what can be accomplished through strong community support.
Thanks to that support, more than 60 children from across the both counties have the opportunity to build friendships, create lasting memories and stay active throughout the summer.
The Tioga YMCA is a tremendous community resource, offering programs that promote youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. I am grateful for the community support that makes opportunities like these possible.
Pictured here: Tioga County YMCA Executive Director Melissa Sentiff; Tara Peifer, representative from my office; and Deb Rudy, representative from Sen. Gene Yaw’s office.
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PA Budget Passes Without Touching Rainy Day Fund, Highlights Need for Future Growth
The General Assembly was in session over the weekend to complete work on the 2026-27 state budget. After careful consideration and weighing the pros and cons of the far-reaching proposal, I voted in favor of it. It was signed into law by the governor on Sunday evening.
It’s not the perfect budget, but negotiations did bring the cost down when compared to Gov. Josh Shapiro’s original proposal outlined in February; left the Rainy Day Fund intact and available to the Commonwealth in emergencies; invested in education, including the Educational Improvement Tax Credit program; boosted funding for rural infrastructure; and did NOT legalize recreational marijuana.
Rep. Tina Pickett, with whom I share representation of Bradford County, and I issued a joint statement outlining our thoughts about the budget and the need for policies to boost economic growth in the Northern Tier and across the Commonwealth. You can read the statement here.
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Bill to Boost Mental Health Access OK’d by House
Recognizing the importance of access to mental health care, I joined a majority of my colleagues in the state House to approve a bill that would authorize the Commonwealth to join the Interstate Counseling Compact.
The compact permits a professional counselor’s home state license to be mutually recognized by other states based on criteria laid out within the language of the compact. The agreement would enhance access to care by providing counselors and their patients more opportunities as to where and how they provide treatment.
More than three dozen states already have compact laws, including the neighboring states of Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Ohio and West Virginia.
Senate Bill 604 is pending the governor’s signature to become law.
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Important Student Aid Deadline!
First-time applicants planning to attend a community college, trade school or other eligible school have until Saturday, Aug. 1, to submit their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be considered for a PA State Grant in 2026-27.
The PA State Grant Program is offered through the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) and provides funding to eligible undergraduate students that does not have to be repaid. Complete your FAFSA now at StudentAid.gov.
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Nominate Your Favorite Trail
If you have a favorite trail that provides unique opportunities, encourages and celebrates diverse user groups, or enhances your community, please nominate it for Pennsylvania’s 2027 Trail of the Year.
Each year, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) and its Pennsylvania Trails Advisory Committee (PTAC) designate a Trail of the Year to help build enthusiasm and support for trails and raise public awareness about the economic, environmental and health benefits trails bring. The winning trail will be recognized through a commemorative poster for statewide distribution, a trailhead marker along the trail, and a grant for educational programs to promote safety and environmental protection on the trail.
Click here to nominate your favorite trail. The deadline for nomination is Friday, July 31.
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