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Don’t Miss Out: Wednesday is the Last Day to Register for Veterans Breakfast
Wednesday, Oct. 7, is the last day to register for our free Veterans Appreciation Breakfast. I look forward to hosting veterans of the 68th Legislative District as a small token of my appreciation for their service and sacrifice.
We are honored to have two outstanding veterans as our featured speakers.
Erwin “Butch” Baker was drafted into the United States Army in July 1967 and served until July 1969. During 1968-69, he served in Vietnam with the 299th Combat Engineer Battalion. Baker attained the rank of sergeant (E-5) and served as a combat engineer, helping build and maintain roads, bridges, airstrips and other essential facilities.
Also speaking will be Tioga County Commissioner Sam VanLoon, a combat veteran with over 22 years of service in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard. He began his career in August 2000 and was assigned to Charlie Company 3rd of the 103rd Armor in Mansfield. In 2013, he transitioned from the Armor community to become a Blackhawk helicopter pilot for the PA Army National Guard. He has deployed overseas four times in support of both Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
The breakfast is open to veterans of the 68th Legislative District, along with one guest each.
Please RSVP by Wednesday, Oct. 7, to reserve your seat. Call my Wellsboro office at 570-724-1390 or Troy office at 570-297-3045, or register online at www.RepOwlett.com/events.
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Celebrating Wins in the Fight Against Human Trafficking
On Tuesday, Sept 30, I spoke at a press conference of the bipartisan, bicameral Anti-Human Trafficking Caucus. By working across the aisle and across the building, we were able to get two new laws enacted earlier this year to combat this horrific crime: Act 41 increases criminal penalties for those who prey upon vulnerable individuals who have been groomed, manipulated and forced into a life of prostitution, while Act 31 requires human trafficking awareness training for Pennsylvania workers in the hospitality industry who are likely to come into contact with traffickers and their victims. We hope to build on this success and continue to advance policies that support victims and ultimately stop this crime.
Human trafficking is one of the fastest growing crimes in the nation, and Pennsylvanian’s location makes it an ideal place for traffickers to operate.
You can watch the full press conference here.
If you or someone you know is being trafficked, call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.
If you’d like to learn more about how to identify and stop human trafficking, I’m hosting a Human Trafficking Awareness and Education session on Thursday, Oct. 29, at 7 p.m. at North Street Community Church, 177 North St., Canton. Please RSVP online at www.RepOwlett.com/events or call our offices in Troy or Wellsboro.
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Fighting for Action
On Tuesday, Sept. 29, I filed discharge petitions seeking House action on legislation addressing stream and creek maintenance, and I also signed discharge petitions on legislation addressing fairness in women’s sports.
With Democrats in charge of setting the agenda for the House of Representatives, one of the few tools our caucus has to push for action on important issues is the discharge resolution. This process gives members an opportunity to bring legislation forward when it has not received the consideration it deserves.
Fighting for Action on Women’s Sports: Senate Bill 1293 is the Fairness in Women’s Sports Act, which we have been trying to bring up for a vote all session. There are currently four bills addressing this issue, including my Dad’s Defending Daughters bill. Each time we’ve tried to force a vote on any of these bills through the discharge process, Democrat leaders have re-referred the bills to different committees. It has happened 16 times this session! Rather than give the people of Pennsylvania a voice on this issue, they continue to avoid it. It’s inexcusable. Our daughters deserve the right to fair play, equal playing opportunities and safe locker rooms.
Fighting for Action on Stream Maintenance: Senate Bill 403 would provide local governments with greater flexibility to maintain creeks and streams in their communities to help prevent flooding. This bill, which is sponsored by Sen. Gene Yaw and mirrors legislation I have sponsored in the House for the last three sessions, has been awaiting consideration in the House Environmental and Natural Resource Protection Committee since March 2025. The discharge resolution was filed last Tuesday, and yesterday, the committee chairman called up the bill for consideration. But instead of voting on it, the chairman re-referred the bill to the House Local Government Committee. I’ve spoken with both the Republican and Democratic chairmen of that committee and am hopeful we could see more action soon. Rest assured I will continue the fight so people do not have to worry about flooding every time heavy rain is in the forecast.
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Celebrating the Pine Creek Rail Trail and Planting for the Future
Last Friday, Sept. 25, the sun was shining and it was a beautiful day in Tioga County as we welcomed Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn to celebrate the Pine Creek Trail being named Pennsylvania’s 2026 Trail of the Year. We also gathered to plant a new elm tree outside the Wellsboro Chamber of Commerce following the loss of Tioga County’s more than 250-year-old American elm.
It was great to see so many community members and students come out to celebrate, enjoy our natural resources and learn more about the outdoor opportunities right here in our region.
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| Photo Credit: Commonwealth Media Services |
This trail is about more than biking, walking and hiking. It’s about bringing people together, creating connections, enjoying God’s creation and giving the next generation a place to make memories.
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| Photo Credit: Commonwealth Media Services |
A great trail takes vision, teamwork and a willingness to ask, “What’s next?” Wins beget wins, and I’m encouraged by the excitement in our community to keep moving forward and pursuing new opportunities.
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| Photo Credit: Commonwealth Media Services |
I was especially encouraged to see so many young people at the celebration. I hope they see what’s possible when a community dreams big, works together and isn’t afraid to pursue the next opportunity.
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| Photo Credit: Commonwealth Media Services |
Thank you to everyone who laid the groundwork, as well as the staff, partners and community leaders whose hard work helped make this possible. I’m excited to see what’s next for Tioga County!
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Grant Funding Supports Bryan’s Meat Cutting
Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding recently announced nearly $600,000 in state funding for 10 small meat processors in eight Pennsylvania counties, helping businesses expand processing capacity, improve food and worker safety, and meet demand for local products. Congratulations to Bryan’s Meat Cutting for applying and being awarded over $70,000 to be used toward a packaging machine for increased operational efficiency. Applications are now open for the next round of the Very Small Meat and Poultry Processor Reimbursement Grant program.
Since 2023, Pennsylvania has supported the expansion of 26 small businesses, investing more than $1.68 million through the program.
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Department of Health Withdraws Overreaching Regulations
In a major victory for parental rights, medical privacy and constitutional liberties, the Pennsylvania Department of Health has withdrawn its aggressive, overreaching regulatory proposal governing communicable and noncommunicable diseases in the Commonwealth.
Last week, I joined 80 of my fellow House members in submitting comments to the Independent Regulatory Review Commission raising serious questions about this extreme proposal. Our voices were just some of the nearly 6,000 people who weighed in on the plan, the overwhelming majority of whom opposed the regulations.
Department officials indicate they plan to resubmit the updated regulations once Pennsylvanians’ feedback has been addressed, so I will be taking a close look at any new plans in the weeks ahead.
Thank you to everyone who took the time to speak out in defense of your rights. It makes a difference!
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Establishing Guardrails for Automated Surveillance
The House Republican Policy Committee held a hearing this week titled “Protecting the Fourth Amendment: Establishing Guardrails for Automated Surveillance” to examine automated license plate reader (ALPR) technology and its implications for public safety, privacy and the Fourth Amendment.
In response to growing concerns about ALPRs, legislation has been introduced to set statewide limits on the collection and retention of personally identifiable information and require judicial oversight in certain circumstances. Additionally, companion legislation would allow local municipalities to decide whether to allow these cameras in their communities. A proposal to prevent private vendors from sharing license plate data without authorization is also being discussed.
Testifiers included Lawrence Gerrity of the Pennsylvania Fraternal Order of Police; Abington Police Chief Patrick Malloy, who serves as president of the Pennsylvania Police Chiefs Association; Jim Harper of the American Enterprise Institute; and Neal Kurk, former member of the New Hampshire House of Representatives.
Watch the full hearing here.
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PSP Warns of Gold Bar Scam
The Pennsylvania State Police are warning about an organized fraud scheme targeting victims through scammers impersonating federal law enforcement.
Scammers are telling victims their identity or Social Security number is linked to criminal activity and instructing them to withdraw money, purchase gold, and hand it over to a courier.
No legitimate law enforcement officer will ever ask you to purchase gold or give cash or gold to a courier.
If you believe you may have been targeted or turned over gold or cash, contact Trooper Eric Dreisbach at 570-560-0625 and reference PA 2026-1166513.
Please share this warning with family and friends, especially older loved ones who may be targeted by these scams. You can read the complete press release here.
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Avoid Health Insurance Scams
With annual open enrollment periods set to begin soon for both Medicare and Pennie, the state’s health insurance marketplace, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is offering tips for consumers to avoid being scammed.
When researching options online, type the name of the website directly into the search engine. For Medicare, it’s Medicare.gov, or call 800-633-4227. Pennie’s website is www.Pennie.com or call 844-844-8040.
Take your time. Look for small “Ad” or “Sponsored” labels next to search results to identify paid ads and scroll past them.
Get help to compare costs, coverage and plans. Assistance with Medicare is available through Pennsylvania Medicare Education and Decision Insight (PA MEDI), provided by the Department of Aging. Call the PA MEDI Helpline at 800-783-7067 (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) or reach out to your local county Area Agency on Aging (AAA) for one-on-one phone, virtual or in-person counseling sessions.
Suspect a health insurance scam? Tell the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General. If the scam involves Medicare, report it at Medicare.gov or call 800-633-4227.
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Attention Hunters!
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