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In this Update:

• Honoring Our Veterans Throughout the 27th
• Discussing Legislative Priorities at the Hazleton Chamber Breakfast
• Recognizing Central Columbia Educator Douglas Brown
• Pennsylvania Seeks Input from Small Business Owners
• PA Taxpayer-Funded Childcare Programs Face More Accountability
• New Law Helps Protect Children from Online Exploitation
• Home Heating Assistance Program Accepting Applications
• Cold Weather Life Jacket Requirement in Effect
• State Police Accepting Applications for Youth Camp
• Motorboat Fuel Consumption Survey Underway

Honoring Our Veterans Throughout the 27th

This week, communities throughout the 27th came together to recognize Veterans Day and honor the men and women who have served our country.

On Tuesday, November 10, I hosted a special Veterans Telephone Town Hall featuring American Legion Department Service Officer Bill McGovern. We discussed veterans’ benefits, available resources and questions from residents about accessing assistance.

Bill regularly provides free assistance to veterans and their families through my Shamokin Dam district office. Veterans interested in scheduling an appointment can contact my office at 570-743-1918.

On Veterans Day, I attended the Watsontown Historical Association’s Veterans Day event, which featured military uniforms, historical artifacts and personal stories of local veterans.

During the event, the association also shared plans to expand its museum and establish a permanent military display on the second floor. The project is supported by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion and Daughters of the American Revolution.

Preserving these stories is an important way to recognize the service and sacrifices of our veterans while helping future generations better understand our nation’s history.

Thank you to the Watsontown Historical Association and everyone who organized Veterans Day activities throughout our communities. Most importantly, thank you to all veterans for your service to our country.

Giving a Legislative Update at the Hazleton Chamber Breakfast

On Monday, November 9, I joined the Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce for its Red Carpet Breakfast at Penn State Hazleton, where I shared a legislative update and discussed issues affecting our region.

Thank you to the Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce for the invitation and to everyone who attended for the opportunity to share updates and discuss issues important to our region.

Recognizing Central Columbia Educator Douglas Brown

I visited Central Columbia High School on Monday, November 9, to recognize agricultural educator Douglas G. Brown for his outstanding contributions to agricultural education.

Douglas serves as an agricultural and environmental science instructor and FFA adviser at Central Columbia High School. He was selected to receive the National Award for Outstanding Service from Region IV of the National Association of Agricultural Educators.

His accomplishments also include several recognitions from the Pennsylvania Association of Agricultural Educators, including the Cliff Day Outstanding Service Award presented earlier this year.

During my visit, I presented Douglas with a Pennsylvania Senate citation recognizing his dedication to agricultural education and the students he serves.

Agricultural education provides students with valuable opportunities to develop leadership skills, gain hands-on experience and explore careers in one of Pennsylvania’s most important industries.

Congratulations to Douglas on this recognition and thank you for your continued commitment to preparing the next generation.

Pennsylvania Seeks Input from Small Business Owners

The Pennsylvania Office of Small Business Advocate (OSBA) is asking small business owners across the commonwealth to participate in a survey about their utility services.

The OSBA is an independent state agency that represents small businesses with 250 or fewer employees in matters involving utility rates, service quality and regulations. The office works to ensure small businesses have a voice in decisions affecting their operations and expenses.

The survey seeks feedback on electric, natural gas, water, wastewater and telecommunications services. Responses will help the agency better understand the challenges businesses face and strengthen its advocacy efforts.

I encourage small business owners throughout the 27th to take a few minutes to share their experiences. Their feedback can help ensure the needs of our local businesses are represented.

Complete the utility survey on the Pennsylvania Office of Small Business Advocate’s website at PA.gov.

PA Taxpayer-Funded Childcare Programs Face More Accountability

We’ve passed a new law to strengthen oversight of Pennsylvania’s taxpayer-funded childcare programs.

Act 113 of 2026 requires the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services to provide annual reports detailing inspections, investigations, enforcement actions and financial oversight activities related to childcare facilities and programs receiving public funding.

The reports will cover facility inspections, violations, complaints, investigations and enforcement actions. The law also requires reporting on taxpayer-funded childcare payments, improper payments identified and efforts to recover misspent funds.

More than a billion taxpayer dollars are spent annually on childcare in Pennsylvania, and this law will help ensure those funds are spent properly.

New Law Helps Protect Children from Online Exploitation

A new law I supported provides additional resources to law enforcement agencies and prosecutors working to protect children from online exploitation and abuse.

Act 71 of 2026 expands the Investigation and Prosecution of Internet Crimes Against Children Program, providing grants to help pay for investigators, prosecutors, forensic specialists and training for professionals working on cases involving human trafficking, sexual offenses, child sexual abuse, unlawful contact with minors and the sexual exploitation of children using online platforms.

The law is called “Alicia’s Law” in honor of Alicia Kozak (Kozakiewicz), a Pittsburgh-area resident who was abducted and sexually assaulted at age 13 by a man she met online in what is recognized as the nation’s first known internet-facilitated child abduction case. Read more about Alicia’s Law on the Pennsylvania Senate Republican Caucus website.

Home Heating Assistance Program Accepting Applications

The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) application period is now open.

Eligible applicants can receive a one-time cash grant to help pay a heating bill. Grants range from $200 to $1,000 based on household size, income and fuel type and are sent directly to the utility provider or fuel company.

Families experiencing an emergency related to household heat may be eligible to receive additional funds through a crisis grant. Learn more about LIHEAP and how to apply through the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services at PA.gov.

Cold Weather Life Jacket Requirement in Effect

Nearly 80% of Pennsylvania boating fatalities involved boaters who were not wearing life jackets. With that in mind, please note the state’s cold weather life jacket requirement is in effect through April 30.

Boaters are required to wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket while underway or at anchor on boats less than 16 feet or on any kayak, canoe or paddleboard.

Even on warm days from late fall through early spring, water temperatures can remain frigid on rivers, lakes and streams. Wearing a life jacket helps protect against the dangers of cold-water shock, which can cause an involuntary gasp, difficulty breathing and loss of swimming ability.

Learn more about the cold weather life jacket requirement from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission at PA.gov.

State Police Accepting Applications for Youth Camp

Pennsylvania residents ages 15 to 17 interested in a career in law enforcement or the military can apply now to attend the State Police Youth Week camp taking place June 6-12, 2027, at Messiah University in Mechanicsburg, Cumberland County.

Held in collaboration with the Pennsylvania National Guard and the Pennsylvania American Legion, the camp provides cadets with hands-on learning experiences and physical fitness training to build their understanding of law enforcement as well as their confidence, teamwork, self-esteem and leadership abilities.

Candidates should be physically fit with a strong academic record. Local American Legion posts sponsor cadets and cover the registration fees. For more information and an application, visit the State Police Youth Week webpage on PA.gov.

Motorboat Fuel Consumption Survey Underway

If you own a motorboat registered in Pennsylvania, you might have received an invitation from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) to take part in its annual fuel consumption survey of motorboat registrants. Participation will help support boating programs in Pennsylvania.

The results will be used to determine the Oil Company Franchise Tax refund that PFBC receives on behalf of registered boaters. The refund helps pay for boat access area maintenance, buoys, beacons, signs and other water markers, boating safety education, law enforcement and more.

The survey will be available into mid-November. A random sampling of about 20,000 motorboat registrants will be asked via postcard or email to report their boat fuel consumption from April through September of this year. Learn more about the survey on the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission’s website at PA.gov.