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In this Update:
Happy Easter
As we prepare to observe Good Friday and celebrate Easter, I want to wish you and your family a blessed and peaceful holiday weekend. Please note that my offices will be closed tomorrow, April 3rd in observance of Good Friday and will reopen for normal business hours on Monday, April 6th. Grant Seminar Provides Funding Resources for First Responders
On Tuesday I hosted a First Responders Grant Seminar at Washington Fire Company in Danville, where over 80 attendees learned about funding opportunities for fire, EMS, and law enforcement organizations across the 27th District. I want to thank State Fire Commissioner Thomas Cook, PEMA Director Randy Padfield, Tom Wellington of USDA Rural Development, and Joe Marsicano, the Senate’s Funding and Resource Specialist for sharing valuable information and resources; and I want to thank the Washington Fire Company for hosting. I also appreciate everyone who attended and helped make the event a success. If your organization would like to stay informed about future funding opportunities, I encourage you to sign up for my funding newsletter on my website. Farm Bureau Meet and Greet Brings Together Local Agricultural Leaders
This week at the Capitol, local House members and I hosted a meet and greet with agricultural leaders from Columbia, Luzerne, Northumberland, and Snyder Counties during the Farm Bureau’s lobby day in Harrisburg. Representatives Mike Stender, Joanne Stehr, David Rowe, and Robert Leadbeter and I had the opportunity to hear directly from those working in agriculture about the challenges and priorities affecting farm families and rural communities. Bringing together farmers, agricultural advocates, and elected officials in one room creates valuable opportunities to share updates, listen, and continue working toward practical solutions that support Pennsylvania agriculture. Visiting Millville YES! Day with Junior Achievement
Last Friday I had the opportunity to attend Millville YES! Day as a guest with Junior Achievement of Northeastern Pennsylvania. It was a pleasure to spend the morning seeing students take part in hands-on, career-connected learning activities led by community and corporate volunteers. Programs like YES! Day give students valuable exposure to real-world experiences and help them begin thinking about future career paths in an engaging and meaningful way. During my visit, I had the chance to observe classroom sessions in progress and see the enthusiasm students brought to each activity. I appreciate Junior Achievement of NEPA, the volunteers, and the school staff who made this event possible. Their work is helping create important learning opportunities for young people in our region, and it was encouraging to see that impact firsthand. Open House Planned for Lake Chillisquaque Spillway Upgrade – Wed., April 8th
Residents are invited to attend an open house on the Lake Chillisquaque Spillway Upgrade Project on Wednesday, April 8, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Montour Preserve Visitors’ Center, 374 Preserve Road, Danville. According to project information shared by Talen Energy, the spillway will be upgraded to help slow the flow of water and reduce the risk of erosion during significant rainfall events. The project will include deepening the spillway and building a protective, stepped concrete structure within it. Construction is expected to last 12 to 18 months. Project representatives will be on hand during the open house to discuss the project, answer questions, and provide additional information. The event is come-and-go, so residents may stop by at any time during the two-hour window. For more information and project updates, including temporary impacts at the Montour Preserve, residents can visit www.spillwayupgrade.com. Public Hearing Scheduled in Milton on Hazardous Sites Cleanup Act Case – Thurs., April 9th
A public hearing has been scheduled for Thursday, April 9, 2026, at 2 p.m. regarding a case that will utilize Hazardous Sites Cleanup Act funds. The hearing will take place at the Turbot Township Municipal Building, 1190 Broadway Road, Milton. Residents who wish to offer comments during the hearing must register with Megan Lehman with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) by 4 p.m. on Tuesday, April 7. Registration can be completed by email at meglehman@pa.gov or by phone at 570-327-3659. This hearing gives members of the public an opportunity to learn more about the case and share input as part of the public process. Help Available for Property Tax/Rent Rebate and PA Tax Forms
If you need help applying for the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program or filing your Pennsylvania state income tax return, several upcoming Department of Revenue filing events are scheduled in Columbia and Northumberland counties. These events are available for residents who need assistance with Property Tax/Rent Rebate applications and PA-40 state income tax forms. Upcoming filing events include: Northumberland County
Columbia County
In addition, my district office staff can also help with filling out and submitting Property Tax/Rent Rebate applications. To schedule an appointment with my staff, please call one of my district offices: Bloomsburg: 570-784-3464 Mount Carmel: 570-339-5937 Shamokin Dam: 570-743-1918 This program can provide important relief for eligible residents, and I encourage anyone who may qualify to take advantage of the assistance being offered. Public Hearings Scheduled on Proposed Utility Merger
Public input hearings have been scheduled for late April and early May on a proposed merger involving American Water Works Company and Essential Utilities, the parent company of Aqua and Peoples Natural Gas. This is an important issue for residents because parts of the 27th District are served by companies connected to the proposed merger. The hearings will give consumers and members of the public an opportunity to learn more, share concerns, and make their voices heard before any decision is made. The Pennsylvania Office of Consumer Advocate, an independent state agency that represents utility consumers, has also filed opposition to the proposed merger. Constituents who would like to learn more can review that opposition here. I encourage any residents who may be affected to follow this issue closely and consider participating in the public input process. For information about the scheduled public hearings, including in-person and telephone options, click here. Join the Road to 2026 Challenge
As Pennsylvania prepares for America’s 250th anniversary, residents are invited to take part in the Road to 2026 Challenge, a virtual program encouraging Pennsylvanians to walk, run, bike, or wheel their way toward July 4, 2026. Hosted by America250PA, the challenge gives participants a fun and flexible way to stay active while exploring the Commonwealth, from state parks and local trails to neighborhood sidewalks and community spaces. Participants can log miles at their own pace, making the challenge accessible for a wide range of ages and activity levels. Along the way, participants will receive exclusive Road to 2026 items, and those who complete the challenge will earn a commemorative medal. To learn more or register, visit: https://america250pa.org//PPE:_Road_to_2026 Senate Approves Bill Aiding Pennsylvanians with Invisible Disabilities During Police Interactions
The Senate approved a voluntary ID designation for Pennsylvanians with invisible disabilities, such as deafness and autism, to help ensure clearer, safer interactions with law enforcement. Under Senate Bill 802, individuals with invisible disabilities could apply for the designation free of charge, with a doctor’s sign-off, through a process similar to obtaining a handicap parking placard. The designation would appear as a symbol on a driver’s license or state-issued ID card, alerting officers of potential communication difficulties during traffic stops or other interactions. At least 32 other states have implemented similar measures. Senate Bill 802 was sent to the House of Representatives for consideration. First Batch of 2026 Money Match Unclaimed Property Checks Being Mailed
More than 100,000 checks, totaling nearly $23 million, are being mailed to Pennsylvania residents under the state Treasury’s 2026 Money Match program for unclaimed property. Created by the General Assembly in 2024, Pennsylvania Money Match allows Treasury to return unclaimed property valued at up to $500 belonging to a single owner automatically without the need to search or file a claim. Unclaimed property can include dormant bank accounts, abandoned stocks, uncashed checks and more. Treasurer Stacy Garrity urges Pennsylvanians to regularly search online for unclaimed property, since some claims may not qualify to be part of Money Match.
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