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In this Update:
Celebrating 250 Years of American Freedom
250 years ago – on July 4, 1776 – our nation’s founders gathered in Philadelphia and signed the Declaration of Independence. President Abraham Lincoln once described the Declaration as “an apple of gold” and said it gave “liberty, not alone to the people of this country, but hope to the world for all future time.” As we gather in our communities to celebrate Independence Day this year, and to mark our nation’s semiquincentennial, may we all take time to reflect on the many blessings of being Americans and living in the United States. Working to Finalize the State Budget
Work continues on the state budget for fiscal year 2026-27. This week, we received needed clarity on several issues that had delayed negotiations, and discussions are moving toward a full agreement. In divided government, all parties must work together to find common ground, and I’m confident that agreement can be reached and a responsible new state budget enacted soon. My focus remains on a budget that controls spending growth, respects taxpayers and supports policies that help Pennsylvania grow. Senate Passes Medical Imaging Licensure Bill
The Senate passed Senate Bill 1334 this week, legislation I sponsored with Senator Nick Pisciottano to create a state licensure process for medical imaging professionals in Pennsylvania who perform procedures such as X-rays, MRIs, ultrasounds, CT scans and radiation therapy. These procedures play an important role in diagnosing and treating patients, but they involve radiation exposure, and Pennsylvanians should feel confident that the person performing or assisting with these services is properly trained and certified. There have been cases of radiation overexposure during medical imaging procedures that have caused serious harm such as burns and other long-term complications, so it is important that Pennsylvania have a uniform standard that protects patients, supports qualified professionals and provides clarity for employers. Senate Bill 1334 would close a longstanding gap and bring us in line with 46 other states that already have such a licensing standard in place while not imposing any new training requirements. Senate Bill 1334 was approved by the Senate with bipartisan support and now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration. New Grant Opportunity to Support Community Initiatives in Columbia & Luzerne Counties – July 31st Deadline
Community Giving Foundation, the Luzerne Foundation, and Amazon have announced a new grant opportunity through the Amazon Northeastern Pennsylvania Community Fund. This initiative will invest $300,000 to strengthen and support projects that benefit residents of Columbia and Luzerne Counties. The fund will offer two categories of support: community grants ranging from $500 to $10,000 and larger impact grants ranging from $15,000 to $25,000. Priority consideration will be given to programs and projects that align with Amazon’s key focus areas, including:
The application period opened this week on July 1, 2026, through the Community Giving Foundation’s online grant portal. All applications must be submitted by July 31, 2026, with awards being announced in Fall 2026. Increasing Accountability of Taxpayer-Funded Childcare Programs
To improve oversight of Pennsylvania’s taxpayer-funded childcare programs, the Senate approved legislation requiring additional reporting and accountability measures. Senate Bill 1372 would require 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 would cover facility inspections, violations, complaints, investigations and enforcement actions. It would also require 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. Senate Bill 1372 now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration. Congratulations to Holly Kyle on Retiring from Union-Snyder Agency on Aging
Last week, colleagues, friends and family gathered to celebrate the retirement of Holly Kyle, Executive Director of the Union-Snyder Agency on Aging, after 39 years of dedicated service. Holly started her career in 1987 as a protective service caseworker and became Executive Director in 2006. Under Holly’s leadership, the Agency expanded senior centers and adult day care services and advanced housing initiatives such as Elder Cottage Housing and Shared Housing programs. She also guided the Agency through regional collaborations, program expansions and cultural competency initiatives that strengthened services for thousands of individuals and families. While I could not attend the event due to legislative session in Harrisburg, Wendy Dombroskie and Terri Campbell from my staff, along with Matt Wise from Senator Gene Yaw’s office, presented Holly with a Senate Citation recognizing her dedication and compassionate service. Providing Pennsylvanians with Information on Long-Term Care Options
Legislation to ensure older Pennsylvanians receive complete information about long-term care options was approved by the Senate. The bill now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration. Senate Bill 482 strengthens outreach and accountability surrounding Pennsylvania’s Living Independence for the Elderly (LIFE) Program, which helps eligible seniors remain in their homes and communities while receiving comprehensive healthcare and support services. Currently, individuals enrolling in Medicaid managed care may not receive information about the LIFE Program during the enrollment process. Senate Bill 482 requires the state’s Independent Enrollment Broker to include information about the LIFE Program with enrollment materials provided to eligible individuals. Read more about Senate Bill 482 and the LIFE Program here. Senate Votes to Improve PA Amber Alert Response
The Senate passed legislation to help law enforcement respond more effectively during Amber Alerts and missing person investigations. Senate Bill 1273 clarifies that the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission may share time-sensitive information collected through its automated tolling system with law enforcement in specific situations. This includes cases involving Amber Alerts and Missing Endangered Person Advisory System alerts, where rapid access to vehicle data can be critical. This measure improves coordination between agencies to help a person in danger when every minute counts. The bill now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration. Read more about Senate Bill 1273 here. Senate Passes Bill Increasing Penalties for Stealing SNAP Benefits
The Senate recently passed Senate Bill 362 to strengthen penalties against individuals who steal SNAP and EBT benefit information through skimming, scanning devices, and other methods used to replicate or misuse access device information. Under the bill, a first offense would be graded as a third-degree felony and a second or subsequent offense would be a felony of the second degree. In 2024 alone, Office of the State Inspector General reported more than $15 million in SNAP benefits were stolen through skimming. Recent reporting also found over 5,100 Pennsylvania EBT skimming cases from January through May 2026, totaling approximately $2.5 million in stolen benefits. SB 362 has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee. DHS reports that while there is limited ability to stop EBT cards from being compromised, there is a feature that allows cardholders to lock and unlock their cards for added protection. Anyone who has experienced stolen SNAP benefits is strongly encouraged to report the theft to the State Inspector General, the agency responsible for investigating these cases. You can file a report here: EBT Skimming | Office of State Inspector General | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Why Do PA Energy Costs Remain High?
A topic I hear often about from constituents is skyrocketing electric rates. Here’s what’s driving this frustrating trend: Pennsylvania is the number one exporting state in the nation for net electricity. We’re the energy hub for the 13 states that are part of the Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Maryland grid, known as PJM. Without Pennsylvania’s reliable energy sources, including natural gas, coal and nuclear power, states like Maryland, New Jersey and Virginia would literally be in the dark. They don’t produce nearly enough reliable baseload power for their own needs. The Governor’s Price Cap With the Governor’s Price Cap in place, every state is paying the same: $330 per megawatt day, meaning Pennsylvania families and employers are paying MORE while people in Virginia and Maryland are paying LESS. If we want lower electricity rates, we must require other states to do their fair share or pay more to help keep the PJM grid viable. Click here to read more about why energy costs remain high for Pennsylvanians. Staying Cool When the Weather Turns Hot
Summer heat waves can be merely uncomfortable or worse depending on how we react. Drink plenty of water, limit time outside and cool off with AC. Never leave kids or pets in a vehicle. Most vehicle heatstroke deaths involving children are a result of a parent or caregiver forgetting a child in a car. Check the back seat before walking away from your car. Read more about preventing hot car deaths. The PA Public Utility Commission offers these tips on staying cool and cutting energy costs:
PA 211 currently lists two cooling resources in the 27th District: Sunbury Adult Community Center – 570-286-1820 601 Pennsylvania Ave., Sunbury Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mount Carmel Adult Community Center – 570-339-4457 41 S. Market St., Mount Carmel Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Please call ahead to confirm availability, call 211 or visit here for a list of cooling centers by county. |
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