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In this Update:
Town Hall Addresses Concerns Over Proposed Transmission Line Project
This week, together with Representative Dane Watro and Representative Jamie Walsh, I hosted the Pennsylvania Office of Consumer Advocate for a town hall meeting at Hazleton Area High School about the proposed Sugarloaf PPL 500kV Transmission Line Project. The project would involve building 12 miles of new transmission lines and two switchyards, with the right-of-way expanded from 100 feet to at least 200 feet to comply with federal safety standards. Understandably, many residents are concerned about the impact this would have on their property, safety, and electric bills. To ensure residents had accurate and timely information, Pennsylvania Consumer Advocate Darryl Lawrence led the presentation, outlining how projects like this are reviewed by the Public Utility Commission (PUC) and answering questions from the community. Residents submitted written questions that were addressed during the discussion, covering topics ranging from property rights to health and safety concerns. People deserve to feel like they have a voice in this process and to be equipped with information to protect themselves, their property, and their families. This meeting was an important step in ensuring transparency and public participation. PPL is expected to file its siting application with the PUC this fall. That filing will provide more details on costs, safety standards, and the final route. Once the application is submitted, there will be opportunities for formal public testimony, and I encourage residents to stay engaged in the process. You can visit my website here to view the Consumer Advocate’s PowerPoint presentation from the townhall meeting and keep up to date with the project as information becomes available. Reminder: Hunger Action Month Food Drive
As part of Hunger Action Month this September, my district offices are continuing to accept unexpired, non-perishable food donations for local food banks. These contributions will go directly to families in need across our communities. If you have not yet had the chance to participate, there is still time to drop off items at any of my offices. Even small donations add up to make a real difference for our neighbors. Office Locations: For Luzerne Satellite Office hours, please visit: https://senatorculver.com/office-information/ Thank you to everyone who has already donated and supported this effort. Focusing on the Future of Penn State Hazleton
On Tuesday, I joined Sen. Dave Argall, Rep. Dane Watro, and Rep. Jamie Walsh for a legislative roundtable at Penn State Hazleton, located in the 27th Senatorial District, to discuss the future of the campus and its role in strengthening our region. Earlier this year, the community came together to ensure Penn State Hazleton remained open during the University’s process of reviewing the Commonwealth Campuses and identifying seven that will be closed. Now, the focus is on making sure the campus not only survives but thrives in the years ahead. Speakers at the roundtable highlighted opportunities to expand course offerings, strengthen partnerships with local school districts and employers, and better serve Hazleton’s growing Hispanic community. Hazleton Area School District is one of the fastest growing in Pennsylvania, with more than 14,000 students, making collaboration between the district and the campus more important than ever. I believe Penn State Hazleton has enormous potential to prepare students for high-demand careers while supporting employers who are looking for skilled workers. Small class sizes and a local presence make this campus a vital resource for families in our region, and I am committed to ensuring it remains a cornerstone of education and opportunity for generations to come. Senior Expo Draws Nearly 1,000 Attendees at Knoebels
Last week, I was proud to co-host our annual Senior Expo with Rep. JoAnne Stehr at Knoebels. Nearly 1,000 seniors and their families joined us for a day of information, resources, and community connection. This year’s Expo featured dozens of exhibitors from government agencies, health care providers, and senior organizations, offering valuable services, screenings, and guidance. Attendees also enjoyed door prizes, fellowship, and a complimentary lunch served throughout the event. I am grateful to everyone who attended and to the many organizations who participated to make this event such a success. It was wonderful to spend the day honoring our seniors and ensuring they have access to the resources they need to remain active, healthy, and engaged. Speaking at the Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce Red Carpet Breakfast
This week, I had the honor of serving as the keynote speaker at the Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce’s Red Carpet Breakfast, which brings together people from the community, including employers, nonprofits, and local officials. My remarks focused on the fact that our state is facing workforce shortages, rising costs, and rapid changes in technology and industry. I talked about the importance of Penn State Hazleton and how the campus is vital to the future of the region and its workforce. I also spoke about energy costs, the proposed transmission line project, and the related evolution of data centers in Luzerne and surrounding counties. All of these issues are interconnected and reinforce the necessity to align education with the needs of local employers, so we can create pathways that allow students to stay, work, and thrive in our communities. I am grateful to the Chamber for hosting this important discussion and to everyone who attended, including Senator Dave Argall and Representative Dane Watro. Join Me at the 170th Bloomsburg Fair & Download the New Fair App
I’m excited to spend time at the Bloomsburg Fair this weekend and through next week, meeting with attendees, enjoying the exhibits, and taking part in all the activities it has to offer. The fair runs September 19-27, 2025, at the Bloomsburg Fairgrounds. This year there is a new tool to help you make the most of your visit. The Bloomsburg Fair App is now available on iPhone and Android. You can use it to keep up with events in real time and to see entertainment schedules, concert lineups at the Grandstand, judging results, vendor locations, and more. Also, you won’t want to miss the special days they have planned: Senior Day (Monday), Student Day (Tuesday and Friday), Military Day (Wednesday), and more. I’ll be at the fair most of the week and am really looking forward to speaking with neighbors, listening to your priorities, and sharing in the fun of this long-standing community tradition. I hope to see you there. America250PA Semiquincentennial Scholarship Program Now Open
Applications are now being accepted for America250PA’s Semiquincentennial Scholarship Program, which will award $250,000 in scholarships to deserving Pennsylvania students in celebration of our nation’s 250th anniversary. This initiative honors Pennsylvania’s strong commitment to education by providing twenty-five $10,000 scholarships to students planning to attend a Pennsylvania college or university for the 2026–2027 academic year. Of those, 12 will be awarded to students enrolling at Pennsylvania community colleges and 13 to students at post-secondary colleges and universities across the state. The program is made possible through the support of many iconic Pennsylvania educational institutions who are partnering with America250PA to match funds and expand opportunities. Eligible applicants must be current high school seniors planning to continue their education at a Pennsylvania institution in the 2026–2027 school year. To learn more and view the full list of partner institutions, visit: America250PA Scholarship Program. Senate Votes to Help Relieve Long-Term Care Worker Shortage
The number of Pennsylvania residents ages 65 and over is expected to nearly double by 2040, but even now many nursing facilities are forced to take beds out of service because they can’t fill direct care positions. The Senate recently passed legislation to tackle this critical problem by making it easier for those seeking employment at long-term care centers while still ensuring employees are well-qualified. Senate Bill 114 would encourage more employees to join the long-term care workforce by expanding the availability of training courses for nurse aides and the eligibility for individuals to take the nurse aide competency exam. The bill was sent to the House of Representatives for consideration. Measure to Help Veteran-Owned Businesses Approved by Senate
Beyond serving our nation in the military, many veterans create jobs through their entrepreneurial spirit. The Senate recently approved legislation to promote these veteran-owned businesses. Senate Bill 64 would authorize the creation of a special logo to promote veteran-owned businesses. To be eligible, a business must be registered with the Department of State and at least 51% of the ownership interest must be held by a veteran, reservist or member of the National Guard. To discourage the logo from being used fraudulently, anyone who falsely claims to be a veteran to obtain this designation would face a misdemeanor of the third degree. The bill was sent to the House of Representatives for consideration. Fire and EMS Funding Assistance Available
Our local fire and EMS companies are committed to saving lives and protecting property, so I’m pleased to announce they can apply now for assistance through the state Fire Company and Emergency Medical Services Grants program. The funding is available to volunteer or career fire, rescue and EMS organizations and can be used for facility improvements, equipment purchase and repair, debt reduction, training and certification, and more. The deadline to apply is Oct. 20. More information, important dates and the online application can be found here. Expanding Government Transparency with OpenBookPA
The Pennsylvania Treasury has launched an expanded portal for state government transparency, providing taxpayers with more tools to explore state finance details. OpenBookPA’s new features include:
Announced by Treasurer Stacy Garrity earlier this month, OpenBookPA also links to the Treasury Checkbook, which includes payments made by Treasury to vendors and the Contracts e-Library, which makes available state contracts, purchase orders and amendments valued at $5,000 or more for public review. Celebrating Our U.S. Constitution
National Constitution Week runs through Sept. 23, commemorating the signing of the U.S. Constitution on September 17, 1787, nine years after the Pennsylvania Constitution. Our nation’s most important document, the U.S. Constitution has provided Americans throughout history the power to maintain their liberties, freedoms and inalienable rights. Its stature is evident in the fact that every Pennsylvania legislator takes a solemn oath to “support, obey and defend” both constitutions as a condition for holding public office.
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