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In this Update:
Bill Requiring Parental Notification of School Weapons Incidents Set to Become Law
Legislation requiring school districts to notify parents and school employees of any incidents involving possession of weapons on school property is set to become law. Under current law, school districts are not required to inform parents or guardians about incidents when a weapon is brought onto school grounds or to related activities. The changes in Senate Bill 246 apply to public, nonpublic and private schools. The bill, which first passed the Senate in May, received strong bipartisan support from the General Assembly and now awaits the governor’s signature. Updates on SNAP, LIHEAP, and Local Assistance Resources
Due to the ongoing federal budget shutdown, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) payments will not be issued in November. In addition, the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) has delayed its opening until December 3, 2025, or later. My office is staying in close contact with community partners who are responding to these challenges. Megan Bair, Executive Director of Central Susquehanna Opportunities (CSO), has been leading local coordination efforts to secure emergency food and heating resources. CSO has arranged six additional mobile food distributions in November to help families meet immediate needs: November Mobile Food Distribution Schedule
CSO is also exploring additional sources of funding for food, housing, and heating assistance while coordinating with local and state agencies to support residents through this difficult period. At this time, approximately 29,280 individuals in Columbia, Montour, and Northumberland Counties are expected to be affected by the SNAP payment suspension, and many more may face hardship due to the delay of LIHEAP benefits. Residents can find ongoing food and resource updates at www.csocares.org/food. In Luzerne County, assistance is available through the Commission on Economic Opportunity’s food pantry network, which can be accessed here. No one should go hungry or without heat because of funding uncertainty. My offices remain available to help connect residents with resources and share updates as new information becomes available. Veterans Assistance Hours Changing in November
Please note that Veterans Assistance Hours at my district offices will be held on Thursday, November 20, instead of the regular scheduled day this month. Our Veterans Service Officer, Bill Reed, will be available to assist veterans and their families with benefits, claims, and other service-related matters. If you or someone you know would like to meet with Bill to discuss veterans’ benefits or services, please contact my office to schedule an appointment at (570) 743-1918. We appreciate your understanding of this schedule change and remain committed to ensuring that veterans across the 27th District receive the care and support they have earned through their service. New Grant & Funding Newsletter Available for Local Governments, First Responders and Nonprofits
My office is excited to announce the launch of a new Grant & Funding Newsletter designed specifically for local government officials, fire and EMS companies, law enforcement agencies, and nonprofit organizations across the 27th Senatorial District. This monthly newsletter will provide timely information about state and federal grant opportunities, funding deadlines, application resources, and updates on programs that support community development, emergency services, infrastructure, public safety, and more. The goal is to make it easier for local leaders and organizations to stay informed about available funding and to strengthen their ability to serve our communities effectively. Eligible organizations and agencies are encouraged to sign up online at SenatorCulver.com/Grant-Funding-Newsletter to receive these updates directly to their inbox each month. My office is committed to helping local partners access the tools and funding they need to continue their important work across the region. Around the Capitol: A Week in Review
The Capitol was bustling with activity this week as many groups hosted events and advocacy days since both the House and Senate were in legislative session. Work also continued on both the budget and other legislative matters.
New Protections Against Telemarketers Approved by Senate
The Senate approved legislation to better protect Pennsylvanians from scammers and other deceitful telemarketers. Senate Bill 992 prohibits telemarketing calls being made on Sundays and either before 9 a.m. or after 7 p.m. on every other day of the week. It also expands the law to cover text messages, voicemails and “ringless” voicemails – tools often used by telemarketers to evade existing restrictions. In addition, it establishes penalties for both telemarketers and the companies that hire them for illegal activity. The bill would also prohibit the use of artificial intelligence or fake caller IDs to deceive or defraud consumers. A violation of the law carries a civil penalty of up to $1,000 or $3,000 if the person contacted is age 60 or older. The bill was sent to the House of Representatives for consideration. Senate Votes to Eliminate Unnecessary Boards and Commissions
Legislation to streamline state government operations by eliminating outdated, unnecessary and inactive boards, commissions and advisory committees was passed by the Senate. Senate Bill 755 would eliminate 13 government entities that are expired, dormant, no longer have any members or are unnecessary. Examples include the Greater Pennsylvania Council that has been long dormant; the Senior Citizen Advisory Committee, whose duties were all assumed by a different committee; the High-Speed Intercity Passenger Rail Commission, which expired in 1987; and the Climate Change Advisory Committee, which has produced no specific beneficial outcomes while continuing to expend taxpayer dollars. Many of the commonwealth’s nearly 400 boards, commissions and advisory committees do not publicly share information about their duties, meetings or other activities, raising concerns about transparency. The bill was sent to the House of Representatives for consideration. Make Your Voice Heard Tuesday on Election Day
Tuesday, Nov. 4 is Election Day, the last chance of the year for voters to weigh in on races for local, county and judicial positions. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. For those voting by mail, county election offices must receive completed ballots by 8 p.m. on Election Day. Find your polling place and other voter information here. Internship Opportunity for Students Interested in Public Policy Careers
College students interested in careers in public policy are encouraged to apply for summer internships in Harrisburg through the James A. Finnegan Fellowship Foundation. Internships are awarded through an essay contest open to students who wish to learn more about the legislative process and state government. Applicants must submit a 1,500- to 2,500-word essay on a controversial policy currently under consideration by the General Assembly. The 2026 essay topic focuses on the pros and cons of data centers and the role the Commonwealth should play in their development and regulation. This is a timely and important issue for communities across Pennsylvania, including those in the 27th Senatorial District, where questions about data centers and their impact on local resources have generated significant public interest. Applicants have until January 23, 2026, to submit their essay and materials to the foundation. Winners will receive a cash prize and paid summer internships in Harrisburg lasting eight to ten weeks. I welcome any applicants from the 27th District to share their essay with my office as part of this process. It’s always inspiring to see the next generation of leaders engage with important policy discussions that shape our Commonwealth’s future. Coming Together for Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Breast Cancer Awareness Month was a time of reflection and unity. Senators from both sides of the aisle took part in October’s Rock the Ribbon campaign to acknowledge the strength of those impacted and the continued importance of awareness. Please share this information with a friend or family member. It could save their life.
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