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In this Update:
Local Food Resources During the SNAP Payment Freeze
Many families are feeling the effects of the federal SNAP payment freeze. I want to make sure everyone in the 27th District knows where to find help right now. Central Susquehanna Opportunities (CSO) Mobile Food Pantries State Emergency Relief to Local Food Banks This combined support will help keep food available across Columbia, Luzerne, Montour, Northumberland, and Snyder Counties while SNAP payments are delayed. If you or someone you know needs assistance, please start with CSO’s resource page at https://www.csocares.org/food. My office is also available to help connect residents with assistance programs. Senate Acts to Expand Access to Midwife Maternal Care
The Senate approved legislation to strengthen maternal health care in Pennsylvania by expanding access to midwife services. Senate Bill 507 would modernize licensure requirements for certified midwives, improve collaboration between midwives and physicians and update prescription authority – particularly for the treatment of substance use disorders. Midwives provide care for women during pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period, as well as newborn care during the first 28 days of life. Many also offer routine reproductive health services, including prenatal care, clinical exams, screenings and patient education. The bill was sent to the House of Representatives for consideration. Measure to Alleviate Corrections Officer Shortage Passed by Senate
The Senate approved legislation targeting the staffing crisis facing the state’s correctional institutions. Senate Bill 111, supported by the Pennsylvania State Corrections Officers Association, would expand the pool of qualified candidates to help fill critical vacancies in Pennsylvania’s correctional facilities. Corrections officers across the commonwealth have faced unprecedented challenges in recent years – including mandatory overtime, increased stress and a rise in violent incidents – that have strained morale and operations. The bill now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration. Speaking with Lackawanna College Students About Ethics in Public Service
I visited Lackawanna College’s Sunbury Center to speak with a Business Ethics class about ethics in politics and public service. Thank you to Director Angela Ciuccia and the faculty for the invitation and to the students for a thoughtful discussion and excellent questions. During the visit, I joined Representative Michael Stender and Rick Vilello, Deputy Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED). Our conversation with students focused on practical decision making, transparency, and accountability, including how officials handle conflicts of interest, set clear standards for constituent services, and maintain trust when difficult issues arise. I appreciated the chance to highlight how classroom principles connect to real work in state government. The students’ interest in ethical leadership, civic engagement, and community impact was encouraging, and I look forward to continued partnerships with local colleges that help prepare the next generation of leaders. ARC Summer Programs Offer Opportunities for Local Students and Teachers
The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) is now accepting applications for its 2026 Summer Study Programs, which give middle and high school students, and in the case of the STEM program, high school teachers, a chance to learn new skills and explore future career paths. Both programs are free to attend, including travel, and are open to students from every school district in our region. The Appalachian Entrepreneurship Academy helps high school students develop business and leadership skills, while the Appalachian STEM Academy offers hands-on science, technology, engineering, and math experiences for middle and high school students, as well as high school STEM teachers, working with researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Applications are due by December 3, 2025. Students and teachers can learn more or apply online at:
I hope to see strong participation from the 27th District this year. These programs are a wonderful way for our students and teachers to learn, grow, and represent our communities across the Appalachian region. Nominations Open for 2026 Governor’s Awards for Local Government Excellence
Each year, Pennsylvania celebrates the dedicated local leaders who make our communities stronger during Local Government Week, which culminates with the Governor’s Awards for Local Government Excellence. These annual awards recognize outstanding individuals, municipalities, and organizations that have made a meaningful impact through innovation, partnership, and service. Award categories include areas such as community and economic revitalization, intergovernmental cooperation, innovative planning, fiscal accountability, health and wellness initiatives, and more. Nominations are now open through January 15, 2026, and can be submitted online at dced.pa.gov/lgawards. Honorees will be recognized at a Local Government Day ceremony on April 22, 2026, at the Forum Auditorium in Harrisburg. This is a great opportunity to spotlight the people and projects that are improving quality of life in communities across the 27th Senatorial District and the Commonwealth. If you know a public servant or local initiative that deserves to be recognized, please consider submitting a nomination today. Senate Local Government Committee Reviews State Firearm Preemption Law
As a member of the Senate Local Government Committee, I took part in a public hearing on Senate Bill 822 to review Pennsylvania’s firearm preemption law. The bill would keep firearm regulation at the state level to ensure consistency across the Commonwealth and would allow people affected by a local ordinance to seek relief in court and recover reasonable expenses. The hearing, chaired by Senator Dawn Keefer, included testimony from several panels. We heard an overview from Senator Wayne Langerholc, the bill’s sponsor, legal perspectives from First Deputy Attorney General Kara Bowser and Civil Division Executive Deputy Attorney General Ron Eisenberg, and views from community stakeholders including the Firearms Owners Against Crime Institute, Gun Owners of America, and Pennsylvania Gun Rights. With 44 other states having preemption laws, I asked the stakeholders to share what other states are doing that Pennsylvania could be doing differently. The universal message was the need for consequences to municipalities that usurp our law. Hearings like this help us examine how legislation may affect local governments and residents. I appreciated the thoughtful testimony and the opportunity to ask questions so we can keep the law clear and consistent for Pennsylvanians. For those who could not attend, the hearing archive is available here. Free Energy Assessments Available for Pennsylvania Manufacturers
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has announced a new state program, funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, that allows small and mid-sized manufacturing facilities to receive a free Industrial Energy Assessment valued at about $12,000. These assessments help businesses identify ways to save on energy costs, improve efficiency, and plan upgrades for the future. Eligible facilities include manufacturers with fewer than 500 employees and annual sales under $100 million that do not already have in-house energy audit staff. The program is available on a first-come, first-served basis for up to 200 facilities statewide. Applications are open through June 30, 2026, but interested businesses are encouraged to apply soon. You can learn more or apply online at www.industrialenergyauditspa.com or contact DEP staff at RA-EPINDEnergyAsmt@pa.gov. Bill Protecting Privacy of Lottery Winners Passes Senate
Legislation that would protect the privacy of Pennsylvania Lottery winners who receive prizes of $100,000 or more was approved by the Senate. Senate Bill 73 would keep the names, addresses and other personal identifying information of these winners confidential, unless they choose to make it public. The measure allows the Pennsylvania Lottery to continue operating transparently by releasing the winner’s county and municipality of residence and the prize amount. Half of all states already provide either full or partial anonymity for major lottery winners to shield them from harassment, scams and unwanted attention after winning large sums of money. Watch Out for Increased Deer Activity on Roads
The number of deer-related crashes in Pennsylvania has been on the rise since 2020, with last year’s total of 6,426 setting a five-year high, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT). Autumn means increased deer activity on roads. Deer become more active at dawn and dusk, and if you see one, there are usually more. PennDOT advises motorists involved in a deer-related crash to assess the situation to determine whether they need to contact local authorities. Pennsylvanians can report a dead deer for removal from state-maintained roads by calling 1-800-FIX-ROAD or submitting feedback through the PennDOT Customer Care Center. A Special Thanks to All Veterans
We set aside Veterans Day to acknowledge and celebrate our fellow citizens who answered the call to serve in the military, securing and defending freedom we enjoy year-round. We owe a debt of gratitude to veterans locally and across this great nation. One way we show our appreciation is through the Veterans Trust Fund, which supports organizations that assist Pennsylvania veterans and their families in need of housing, financial help, food, training, recovery and more. Find out how you can donate to this fund here. I’d also encourage Veterans to sign up for my “News for Veterans” monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all of the resources available to you. You can sign up on my website here: https://senatorculver.com/enewsletters/.
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