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In this Update:
Celebrating 250 Years of Freedom
What a fantastic afternoon at Calvary Bible Church in Centre Hall celebrating America250! It was a true honor to speak about our nation’s remarkable history and the enduring principles that have made America a beacon of hope and freedom for 250 years. I was especially blessed to share the afternoon with my beautiful wife, Rebbie, and our good friend and colleague, Representative Stephanie Borowicz. Both delivered inspiring messages that made the event even more meaningful. A very special thank you to Raelene Decker for organizing such an outstanding event. Your hard work, dedication, and love for our country brought everyone together for a truly memorable afternoon. Thank you to everyone who joined us in celebrating our faith, freedom, and the enduring American spirit! National Night Out
What an outstanding turnout for National Night Out at SAVES last night! Thank you to everyone in the Hanover, Conewago Township, and McSherrystown communities who came together to support our law enforcement, firefighters, EMS personnel, and all of our first responders. Strong communities are built when neighbors know one another and stand together! A huge shoutout to all the volunteers, sponsors, and food trucks that helped make this year’s event such an epic success. God bless our first responders and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania! Monthly Photo Submission
Monthly Photo Submission! Show Us What Makes Adams & Franklin Counties Special! Our communities are filled with incredible people, beautiful landscapes, historic places, and unforgettable moments. I want to help showcase the very best of Adams and Franklin Counties through a new Photo of the Month Contest! Whether it’s a breathtaking sunrise, a family farm, a community event, a veteran being honored, a historic landmark, wildlife, or a special moment that captures the spirit of our region, I encourage you to submit your favorite photos. At the end of each month, I will personally review the submissions and select a Photo of the Month. The chosen photo will be featured on my social media platforms, and the photographer will be recognized for their outstanding work. This is a great opportunity to celebrate the people, places, and moments that make Adams and Franklin Counties such wonderful places to live, work, and raise a family. Submit your best photos by clicking on the link provided and help tell the story of our communities! I look forward to seeing our counties through your lens. Throwback!
This photograph captures the difficult moments just before I departed for Afghanistan. While everyone tried to remain strong, the emotions are written across our faces. What stands out most is Josiah’s expression, you can see the sadness and uncertainty in his eyes as he faced saying goodbye. Like so many military families, we knew the mission ahead, but that never made parting any easier. It was one of those moments that reminds you of the quiet sacrifices made not only by the soldier, but by the family who waits at home. Pennsylvania Has New Tools to Solve Violent Crimes
Law enforcement agencies will be able to access new tools to boost clearance rates for homicide and other violent crime cases through a new state law. The Violent Incident Clearance and Technological Investigative Methods (VICTIM) Act was enacted with the new state budget. The law establishes a grant program administered by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency to help police hire and retain detectives and investigators, and upgrade technology used to analyze evidence. Solving more violent crimes will help make communities safer by getting offenders off the streets while also serving as a deterrent to would-be criminals who know their crimes will not go unanswered. State Budget Boosts College Tuition Assistance
Under the new state budget we recently passed, the maximum PA State Grant award has increased to the highest amount in program history, helping students across the commonwealth and their families pay for higher education. For the 2026-27 fiscal year, the maximum award is $6,000, up from $5,750, the amount it’s been for four years. The funding is administered by the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA). Each year, PHEAA’s board reevaluates the awarding formula by analyzing several factors, including tuition costs, the effect of inflation on family incomes, the number of expected applicants and recommended funding for the program as part of the annual budget process. Read more about the PA State Grant program here. PA College Savings Fees Waived for Fifth Straight Year
Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity announced asset-based fees for the PA 529 College and Career Savings Program’s Guaranteed Savings Plan (GSP) will be waived for the fifth year in a row. PA 529 GSP account owners will not see any asset-based fees on their quarterly statements for July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, resulting in $5.9 million in savings. This fee waiver is funded through surplus earnings of the GSP fund. The PA 529 GSP allows families to save at today’s tuition rates to meet tomorrow’s tuition costs. Families can choose from a variety of tuition levels to save from community college to Ivy League. PA 529 GSP account earnings are based on tuition inflation rates. Red Tape Slashed for PA Cosmetology Workers
Legislation to streamline licensing for the cosmetology workforce has been signed into law, a major step in addressing Pennsylvania’s ongoing workforce shortages. Act 43 of 2026 authorizes Pennsylvania to join the Cosmetology Licensure Compact, an interstate agreement that makes it easier for licensed cosmetologists — who provide treatments for hair, skin and nails — to obtain a multistate license and work in participating states without unnecessary red tape. It also ensures cosmetology professionals in active-duty military families face no burdensome licensure requirements in compact states. Pennsylvania is the 13th state to enter the compact, joining neighboring states Ohio, West Virginia, Maryland and Delaware. Read more about this new law here. Booking a Tour of Your State Capitol
Summer is a great time to tour your state Capitol, a National Historic Landmark featuring Renaissance designs, paintings, stained glass and furnishings by some of the best artisans in the world. Scheduling in advance is recommended, but walk-ins are welcome according to availability. Tours take approximately 30-45 minutes and are limited to 40 guests total per tour. Self-guided tours do not take place on weekends and holidays. More than the seat of Pennsylvania’s government, the Capitol is a magnificent symbol of the hopes and vision of the commonwealth that gave birth to a nation. Find details and book a tour here. |
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