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In this Update:
Recognizing State Troopers and Dr. Barnhart for their Bravery and Service
I was honored to stand alongside Representative Chad Reichard and many others to recognize and commend Trooper Thomas Pack and Trooper Lucas Amarose of the Pennsylvania State Police for their extraordinary bravery and exemplary service to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. We also proudly recognized Dr. Vincent J. Barnhart for his selfless and lifesaving actions during this same incident. On October 8, 2025, Troopers Pack and Amarose were seriously wounded in the line of duty while responding to a criminal incident in Franklin County that escalated into a violent armed confrontation near Chambersburg. Despite suffering gunshot wounds, both troopers showed extraordinary courage, continuing to act decisively to protect others under life-threatening conditions. In the immediate aftermath, Dr. Vincent J. Barnhart—an Army veteran and WellSpan Health physician—rushed to the scene and voluntarily provided critical, lifesaving medical care. True heroes in action. Grateful for the courage and dedication of these heroes who go above and beyond to protect and serve our communities. Thank you for all that you do! Throwback!
Here I was on Mount Vis, Bosnia, during the peacekeeping mission there. Key Points from This Week’s Senate Budget Hearings
Efforts to trim the governor’s $53.3 billion proposed state budget – which would spend $2.7 billion (5.4%) more than the current budget – got underway this week with Senate budget hearings. Members of the Senate Appropriations Committee focused on containing the growing cost of Medicaid and other entitlement programs and how to identify and eliminate fraud during the hearing with the Department of Human Services, the highest-spending agency in the state budget. The department requests a 6.6% increase for 2026-27. The committee also questioned officials from the Department of General Services (DGS) and the Pennsylvania State Police about missing revenue, funding projections, cracking down on new, more sophisticated fake IDs and more. DGS seeks an 11.8% spending increase for 2026-27 and the State Police’s proposed budget is more than 9% higher than the current fiscal year. You can go here to find recaps of every budget hearing, plus video and a schedule of remaining hearings, which run through March 5. Hearing Explores Ideas to Combat State Housing Crisis
Efforts to make housing more attainable for working families were reviewed during a Senate hearing with local government officials, housing advocates, builders and developers. The Senate Majority Policy Committee heard how housing shortages drive up costs for Pennsylvanian families and stall economic growth. Among the solutions explored were infrastructure partnership programs to help lower upfront development costs, state tax credits, development incentives and bond financing specifically targeted to middle-income housing development, and more. Forming a robust strategy to increase housing supply, lower costs and stimulate economic activity is a key focus for the Senate this year. Video of the full hearing and written testimony can be viewed here. Share Your Thoughts with the Highway Safety Survey
Pennsylvania motorists have until Saturday to provide input on traffic safety and driving behaviors through an anonymous online survey. The aim is to understand attitudes on state Department of Transportation safety measures and reduce crashes and fatalities. The survey takes about five minutes to complete. The number of people who lost their lives on Pennsylvania highways decreased to 1,127 in 2024, the second lowest since record keeping began in 1928. While 2025 fatality data is not yet complete, preliminary numbers indicate crash fatalities have again decreased. Saturday is School Bus Driver Appreciation Day
School bus drivers play a critical role in the safety and well-being of students, but shortages of these vital workers can disrupt schedules and learning. Thank you to all the men and women performing this critical task in our area. Individuals interested in becoming a school bus driver can visit the commonwealth’s Become a School Bus Driver webpage or the School Bus Hero website to learn more.
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