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In this Update:
Honoring Sam Worley
Few people leave a legacy that spans more than a century, but at 105 years young, Sam Worley has done exactly that. A proud veteran of the Eighth Air Force during World War II, Sam answered our nation’s call with courage before returning home to dedicate the rest of his remarkable life to serving the Chambersburg community he loves. His humility, kindness, and unwavering commitment to others have made him one of the most beloved citizens in our region. It was my privilege to spend time with Sam recently. In true interservice fashion, we shared a few good-natured laughs as he teased me about serving in the Army while he proudly represented the Air Force. By the end of our conversation, I presented him with my 3rd Infantry Division hat and told him that, just as the legendary Audie Murphy was a member of the division, Sam was now an honorary Soldier of the 3rd Infantry Division. It was a small gesture of respect for a man whose lifetime of service has earned the admiration of everyone who knows him. It is only fitting that the Franklin County Conservancy selected Sam as the recipient of its first-ever Citizen of the Year Award, recognizing a lifetime devoted to serving others and strengthening our community. On behalf of the people of Pennsylvania’s 33rd Senatorial District, I offer my heartfelt congratulations to Sam Worley—a member of the Greatest Generation, an American patriot, and one of the finest citizens our Commonwealth has ever known. His life stands as a powerful reminder that true greatness is measured not only by how we serve our country, but by how faithfully we serve our neighbors every day thereafter. Honoring Alan Gift
Congratulations to Alan Gift on being named Franklin County Conservation Farmer of the Year! This recognition reflects years of hard work, dedication, and a deep commitment to caring for the land. Alan’s stewardship and passion for agriculture have made a lasting impact on our community, and this honor is truly well deserved. It was a privilege to present Alan with a Senate citation in recognition of this outstanding achievement. Congratulations, Alan, and thank you for everything you do for Franklin County agriculture! National Guard Officers Promotions
The committee unanimously recommended the confirmation of five outstanding Pennsylvania Army National Guard officers for promotion: Brig. Gen. Reece Lutz – nominated for Major General These promotions reflect decades of dedicated service, proven leadership, and unwavering commitment to the Commonwealth and our nation. As Chairman of the Senate Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness Committee, I was honored to help advance these nominations and other pro-veteran initiatives. Congratulations to these exceptional officers and their families on this well-earned achievement. Mastriano Advances National Guard Promotions and Veteran Legislation
National Guard Promotions and Veteran-Supporting Legislation Advance from Committee The Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee, which I chair, this week provided a unanimous favorable recommendation for the well-deserved promotions of Pennsylvania Army National Guard officers Brig. Gen. Reece Lutz, Col. Jonathan Lloyd, Col. Randy Lutz, Col. David Marous and Col. Andrew O’Connor. I was honored to meet them and learn about their service before the committee convened. The committee also advanced six bills to strengthen women veterans’ healthcare, place a Braille Flag Monument in our state Capitol, support treatment for veterans with traumatic brain injuries, call for the Medal of Honor for Maj. Richard D. Winters, and encourage more medical personnel, attorneys and chaplains to enlist in the Pennsylvania National Guard. This meeting and public hearing continued our important work to improve how the commonwealth cares for our brave veterans once they return home and ensure the Pennsylvania National Guard is prepared to perform their critically important mission. Read more about the officers up for promotion and the legislation we approved here. Franklin County Conservation District 70th Anniversary Banquet
What an honor to join the Franklin County Conservation District in celebrating 70 years of service to Franklin County! For seven decades, the District has partnered with farmers, landowners, municipalities, and community organizations to help conserve our soil and water resources, support sustainable agriculture, and promote responsible stewardship across Franklin County. It was a privilege to celebrate this milestone alongside local agricultural, business, and conservation leaders, and to recognize those whose dedication has made a lasting impact on our community. Congratulations to the Franklin County Conservation District on 70 years of outstanding service—and best wishes for many more years of protecting the natural resources that make Franklin County such a special place. Meeting with Ava
It was a pleasure meeting Ava, an ambitious young leader currently representing her community at the ALA Keystone Girls State. Ava is pursuing appointments and scholarships through the United States Air Force Academy, Air Force ROTC, and Army ROTC, with the goal of serving our nation in an intelligence career in either the Air Force or Army. Our future is bright because of young Americans like Ava who are willing to step forward, serve, and lead. I wish her the very best as she pursues her goals and answers the call to serve our country! 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!
Learning Joint Warfare One of the most valuable professional military education experiences of my career was attending the Joint Forces Staff College (JFSC) in Norfolk, Virginia. There, officers from every branch of the U.S. military, as well as allied nations, came together to learn how modern warfare is planned and executed as a truly joint effort. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and coalition partners all brought different perspectives, experiences and capabilities to the classroom. Winning wars is about integrating land, sea, air, space, and information capabilities into a unified effort. As part of the program, we conducted hands-on visits with the Navy, including tours of the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) and the fast-attack submarine USS Albany (SSN-753). Walking the decks of a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, standing on the bridge, and seeing firsthand how sailors operate these incredible warships provided a deeper appreciation for the Navy’s role in projecting American power around the globe. The submarine tour was equally impressive. The professionalism, technical expertise, and discipline required to operate beneath the oceans for extended periods reinforced just how extraordinary our sailors are. Looking back, the Joint Forces Staff College helped prepare me for later assignments working alongside our sister services, NATO allies, and coalition partners around the world. Different uniforms. Different traditions. One mission. Army • Navy • Air Force • Marines • Coast Guard • Allies Senate Votes to Cut Taxes and Put PA Families First
The Senate approved legislation to dramatically decrease costs for Pennsylvania families by cutting taxes on electric bills and school supplies, strengthening the state’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program and eliminating the current sales tax exemption for data centers. Making up the largest tax cut in Pennsylvania history, the proposal would eliminate the gross receipts tax on electric bills and require utility companies to pass the reduction on to consumers, saving ratepayers more than $1.7 billion over the first year. It would also implement a two-week sales tax holiday in August for school supplies, such as book bags, crayons, textbooks and tablets. The highly successful EITC program, which provides scholarships to help families send children to schools that best meet student needs, would receive an additional $25 million under the legislation, bringing the total to $705 million. EITC scholarships remain one of our top priorities for empowering Pennsylvania parents. House Bill 1667, as amended by the Senate, would also respond to concerns being raised across the commonwealth by eliminating the existing sales tax exemption for data centers. The Senate action aims to provide greater affordability at a time when hardworking Pennsylvania families are feeling the strain of rising costs. The bill now moves to the House of Representatives. Senate Votes to Support Victims Over Murderers
The Senate approved legislation to update Pennsylvania’s sentencing laws for second-degree murder following a recent Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling. The bill now advances to the House of Representatives, which must act quickly. Without legislative action, Pennsylvania’s existing sentencing structure for second-degree murder would be invalidated, creating uncertainty for victims, prosecutors and the courts. More than 1,150 individuals currently serving sentences for second-degree murder could be affected. Under Pennsylvania law, second-degree murder, often called felony murder, applies when someone dies during the commission of certain serious crimes, even if the defendant did not directly cause the death. In March, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled that the automatic life-without-parole sentence for second-degree murder was unconstitutional. The ruling takes effect July 24. Senate Bill 1400 creates a new sentencing framework that complies with the court’s ruling while ensuring those involved in serious crimes remain accountable. The bill allows judges to consider an individual’s role in the crime when determining a sentence, while maintaining strong penalties for offenders and protections for victims. Read more about this effort to safeguard communities here. Reducing the Backlog in PA Rape Kit Testing
For years, Pennsylvania has worked to reduce the backlog of untested rape kits and to ensure survivors of sexual assault are treated with the urgency and dignity they deserve. We passed a 2024 law to move forward with a statewide sexual assault evidence tracking system so survivors can better understand where their kit is in the process. During the implementation of the system, inconsistency on collection of kits were found from one jurisdiction to another. Senate Bill 1212 establishes a clear, statewide expectation that sexual assault evidence that has been collected should be treated consistently. The measure was sent to the House of Representatives for consideration. Read more about the latest action to reduce the backlog in rape kit testing here. Cutting Red Tape for Charities
The Senate voted to update charitable financial reporting requirements to better reflect the resources of nonprofits. The change would ensure transparency without imposing an unnecessary burden that undermines the charity’s mission. Senate Bill 1183 would update the level of financial review required for charitable organizations based on the amount of annual contributions they receive. Reviews range from independent CPA audits for larger nonprofits to no reviews or audits for smaller ones. The thresholds have not been updated since 2017. The bill was sent to the House of Representatives for consideration. Read more about updating charitable audit requirements here. Providing Discounted Fishing and Hunting Licenses to Law Enforcement
In gratitude for the service of police officers across our commonwealth, the Senate approved legislation to provide current and retired law enforcement with discounted hunting and fishing licenses. Under Senate Bill 469, law enforcement officials would be able to acquire each license for $1. It may be a small gesture, but discounted licenses can help the men and women patrolling our communities take a break from a stressful job and enjoy the outdoors. The measure now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration. Read more about Senate Bill 469 here. Why Do PA Energy Costs Remain High?
A topic I hear often about from constituents is skyrocketing electric rates. Here’s what’s driving this frustrating trend: Pennsylvania is the number one exporting state in the nation for net electricity. We’re the energy hub for the 13 states that are part of the Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Maryland grid, known as PJM. Without Pennsylvania’s reliable energy sources, including natural gas, coal and nuclear power, states like Maryland, New Jersey and Virginia would literally be in the dark. They don’t produce nearly enough reliable baseload power for their own needs. The Shapiro Price Cap With the Shapiro Price Cap in place, every state is paying the same: $330 per megawatt day, meaning Pennsylvania families and employers are paying MORE while people in Virginia and Maryland are paying LESS. If we want lower electricity rates, we must require other states to do their fair share or pay more to help keep the PJM grid viable. Click here to read more about why energy costs remain high for Pennsylvanians. Your Input Wanted on Statewide Transportation Improvement Program
The 2027 Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP), a list of transportation projects identified for funding statewide, is available for public review and comment through June 30. The STIP is made up of 24 regional Transportation Improvement Programs and a variety of additional programs. It is updated every two years after the regional programs are submitted and approved, and will be adopted as part of the 12-Year Program update by the State Transportation Commission in August. |
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