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In this Update:
- Honoring Former Gettysburg Police Chief Glenny
- Tour of Gettysburg Regional Airport
- SB 929: Mastriano and Gebhard Seek to End School Property Taxes
- SR116, Urging Congress to Pass the Major Richard Star Act
- Soldier Story – Sergeant Arthur J. Forrest
- State Budget Update
- Expanding Access to Lifesaving Naloxone, Making Prescription Drug Costs More Transparent
- New Law Will Improve Stroke Care Across PA
- Legislation to Address Pennsylvania’s Shortage of CPAs Signed into Law
- Watch Out for Scammers Posing as State Employees
- July is Independent Retailer Month
Honoring Former Gettysburg Police Chief Glenny
I had the honor of presenting former Gettysburg Police Chief Rob Glenny with a Pennsylvania Freedom Medal and a Certificate of Recognition. He embodies the values of virtue, freedom, and independence. Thank you for your many years of dedicated service to Gettysburg!
Tour of Gettysburg Regional Airport
I had a fantastic tour of Gettysburg Regional Airport on Wednesday!
Local airports play a vital role in emergency response, economic development, and community access. During the tour, we discussed needed improvements and potential grants to help support and modernize this critical facility.
Thank you to the airport staff and local leaders who shared their insights and vision for the future. Investing in our regional airports means investing in safety, jobs, and opportunity.
SB 929: Mastriano and Gebhard Seek to End School Property Taxes
I, along with Chris Gebhard (R-48) have introduced Senate Bill 929, a proposed constitutional amendment that would prohibit school districts from collecting property taxes starting July 1, 2029. If passed by the General Assembly in two consecutive sessions, the question will go to the voters for final approval.
“Each year, thousands of our seniors—men and women who worked their entire lives, paid off their homes, and played by the rules—are being thrown out of those very homes simply because they can’t keep up with an ever-growing tax bill. This is not just a financial issue—it’s a moral crisis.”
Read SB 929 here
SR116, Urging Congress to Pass the Major Richard Star Act
I was proud to lead the charge on Senate Resolution 116, urging Congress to pass the Major Richard Star Act (H.R. 2102)—and it passed unanimously in the Senate.
Our medically retired veterans shouldn’t have to choose between retirement pay and disability benefits. They’ve earned both.
Let’s honor Major Star’s legacy and do right by those who’ve sacrificed for our nation.
https://www.palegis.us/legislation/bills/2025/sr116
SB Soldier Story – Sergeant Arthur J. Forrest
During the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, October 1918, the 354th Infantry Regiment of the 89th Division was attacking up the Meuse Valley—until German machine guns brought everything to a halt near Remonville.
Casualties mounted. The men hit the ground—paralyzed by fear, frozen by fire.
But one man rose.
Sergeant Arthur J. Forrest, just 23 years old. 140 pounds, and five-foot-six, crawled forward. A quiet man who was a professional baseball player. Now, he was fighting for his life.
“I was so scared,” he later recalled, “that I didn’t know what to do… so I ran.”
But he didn’t run away—he instead ran straight into the machine guns. He hurled two grenades, dropped one German with his rifle butt, bayoneted two more, and shot the others. When more Germans surged, Forrest emptied his Colt pistol into them, driving them into tunnels.
He coaxed six out, silenced six machine guns, and turned the tide.
That day, one quiet man saved his company from destruction—and earned the Medal of Honor.
Sergeant Forrest didn’t talk much about what he did.
But we remember his heroism.
Sincerely,
Senator Douglas Mastriano, PhD, Colonel, US Army Retired
State Budget Update
The Senate convened for session in Harrisburg this week as work on the 2025-26 state budget progresses. Our discussions with the House of Representatives and the governor continue to advance.
Senate Republicans remain committed to a final agreement which will help to address the structural deficit facing our commonwealth and put Pennsylvania on a solid path for future years.
Expanding Access to Lifesaving Naloxone, Making Prescription Drug Costs More Transparent
Legislation has been signed into law to give EMS personnel permanent authority to leave behind naloxone, commonly known as Narcan, at the scene of an overdose. This will offer families a critical tool to prevent future emergencies.
Act 34 of 2025 ensures that families and caregivers are equipped to respond immediately to another overdose if needed. It also improves transparency and access within Pennsylvania’s health care system by:
- Increasing clarity around prescription drug costs.
- Enhancing communication between pharmacists and patients.
- Allowing out-of-state pharmacists to receive temporary licenses to practice in Pennsylvania for the next six months, which is aimed at addressing pharmacy deserts created by the widespread closure of Rite Aid locations.
New Law Will Improve Stroke Care Across PA
Strokes are the fifth-leading cause of death in the U.S. Legislation passed by the Senate and signed into law aims to save lives by providing critical information to health care providers.
Senate Bill 411, now Act 24 of 2025, will establish a statewide stroke registry, administered by the state Department of Health, to deliver resources to emergency medical service providers, hospital stroke teams and other health care providers to ensure high quality stroke care for patients.
It includes a confidentiality clause ensuring any submitted registry data will not include an individual’s confidential or personally identifiable information.
Legislation to Address Pennsylvania’s Shortage of CPAs Signed into Law
A Senate measure aimed at alleviating the growing shortage of certified public accountants (CPAs) in Pennsylvania has been signed into law, to ensure the commonwealth has enough of these professionals so critical to the everyday economy.
Senate Bill 719, now Act 27 of 2025, provides an alternative pathway to CPA licensure by allowing candidates to qualify with 120 credit hours of education and two years of professional experience, rather than the current 150-credit-hour requirement and one year of experience.
Candidates must still pass the CPA exam to be licensed. The new pathway is designed to reduce financial and time burdens on aspiring accountants without compromising professional standards. The law also streamlines the process for qualified out-of-state accountants to practice in Pennsylvania without obtaining a separate state certificate or permit.
Watch Out for Scammers Posing as State Employees
Older Pennsylvanians are being targeted by emails from scammers posing as state employees requesting payments necessary to access a non-existent inheritance.
In an incident reported to commonwealth officials, an older Pennsylvanian received an email from a generic account resembling an official state email address and claiming to be a representative of a credit union.
Don’t respond or click on any links! Report any incidents like this by phone at 1-866-PAComplaint or online.
July is Independent Retailer Month
Independent Retailer Month reminds us to shop at independent business, appreciating their positive social and economic impact in our communities.
Independent retailing can be many types of businesses. For example, a franchise store is often a local independent retail business. Please keep these employers in mind when making your purchases this month and all year.
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