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In this Update:

• Blair Regional YMCA Holds Groundbreaking for Early Learning Center
• Ensuring Pennsylvania’s Participation in the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit Program
• Pennsylvania Has New Tools to Solve Violent Crimes
• State Budget Boosts College Tuition Assistance
• PA College Savings Fees Waived for Fifth Straight Year
• Red Tape Slashed for PA Cosmetology Workers
• Booking a Tour of Your State Capitol
• PHEAA Financial Aid Workshops
• Out and About in the 30^th District

Blair Regional YMCA Holds Groundbreaking for Early Learning Center

The community celebrated the official groundbreaking for Blair Regional YMCA’s Early Learning Center. This new facility will house a year-round childcare program that will allow the YMCA to expand its childcare capacity, increase the number of licensed childcare slots in Blair County and continue to provide affordable, high-quality childcare in the area.

The availability of affordable, high-quality childcare is a top priority for the region, and the need has never been greater. This project enables the Blair Regional YMCA to fill this gap. With a combination of federal and state funding, along with private donations, this project will become a reality. Congratulations to all who worked to secure the necessary resources for this important community project!

Ensuring Pennsylvania’s Participation in the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit Program

I, along with Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward (R-39), Majority Leader Joe Pittman (R-41), Sen. Scott Martin (R-13), Sen. Lynda Schlegel-Culver (R-27) and Sen. Anthony Williams (D-8), plan to introduce legislation that would ensure Pennsylvania families and parents can benefit from new educational resources offered by the federal government through the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit.

Under federal law, every state is eligible to receive this new funding. However, states are required to opt into the federal program in order to participate. Governor Shapiro has not yet committed to participating in the program, risking millions of dollars in new funding that could benefit Pennsylvania families.

According to the Internal Revenue Service, 30 states across the U.S. have already opted into the program. This means students and families in those states will be eligible to benefit from this transformative program, which will lower costs for parents and families, whether they choose to use these resources to send their child to a new school, pay for private tutoring or provide other educational related services.

Find more information on the legislation here.   

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.

PHEAA Financial Aid Workshops

The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) will be hosting financial aid workshops focusing on the upcoming changes to the 2027-28 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The workshops will also provide updates on how students will now qualify for federal, state and other types of financial aid programs.

Workshops are being offered at 35 locations throughout the commonwealth, along with 2 virtual opportunities, during the months of September and October. You can view a list of dates and locations and register for the workshop of your choice here.

Please register at least one week prior to the date of the workshop you wish to attend. Upon registration, you will receive an email confirmation with workshop location, directions and parking information. If you have any questions or need assistance with the registration process, please email us at PASSWorkshops@pheaa.org.

Out and About in the 30^th District

Mifflin County Youth Fair

Mifflin County Youth Fair held their opening ceremonies in Reedsville. Congratulations to “Friend of the Fair” Rebecca Harrop and “Jr. Fairperson” Katelyn Stringer on your recognition! Representative David Rowe and Commissioners Kevin Kodish and Noah Wise were also in attendance. Some photos are courtesy of Baumgardner Photography.

National Night Out

This week communities across my district held events as part of this year’s annual National Night Out Against Crime. My offices participated in the Blair and Mifflin County events. Police departments and fire companies were well represented at these community events, which attract hundreds of people each year. I appreciate our law enforcement and first responders and all they do to keep our families and communities safe!

Pleasant Valley Elementary School

Amy Lena, Deputy Secretary of the Pennsylvania Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, made a visit to Pleasant Valley Elementary School in Blair County this week. Along with Ms. Lena reading to the students, we observed the school’s ABC Camp (Awesome Beginnings Camp). This program is a one-week program designed to give incoming Kindergarten kids a head start to the upcoming school year. 

Kulp Diary Farm

My team and I were recently hosted by Kyle and Kate (Kulp) Musselman of Kulp Dairy Farm in Martinsburg to learn about their exciting expansion project. We discussed potential legislation that would benefit the agriculture industry, and Kyle shared ideas and concerns with me. They have a top-notch operation, and I am very proud to have them in my district!

Commercial Vehicle Safety Symposium

It was a great experience to be able to give a keynote presentation at the Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Symposium in State College. The presentation focused on legislation impacting heavy haulers, such as my legislation, Act 50 of 2026, to end “CDL training mills”. There were opportunities to hear from experts on the new federal rules to stop “illegal truck drivers”, the future of autonomous trucking and efforts to combat human trafficking. Since 2017, the Pennsylvania State Police and Pennsylvania Department of Transportation have been organizing the event to enhance highway safety and allow businesses to interact with federal and state regulators.

Central Pennsylvania Bible Conference

Recently, the annual Central Pennsylvania Bible Conference was held in Blair County. This multi-day event featured different speakers and special music each day. I was honored to do the welcome for attendees for an evening. I appreciate Pastor Gary Dull of Faith Baptist Church and the other pastors who put their time and effort into continuing this long tradition for our community.