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In this Update:

• Modernizing Pennsylvania’s Voter Rolls
• Felony Murder Sentencing, PA Crime Highlighted at Senate, House Hearing
• Empowering Parents with Federal Scholarship Tax Credit
• Understanding Digital Threats to Children
• Reporting Suspected Benefits Fraud
• Getting Potholes Filled
• Out and About in the 30^th District

Modernizing Pennsylvania’s Voter Rolls

Legislation I sponsored alongside Senator Michele Brooks, Senate Bill 1429, was introduced this week and would modernize and strengthen how Pennsylvania keeps its voter rolls up to date.
 
Officials across the commonwealth have shared concerns that current law doesn’t give them the tools they need to clean and properly maintain accurate voter lists as required. Pennsylvania law is weaker than in many other states, relying too heavily on self-attestation for voter registration and limited data sources to remove outdated or ineligible registrations.
 
This legislation would help solve these problems by expanding the sources of reliable data available to counties to help identify and remove old or outdated information and ensure only eligible voters are on the rolls.
 
As Pennsylvania’s current Secretary of State has said, properly maintained voter lists promote well-conducted elections, and effective list maintenance helps election administrators allocate resources, reduce wait times at the polls and ensure the security of our elections.
 
This bill has been carefully developed with input from election officials, legal experts, county leaders and other stakeholders. It aligns with federal requirements, while providing local officials with the tools necessary to meet them. I look forward to working with my colleagues to advance this critical legislation.

Felony Murder Sentencing, PA Crime Highlighted at Senate, House Hearing

Law enforcement officers and other public officials shared the on-the-ground reality of their efforts to fight crime and how the General Assembly could support their mission during a joint public hearing of the Senate Majority Policy Committee and the House Republican Policy Committee.

Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday discussed sentencing for felony murder after the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled mandatory life sentences for this crime are unconstitutional. He stated Senate Bill 1400, passed twice by the Senate, would provide an appropriate sentence for felony murder. But the House changed the bill, he said, “and in doing so provides a huge break to convicted murderers.” Sunday said, “Victims deserve better than legislative gamesmanship.”

The committees learned that violent crime is down across the commonwealth, but drug offenses are on the rise, with the Bureau of Narcotics removing 56.5 million doses of fentanyl off the streets of Pennsylvania last year. Read more about the hearing and access video and testimony here.

Empowering Parents with Federal Scholarship Tax Credit

Last year, Congress established a new Federal Scholarship Tax Credit to create new learning opportunities for students. I was proud to join 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) to sponsor legislation that would ensure Pennsylvania families can benefit from this new program.

The program would allow taxpayers to earn up to $1,700 in tax credits for contributions to non-profit Scholarship Granting Organizations. These organizations could use the funds to provide scholarships for education-related services at private or public schools, including tuition, fees, academic tutoring, special education services, technology services and classroom supplies.

For students and families to be eligible for scholarships, a state must opt in with either an order signed by its governor or a law passed by the state legislature by Jan. 1, 2027. If a state does not opt in, taxpayers in that state will still be eligible for the tax credit, but the money will fund scholarships in other states.

Our legislation would ensure Pennsylvania students in both public and private schools would have access to these new resources. Learn more about this opportunity for Pennsylvania students and families here.

Understanding Digital Threats to Children

Aug. 17 – Aug. 23 is “Social Media Safety and Parental Awareness Week” in Pennsylvania. This first-of-its-kind designation, which I was proud to cosponsor, is designed to help parents, guardians and students better understand potential threats in the digital world, including cyberbullying, sextortion, AI-generated child sexual abuse material, grooming and other dangerous forms of abuse.

Find a Back-to-School Checklist and more tips on social media safety at the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

My legislative colleagues and I have worked to keep kids safe from dangers online. This includes laws criminalizing deepfakes, giving law enforcement tools to combat online abuse, creating the Task Force on Child Protection in the Digital Age and more. The Senate has also passed legislation (pending in the House of Representatives) providing safeguards for AI chatbots, prohibiting “nudification” apps and protecting young people against AI-generated child abuse materials.

Reporting Suspected Benefits Fraud

You can help eliminate fraud in benefits programs such as cash assistance, food stamps, childcare, home energy assistance and medical assistance.

Suspected fraud can be reported to the Office of the State Inspector General. A complaint should be completed only if an individual has been issued benefits that you believe the individual was not entitled to receive.

Report suspected fraud to the State Inspector General here.

Getting Potholes Filled

If you spot a pothole on a Pennsylvania road, you can report it through the PennDOT Customer Care Center.

If you notice an urgent issue, please check the list of district engineering offices and contact the one for the county in which the issue is found. 

For immediate safety concerns, call 1‑800‑FIX‑ROAD (1-800-349-7623), and always call 9‑1‑1 for emergencies.

Out and About in the 30^th District

Fulton County Fair

This year’s Fulton County Fair and livestock sale were a blast. It is always great to spend time with and hear directly from so many constituents. I was even able to purchase a great looking pig from Maggie Mellott.

Blair County Drug and Alcohol Breakfast Meeting

Members of Blair Drug and Alcohol Partnerships provided an interesting and educational presentation at their annual breakfast entitled, “Gas Station Highs, Understanding High-Potency Retail Intoxicants.” We learned how the sale of products offering marijuana-like effects at gas stations and convenience stores has led to many alarming consequences. I was pleased to provide a legislative update which included details on recently enacted improvements to the state’s ignition interlock system. My thanks to Judy Rosser and all those who are part of this partnership who work extremely hard to prevent substance use and abuse in our communities.

Summer Interns

I enjoyed having Austin Wagner intern in my Blair County office the past several weeks. Austin is majoring in business management at Saint Francis University in Loretto, Pennsylvania. He is also a veteran of the United States Navy. Austin has been very motivated to learn about state government and jumps right in where needed!

Additionally, Madison (Madi) Van Zant was a summer intern in my Capitol Office. Madi is a rising junior at Juniata College in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, where she is studying politics with a secondary in legal studies. Passionate about civic engagement and public policy, Madi hopes to pursue a career in government service. 

I want to thank them for their help over the summer and wish them the best in their future endeavors. 

Mifflin County Youth Fair

Great to be at the Mifflin County Youth Fair in Reedsville recently. Pictured with me is Lillian Seaholtz who is the Mifflin County Fair Queen. I was proud to buy a market swine from Annie Newman. It was her first year showing. It was great to be able to donate the animal to the Central PA Food Bank for Mifflin County.

Ag Progress Days

Ag Progress Days in Rockhill did not disappoint. I attended the public officials luncheon with Secretary Russell Redding as one of the speakers. It was great to stop by the Farm Bureau booth and see friends as well as Hoober Farm Equipment from Mifflintown where we found the giant truck. 

Huntingdon County Fair

This week was Huntingdon County Fair, and it was great to visit the fair and tour the fair museum, led by former Ag Secretary, Sam Hayes. Also pictured with me is the Alternate Fair Queen, Trinity Hardy. 

Matilda Clinic Ribbon Cutting

The Matilda Clinic inside Beward Pharmacy located in Mifflintown recently held their grand opening and ribbon cutting. Pharmacy First Health (Pharmacy1^st) is building a network of community-based clinics in rural towns by pairing trusted local pharmacies with clinics managed by nurse practitioners. Their vision is to build a rural America in good health. Matilda Clinic will provide walk-in urgent care services and chronic care management. 

Huntingdon Chamber Luncheon

Huntingdon Chamber held its annual “State of the Chamber” luncheon. Pictured are MacKenzie Huntsman, President/CEO, Lonnie Smith, Jr. and Margaret Skrivseth discussing Huntingdon County history and how Huntingdon has celebrated the nation’s 250th birthday.

Blair County Chamber Breakfast

Blair County’s monthly chamber breakfast featured Neil Rudel, Cory Geiger and the voice of Penn State football, Steve Jones, sharing gridiron insights.