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Capitol Report
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#Listrak\DateStampLong#
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The latest news from the State Capitol
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In the Fifth
Berks County Chief Citizen’s Award Presentation
The Berks County Chiefs of Police Association has honored six members of Penn State Health Medical Group – Robesonia Family Medicine with the 2024 Citizens Award, recognizing their courageous actions during a serious motor vehicle crash in August 2024.
The award was presented during the association’s meeting on June 17 in acknowledgment of the team’s swift and selfless response to a two-vehicle crash near the intersection of Penn Avenue and Big Spring Road, Robesonia, just outside their office.
Photo courtesy of South Heidelberg Township Police: (Left to Right) Chief J. Matthew Hook, Sara Ostrich, Alyssa Butler, Sara Deeks, Dr. Robert W. Mandel, Dr. Safa Farzin,(senior vice president, Penn State Health Medical Group).
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Pennsylvania State Police, Pennsylvania National Guard
We welcomed members of the Pennsylvania State Police, the Pennsylvania National Guard, and cadets from the Law and Leadership Academy to the House chamber. This 15-week program builds stronger community ties and offers a firsthand look at a career in law enforcement.
We are grateful to all who are called to serve.
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Safe Berks Walk for No More
This past weekend, I participated in the Safe Berks Walk for NO MORE, an annual event which aims to raise awareness, honor victims and survivors, and promote community action to end domestic violence and sexual assault. It was amazing to see the dedication in our community to end domestic violence and sexual assault.
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80,000 Acres of Farmland Forever Banquet
I was able to attend the 80,000 Acres of Farmland Forever Banquet and ceremony, which honored landowners who have made this commitment and the partners who make the program a success. Created in 1989, the Berks County Agricultural Land Preservation Board (BCALPB) is responsible for the oversight of the State Farmland Preservation Program, which allows the state and its counties to purchase land development rights in an effort to guarantee farms remain as agricultural land. Thank you for your dedication to agriculture in PA.
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New Liberty Bell License Plates Available
Pennsylvania vehicle owners can now order new state license plates featuring the Liberty Bell, the quintessential symbol of the Commonwealth and our nation’s independence. Perfect timing as we prepare to mark the nation’s 250th birthday next year!
The new style is available for standard vehicles and trucks, including personalized plates. If you switch from a specialty plate (like a military, organization or special fund plate), it will be replaced with a standard plate in the new design.
PennDOT’s partners, such as dealers and online messengers, will use all existing standard issue license plate inventory before transitioning to the new plate design. If you want to ensure you receive the new plate design, order directly through PennDOT. The new license plates are optional for drivers with current license plates.
Click here for more information. |
Reining in Red Tape
The House Republican Policy Committee held a public hearing this week to examine the impact of excessive regulations on economic growth, job creation and government accountability in Pennsylvania.
The hearing featured testimony from Emily Greene, Pennsylvania state director with Americans for Prosperity, and Kevin Kane, director of legislative strategy with the Commonwealth Foundation, who both underscored how Pennsylvania’s over 164,000 regulatory restrictions – the 14th highest in the nation – are driving businesses, jobs and families out of the state.
According to the Commonwealth Foundation, by reducing regulatory requirements by 36%, Pennsylvania could see an increase of $9.2 billion in gross domestic product (GDP). That amounts to $1,760 per household and the equivalent of 180,000 new jobs each year.
Video of the hearing is available here. |
Preventing Theft of Benefits
Responding to a growing number of cases of stolen SNAP benefits, the state House recently approved legislation aimed at transitioning to chip-enabled Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards.
Since October 2022, Pennsylvania has recorded more than 23,000 cases of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits being stolen through skimming schemes. Unlike modern debit and credit cards, EBT cards currently lack chip security technology, making them highly vulnerable to fraud.
House Bill 1429 would require the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services to work with the General Assembly to ensure an efficient transition to chip-enabled EBT cards. The legislation would require the department to deliver a report to lawmakers highlighting costs, fraud prevention efforts and relevant statistics to enhance the security of SNAP benefits.
The bill is pending consideration in the Senate. |
Celebrating PA Dairy
June is Dairy Month in Pennsylvania, the perfect time to enjoy an extra dish of ice cream or yogurt, another piece of cheese, or a tall glass of milk!
The dairy industry is a major part of our state’s agriculture economy, providing economic value to the tune of $14.7 billion annually and over 52,000 jobs.
If you’d like to support Pennsylvania dairy, be sure to check the milk you purchase at the grocery store and look for the PA Preferred logo or milk with a plant code beginning with “42.” Plant codes are usually printed near the top of the container or on the lid, or sometimes they’re printed right on the label. The first, and most important, part of the code will always be two numbers (between 01 and 56). This identifies the state where the milk was processed. Pennsylvania’s magic number is 42!
Learn more about the state’s dairy industry here. |
Hunting Licenses on Sale Today
General hunting and trapping licenses for the 2025-26 season are on sale starting today, June 23. Single-use antlerless licenses are on sale for all wildlife management units (WMU) and are guaranteed to PA residents in all WMUs through Sunday, July 13.
Starting Monday, July 14, nonresidents will have the opportunity to purchase unsold antlerless licenses on a first-come, first-served basis. Two weeks later, on Monday, July 28, sales of unsold antlerless licenses are open to both residents and nonresidents on a first-come, first served basis. Hunters are eligible to hold up to six antlerless licenses total, except in WMUs 5C and 5D which allow for up to nine more antlerless licenses per hunter – totaling no more than 15 antlerless licenses. Permits for the Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP) will be available starting Monday, Aug. 11.
Licenses are available for purchase in person at license issuing agents. Click here for a map of agents across the Commonwealth. Licenses also are available for purchase online at huntfish.pa.gov.
Visit www.pgc.pa.gov for more information about hunting in the Commonwealth.
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Let's Get Connected
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Our District
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Web Site
rep .com
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| Office Locations |
| District Office: Reading Regional Airport - Main Terminal, 2501 Bernville Road, Box 4, Reading, PA, 19605 | Phone: (610) 378-4407, FAX: (610) 378-4412 | Open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. |
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| Capitol Office: 432 Irvis Office Building, Harrisburg, Pa 17020-2005 | PO Box 202005 | Phone: 717-772-9940 |
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