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BREAKING: Yaw Announces Local Investments in Agricultural Innovation

I’m pleased to announce four local businesses have received funding through the nation’s first Agricultural Innovation Grant Program. These awards will give our local farmers and agribusinesses access to cutting-edge technologies and sustainable practices to enhance their operations and increase efficiency. Union County’s A.M. Logging was awarded $500,000 to advance hardwood processing capabilities. Additionally, Wheeland Lumber Company in Lycoming County was awarded $100,000 to implement Artificial Intelligence – based grading technology. Read more on these awards HERE.

Rep. Clint Owlett and I are also pleased to announce Tioga County’s multi-generational Painterland Farms, which founded Painterland Sisters Organic Skyr Yogurt in 2020, received $475,000 for its Regenerative Farming Innovations project through the legislative support. Woodland Biomass Innovations was also awarded $50,000 for the site planning of a biomass-to-fuel facility. The pilot plant will utilize carbon that is already part of the natural cycle to produce gasoline that works with existing cars and distribution infrastructure.

Yaw, Area Legislators Announce Funding to Improve Local Parks, Recreational Assets

I was pleased to join Rep. Jamie Flick, Rep. Clint Owlett and Rep. David Rowe to announce $422,885 has been awarded to projects throughout Lycoming, Tioga and Union counties through the Commonwealth Financing Authority’s (CFA) Greenways, Trails and Recreation Program. Funding for these projects will undoubtedly benefit our region and have a positive impact on recreational opportunities. I’m grateful to my House colleagues for their collaboration.

Read more from Rep. Flick and I HERE.

Read more from Rep. Owlett and I HERE.

Read more from Rep. Rowe and I HERE.

Pennsylvanians Deserve the Truth about Electricity Costs

Last week, Gov. Josh Shapiro made multiple announcements about the cost of electricity in Pennsylvania. One of those claims is that customers will save billions of dollars through an agreement he made with PJM, a regional transmission organization that coordinates the movement of wholesale electricity in all or part of 13 states and the District of Columbia.

The reality is that none of the governor’s announcements will save any of us a single dollar on our electric bills. The truth is that his administration’s misguided policies have directly contributed to higher prices. Now, he’s trying to take credit for lower prices that won’t even happen.

Senate Republicans have prioritized advancement of meaningful legislation to help address rising costs for consumers of electricity. It is unfortunate that many of the measures were not supported by the Shapiro Administration during the last two years. We will continue working to enact energy policies which reduce costs for hardworking Pennsylvanians, ensure the future stability of our power grid, and help expand access to good, family sustaining jobs here in Pennsylvania.

Senate ERE Committee Convenes for First Meeting of New Session

As chairman, I was pleased to convene the first meeting of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee for the 2025-26 legislative session. The committee approved two energy-related bills I sponsored.

Senate Bill 186 would repeal the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) carbon tax enacted through executive order by the Wolf Administration in 2019. RGGI, a multi-state compact, would increase electricity rates for consumers, cut energy and manufacturing jobs and lead to the closure of Pennsylvania power plants. 

Additionally, the committee approved Senate Bill 187 to create an Independent Energy Office (IEO) in Pennsylvania.

Discussing Energy at the MBA Legislative Luncheon

Thank you to the Manufacturer and Business Association for inviting me to talk energy at their recent legislative luncheon in Erie!

We had a great discussion on how energy policy will impact Pennsylvania, the essential role the reliability of our electric grid plays in our daily lives, the stark reality our state faces and the short window of opportunity we have to address this critical issue.

Ella Adkins Job Shadows at the Capitol

I was pleased to welcome Ella Adkins, who joined me as a job shadow on Monday, to the Capitol. Ella participated in several meetings with me, spent time with my staff learning their roles in the legislative process and was a pleasure to have with us for the day.

Ella is a senior at Williamsport Area High School where she is a member of the National Honor Society. She will graduate this spring and plans to attend college majoring in Political Science.

Best of luck, Ella!

Watch my remarks from the Senate Floor HERE.

21st Annual Heart of Lewisburg Ice Festival

The 21^st annual Heart of Lewisburg Ice Festival will kick off on Friday, February 7^th, with three days of ice carving, community events and family-friendly fun throughout the downtown area.

The festival will begin with the arrival of massive ice blocks set up in front of the Post Office and the newly renovated Hufnagle Park. Skilled ice carvers will converge at the corner of Third and Market Streets, where they will create intricate multi-block sculptures throughout the day.

Read more about the schedule of events and activities HERE.

Grow PA Scholarships Available SOON

Grow PA Scholarship Grant Program for Pennsylvania Students

Beginning in the 2025-26 academic year, Grow PA scholarships of $5,000 will be available each year on a first-come, first-served basis to students who meet the following criteria:

• Must be a resident of Pennsylvania.
• Must be enrolled in a post-secondary education institution in Pennsylvania.
• Must pursue an educational program in an in-demand occupation.
• Must be willing to agree to live and work in Pennsylvania in an in-demand occupation for at least one year for each year they accept the scholarship.

If a student receives a scholarship but does not complete the educational program or fails to meet other terms of the agreement, the scholarship is converted to a loan and must be repaid by the student.

Grow PA Merit Scholarship Program for Out-of-State Students

Beginning in the 2025-26 academic year, the Grow PA Merit Scholarship Program will allow eligible students to pay in-state tuition rates. Criteria to receive the scholarship include:

• Must be a non-resident of Pennsylvania.
• Must be enrolled in a Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education school.
• Must pursue an educational program in an in-demand occupation.
• Must be willing to agree to live and work in Pennsylvania in an in-demand occupation for at least one year for each year they accept the scholarship.

If a student receives a scholarship, but does not complete the educational program or fails to meet other terms of the agreement, the scholarship is converted to a loan and must be repaid by the student.

Applications are expected to be available for students early in 2025 through the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA).

Keystone State ChalleNGe Academy Now Accepting Applications for Summer Session

The Keystone State ChalleNGe Academy (KSCA) is accepting applications for its next class of cadets which begins in July 2025. There is no tuition cost to attend. Meals, housing, uniforms, and school supplies are provided at no charge.

 The academy is now offering a new online Eligibility Checker, which will lead to the link to the full application for an easier and quicker application process. New applicants also have the option of having an application mailed to them by emailing the academy at RA-MVPACHALLENGE@pa.gov, or by calling 717-861-7767 or 717-861-8831.

The KSCA is designed to give academically challenged teens a second chance at obtaining their basic education, learn leadership, self-discipline, and responsibility to build a better life.

The opening of the academy at Fort Indiantown Gap (FTIG) in Lebanon County in July 2022 formally established the National Guard Bureau’s Youth ChalleNGe Program in Pennsylvania. 

The program is open to 16- to 18-year-old Pennsylvania residents who are failing to progress in high school or may not be on a clear path to graduating. Applicants must be willing to be drug free, free of felony convictions, and voluntarily commit to the program. The first 22-weeks of the program consists of residential training at FTIG followed by 24-months of mentorship back in their home communities. 

Wawa Grand Opening

On January 23^rd, Wawa held the grand opening of its new location on Maynard Street in the City of Williamsport. Staff from my district office were on hand for the celebration, which included a Hoagies for Heroes competition between the Williamsport Bureau of Fire and the Williamsport Bureau of Police. The fire department was declared the winner, and Wawa donated their winnings to their charity of choice, which was American Rescue Workers. Wawa also donated $1,000 to the Lycoming County Special Olympics.

Statewide Row Officers Begin Serving PA

Congratulations to new PA Attorney General Dave Sunday and reelected PA Treasurer Stacy Garrity and PA Auditor General Tim DeFoor on their inaugurations on Tuesday. My colleagues and I stand ready to work together to move our commonwealth forward.

As the state’s top law enforcement official, the attorney general works to protect and serve citizens and agencies of the commonwealth. The position is served by several hundred prosecutors, attorneys, investigators, agents and support staff.

The Treasury Department is the custodian of more than $160 billion in state funds and oversees all withdrawals and deposits from state agencies. It also administers programs, including the PA 529 college and career savings plan, that help families prepare for the future. In her first term, Garrity returned record amounts of unclaimed property and reduced fees multiple times for PA 529 and PA ABLE, which is a program that gives individuals with qualifying disabilities a tax-advantaged way to save without impacting their government benefits.

The auditor general is the state’s fiscal watchdog. The role is tasked with ensuring state government lives within its means and every taxpayer dollar is spent wisely. In addition to completing nearly 4,000 legally required audits per year, DeFoor also conducted several high-profile performance audits during his first four years in office. The audits determine how state government programs are working and ensure tax dollars are being spent appropriately.

Game Commission Provides Avian Influenza Information

Earlier this year, the Pennsylvania Game Commission announced that highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) was the cause of death for wild waterfowl in northeastern Pennsylvania.

To best protect the health of wildlife, domestic animals and humans, the Game Commission asks the public to assist them by doing the following:

• Report sick or dead wild birds to the commission by calling 1-833-PGC-WILD (1-833-742-9453), emailing pgc-wildlifehealth@pa.gov or using the online Wildlife Health Survey tool.
• Dispose of a dead wild bird found on your property – if the commission hasn’t responded within 24 hours – by burial or commercial/residential trash. Both methods will protect scavenging wildlife. If electing to dispose of the carcass, the following guidance is provided:
  • Before picking up the wild bird carcass, put on disposable or washable gloves. If gloves are unavailable, a plastic bag can be used as a makeshift glove.
  • If performing on-site burial, a burial hole at least two feet deep will discourage scavenging. Do not bury the carcass in an area that could contaminate a water supply.
  • If disposing of the carcass in commercial/residential trash, place the carcass in a plastic bag along with any disposal gloves that were used. Then place everything in a second plastic bag before disposal.
  • Once disposal is complete, immediately wash your hands and any non-disposable gloves that were used.

Because HPAI impacts more than just wildlife, please also report any sick or dead domestic bird to the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture at 717-772-2852. Anyone who isn’t feeling well after having contact with sick or dead birds is encouraged to contact their primary care physician or the Pennsylvania Department of Health at 877-724-3258.

Winter Emergency Travel Kit Tips

Winter travel can bring extended traffic stops. You can ensure your safety and comfort by packing an emergency travel kit.

Be sure to include a blanket, ice scraper, flashlight, warm clothing and gloves, sand, jumper cables, cellphone charger, small shovel, first aid kit, water and nonperishable food. A printable winter emergency kit list from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation is available here.

Your winter emergency kit should also include the personal items you need to accommodate the family members who travel with you, such as special medication, baby supplies and pet food.

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