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Please be aware the upcoming Breakfast Meeting on Agriculture scheduled for Thursday in Wellsboro is at capacity and registration is now closed. Thank you to the agriculture community for your overwhelming interest.

2025 Student Government Seminar

More than 230 students from 18 schools in Bradford, Lycoming, Sullivan, Tioga and Union Counties converged on Pennsylvania College of Technology’s campus on Thursday for this year’s Student Government Seminar.

The seminar gives high school students the opportunity to engage with elected officials, debate important issues, develop legislation and vote on “mock bills” in an open session. Each year, I’m so impressed by the interest, leadership and decision-making skills displayed by these fantastic groups of students.

THANK YOU to Penn College for their generous hospitality and to all of this year’s volunteers, participants and sponsors for another very successful event. We couldn’t do it without all of you!

Majority Policy Committee Visits Williamsport to Discuss Flood Prevention

On Wednesday, the Senate Majority Policy Committee, chaired by Sen. Dave Argall, visited Williamsport to review flood mitigation strategies and state programs to repair streams.

Much of the discussion focused on proven strategies to prevent flooding including developing and protecting wetlands, providing access to floodplains, and stabilizing streambanks, as well as strategies like dredging gravel which can do more harm than good. Funding sources like the Growing Greener program were also reviewed in detail.

Watch the full hearing HERE.

Loyalsock Twp. Volunteer Fire Company Celebrates 100 Years of Service

Congratulations to the Loyalsock Volunteer Fire Company No. 1 on celebrating 100 years of dedicated service! Thank you for your unwavering commitment to keeping our community safe.

Grow PA Scholarship Grant Applications Available NOW

The Grow PA Scholarship Grant Program – created by Senate Republicans as part of this year’s state budget – offers grants of up to $5,000 per year for in-state students who pursue a degree or certification for an in-demand occupation. The application period for grants is open now, with funding awarded on a first come, first served basis.

To qualify for the grant, applicants must agree to live and work in Pennsylvania in that occupation after graduation. Grant recipients will be required to live and work in Pennsylvania for 12 months for each year they receive the grant. Failure to meet this requirement will result in the grant converting to a loan requiring repayment.

Courses of study that qualify for the grant include agriculture, computer science, business, education, special education, STEM education, engineering, nursing, allied health, criminal justice and other programs as approved by the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA). Learn more or apply here.

Budget Hearings Reinforce Need for Greater Financial Accountability

After three weeks of detailed public hearings examining Gov. Josh Shapiro’s $51.5 billion budget plan – which would increase state spending by an eye-popping 7.5% compared to the current fiscal year – it is clear that his priorities are very different than those of Senate Republicans.

Shapiro’s unsustainable spending plan would quickly drain every dollar in the state’s bank accounts – including our entire $7.3 billion in emergency savings in the Rainy Day Fund – within two years. This is especially troubling at a time when respected, nonpartisan sources like the Independent Fiscal Office are warning that Pennsylvania faces serious financial challenges. Notably, not even Shapiro’s own team claims that the astronomical cost of his proposed budget can be paid for without higher taxes.

Senate Republicans will fight for taxpayers throughout this year’s state budget negotiations. We will continue to work toward a responsible state budget that promotes economic growth, job creation and fiscal stability for the commonwealth.

Free Trees to Help Public Replace Invasive Plants

Non-native trees and shrubs can have negative ecological and economic impacts on nearby natural areas. Some of those plants include callery pear, tree-of-heaven, Norway maple, burning bush, Japanese barberry and butterfly bush.

The Pennsylvania Invasive Replace-ive Program is a new initiative that will give homeowners and others the option to remove invasive trees and shrubs from their property and replace them with native trees. Doing so will reduce the likelihood of these species moving into neighboring properties, parks and forests.

Property owners are encouraged to remove one or more invasive species and receive up to five free, healthy, native, young replacement trees. Learn more about how to participate. Please note that the Carlisle plant replacement program is already at capacity.

License Plates Support Women Veterans

You can support women veterans in Pennsylvania by purchasing a license plate recognizing the importance of the brave women who have served in our military.

When you purchase the Honoring Our Women Veterans Registration Plate or the Honoring Our Women Veterans Motorcycle Registration Plate, a portion of the fee will be used to support programs assisting the approximately 63,000 female veterans in Pennsylvania. The motorcycle version of this registration plate is new, having been introduced in December. You do not need to be a veteran to purchase either of these plates.

If you are a veteran, you may want to consider purchasing either the Women Veteran Registration Plate or the Women Veteran Motorcycle Registration Plate. Applicants for these plates must submit a legible photocopy of their Form DD-214 or the front and back of their DD2(RET).

Learn more about these license plates and several other new plates available for veterans.

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