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2025 Breakfast Meeting on Agriculture

We had a great day in Tioga County last week celebrating agriculture and all who make it Pennsylvania’s #1 industry.

The “Breakfast Meeting on Agriculture” brings together local farmers, agribusiness professionals, 4-H members, FFA students, dairy royalty, teachers and elected officials to highlight important issues facing our region’s agriculture sector. We were also joined by Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding and the breakfast featured a special guest panel to discuss mental health and relief programs for farmers.

Thank you to my co-hosts, Rep. Clint Owlett and Rep. Tina Pickett, and all of our attendees and volunteers for joining us this year!

Welcoming Guests to the Capitol

Yesterday, I was pleased to welcome Canton FFA member and American FFA Degree winner, Gracie Mead to the Senate Floor.  

As the highest degree achievable in the National FFA Organization, the American FFA Degree demonstrates an FFA member’s dedication to his or her chapter and state association.

Gracie’s devotion to her agricultural experience and her leadership within the FFA have not only earned her this incredible recognition, but have set the stage for a bright future in agriculture and beyond. Her degree is a testament to her tireless commitment to her community and her chosen field. Gracie represents the best of what the FFA has to offer. She surely has a bright future ahead of her.

Gracie was joined by her parents, Steven and Renee Mead, along with her sister Lydia, her grandmother Sheila Weimeyer, her grandparents, Robert and Lori Knowlden and Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding.

Watch my remarks from the Senate Floor HERE.

I was also joined yesterday by the Williamsport Area High School Marching Millionaires Student Leadership Team, who were recognized for their 2024 Cavalcade of Bands Championship. The win gave the Millionaires their eighth state title. The cavalcade includes nearly 100 member bands, all groups that are competitive marching bands. Congratulations!

Rep. Jamie Flick and I welcomed Williamsport Area High School senior Parker Johnson to the Capitol yesterday to celebrate his participation in the Big 33 Football Classic, one of the nation’s premier scholastic All-Star games.

Parker is the 11th Williamsport player to be named to the Big 33 team since 1957, according to available records. He is also the third Williamsport athlete to play as a kicker. Parker will continue his football career at East Stroudsburg University this fall.

Members of the Pennsylvania Athletic Trainers’ Society were in Harrisburg yesterday for their advocacy day and Dominic Caputo (left) of Montoursville, along with Zack Chowansky (right) of Shenandoah, stopped by my office to discuss the importance of having AEDs at high school athletic events. We had a great visit, and I appreciate their insight on this important issue.

West Branch Susquehanna Builders Association Annual Home Show

On Friday, I attended a ribbon cutting to officially open the 2025 West Branch Susquehanna Builders Association Home Show at Liberty Arena in downtown Williamsport.

The show ran through Sunday and featured over 35,000 square feet of indoor exhibit space with over 120 vendors.

A Look Back at the 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. Take a look back!

Reintroducing Bill to Protect Consumers’ Energy Options

Last week, I reintroduced legislation ensuring Pennsylvania residents have options when it comes to fuel availability. Senate Bill 311, known as “Energy Choice,” would limit municipal entities from banning a specific type of fuel source for appliances and heating homes or businesses.  The language is fuel-neutral and is not specific to one energy source.

Read more HERE.

ERE Committee Oks Bills Addressing Stream Maintenance, Offering Protections for Landowners

The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, where I serve as chairman, approved a slate of bills yesterday addressing stream maintenance and offering better protections for landowners.

Proper stream maintenance protects people, land and infrastructure from flood damage. The need is immediate, and our local officials are in the best position to manage and maintain our streams. Eliminating unnecessary bureaucratic barriers and red tape can help prevent more widespread damage and destruction.

The committee also advanced two measures offering better protections for landowners.

Read more HERE.

Public Input Hearings for Proposed Rate Changes by UGI Gas

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) announced five in-person and telephonic hearings in early April to gather public input on the proposed rate changes by UGI Utilities Inc. – Gas Division (UGI Gas).

Hearings include –

In-Person Public Input Hearings

Monday, April 7, 2025

Holiday Inn Downtown Williamsport
100 Pine Street
Williamsport, PA 17701
The hearing begins at 6 p.m.

Telephonic Public Input Hearings

Thursday, April 10, 2025

Two telephonic public input hearings will be held at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m.

To testify at a telephonic public input hearing, you are encouraged to pre-register by 4 p.m. on Wednesday, April 9, 2025.  If you do not pre-register, you may not be able to testify.

More information and registration HERE.

PA Recovers $11.3 Million in Medicaid Fraud

One of my top priorities is fighting fraud throughout state government, and I’m pleased that Attorney General Dave Sunday’s Medicaid Fraud Team recovered more than $11.3 million in misused Medicaid funding in fiscal year 2024.

In fact, a federal annual report ranked Pennsylvania first in the nation for number of Medicaid fraud charges filed against individuals and third in convictions secured. The report also states that Medicaid Fraud units across the country recover $3.46 for every $1 spent by the units. Retrieving this funding gave limited-income and vulnerable populations access to health care as intended.

The Medicaid Fraud Team prosecutes those who defraud the program through unlawful billing or failure to provide services. It also prosecutes those who neglect or abuse Pennsylvanians dependent on their care and those who financially exploit older adults or care-dependent persons.

Online Unclaimed Property Auction – March 26 and 27

Pennsylvania’s next auction of unclaimed property – including jewelry, collectible coins, currency and more – will take place on March 26 and 27. Treasurer Stacy Garrity said more than 5,500 items will hit the auction block, and anyone interested in bidding can register on the website of the Pennsylvania Treasury Department’s auctioneer partner, Pook & Pook.

Unclaimed tangible property, like the items being auctioned, comes to Treasury most often from forgotten safe deposit boxes. Treasury works to find the rightful owner for at least three years before auctioning an item but holds auctions twice a year to make room for incoming property in Treasury’s vault – the largest working vault in the country. All items sold at auction are carefully documented, and net proceeds remain with Treasury until a rightful owner comes forward to claim the property – no matter how much time passes.

Treasury is working to return more than $4.5 billion in unclaimed property that is owed to more than one in 10 Pennsylvanians. The average value of a claim is about $1,600. This money can belong to individuals, businesses, nonprofits, local government entities and other organizations. Anyone can search for unclaimed property online. My office is also always glad to help you file a claim or to answer any of your questions.

Job Openings for Lifeguards at State Parks

Applications are being accepted through March 31 for summer job opportunities at 13 of Pennsylvania’s state parks. Lifeguards will be paid $17 an hour and must have proper certifications. Full-time and part-time schedules are available.

Lifeguards are essential in safeguarding the health and safety of park visitors. Duties will include overseeing the swimming zones, upholding park policies and addressing emergencies.

Find information about required qualifications and apply online here.

Protect Your Home from a Flood

Flooding is the most frequent and expensive U.S. natural disaster. Yet, it’s not typically covered through most homeowners and renter’s insurance.

More than 20% of the National Flood Insurance Program’s claims come from outside high-risk flood areas. Those who live in areas with low-to-moderate flooding risk are five times more likely to experience a flood than a fire in their home in the next 30 years. You can determine your risk using this flood map.

Checking your policy and consulting your agent to confirm that flood perils are included in your insurance can save you. Review flood insurance basics so you know how to protect your home.

Celebrating National Agriculture Week

Agriculture – one of Pennsylvania’s top industries – directly impacts our health, economy and communities. It also preserves open space.

Farmers work tirelessly to provide us with fresh produce and dairy products. Supporting them is as easy as enjoying the wonderful foods they offer. As the weather begins to improve, farmers markets will pop up all over the state. Read more about Pennsylvania’s farmers markets.

In addition to farming, many other jobs play an important role in our state’s agricultural success. Pennsylvania’s more than 500,000 jobs in agriculture also include the fields of business, technology, science and more.

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