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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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Please do not reply directly to this email, as it returns to an unmanned account.
You are welcome to contact me through this link.
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Local Hero and Surviving WWII Army Ranger Honored
Earlier today I honored Sgt. Joseph J. Drake, a local centenarian and one of only five surviving World War II Army Rangers. Drake also received the Congressional Gold Medal during a ceremony in Washington, D.C. Mr. Drake is a true local hero. When I learned he was still waiting to receive his Congressional Gold Medal, I immediately reached out to Congressman Rob Bresnahan. He and his team worked diligently to ensure Mr. Drake received the recognition he so greatly deserves. I’m proud to have played a small part in that process, and I’m thrilled for Mr. Drake and his family.
Mr. Drake was drafted on April 30, 1943, and sent to Camp Shelby, Mississippi, with the newly formed 69th Infantry Division. He later joined Ranger Company A, 2nd Ranger Infantry Battalion, where his job was to patrol the surrounding areas around landing sites in search of enemy troops. He fought in the Battles of Brest, the Huertgen Forest and the Battle of the Bulge. After the deactivation of the 2nd Ranger Battalion, he was honorably discharged in December 1945.
The Congressional Gold Medal, the highest honor presented by Congress, has been awarded to a variety of groups, including the World War II Army Rangers. These military heroes were chosen in recognition of their extraordinary bravery, sacrifice and critical contributions during the war. It honors not only the courage of the Army Rangers during one of the most critical moments in modern history but also acknowledges the enduring legacy of an elite group that once numbered 7,000 and now includes just five living members.
Since the first medal was awarded to George Washington in 1776, it has honored military leaders, scientists, artists and others who have shaped our nation. To date, less than 200 recipients have been presented with the award.
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House-Passed Budget Won’t Grow PA Economy
The state House advanced a 2025-26 budget proposal last week, despite my negative vote.
While the plan spends about $900 million less than what the governor originally proposed back in February, it still substantially exceeds the amount of revenue we expect to bring in over the next year.
House Bill 1330 also fails to deliver on policies necessary to grow our economy and set us up for future success. I join my fellow House Republicans in working to unleash the full potential of our energy industry; ensuring efficiency in government, including eliminating waste, fraud and abuse; and supporting a student-centered education.
With the proposal now before the Senate, we look forward to continued negotiations to develop a budget that will better serve the people of Pennsylvania. You can read my full statement on the budget here.
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District Happenings
Be sure to check out my Facebook page for a recap of district events and celebrations, including Craig Lowe and Johnathan Romance, Pike County Conservation District and Wayne Conservation District, Pike County Christmas in July, Lackawaxen Township Fire Department’s Annual Field Day, American Legion Post 129 Ladies Auxiliary Tricky Tray Fundraiser and Tafton Fire Company’s 74th Annual World Famous Outing!
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Turn Around, Don’t Drown
With all the rain we’ve been seeing in our region and across the Commonwealth, it’s important to remember how dangerous floodwaters can be.
If you approach a flooded roadway, turn your vehicle around. It only takes a few inches of water to sweep a vehicle away, putting your life in danger, as well as the lives of first responders who come to your aid.
Never drive around “road closed” signs and use detours instead. The message is simple. Turn around; don’t drown.
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Know Before You Go!
Whether you are heading out on a summer road trip or simply going to work or to run an errand, you can find out if your route is clear simply by checking 511PA!
511PA is part of a statewide travel information service which provides reliable traffic, weather and transit information to travelers to reduce congestion, and improve safety and mobility in Pennsylvania. 511PA uses real-time traffic data from various sources throughout the state to give all the latest updates.
Information is available through 511PA by dialing 5-1-1 from any phone or by visiting www.511PA.com on your computer or mobile device. You may also follow any of the 511PA regional X (formerly Twitter) pages. 511PA tweets include news releases and traffic advisories, along with all traffic and construction events on the 511PA network in that region. You can access these regional pages from the X link on the 511PA web page.
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Reducing Food Waste, Helping People in Need
A new state law aims to boost food donation and reduce waste by limiting liability for donated food that is past its “best by” date.
Date labels on food generally are established by the manufacturer to indicate the best use-by date for purposes of freshness; however, many potential food donors misinterpret these labels as “expiration dates” or indicators of food safety. The law aims to encourage the donation of surplus food to help the more than 1.2 million people in Pennsylvania who are food insecure, including more than 325,000 children.
Act 13 of 2025 amends the free-standing Donated Food Limited Liability Act to limit criminal and civil liability for persons who donate food that is fit for human consumption but is past a date code on the food item. The donor must make a good faith evaluation that the food is fit for human consumption and a donor has immunity unless damages result from the negligent, reckless or intentional misconduct of the donor.
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PA Full Participant in Interstate Medical, Nurse and Physical Therapy Licensure Compacts
Pennsylvania is now a full participant in three health care licensure compacts that make it easier for qualified doctors, nurses and physical therapists to provide care across state lines.
Act 79 of 2024, which I supported, opened the door to allow the Commonwealth to become a full participant in the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLC), Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) and Physical Therapy Licensure Compact (PT Compact).
Instead of requiring months to complete the full licensure process, as a result of full compact participation, out-of-state practitioners are now able to contribute to Pennsylvania’s health care workforce within days, helping to meet critical staffing needs and improving access to care.
In addition, doctors, nurses and physical therapists licensed in Pennsylvania can now work in other states that are members of the compacts.
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Applications Open for Cultural and Historical Support Grants
The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) is now accepting applications for its Cultural and Historical Support Grants program, which provides funding to eligible museums and official county historical societies in the Commonwealth.
Applications must be submitted by midnight on Friday, Aug. 22. Please note that all PHMC grant applications are now submitted through the Commonwealth’s Single Application for Assistance system.
For detailed eligibility information and grant guidelines, click here.
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Upcoming District Events
My staff and I have a lot of events planned in the coming months. More details to follow, but here is a sneak peek:
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