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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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New District Video Alert!!
I recently sat down with Pike County Commissioners Ron Schmalzle and Matt Osterberg to talk about tourism and hospitality. Our district is bursting with so many ways to get out and enjoy nature, a good meal and local entertainment. Check it out below:
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Unleashing PA’s Energy Industry
House and Senate Republicans joined union and industry leaders Tuesday to celebrate Pennsylvania’s departure from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), as well as landmark permitting reforms that, together, will create renewed opportunities to grow our energy industry and economy.
RGGI is a multi-state pact that would have added more than a billion dollars in new electricity taxes on families and job creators in the Commonwealth. While it never fully took effect, the mere threat of it caused Pennsylvania to lose out on 22,000 direct energy-related jobs and nearly $8 billion in economic development in recent years.
In addition to freeing the Commonwealth from RGGI, the 2025-26 state budget agreement adopted by the General Assembly and signed by the governor last week removes further impediments to economic growth by streamlining key permitting processes, providing both predictability and accountability for industries looking to invest in our Commonwealth.
These powerful policy changes bring the certainty and stability needed to encourage new and expanded energy investment, generate new job opportunities, stabilize the electric grid and lower consumer energy prices for Pennsylvania.
You can watch the full press conference here, and you can listen to my comments, too.
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District Happenings
Be sure to check out my Facebook page for a recap of all district events and celebrations, including:
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Stopping by the Hope Community Center Soup & Chili Cookoff. |
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Attending the Wallenpaupack High School Band & Color Guard Annual Craft Fair. |
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Celebrating at the Forest Volunteer Fire Department Awards Banquet./td>
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Congratulating Northeastern Infrastructure’s $200 million maintenance contract. |
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Addressing the Chamber of the Northern Poconos’ Legislative Breakfast. |
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House GOP Calls for Investigation After Terror-Connected Illegal Alien Obtains PA CDL, REAL ID
In the wake of news that an Uzbeki national illegal immigrant with ties to terrorism obtained a Pennsylvania Commercial Driver’s License with a REAL ID indication, the leaders of the Pennsylvania House Republican Caucus sent a letter to Attorney General Dave Sunday and Auditor General Tim DeFoor demanding an investigation to find out how this happened and prevent reoccurrence.
The incident raises serious questions about public safety, especially since REAL IDs allow people to gain access to air travel, military installations and other federal buildings. It also raises concerns about the security of our elections due to the Shapiro administration’s automatic voter registration policies.
A copy of the letter is available here.
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Cash Must Be Accepted at School Events
A new state law makes cash an acceptable form of payment for admission to school-sponsored events in Pennsylvania.
Many schools across the Commonwealth have been rejecting cash as a form of payment for school-sponsored events and activities, instead requiring spectators to use credit or debit cards, or order tickets online or through an app. This doesn’t work for people who, for various reasons, may not have credit cards or smart phones, or the technical capabilities to access the internet to purchase tickets.
Ticket purchases via the internet or apps also require buyers to surrender a lot of personal information, which is particularly troublesome for senior citizens, a group often targeted by scams.
For many who simply want to see their child, grandchild or friends play ball, the new law will permit them to purchase tickets with cash – the legal currency of the United States.
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Beware ‘Veteran Savings Program’ Scam
The Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) is alerting veterans to a scam now circulating that involves a direct-mail postcard claiming to offer eligible veterans an additional $160 per month through something called the “PA Veteran Savings Program 2025.”
The postcard appears official at first glance, using formal language and referencing programs such as CHAMPVA and TRICARE for Life. It urges recipients to call within five days to “help manage call volume,” a tactic often used to pressure veterans into responding quickly. However, the postcard contains several red flags. It does not include a return address, and it lists a bogus phone number (855-600-2411) designed to lure callers into sharing personal information.
If you or someone you know receives suspicious mail, emails or phone calls promising new benefits, financial increases or requests for personal information, it’s important not to respond directly. Instead, seek verification from trusted sources.
Pennsylvania veterans and family members who are uncertain about any solicitation are encouraged to contact the DMVA at 800-547-2838.
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