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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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District Highlights
Be sure to check out my Facebook page for a recap of District happenings, including:
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Dropping in at the “Pour it Forward” charity auto show at Three Hammers Winery. |
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Helping kick off Choosing Integrity’s 5th Annual Pickleball Tournament at Airport Park. |
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Celebrating with community leaders for the $1.25 million funding secured for the Eastern Pike County Sewer extension project. |
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Supporting constituents at the Minisink Battleground Park’s Revolutionary War reenactments. |
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Stopping by the Hawley Senior Center picnic. |
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Commemorating the 100th anniversary of Lake Wallenpaupack. |
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Setting the Record Straight on Felony Murder Sentencing
Public safety and victims’ rights are being threatened in the Commonwealth because of the actions of House Democrats, who hold the majority in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.
Late last week, we were called back into session one day before a deadline established by the PA Supreme Court to correct sentencing guidelines for second-degree murder, also referred to as felony murder. The court ruled the current guidelines, which call for a mandatory minimum sentence of life in prison without parole, unconstitutional.
A bill to rectify the situation, which had passed with bipartisan support in the Senate, was poised for a vote and could have been promptly signed into law. Instead, Democrat leaders chose to play politics with this crucial public safety issue, risking the release of hundreds of people convicted of felony murder. Imagine being the loved one of a murder victim and learning the justice you thought was secured for him or her was now at risk because of this failure by Democrat leaders to act responsibly on their behalf.
The bill that was ultimately put up for a vote significantly waters down the sentences in these cases – cases where real people lost their lives and families and loved ones continue to suffer because of those actions. The bill also provides loopholes through which these criminals could avoid serving their sentences. I could not in good conscience vote for it.
I value public safety and the rights of victims and their families to justice, and I will always stand up to defend them.
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New Telemarketing Law to Benefit Consumers
Telemarketing companies will be prohibited from “spoofing” and limited in when they can make calls under a new law unanimously approved by the General Assembly and signed into law by the governor.
Act 47 of 2026 specifically bans telemarketing companies from faking their name or spoofing a local phone number on a caller ID in an attempt to trick people into answering. It also limits calling hours to between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Saturday, instead of the current 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Calls will be prohibited on Sundays and holidays as well.
Additionally, the law requires clear, upfront disclosures about the purpose of the call, the telemarketer’s identity and what’s being sold. It requires immediate cessation of a solicitation call when requested and expands to prohibit all deceptive or abusive telemarketing acts.
The law takes effect in 90 days.
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Veterans Temporary Assistance Available
The Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) is reminding veterans of the Veterans Temporary Assistance (VTA) program, which provides financial relief for necessities of life such as food, shelter, fuel and clothing.
Since the inception of the VTA, DMVA has awarded more than $8.6 million to assist over 9,650 service members, veterans and their families with emergent financial needs.
Eligible veterans or their survivors can qualify for an amount not to exceed $1,600 in a 12-month period. For more information about the program’s criteria, eligibility and needed documentation, go to Veterans Temporary Assistance. To apply, eligible veterans should contact the county veterans affairs director in the county in which they reside.
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National Night Out
This Tuesday, Aug. 4, is National Night Out, a day set aside to promote police-community partnerships and engage all of us in the effort to support the health and safety of our friends and neighbors.
Millions of people across the country will take part in National Night Out events, including block parties, festivals, parades, cookouts and more.
Here are a few of the celebrations happening in our communities:
Tuesday, Aug. 4, from 5 to 8 p.m.
Hawley Borough, Bingham Park
Tuesday, Aug. 4, from 5 to 8 p.m.
Dingman Township Park, 679 Log Tavern Road, Milford
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Saturday is PA Donor Day
On Aug. 1, 2020, Pennsylvania’s first-ever PA Donor Day was recognized as a moment to galvanize the state and rally behind the more than 6,000 Pennsylvanians waiting for a life-saving transplant. The date was chosen because one registered donor has the power to save eight lives.
PA Donor Day will be celebrated this Saturday, Aug. 1. All Pennsylvanians are encouraged to take a moment to register, knowing they could someday save someone’s life. Please click here for more information.
The Legislature has consistently shown support for organ donation and earlier this year adopted House Resolution 432, which officially recognizes April as Donate Life Month and April 10, 2026, as Blue and Green Day. Blue and Green Day encourages people to wear those colors to encourage people to register as organ, eye and tissue donors.
Under Act 102 of 1993, Pennsylvania became the first state to establish a driver’s license organ donor registry and mandate hospital referrals for potential donor evaluations.
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Upcoming District Events
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