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In this Update:

• Schools Can Apply Now for Safety, AED Training Grants
• Back to School: Bus Safety Legislation Awaits House Action
• Strategies to Make Electricity More Affordable Highlighted at Senate Hearing
• Perry County Community Fair is Underway!
• Elk Cam Shows Largest Free-Roaming Elk population in Eastern U.S.
• In the District
• Happy 200^th Birthday, Williamstown!

Schools Can Apply Now for Safety, AED Training Grants

School districts can now apply for the latest round of funding to improve safety, including an initiative passed by the General Assembly to increase the presence of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) at school events.

Under the School Safety and Mental Health Grant Program, school districts, career and technical centers, intermediate units, charter schools and cyber charter schools are eligible for funding to use for safety and security assessments, staff training and more. It can also be used to improve CPR training and AED preparedness.

In addition, nonpublic schools can apply for CPR/AED Training for Nonpublic Schools Grant Program that can be used for CPR and AED training.

The AED funding is made available through Greg Moyer’s Law, named in honor of Pennsylvania student-athlete Greg Moyer, who died after suffering sudden cardiac arrest during a high school basketball game.

To stay up to date on a wide variety of both public and private grant opportunities, sign up to receive my monthly funding newsletter here.

Back to School: Bus Safety Legislation Awaits House Action

Over the past five years, more than 25,000 Pennsylvania drivers have been cited for school zone violations, of which almost one third were cited for overtaking or illegally passing a school bus. The Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania breaks down the numbers here.

In September 2025, the Senate unanimously passed Senate Bill 65, Enhancing the Safe Transportation of School Children, which would extend the stopping distance requirement from 10 feet to 15 feet before reaching the bus when the red signal lights are flashing and the side stop arm is activated. It also develops a tiered penalty system for a second or subsequent offense. Current law does not penalize repeat offenders.

With the start of a new school year nearly a year later, it still awaits a vote by the full House of Representatives. Read more about this effort to boost school bus safety here.

Strategies to Make Electricity More Affordable Highlighted at Senate Hearing

Strategies to increase energy production and lower utility bills for Pennsylvanians were the focus of a public hearing by the Senate Majority Policy Committee.

The committee heard from taxpayer advocates, energy generators, utilities, business groups and more. Pennsylvania is the top electricity exporter and supplier of natural gas, but the retirement of generation sources is driving up prices and risking electric grid reliability.

Testifiers noted the commonwealth needs to build more reliable energy  generation to keep prices stable and ensure access to energy. Read more and access hearing video here.

Perry County Community Fair Underway!

The Perry County Community Fair is underway, with livestock shows, the tractor parade, horse pulling, chainsaw carving, live music, giveaways, great food and so much more! The fair runs through Saturday, August 22, so there’s still time to get in on the fun. We’ll be there every day, so come see us at our booth. Check out all of the details here.

While at the fair this week, I had the opportunity to personally congratulate Perry County 2026 Friend of the Fair, Bob Crozier, and 2026 Perry County Farmer of the Year, Richard Bratton. Please join me in congratulating these dedicated, hard-working men!

Elk Cam Shows Largest Free-Roaming Elk population in Eastern U.S.

Elk were once native to Pennsylvania but disappeared in the 1800s due to overhunting and habitat loss. Today, Pennsylvania is home to approximately 1,400 elk, making it the largest free-roaming elk population in the eastern U.S.

Interested in seeing for yourself? Live from Elk State Forest in northern PA, the Elk Cam is a window into the world of these impressive animals, as well as turkey, deer and other wildlife. Best viewing times are mornings and evenings.

As Chairman of the Senate Game & Fisheries Committee, last year, I had the opportunity to visit the Elk Country Visitor Center and learn more about elk, including their biology, preferred habitat, and their reintroduction into Pennsylvania. You, too, can learn more about these and other elk-related topics here.

In the District

A little rain didn’t stop us from having a great meal and good fellowship in Northern Dauphin County last weekend. Thank you to the Dauphin County Farm Bureau for the invitation! Spending time with local FFA students is always a highlight.

We had a great visit this week at Volvo Construction Equipment in Shippensburg. Their impressive facility is expanding to bring even more large-equipment production closer to customers – strengthening their North American footprint and growing a more local supplier base.

With over 700 jobs already on site, this growth is a major win for Shippensburg and the surrounding communities. It is incredible to see this level of innovation happening right here in our community!

Please join me in congratulating Perry County’s newest Eagle Scouts, Mattingly Kline and Carson Sauders! I was honored to celebrate with them and their families. Thank you to Troop 92 for inviting me!

I also had the privilege of meeting with Eagle Scout Abram Luffy of Troop 120 in Shippensburg this week at the Shippensburg district office. Abram designed and constructed a wooden equipment cart for the unified bocce team and is an all-around impressive young man. Congratulations, Abram!

Thank you to Mt. Holly Springs for a fun and informative National Night Out! I appreciated the chance to connect with the many community members and first responders who make this town so strong.

Happy 200th Birthday, Williamstown!

Representative Joe Kerwin and I had a great time kicking off Williamstown’s 200th birthday celebration. The event organizers did an incredible job pulling it all together!  It is an honor to represent a town built on hometown pride, hard work and genuine community. Thank you for inviting me.

My office is pleased to send greetings for acknowledgement of accomplishments and special occasions such as this. If you would like to obtain a citation from my office, click here. Every effort will be made to honor each request.