Senator Rothman E-Newsletter

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In This Update:

  • Gold Star Families Memorial Dedicated
  • Replace Damaged License Plates Today in Silver Spring Twp.
  • “Coming Home to Hunt” Legislation Benefits Families, Economies and Conservation
  • Senate Approves Legislation to Help Relieve PA Nurse Shortage
  • Measures Reinforcing Commercial Vehicle Safety Approved by Committee
  • Walleye Season Opens Saturday
  • May 5 is the Deadline to Register to Vote in the Primary Election
  • Newport High School Sportsmen’s Club Hosts Forum
  • Cumberland County Scouts Earn Highest Attainable Rank
  • Early Detection Saves Lives

Gold Star Families Memorial Dedicated

Slide show of gold star memorial dedication

No one has given more for our nation than the families of the fallen. I was deeply humbled to help dedicate the Gold Star Families Memorial on the state capitol grounds.

The new monument is a permanent place for families to gather, remember, and honor their loved ones who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms. It’s also a reminder that our heroes’ legacies live on. We are inspired not only by the bravery and selflessness of these service members but also by their families’ strength, resilience, and enduring love. Freedom is not free. We remain eternally grateful.

All are encouraged to visit the new memorial located near the intersection of Commonwealth Avenue and Walnut Street in Harrisburg.

Replace Damaged License Plates Today in Silver Spring Twp.

Senator Rothman with a state trooper

Damaged License Plate Replace it for free

If your license plate has seen better days, stop by our FREE license plate replacement event today!

  • Eastern Cumberland County: April 30, 4-6 p.m. in Silver Spring Twp.

PennDOT-issued license plates that have: lost reflectivity, are peeling, blistering, or are discolored, and/or are unreadable from 50 feet away are eligible for FREE replacement. Stop by any of these events to have your plate checked and have all necessary paperwork completed.

More details along with answers to frequently asked questions can be found here.

Today’s event will be the last of four replacement events we’ve organized to help make the process seamless for residents. If you’d like to replace a damaged license plate and can’t make it today, we can still help by providing and submitting the required PennDOT forms–just reach out to any of our district offices for more information.

“Coming Home to Hunt” Legislation Benefits Families, Economies and Conservation

Coming Home to Hunt Reducing Fees Encouraging Recreations Preserving our Heritage Two Deer and a Turkey

Our outdoor heritage, wildlife, and natural resources are a key part of bringing people back to Pennsylvania, which is why I’ve introduced legislation that would encourage those born in Pennsylvania to come home to hunt. My proposal would benefit sportsmen and women, families, local economies and conservation. View more information here.

Senate Approves Legislation to Help Relieve PA Nurse Shortage

Standing nurse in blue uniform, wearing stethoscope and latex gloves hold hand of seated older patient.

The Senate approved legislation to help alleviate Pennsylvania’s nurse shortage by increasing the number of qualified nursing students.

Senate Bill 998 would establish the Nurse Education Capacity Expansion Grant Program, aimed at increasing the number of qualified nursing students by providing targeted support to accredited nursing schools across Pennsylvania.

Nursing education programs would have to meet key performance benchmarks, including strong graduation rates, high licensure exam pass rates and successful job placement outcomes. The bill now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration. Read more about Senate Bill 998 here.

Measures Reinforcing Commercial Vehicle Safety Approved by Committee

White tractor trailer rig driving under highway underpass with red car on its right.

A package of bills to improve safety standards for commercial driver’s license (CDL) holders in Pennsylvania was approved by the Senate Transportation Committee.

The measures are the result of a committee fact-finding hearing in December, which revealed deficiencies and loopholes involving criminal illegal migrants. The hearing was prompted by a fatal crash in the state of Indiana involving a Pennsylvania-issued, non-domiciled CDL held by a citizen of Kyrgyzstan.

The package includes the following bills:

  • Senate Bill 1294 improves the training curriculum and strengthens penalties to shutdown unqualified “CDL Mills.”
  • Senate Bill 1295 requires English proficiency in all testing applications to operate an 80,000-pound commercial vehicle on public highways.
  • Senate Bill 1296 establishes new penalties for out-of-service violations issued to unsafe CDL drivers, including the operation of a heavy commercial vehicle on public highways without English comprehension.

The bills now go to the full Senate for consideration.

Walleye Season Opens Saturday

2026 Walleye Stocking map

Walleye season opens Saturday, May 2. This year, the Fish and Boat Commission will stock over 1.9 million fingerlings and over 12.8 million fry, some in Dauphin and Perry counties. Locate stocked waterways by species here: PFBC Warmwater Coldwater Current Year Stockings. Good luck to everyone heading out this weekend!

May 5 is the Deadline to Register to Vote in the Primary Election

Four white voting booths with image of U.S. flag and the word “Vote” on each depicting polling location.

This Tuesday, May 5 is the deadline to register to vote in the May 19 primary election.

You can register to vote online, by mail or at several government agencies. To register to vote in Pennsylvania, you must:

  • Be a citizen of the United States for at least one month before the next primary election.
  • Be a resident of Pennsylvania and the election district in which you want to register and vote for at least 30 days.
  • Be at least 18 years of age on or before the day of the primary.

Learn more about registering to vote here. Check if you’re registered to vote here.

Newport High School Sportsmen’s Club Hosts Forum

Senator Rothman with a group of children in an auditorium

Senator Rothman with a group of children in an auditorium

The Newport High School Sportsmen’s Club is an impressive group!  I had the pleasure of participating in a forum they hosted this week. 

Not only are they active individually in hunting, fishing, and other outdoor activities, the club helps to stock pheasants with the Game Commission and trout with the Fish and Boat Commission. They’re also working with the Middle Susquehanna Chapter of Delta Waterfowl to build duck nesting boxes and with Whitetails Unlimited to promote conservation of habitat for our deer population. I appreciated the opportunity to hear from and about them.

The forum was open to all students and we covered a broad range of topics, from matters before the Game and Fisheries Committee including wildlife management, to civic engagement and state government in general.

Thanks to the club’s members, advisor Steven Barlup, and Newport School District administration for organizing this event. Keep up the great work!

Cumberland County Scouts Earn Highest Attainable Rank

Senator Rothman with Eagle Scouts and citations

Please join me in congratulating Cumberland County’s newest Eagle Scouts: Kellen Lichty, Grayson Cain and Xander Stover! I had the pleasure of attending their Court of Honor and hearing firsthand about the many ways each has demonstrated leadership, service and commitment throughout the years while learning, applying knowledge and taking on increased responsibility. Troop #196 has been busy doing great things! I couldn’t be prouder of these new Eagle Scouts and was glad to recognize them with PA Senate citations.

Early Detection Saves Lives

Light pink text reading “Mammography Month” over dark pink banner with photo of white mammography machine.

May is Mammography Month in Pennsylvania. It’s an opportunity to spread the word that early detection of breast cancer through mammograms saves lives.

This PA Breast Cancer Coalition resource page fully explains the mammogram process. Mammograms are available at no cost in Pennsylvania—all the more reason to get yours scheduled. Please spread the word to women in your life, too!

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