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In this Update:

• Supporting PA Veterans and Military Families
• New Military License Plates to Honor PA Veterans
• Driver Training Program to Improve Work Zone Safety
• Giving the Gift of Education with PA 529
• 2025-26 FAFSA Form is Live
• Around the District: Local Businesses, Local Government and Eagle Scout Honors

Supporting PA Veterans and Military Families

Pennsylvania owes a debt of gratitude to all the brave men and women who have defended our freedom, as well as the citizens who continue to protect our nation and its interests across the globe. The Senate passed bills this legislative session to support our veterans and their families that were all signed into law.

One new law expands access to benefits for disabled veterans. Another provides additional community outreach services to help ensure that all veterans are aware of the resources available to them. We also passed a law that would allow them to fish for free in therapeutic recreation events and programs.

Military families often experience changes to their living situation and extended parental absences which can present a challenge for children in school. To help with this, we passed laws to provide educational support for children of National Guard and Reserve members and to ensure residency status, securing in-state tuition rates, for Pennsylvania college students when their military parent is mobilized or serving out-of-state. Read more about legislation to honor our veterans and defend our freedoms.

New Military License Plates to Honor PA Veterans

Pennsylvania now offers six new license plates to honor military veterans.

Three of the plates recognize service members who received medals or honors for individual achievements or deployments. They include the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal Registration Plate, the Operation Inherent Resolve Veterans Plate and the Borinqueneers Congressional Gold Medal Registration Plate. For $26, the plates – which bear a graphic of the medal awarded – can be used on cars or trucks.

The other three new plate designs recognize female veterans. Two are available for motorcycles and the third is for cars and trucks. They include the Women Veteran Motorcycle Registration Plate and the Women Veteran Registration Plate both for $26 and the Honoring Our Women Veteran Motorcycle Registration Plate for $41.

Driver Training Program to Improve Work Zone Safety

A new, statewide training program is available to all motorists – particularly new drivers – to improve driver safety and roadway worker protection.

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s program uses videos, infographics, knowledge checks and testimonials to teach new drivers work zone laws, signage and key facts. It also offers real-life scenarios to enhance understanding. The free, 35-minute virtual course is available in English and Spanish.

There are more than 1,400 work zone crashes across Pennsylvania annually, with more than 600 resulting in injuries and 15 in death.

Giving the Gift of Education with PA 529

If you’re still looking for a gift for the children in your life, consider the gift of education. A gift made to their PA 529 College and Career Savings Program will help make their future bright, no matter what path they take.

PA 529 offers two plans: the PA 529 Investment Plan and the PA 529 Guaranteed Savings Plan. Friends and family can also help save using Ugift, a free gifting platform. The unique code they need to contribute to your child’s account can be found in your PA 529 account online.

Contributions to a PA 529 account made by Dec. 31 qualify for deductions on 2024 PA state income taxes, including those made by a gift giver.

2025-26 FAFSA Form is Live

The online and paper form of the 2025-26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is available now.

Colleges and career schools use the FAFSA form to determine how much financial aid students are eligible to receive. The aid may include grants, scholarships, work-study funds and loans. Students must apply for aid every year.

The Department of Education addressed issues with the FAFSA system and modernized internal systems and processes. It also updated resources to help students and families better navigate the FAFSA form and process. Learn more.

Around the District: Local Businesses, Local Government and Eagle Scout Honors

This week, I had the pleasure of visiting several local businesses, to discuss their operations, their investment in our communities, and their outlook for the coming year. I appreciated the hospitality and great conversations at each stop. 

Rep. Joe Kerwin and I enjoyed meeting with the current owner and leadership team at Koppy’s Propone in Williamstown. They’re celebrating 80 years of service this year as a third-generation family business. We talked about the importance of Pennsylvania maintaining energy choice for consumers.

Thanks to Glen Hoffman for showing me around Hoffman’s Outdoor Power and Repair in Halifax. I appreciated hearing his perspective on the current economic environment for small business owners and thanked him for taking the risk as an entrepreneur. 

Pizza Delight in Halifax never disappoints! I made sure to thank the owner for investing in as well as serving his community and of course, providing a delicious product.

Several of my visits were to facilities that make delicious dairy products (ice cream, yogurt and cheeses) from locally sourced milk and cream.  Thanks to Hall’s Ice Cream in Millerstown and to Reykjavik Creamery in Newville for your hospitality, sharing your successes, and of course, feeding us!  I was delighted to join with Rep. Gleim and Rep. Stambaugh for these thoroughly enjoyable visits.

Thanks to Williamstown Borough Council President Dane Williard for sharing his time and perspective with Rep. Joe Kerwin and me. I always appreciate the opportunity to discuss current issues and community needs.

Please join me in congratulating our newest Eagle Scout, Eric Carmo of Troop 64, in Duncannon!  I was grateful to participate in his Court of Honor this week and present a PA Senate citation to formally recognize this momentous achievement.  Eric is impressive; he has demonstrated a deep commitment to service in scouting and beyond. If you’re in and around Duncannon, check out the Little Lending Libraries he installed as part of his Eagle Scout project.  Well done, Eric!

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