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In this Update:
Celebrating Community Schools Day
Staff from my office attended the United Way Community Schools conference in Erie, where leaders from across the country gathered to learn from our region’s success. I’m proud to support this impactful model. Governor Josh Shapiro also issued a statewide citation recognizing July 23rd as United Way Community Schools Day in Pennsylvania. State-Funded Tutoring Program Coming to Girard Schools
This week, I met with leaders from the Girard School District to discuss their legislative priorities and the launch of a new tutoring program I helped secure through state funding. Starting this fall, Girard will welcome six full-time tutors from HeyTutor, a company specializing in academic support for middle and high school students. This initiative will provide targeted, in-person help to students who need it most, boosting achievement and building confidence in the classroom. Hands-On Support for Habitat for Humanity
My wife Peggy and I were honored to help build a new Habitat for Humanity home in Erie and celebrate its completion this week. As a former home builder, it was meaningful to lend a hand alongside Peggy and her team from Parker Lord Corporation. We’re grateful to Habitat for Humanity of Erie and all the volunteers working to make homeownership possible for more families. Do You Have Unclaimed Money Waiting for you?
I’m hosting an Unclaimed Property Event on Thursday, August 21, from 10 AM to 2 PM at the Erie County Public Library (160 E Front St, Erie). Staff from the Pennsylvania Treasury will be there to help you search for unclaimed money or assets — and you might be surprised by what you find. No appointment is necessary, and the service is completely free. With 1 in 10 Pennsylvanians having unclaimed property, there’s a good chance the Treasury owes you something. I hope you’ll stop by! Bill to Expand Body Camera Use for Law Enforcement Passes Senate
To boost safety and accountability, the Senate passed legislation to expand the use of body-worn cameras to additional law enforcement personnel. The measure was sent to the House of Representatives for consideration. Senate Bill 520 authorizes the use of body cameras by special agents with the Office of Attorney General, rangers with the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, and officers and deputies with the Pennsylvania Game Commission and Fish and Boat Commission. The bill also modernizes the legal framework for body camera usage to ensure consistency in how footage is recorded and managed, regardless of the department using it. New Law Protects Users of Virtual Currency
We passed a new law to protect the increasing number of Pennsylvanians using virtual currency, such as Bitcoin. Act 7 of 2025 requires transmission of virtual currency to be treated similar to money transmission under state law. As more citizens use virtual currencies, the criminal element has increasingly focused on using this platform to evade prosecution. Pennsylvania will join 26 other states regulating virtual currency under their money transmitter acts so individuals can engage with virtual currencies at their own discretion with consumer safeguards in place. Nature Photo Contest Accepting Entries
Do you like to tell stories through photographs? The Susquehanna Greenway Photo Contest is accepting submissions through July 31. The contest focuses on life along the Susquehanna River through four categories: Recreation, Transportation, River Towns and Wildlife. Winners receive cash prizes and recognition in a traveling gallery. Find details and submission information here. You can view the stunning photographs from last year’s winners here. Flooded Roads: Turn Around, Don’t Drown
More than half of flood-related drownings occur when a vehicle is driven into flood water. It takes just 12 inches of rushing water to carry away most cars. Please play it safe and don’t drive around barricades on flooded roads. Never willingly walk, swim or drive through flood waters. Turn around, don’t drown. Celebrate National Ice Cream Month with PA Creameries
With nearly 5,000 dairy farms, Pennsylvania ranks third nationally in ice cream production. You can make your summer sweeter by visiting PA creameries through Scooped: An Ice Cream Trail. The trail connects dairy farm families and ice cream lovers at 52 destinations statewide. Travelers can plan their adventures, learn about participating creameries and accumulate redeemable points by visiting trail stops and making purchases. Find a list of participating creameries, their features and sign-up information here.
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