Dear Neighbor,

I am devastated and heartbroken by the senseless and politically motivated violence that claimed the lives of Minnesota Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, and left Sen. John Hoffman and his wife gravely injured. This tragedy shakes the very foundation of our democracy and must not be tolerated.

Our nation is the home of a democracy Of, By, and For the People. We the People determine the fate and the future of our country and our lives because WE the People choose the representatives who we want to represent us as our government makes decisions for the betterment of All. We resolve our differences by the ballot – not the bullet.

I continue to pray for the families of the victims, the people of Minnesota facing an immeasurable loss, and for our country to step back from hatred and extremism and recommit ourselves to the principles of justice, peace, and democracy.

Earlier this month I joined fellow local legislators for a tour of Mom-n-PA’s annual two-day free dental clinic for underserved Pennsylvanians hosted at the Mohegan Arena in Wilkes-Barre. During the event, dental treatment is provided at no cost to individuals who cannot afford dental care.

This important and impressive operation saw over 800 patients and donated over $890,000 worth of dental care during the event held June 6 & 7. I want to extend a special shout out and thank you to the HUNDREDS of Dentists, Dental Specialists, and volunteers who donated their time and talent to help our underserved neighbors receive dental care!

One of the most rewarding parts of serving as co-chair of the PA Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus is bringing together colleagues from both sides of the aisle through our shared passion for hunting and fishing. It’s a unique way to unite around something that transcends politics—our deep appreciation for the incredible forests, lakes, and waterways we’re fortunate to have here in Pennsylvania.

With an abundance of world-class hunting and fishing opportunities, it’s no surprise that Pennsylvania’s sportsmen and women contribute $1.5 billion to our economy each year. But the impact of our outdoor heritage goes beyond recreation and economic growth.

Through the Sportsmen’s Caucus, we’re also proud to support Hunters Sharing the Harvest (HSH)—a remarkable nonprofit that enables hunters to donate venison to families in need. Since its founding in 1991, HSH has distributed more than 2.5 million pounds of venison to food pantries and assistance centers across the Commonwealth—including 280,000 pounds to 14 PA Food Banks in the past year.

That’s why I helped organize last week’s annual Sportsmen’s Caucus reception at the Tavern on the Hill in Enola. Held on the outdoor patio, the event brought together members of the General Assembly, state agencies, conservation groups, food assistance partners, and longtime supporters of the HSH mission. It was an evening of great food, fellowship, and purpose. I’m especially proud that the Caucus is contributing $2,500 from the event’s proceeds directly to Hunters Sharing the Harvest.

If you’re one of Pennsylvania’s 850,000 licensed hunters, I encourage you to donate any extra deer to this vital program. Processing is free for the donor—and your generosity can help feed some of the more than 2 million food-insecure Pennsylvanians, including over 630,000 children.

Find a participating processor here. Please be sure to call ahead before donating to make sure they have capacity to take your donation.

Learn more about HSH and how to donate your extra deer here.

The right to peacefully assemble and protest is one of the founding principles of our democracy protected by the First Amendment of our Constitution. Regardless of who you are or what you believe, you have the right to express yourself so long as you are not hurting others.

I applaud all my fellow Americans who take the time to stand up and make their voices heard about the issues and challenges important to them. As we saw over this past weekend locally and across the country, even at a time of heightened emotion and partisanship, thousands of Americans can still peacefully gather to demonstrate – and I will do whatever I can to make sure it stays that way, regardless of party.

Celebrate America’s 250th birthday in style next year with the new Liberty Bell license plates.

Plates will be available for standard vehicles and trucks, including personalized plates. If you have a specialty plate (military, special fund, or organization plate), switching to the new plate will replace it with a standard plate. 

You can also take this opportunity to request a new personalized plate.

Don’t forget - Pennsylvania also offers Special Fund, Specialty,  Military and Special Organization license plates, the majority of which can be personalized. All available license plates can be found here.

I’m excited to share some important news that directly benefits the backbone of our community—our unpaid caregivers. Recently, the Pennsylvania Department of Aging proudly unveiled the PA CareKit, an innovative toolkit created to support the 1.5 million unpaid caregivers across our commonwealth.

Recognizing that many throughout our commonwealth also serve as caregivers for loved ones—whether for a spouse, an adult child, or even a grandchild—the PA CareKit brings personalized guides, access to respite services, and comprehensive training resources right to your fingertips.

This initiative reflects our commitment to easing the caregiving burden and ensuring that you also receive the care and support you deserve.

Need help navigating financial aid?

Register for a FREE webinar to get expert guidance on securing the funds you deserve. Whether it’s scholarship information, financial aid timelines, or just knowing where to start, there is a webinar for you to attend. There is one more event in June, so register today: Financial Aid Webinars.

Let us continue to work together to build a stronger and safer America by searching for the TRUTH and finding the FACTS to guide our words, and our actions. Please, STAY STRONG and SAFE! Our democracy needs us to come together for the good of all.

Sincerely,

Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski

121st Legislative District