After hearing Gov. Josh Shapiro's budget address, I am excited to continue building upon the successes of recent years regarding affordable housing, education funding, community safety and putting money back in the pockets of families across the commonwealth.

Applications are being accepted for rebates on property taxes or rent paid in 2025. The Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program is for anyone 65 and older, widows and widowers 50 and older, and people with disabilities 18 and older. For more information, to see if you qualify, and to apply, click here or contact my office at (570) 420-2850.

The PA Game Commission said it is considering a proposal to move the opening day of deer season to a date before Thanksgiving. That doesn't seem right to me, so I asked for your thoughts with a survey on my website and social media.

The question was: Would you prefer the start of deer season to be BEFORE or AFTER Thanksgiving?

Almost 3,000 of you responded to my survey and nearly 2,200 of you said it should return to Monday AFTER Thanksgiving. Less than 200 of you agreed with the idea to move the start to Saturday BEFORE Thanksgiving.

Thank you for your input and I will pass it along to the PA Game Commission.

I encourage hunters and residents alike to contact the Game Commission’s Board of Commissioners and share their perspectives on this proposed change. You can email the Board of Commissioners at pgcboard@pa.gov

Do you or does someone you know need help accessing state programs or services? Have a question about a state program or law and don’t know where to go? My team and I stand ready to help on a range of issues.

For help, or to speak with me or a staff member about an issue, please don't hesitate to contact my office at (570) 420-2850.

The 2025-26 state budget — which I proudly supported — includes the Working Pennsylvanians Tax Credit, designed to make life more affordable for working families across Pennsylvania. Modeled after the federal Earned Income Tax Credit, the WPTC helps eligible workers keep more of their hard-earned money. If you qualify for the federal EITC, you automatically qualify for the state credit.

The Shapiro administration has launched an online calculator you can use to help determine if you qualify for the WPTC and estimate how much money you would receive from it.

Thank you Stroudsburg Fire Department for inviting me to the department’s annual  banquet. Congratulations to all of the firemen and women getting their awards and thank you for mine. I am so proud of it and honored. You are our local heroes and we thank you.

I had the honor of swearing in the new Delaware Township Volunteer Fire Co. -- Station 28 Chief Matt Doro. I want to congratulate Rich Bailo for the 2025 Firefighter Of The Year, Matthew Martin and John Keller for the 2025 Rookies Of The Year. Thank you to the first responders who help keep us safe.

The Middle Smithfield Township Person of the Year Dinner was a beautiful reminder of what makes this community so special. It was an honor to be there celebrating community members whose dedication and service truly make a difference. Congratulations to this year’s well-deserving honoree, Jeremy Hartenfels, as well as to finalists Danny Younger and Violette Francois. Three incredible people who work selflessly to better our region.

District Office

18 South 9th Street, Suite 105
Stroudsburg, PA 18360
(570) 420-2850

Pennsylvania State Capitol

5-A East Wing  Main Capitol
Harrisburg, PA 17120
(717) 772-1421