Teaching our kids shouldn’t be about shareholder dividends. The push for so-called “school choice” is little more than lining the pockets of wealthy donors and corporations while doing nothing to help our kids. This week, the House Education Committee talked about the EITC program that takes $630 million from the state budget with zero accountability.

Weather Normalization Adjustments allow utility companies to charge whatever they feel like charging -- and you end up with higher bills than you should. This needs to stop now! This week, I was proud to join my House Democratic Colleagues to talk about my legislation and others that would lower your bills and put money back in your pocket. 

You won't want to miss the 28th Annual Pike County Commissioners Fishing Derby with a special visit from America250PA's Mobile Unit. Rain or shine, this event will take place from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 18 at Lily Pond in Milford.

Applications for federal financial aid for college students are still being accepted. The deadline for current students to apply is May 1, and for first-time applicants, it is Aug. 1. For more information and to apply, visit here.

Pocono Services for Families and Children this week was awarded a $391,561 grant to expand its structured before/after-school and summer programming for at-risk children ages 5–12 in Monroe County.

The programs offered by PSFC are extremely valuable to the families who need their services. The expansion will allow the organization to open an additional classroom, extend services through summer camp, and increase enrollment capacity to serve approximately 40 children each year.

Speaking of grants, did you know that various state and federal grant opportunities are updated regularly on my website? You can find them here. My office can help your organization with the application. Please contact us for assistance.

My team and I stand ready to assist you on a range of state-related programs. 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, by email at RepProbst@pahouse.net or stop by at 18 S. 9^th St. in Stroudsburg from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

We also have weekly satellite office hours at 193 Municipal Dr. in Lehman Township from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday, and 116 Wilson Hill Road in Delaware Township from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday.

This week, my House colleagues and I passed important bills that will help our neighbors and improve communities:

We passed the governor’s budget proposal with investments in education, health care, public safety, affordable housing, mass transit and more, without raising taxes (HB 2400). The final budget still has to be worked out with the Senate.

We’re holding data centers accountable by requiring them to disclose the nature of their operations and report energy and water usage to the state (HB 2150) and providing communities with an optional approach on zoning for data centers (HB 2151).

We’re supporting families by requiring baby diaper changing stations in new or totally renovated public restrooms, including men’s restrooms (HB 1558).

We’re looking out for kids by helping school sports coaches to spot signs of mental health distress or illness (HB 1706).

We’re strengthening consumer protections by updating the law requiring utilities to provide customer assistance programs to people who fall behind on payments (HB 2333).

If you want to vote in the May 19 primary election, make sure to register by May 4! You can visit vote.pa.gov/register for more information.

The deadline to request a mail-in ballot is May 12. Voting with a mail-in ballot is still a simple, safe and secure way to ensure your voice is heard. You can visit vote.pa.gov/ApplyMailBallot to secure yours today!

I reaffirm my opposition to the Shawnee-Walker 69-kV Transmission Line Project. Concerns regarding property values, environmental impacts, and public health risks have yet to be addressed. Click here or on the image above to read my letter.

The PA State Coalition, NCNW Inc. was in the House chamber Thursday. I love my NCNW Pocono Chapter ladies! Tameko Patterson is the president of the State Coalition and I am lucky to call her my friend.

I’m so proud to see projects like the new Stroud Region Dog Park come to life right here in our community. A big thank you to my Chief of Staff Erin DeRosa for representing our office at the ribbon-cutting. She said the event was paws-itively amazing and the crowd was really fetching.

What a great event at the Bushkill Outreach Program celebrating their senior center. The Pike County Area Agency on Aging made this ribbon-cutting so special along with the Pike County Commissioners, and Lehman Township supervisors. The volunteers are incredible and so are the seniors who can enjoy this lovely space.

I had a great time at the Armory celebrating the Stroud Township Volunteer Fire Department. Congratulations to Christopher Martin with 25 years of service, Brian McCartney with 25 years, William Unruh with 35 years, and Bill Bentzoni with 55 years of service. A huge thank you to all of the volunteers and their families for allowing our volunteer fire department to keep us safe for 77 years. I also want to thank the fire department for giving me an award. It means so much to me and I’m always dedicated to you.

District Office

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

Pennsylvania State Capitol

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