On January 7th, I took the oath of office to begin my second term as your State Representative. I am deeply honored by the trust our community has again placed in me and remain committed to working tirelessly on your behalf to address the challenges we face and seize the opportunities that lie ahead. My focus is on continuing to deliver real results for the people and communities of Centre County and the entire commonwealth. 

In addition to helping bring unprecedented state funding back to our area, my first term focused on issues such as increased funding for public schools, access and affordability of healthcare, tax relief for seniors and working families, and continuing to guarantee Pennsylvanian’s fundamental rights and freedoms. I also successfully championed legislation that improved resources for our veterans, established a first-in-the-nation Agriculture Innovation fund, and reauthorized a $50M tax credit program to spur investment and create jobs in rural communities.

Yet while we have made significant progress, there is still much work to be done. My goal is to build on these accomplishments and to also work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to tackle new priorities including renewable energy and natural resources, innovative economic and infrastructure investment, and reducing costs and creating opportunities for every Pennsylvanian. I am excited to build on our success thus far, and to continue delivering meaningful results for our families and communities. Thank you once again for the incredible privilege and opportunity to serve.

And finally, I am please to note that my first vote of the new legislative session was to re-elect The Honorable Joanna McClinton as Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.

Committee Assignments

Following the swearing-in ceremony I received my House Committee assignments for this cycle. I am pleased to report that I have been re-appointed to four standing committees: Education; Agriculture & Rural Affairs; Veteran Affairs & Emergency Preparedness; and Tourism, Recreation, & Economic Development. I was also appointed to two new committees: Environmental & Natural Resources Protection and Communications & Technology.

These committees will play a vital role in tackling some of the most significant and pressing issues facing Centre County and our commonwealth in the years ahead. Once again, I am honored to have been entrusted to represent our community in Harrisburg, and I welcome your input in helping shape the legislation, policies, and budget priorities that these committees will advance.

Signing the Oath Book for the 2025-26 Legislative Session 

The new year also brought a bittersweet farewell to my District Office Director, Nick Beiling. Nick is taking on a new role in his hometown of Buffalo, NY. I am grateful for his dedication and leadership in helping launch and establish our district office and charting a course for our very successful first term.

Please join me in congratulating Nick and wishing him well as he takes on this new challenge. I know he will bring the same drive and work ethic to his new job that he brought to our office every day.

I always look forward to kicking off the new year at the PA Farm Show! This week-long event showcases the incredible impact and diversity of Pennsylvania’s #1 industry, which adds over $132 billion to our economy while supporting nearly 600,000 jobs and 53,000 farms.

This year, I had the pleasure of once again sitting down with PA Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding to discuss the vital role that agriculture plays in our commonwealth. Our conversation highlighted the importance of supporting farmers, enhancing agricultural education, and investing in sustainable practices. We also talked about the exciting potential of the new Ag Innovation fund which I sponsored and that Governor Shapiro signed into law with an initial investment of $10M.

I look forward to continuing to work with Secretary Redding and his team to ensure a prosperous future for Pennsylvania's agricultural community. Click here or on the video below to see the full interview!

In addition to my House committee assignments, Speaker McClinton also appointed me to be the House Democratic representative on the new Pennsylvania Rural Population Revitalization Commission. This bipartisan, bicameral commission was created by the Legislature to help better understand and address the challenges facing rural communities - including housing, healthcare, education, workforce, and economic opportunities - all of which are contributors to the significant population declines projected for these areas in the decades to come.

Advocating for rural Pennsylvanians and ensuring that they have a strong voice in Harrisburg has been and remains one of my top priorities, and I’m excited for this opportunity to explore how we can better serve and support our rural areas and neighbors.  

During the Farm Show, I joined my fellow commissioners for our official swearing-in and for the first of what will be many public hearings held across Pennsylvania in the years ahead. You can watch the full press conference here, and learn more about the commission, which supports The Center for Rural Pennsylvania. 

We are thrilled to announce our partnership with the Centre County Youth Service Bureau for our very first Clothing Drive! We invite you to join us in collecting new and gently used clothing for children and youth at the Mountaintop Youth Center.

You can drop off your donations at any of our district and satellite offices throughout Centre County, as well as the Snow Shoe Post Office. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us at (814) 308-0569 or visit our district office in State College.

The Pennsylvania Department of Aging is reminding older adults that the annual Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period is now underway. This period, running from January 1 to March 31, allows beneficiaries to enroll in Medicare or switch to a different plan.

The Pennsylvania Medicare Education and Decision Insight (PA MEDI) program offers free, unbiased counseling to help seniors make informed health insurance decisions. This initiative ensures that older adults can optimize their cost savings and access to healthcare.

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is here to help you keep your home warm and safe during the coldest months. The 2024-25 LIHEAP season is open through April 4, 2025.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Income: Your household income must be at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Level. For example, a household of four must have an annual income of $46,800 or less.
• Residency: You must be a resident of Pennsylvania.
• Home Heating Responsibility: You must be responsible for paying your heating costs, either directly or as part of your rent.

How to Apply:

1. Online: Apply for LIHEAP benefits using COMPASS, the online tool for Pennsylvanians to apply for health and human service programs.
2. Paper Application: Download, print, fill out, and return the paper application to your local county assistance office.

Crisis Assistance: If you're experiencing a heating emergency (e.g., broken heating equipment, lack of fuel), you may be eligible for additional crisis grants.

Don't wait! Apply today to ensure your home stays warm and safe this winter. For more information, visit Pennsylvania's LIHEAP website.

The enforcement deadline for REAL ID is coming up on May 7, 2025. If you haven't obtained your REAL ID yet, now is the time to act!

Important Info:

• Where to Apply: You can visit PennDOT's Driver and Vehicle Services offices statewide to process your REAL ID transactions.
• Required Documents: Bring proof of identity (e.g., birth certificate or passport), proof of Social Security number, and two proofs of Pennsylvania residency (e.g., utility bills).

Don't miss out on this opportunity to ensure your travel and identification needs are met. Stay ahead and get your REAL ID now!

For more details, visit PennDOT’s REAL ID website.

Finally, I want to bring to your attention an important resource that could benefit many in our community—the Unclaimed Property Program through the Pennsylvania Treasury. This program helps reunite Pennsylvanians with lost or forgotten assets, such as uncashed checks, insurance policies, and forgotten bank accounts.

To see if you have unclaimed property waiting for you, visit Treasury's website at patreasury.gov, call their helpline at 1-800-222-2046, or give our office a call at 814-308-0569. It's a simple process, and you might just discover some unexpected funds. Let's make sure everyone gets back what rightfully belongs to them!

Pennsylvania State Capitol

103-B East Wing
Harrisburg, PA 17120

(717) 772-0750

District Office

216 W. Hamilton Ave.
State College, PA 16801

(814) 308-0569