If you have been in the “wait and see” category when it comes to COVID-19 vaccines, wait no more. With the delta variant of COVID-19 rapidly spreading in our communities, we have the ability to protect our families, friends and neighbors from serious illness and hospitalization by getting va…

Out nation watched in horror

Every 10 years, state officials are required to redraw state General Assembly and congressional seats. Though this may sound like a just a step in the legislative process, it has a great impact on you. Where the lines are drawn determines who is eligible to represent you and your neighbors i…

In a few short weeks, the board of governors of Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) will vote on a plan to consolidate six of its campuses, dramatically reducing its offerings to students in northwest, central and southwest Pennsylvania. If approved, the consolidation wi…

Korean War Veteran Lester Sipe’s right hand visibly shook while saluting during Taps in Newville at the Veterans’ Memorial on Memorial Day 2021. Meanwhile, another Newville Veteran’s toddler son played nearby in his wagon. Sipe risked his life alongside soldiers who sacrificed theirs so this…

I recently accepted an invitation to meet with Arizona State Legislators and tour the Maricopa County Audit facility in Phoenix, Arizona. I was joined by my colleagues Sen. Cris Dush and Rep. Rob Kauffman.

The timing has never been more right for regulatory and permitting reform in Pennsylvania as our small businesses and economy begin to recover from the effects of the pandemic.

As Shippensburg Township, Cumberland County, has opted to site a mini casino within their municipality, after exploring the development’s financial and related impacts on their township, I fully support their decision.

The timing has never been more right for regulatory and permitting reform in Pennsylvania as our small businesses and economy begin to recover from the effects of the pandemic.

We have begun data collection from farmers and ranchers for the annual Agricultural Resource Management Survey (ARMS). The survey looks at all aspects of U.S. agricultural production, the well-being of farm households, farm finances, chemical usage, and various farm production characteristic…

We have begun data collection from farmers and ranchers for the annual Agricultural Resource Management Survey (ARMS). The survey looks at all aspects of U.S. agricultural production, the well-being of farm households, farm finances, chemical usage, and various farm production characteristic…

As a prosecutor, I strive to seek justice, respond with compassion, uphold victims’ rights, and advocate for those who cannot do so for themselves. As judge, I promise to use my experience as a trial attorney to assure that everyone in my courtroom is afforded a fair opportunity to be heard …

Pennsylvania is the birthplace of freedom. It was in Independence Hall in Philadelphia where our Founding Fathers gathered to debate and sign the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution – two of the greatest political documents ever written. 

Some of my best memories from my youth are from playing sports. Those experiences taught me teamwork, leadership, confidence, perseverance, and much more – all qualities that have combined to make me a successful businesswoman, mother, lawmaker, and even occasionally, a livestock farmer. I p…

As restaurants, bars, gyms, entertainment venues and other small employers look forward to higher capacity limits and fewer restrictions starting April 4, there is a sense of optimism that the worst of this year-long COVID-19 nightmare may finally be behind us. However, reality tells us thes…

One year after COVID shutdown orders radically changed the way we live our lives; Pennsylvania is slowly returning to some semblance of normalcy as the Wolf Administration begins to belatedly relax certain restrictions.

As restaurants, bars, gyms, entertainment venues and other small employers look forward to higher capacity limits and fewer restrictions starting April 4, there is a sense of optimism that the worst of this year-long COVID-19 nightmare may finally be behind us. However, reality tells us thes…

In March 2020, Gov. Wolf faced a crucial decision in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the beautiful Cumberland Valley

One of the most important tasks that I have as a State Senator is reviewing the governor’s selections for state cabinet positions and confirming their appointments.

Later this year, Pennsylvania voters will hopefully be given the historic opportunity to change how we elect the 31 justices and judges who sit on our three state appellate courts — Supreme, Superior and Commonwealth. Under a proposed constitutional amendment now being debated in the state H…

It was the summer of 1776, near New York City, when Gen. George Washington readied his troops for an attack by the British. As the leading center of commerce, it was imperative that the Continental Army help this vital economic center.   

Last month marked Transgender Awareness Week, Nov. 13-19, a prelude to Transgender Day of Remembrance on Nov. 20. This day is set aside to commemorate transgender people lost to violence. Transgender Awareness Week is a week when transgender people and their allies take action to bring atten…

The deadline to enroll in Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) for the 2021 program year is fast-approaching. Dairy producers have until Friday, Dec. 11, 2020, to enroll in DMC through your local Farm Service Agency (FSA) county office here in Pennsylvania.   At about $0.15 per hundredweight, DMC is …

The deadline to enroll in Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) for the 2021 program year is fast-approaching. Dairy producers have until Friday, Dec. 11, 2020, to enroll in DMC through your local Farm Service Agency (FSA) county office here in Pennsylvania.   At about $0.15 per hundredweight, DMC is …

As the General Assembly prepares for the upcoming 2021-22 session, one of the many areas we are addressing is how to aid Pennsylvania’s struggling businesses and reinforce our economy so it is stronger than it was before the business closures and stay-at-home orders were imposed.

Newspapers in Pennsylvania have a long history of providing timely, accurate and informative news to the citizens of the commonwealth. We deliver the stories that matter most to residents of local communities; stories that often cannot be found elsewhere. Despite the challenges and uncertain…

Here in Pennsylvania, our dedicated and highly skilled workers are driving our economy -- and they are powering America. From clean natural gas to coal, Pennsylvania is a bastion of natural resources. For centuries, our region has been steeped in the proud tradition of energy production and …

Pennsylvanians are fed up with government overreach and oppression.

Two of Gov. Tom Wolf’s latest restrictions on restaurant and venue industries put hundreds of thousands of people out of work and caused countless businesses to close.

Shippensburg Borough in Franklin and Cumberland counties will be voting on a so-called non-discrimination ordinance on Sept. 1, but how many of the residents of the borough know this? How many of the residents of the borough know the full ramifications of the proposed ordinance?  During the …

A restaurant from Ohio recently awarded PA Gov. Tom Wolf with its “employee of the month award.”

With the start of the school year fast approaching, everyone from parents and students to teachers and school administrators are likely feeling anxious about what lies ahead. So many kids want and need to go back to the classroom, and our school district officials across the state are workin…

As our nation combats the coronavirus pandemic and its vast economic and health ramifications, we cannot ignore the dangers of another public health crisis wrought at the hands of the Chinese Communist Party. For far too long, China has been the largest primary source for fentanyl and fentan…

Pennsylvania’s junior firefighter program received a much-needed update when the governor signed House Bill 1552, my first piece of legislation to be signed into law.

Pain and anger have cut me wide open again with the recent killings of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and George Floyd. I’ve begun expressing these feelings in conversations with friends in the community and on social media. Maybe because I’m a recently-retired Law Enforcement Officer (LEO) a…

Benjamin Franklin was asked in 1787, “What do we have Mr. Franklin, a Republic or a king?” He responded, “A Republic, if you can keep it.”

I’ve been in law enforcement for more than 18 years. I was elected District Attorney in Lebanon County and served in that capacity from Jan. 1, 2006, through Jan. 28, 2020, when I resigned to take office in the Pennsylvania Senate. I now serve the constituents of the 48th Senatorial District…

The whole world is turned upside down

One of the lessons we have learned from the pandemic is that we are all essential workers. Whether we stay at home or wear masks in public to keep each other safe, or whether we go to work at the grocery store to stock, check out, or sanitize the cart handles, we are all vitally essential. W…

Pennsylvania ranks in the top 10 in tax burden among all states, according to the Commonwealth Foundation, and there have been five tax hikes in the past 11 years.

Tax season is upon us. Forget the other four seasons- spring, summer, fall and winter. Officially, tax season starts Monday, and it is often the most dreaded season of the year. There is no reason for people to dread tax time, however. The local Chambersburg TaxAide program is here to help a…

Transparency and accessibility are very important to me and an attribute that should be expected of every elected official.

Over the summer, I overheard a conversation while tending the sober bar and it went like this:

About a year ago, I was fortunate enough to have been sworn in to represent the people of the 193rd Legislative District in the state House of Representatives. I often reflect on the responsibility you have entrusted to me and want to take a moment to renew that commitment.

Sadly, the birthplace of liberty and freedom has become one of the highest taxed and over-regulated states in the nation. It seems that Harrisburg bureaucrats are continuously looking for new ways to extort revenue from its citizens. We all know the sting of taxation, where sadly, Pennsylvan…

When I was elected to the school board in 2015, my hope was that I would be part of a board that would build better schools for Ship students.