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In this Update:
- State Budget Update
- Clearfield County Fair Parade
- Spanky’s Courthouse Café, Clearfield Revitalization Corp.
- 75th Anniversary of Super 322 Drive-In
- Ribbon Cutting for Ebensburg StoryWalk
- Veterans Outreach Event
- Expanding Naloxone Access, Prescription Drug Cost Transparency
- New Law Will Improve Stroke Care Across PA
- Legislation to Address Shortage of CPAs Signed into Law
- Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program
- Watch Out for Scammers
State Budget Update
The Senate convened for session in Harrisburg this week as work on the 2025-26 state budget progresses. Our discussions with the House of Representatives and the governor continue to advance.
Clearfield County Fair Parade
It was an honor to take part in the annual Clearfield County Fair Parade this year alongside my friends and colleagues state Reps. Mike Armanini and Dallas Kephart.
Spanky’s Courthouse Café, Clearfield Revitalization Corp.
Two Clearfield institutions were recognized by the Pennsylvania Downtown Center at the 2025 Townie Awards! Spanky’s Courthouse Café and the Clearfield Revitalization Corp. both earned a Townie Award in the Physical Improvements & Design category.
I had the privilege of presenting Pennsylvania State Senate Citations to Heather and Robert Inguagiato, owners of Spanky’s Courthouse Café, as well as to Clearfield Revitalization Corp. Director Sue Diehl and Board Member Jarret Forcey, in recognition of their Townie Awards. Congratulations all!
75th Anniversary of Super 322 Drive-In
It was an honor to present Bill and Barbara Frankenhouser, owners of the Super 322 Drive-In in Woodland, Clearfield County, with a Pennsylvania State Senate Citation in recognition of the Drive-In’s 75th Anniversary!
Ribbon Cutting for Ebensburg StoryWalk
My staff attended a ribbon cutting ceremony for the Ebensburg StoryWalk on the Ghost Town Trail. The StoryWalk consists of posts placed along the trail that each display a page of a story book for families to read as they walk the trail. The featured book will change periodically, so be sure to stop by the Ghost Town Trail in Ebensburg for a walk and a story!
Veterans Outreach Event
My staff was set up at the American Legion in Richland Township with information on resources for veterans and seniors. If you have any questions about the resources or benefits available to you, please call my district office at (814) 266-2277.
Expanding Naloxone Access, Prescription Drug Cost Transparency
Legislation has been signed into law to give EMS personnel permanent authority to leave behind naloxone, commonly known as Narcan, at the scene of an overdose. This will offer families a critical tool to prevent future emergencies.
Act 34 of 2025 ensures that families and caregivers are equipped to respond immediately to another overdose if needed. It also improves transparency and access within Pennsylvania’s health care system by:
- Increasing clarity around prescription drug costs.
- Enhancing communication between pharmacists and patients.
- Allowing out-of-state pharmacists to receive temporary licenses to practice in Pennsylvania for the next six months, which is aimed at addressing pharmacy deserts created by the widespread closure of Rite Aid locations.
New Law Will Improve Stroke Care Across PA
Strokes are the fifth-leading cause of death in the United States. Legislation passed by the Senate and signed into law aims to save lives by providing critical information to health care providers.
Senate Bill 411, now Act 24 of 2025, will establish a statewide stroke registry, administered by the state Department of Health, to deliver resources to emergency medical service providers, hospital stroke teams and other health care providers to ensure high quality stroke care for patients.
It includes a confidentiality clause ensuring any submitted registry data will not include an individual’s confidential or personally identifiable information.
Legislation to Address Shortage of CPAs Signed into Law
A Senate measure aimed at alleviating the growing shortage of certified public accountants (CPAs) in Pennsylvania has been signed into law, to ensure the commonwealth has enough of these professionals so critical to the everyday economy.
Senate Bill 719, now Act 27 of 2025, provides an alternative pathway to CPA licensure by allowing candidates to qualify with 120 credit hours of education and two years of professional experience, rather than the current 150-credit-hour requirement and one year of experience.
Candidates must still pass the CPA exam to be licensed. The new pathway is designed to reduce financial and time burdens on aspiring accountants without compromising professional standards. The law also streamlines the process for qualified out-of-state accountants to practice in Pennsylvania without obtaining a separate state certificate or permit.
Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program
The deadline to file for the state Property Tax Rent/Rebate Program has been extended to Dec. 31, 2025, allowing eligible older adults and people with disabilities age 18 and older more time to apply for rebates on property taxes and rent paid.
The maximum eligible income is $46,520 and the maximum rebates range from $380 to $1,000 depending on the income level of the homeowner or renter. Check income, age and other eligibility details here.
Treasurer Stacy Garrity recently announced that 423,092 Property Tax/Rent Rebate payments totaling $256 million were sent to eligible Pennsylvanians on July 1. Please contact my district office at (814) 266-2277 if you need help filling out your application.
Watch Out for Scammers
Older Pennsylvanians are being targeted by emails from scammers posing as state employees requesting payments necessary to access a non-existent inheritance.
In an incident reported to commonwealth officials, an older Pennsylvanian received an email from a generic account resembling an official state email address and claiming to be a representative of a credit union.
Don’t respond or click on any links! Report any incidents like this by phone at 1-866-PAComplaint or online.
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