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In this Update:
2026 Pennsylvania Farm Show
It’s always a pleasure to tour the Farm Show and visit with constituents who are there participating in this purely Pennsylvanian tradition. On Tuesday I was honored to present a Senate certificate to Mark Snyder of Titusville, pictured here with his proud parents, David and Jessica. Mark is one of just 21 students statewide to earn a PA Farm Show Scholarship. He is a freshman at Penn State World Campus studying agricultural business and ecology, with plans to pursue a Ph.D. His dedication to agriculture shines through five years of exhibiting goats, lambs, and beef cattle at the Farm Show. Congratulations, Mark – your hard work and passion represent the best of Pennsylvania’s agricultural tradition! I also had the opportunity to chat with members of Pennsylvania’s 4-H State Council. 4‑H is a youth program that teaches leadership, life skills, and hands-on learning in areas like agriculture, science, and community service, helping young people grow into confident, capable leaders. If you know a young person with a passion for learning and service to others, encourage them to consider joining 4-H! And when I stopped by the PA Pork booth, I had the pleasure of seeing Avah Burke of Emlenton. Avah lives and works at the Penn State Swine Education and Research Farm, where she handles everything from daily feeding and health checks to mixing feed rations, farrowing, and processing litters. She helps care for roughly 250 piglets and 70 sows, managing a herd that totals between 500 and 600 pigs at any given time. Way to go, Avah! Butler County Century Farm Recognized
Today, I was honored to present a Senate citation to the Dunn family in recognition of their farm’s designation as a Pennsylvania Century Farm. Located in Butler County, this farm has been in the same family for more than 100 years, beginning with Lawrence W. Raisley’s purchase in 1915 and continuing through three generations. Harold and Connie Dunn now carry on this proud legacy, operating the farm with the same dedication and love for the land that defines Pennsylvania agriculture. Congratulations to the Dunn family on this remarkable achievement, and best wishes for continued success for many generations to come. Clarion Venango Forest Farm Bureau Scholarship Opportunity
The Clarion Venango Forest Farm Bureau is offering two $750 scholarships to support students pursuing careers in agriculture or related fields. The application period runs from January 19th through March 6th. Eligibility Requirements:
Apply online through the Bridge Builders Community Foundation at www.bbcf.org/scholarships U.S. Supreme Court Hears Cases on Fairness in Female Athletics
The U.S. Supreme Court recently heard arguments in two cases involving state laws designed to safeguard women’s sports. Here in Pennsylvania, I supported the Save Women’s Sports Act, which will ensure athletic teams designated for women are reserved for biological females in Pennsylvania’s K–12 and collegiate sports. Senate Bill 9 reinforces the original intent of Title IX by ensuring female athletes are not denied scholarships, placements or opportunities due to unfair competition from biological males. It acknowledges biological realities and helps guarantee a safe, level playing field for women and girls. The bill passed the Senate in May 2025 and is awaiting action in the state House of Representatives. 2025 Property Tax/Rent Rebate Applications Now Being Accepted
The application period is now open for this year’s Property Tax/Rent Rebate program, which provides rebates from $380 to $1,000 to eligible older adults and people with disabilities age 18 and older. The Pennsylvania Department of Revenue is accepting applications for rebates on property taxes or rent paid in 2025. Forms and instructions are available online, and eligible Pennsylvanians are encouraged to file their applications via myPATH to ensure their rebates are processed as quickly as possible. Please reach out to my office with any questions. Your Input Wanted on Program Helping PA Seniors and People with Disabilities
Older Pennsylvanians, people with disabilities and their families can find services and support in their community through Pennsylvania Link to Aging and Disability Resources (PA Link). Public input is wanted on a plan to redesign and improve PA Link. The plan calls for developing performance metrics, expanding call center functionality, deploying volunteers for community engagement and more. The Pennsylvania Department of Aging will hold a listening session Jan. 27, and the public comment period will be open until Feb. 9. You can review the draft plan, submit comments and sign up for the listening session here. Tips for Preparing for Winter Storms and Power Outages
Winter storms are part of Pennsylvania living, and they’re made worse when the power goes out. The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission offers these tips for what to do before and during winter storms:
Learn more about what to do if you lose power during the storm, how to stay safe while waiting for power to be restored and what utilities do to deal with storms here. Deadline Approaching for PennDOT “Innovations Challenge”
How can artificial intelligence (AI) improve work zone safety? That’s the latest Pennsylvania Department of Transportation “Innovations Challenge” for high school students. Students are asked to develop a concept for the use of AI in work zones to dramatically improve safety for work crews and motorists. The concept should take into consideration cost-benefit information, statewide deployment implications and public outreach. Regional winners will be invited to present their solutions to a panel of judges, who will determine the statewide winners. Teams must submit entries by Jan. 30 for a chance at a prize. Rules and submission information can be found here. Remembering Martin Luther King Jr.’s Dream
Americans of all colors and backgrounds are bound by a love of liberty, a can-do spirit and other ideals that resonate strongly across the United States. Martin Luther King Jr. Day is an opportunity to recommit to celebrating what brings us together and to seeing each other as fellow citizens, judged by what we do and not what we look like.
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