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In this Update:
U.S. Senator McCormick Mobile Office Hours
Senator Dave McCormick’s constituent services team will hold mobile office hours at my Oil City District Office, located at 229 Elm Street, on Wednesday, July 29, from 10:00 a.m. to noon. You are invited to stop by for assistance with federal government-related issues and to connect with available constituent services resources. Tremendous Win for Private Property RightsEvery Pennsylvanian deserves to feel safe and secure on their own property, and this week the Pennsylvania Supreme Court upheld the strong privacy and property protections provided by our state constitution. The court’s unanimous decision, which came in a case involving two hunting clubs and the Pennsylvania Game Commission, is a major victory for private property rights across the commonwealth. It puts needed restrictions on the use of warrantless searches and correctly overturns the court’s 2007 decision in Commonwealth v. Russo. Specifically, the court held that “Article I, Section 8 provides Pennsylvania citizens with greater protection than the Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution as it relates to the open fields of any landowner that has demonstrated a reasonable expectation of privacy by taking sufficient steps to exclude intruders therefrom.” State game wardens have an important and dangerous job, which we all respect. However, the court emphasized the Game Commission must also respect the lawful rights of property owners. Protecting Our Communities from Child Predators and Human TraffickingWe are making progress in the never-ending fight against child predators and human trafficking in Pennsylvania. Senate Bill 45, which I supported and which was recently signed into law as Act 41 of 2026, will help Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday and law enforcement officials across the state target and prosecute human trafficking more effectively. This is a huge step forward. If you believe you may have information about a trafficking situation, call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 888-373-7888. Investing in the Future of PA College StudentsThe successful Grow PA Scholarship program invests in Pennsylvania students looking to pursue a college education, develops the future of our workforce and incentivizes jobs to remain here in the commonwealth. Importantly, the program secures a commitment for students to stay and work in Pennsylvania communities after graduation, helping to address the state’s future economic and demographic challenges. Grow PA, established in 2024, offers grants of up to $5,000 per year for in-state students who pursue a degree or certification in an in-demand occupation and is administered by the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency. Learn more about this program here. Honoring Veterans with Visual Impairments with a Capitol MonumentA Braille Flag monument honoring veterans with visual impairments could be installed at the Pennsylvania Capitol Building under legislation passed by the Senate and sent to the House of Representatives for consideration. The Braille Flag was created to honor the service of veterans who have been left with life-long visual disabilities. Under Senate Bill 1303, the monument would be made of bronze and include the Pledge of Allegiance in Braille. The display would be sponsored by the Moose Lodge and the American Braille Flag Project, a non-profit organization dedicated to the placement of these flags throughout the country. Read more about Senate Bill 1303 here. Find Summer Getaway Ideas Here in PAThere’s plenty of summer left. If you haven’t had time for a vacation yet, or you’re looking for another getaway, there’s plenty to experience here in our commonwealth. Use VisitPA to explore by regions, such as the Pennsylvania Wilds, Great Lakes, Laurel Highlands, the Lehigh Valley, Dutch Country and more. Break it down by things to do, outdoor activities, dining and other experiences. From rivers and trails to iconic attractions and historic sites, you can start planning your trip at the VisitPA website. Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Photo Contest Accepting EntriesAmateur and professional photographers: Take your best photos of the landscapes, wildlife and activities in a Pennsylvania state park or forest and enter the 2026 Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation “Through the Seasons” photo contest. A panel of experts will select a Judges’ Choice in each category prior to the photos being made available for public voting on the foundation’s Facebook page. Award winners receive gift cards and may be showcased in photo exhibitions. Find rules and entry info at the Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation website. All photos must be submitted by Sept. 30. |
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