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In this Update:

• Senate Acts to Provide Funding for Local Bridge Projects
• Advancing NEPA’s Economic Future
• Legislation to Make PA Leader in Drone Research Approved by Senate
• Intern Spotlight: Caroline Stallard
• Children in Hot Cars: Look Before You Lock
• Protecting Yourself on Facebook Marketplace
• Sunday Hunting Days Set for 2025

Senate Acts to Provide Funding for Local Bridge Projects

The Senate recently approved legislation to provide state funding for local bridge projects, giving counties the flexibility needed to make essential repairs to municipal bridges.

Currently, state Motor License Fund dollars can be used to build and repair county bridges. However, spending guidance fails to address if funding can be used for municipal bridges located within a county.

As a result, municipal bridges often go without repair while bridge funding goes unused due to ambiguous guidance. Senate Bill 205 would give counties the flexibility they need to fund local bridge projects. The bill was sent to the House of Representatives for consideration.

Advancing NEPA’s Economic Future

I was glad to take part in a recent economic development forum hosted by the Pennsylvania Chamber and Luzerne County Community College. The event brought together business leaders, local officials and fellow legislators to focus on ways we can strengthen northeastern Pennsylvania’s competitiveness through tax and permitting reform, energy independence and workforce development. I shared my perspective on how state policies can better support local needs and highlighted the importance of continued collaboration to drive sustainable growth across our region.

Legislation to Make PA Leader in Drone Research Approved by Senate

Legislation to position Pennsylvania as a national leader in the emerging drone industry was approved by the Senate and sent to the House of Representatives.

Senate Bill 468 permits the state Department of Transportation, with the governor’s approval, to engage in agreements with other states to facilitate the research and use of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), or drones.

An interstate compact would make Pennsylvania a key player in UAS testing, training and education, helping to ensure public safety, expand aviation jobs and inspire business development across the commonwealth.

Intern Spotlight: Caroline Stallard

Caroline Stallard has excelled as a summer intern, helping constituents navigate state government and working to improve outreach and information sharing. Majoring in communication studies at Bloomsburg University with minors in media and Arabic, Caroline brings an impressive blend of academic focus, creative talent and a heart for service. A gifted artist, one of her paintings, donated for the Back Mountain Memorial Library Auction several years ago, hangs in our office. Caroline has volunteered with organizations like the March of Dimes, St. Jude and Make-A-Wish, and worked for three years as a dietary aide at Meadows Nursing Home. We’re glad to give her a closer look at the legislative process in action!

Children in Hot Cars: Look Before You Lock

In 2024, 39 children died of heatstroke in vehicles – up 35% from 2023. Most of these deaths are a result of a parent or caregiver forgetting a child in a car.

• Never leave a child in a vehicle unattended for any length of time. Rolling windows down or parking in the shade does little to change the interior temperature of the vehicle.
• Make it a habit to check your entire vehicle – especially the back seat – before locking the doors and walking away.
• Place a personal item like a purse or briefcase in the back seat, as another reminder to look before you lock.
• Store car keys and fobs out of a child’s reach and teach children that a vehicle is not a play area.

More information from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is available here.

Protecting Yourself on Facebook Marketplace 

Transactions through social media platforms have limited consumer protections compared to traditional business dealings, and scams happen.

In a recent case, a Fayette County family was scammed with fake cash when selling a floor buffer on Facebook Marketplace. Pennsylvania State Police are investigating.

There are steps you can take to protect yourself with Facebook Marketplace, such as checking the seller’s Marketplace profile to learn more about them, using online payment methods and verifying the item before paying. Check out more tips here.

Sunday Hunting Days Set for 2025

The new Sunday hunting days for 2025 have been set by the Pennsylvania Game Commission.

Beginning Sept. 14, and through the second Sunday in firearms deer season Dec. 7, all Sundays that fall within established hunting seasons will be included as part of those seasons and open to hunting.

Migratory game bird seasons are the lone exception. No Sundays will be added to the 2025-26 migratory game bird seasons because those seasons are set through federal frameworks and adding any Sundays at this time would result in a loss of hunting days in 2025-26. You can find more details here.

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