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Capitol Report
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#Listrak\DateStampLong#
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The latest news from the State Capitol
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Please do not reply directly to this email, as it returns to an unmanned account.
You are welcome to contact me through this link.
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Supporting Our Educators
This Teacher Appreciation Week, I want to begin by extending my heartfelt thanks to every educator across the 87th District. Your dedication, creativity, and tireless efforts shape not just the future of each student you teach, but the future of our entire community.
One of the most important things I do each year is visit classrooms in every school across the district. It’s in those moments, seeing students light up with curiosity and witness lessons that spark real understanding, that I’m reminded how essential your work truly is.
Teaching is more than a profession; it’s a calling. The impact you make every day reaches far beyond the classroom walls. Thank you for showing up, for adapting, for believing in your students, and for helping build the foundation our next generation needs to thrive.
As part of Teacher Appreciation Week, it was an honor to welcome educators from across Pennsylvania to the Capitol, including Mechanicsburg’s own Megan King to the floor of the House. Click here to watch their guest introduction.
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Celebrating Career and Technical Week in Pennsylvania
This Career and Technical Week, I'm proud to recognize the vital role Career and Technical Education (CTE) plays in preparing students and adults for success. With over 80 career and technical centers – including Cumberland Perry Area Career and Technical Center in Silver Spring Township – and more than 140 high schools offering CTE programs across the Commonwealth, over 68,000 students are gaining real-world skills that lead directly to in-demand careers.
Ninety-six percent of students who complete two courses graduate on time, and nearly 90% continue their education. With 750,000 new jobs projected in Pennsylvania this year, many of which don’t require a college degree, CTE provides a critical bridge between education and the workforce.
Thank you to the educators, employers, and students who make CTE a powerful force in building Pennsylvania’s future.
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Staying Informed About the Cumberland County Wildfires
As wildfires continue to impact areas in our community, staying informed and prepared is more important than ever. I’m closely monitoring the situation and staying in touch with local emergency responders to ensure you have the most up-to-date information. Our first priority is keeping families safe and making sure resources are available where they’re needed most.
A heartfelt thanks and prayers go out to the first responders, their families, and all those affected by these wildfires. Your bravery and resilience inspire us all, and we stand with you during this challenging time.
Whether you’re looking for air quality updates, evacuation notices, or tips to protect your home, I’ve put together a central hub for everything you need to know. Visit RepKutz.com/wildfires for real-time updates and helpful resources as we navigate this wildfire season together.
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Kicking Off the Weekend at Upper Allen’s Newest Gem
I started this past Saturday morning at the grand opening of Generation's Park - a newly developed community center in Upper Allen spanning over 58 acres. It’s the perfect place for a weekend trip with your families once the weather clears up!
Thank you to all the township and municipal entities that made this possible!
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Working Together for Cumberland Valley's Future
This past Saturday morning, I also had the opportunity to attend the Cumberland Valley School District’s annual intergovernmental meeting. It was a valuable chance to hear directly from our municipal leaders, school board directors, and administrators about the challenges and opportunities facing our community. I shared legislative updates from my office and emphasized my ongoing fight to ensure our public schools receive the full funding they deserve.
Strong schools are the foundation of strong communities, and I’m committed to making sure every student in Cumberland Valley has the tools they need to succeed. By working together across all levels of government, we’re building a future that makes Cumberland Valley the best place to live, work, and raise a family.
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From the Classroom to the Capitol: A Week of Student Visits!
The halls of the state Capitol have been buzzing with activity during this busy session week. Among the many visitors, I was especially excited to welcome several student tour groups from Iron Forge Elementary School and Winding Creek Elementary School.
It’s always a pleasure to see young learners exploring the heart of our state government, asking great questions, and showing genuine curiosity about how our democracy works. Thanks to all the students, teachers, and chaperones for stopping by the Capitol. I hope you had a memorable visit!
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Local Leader Named SBA’s 2025 Small Businessperson of the Year
While I was at the Capitol on Tuesday morning, members of my staff had the honor of presenting a citation to Nancy Martindell, president and CEO of JMA Resources, Inc., in recognition of her being named the U.S. Small Business Administration's 2025 Eastern Pennsylvania Small Businessperson of the Year.
This prestigious award celebrates outstanding entrepreneurs who drive innovation, job creation, and economic growth across our region. It’s incredibly exciting to see someone from our district receive such a prestigious national honor. Nancy’s leadership and JMA’s success are shining examples of the innovation and drive that make our community proud. I wish her and the entire team success going into the future, and a warm congratulations again!
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Honoring Our Farmers: Blessing of the Balers and May as Beef Month
This Tuesday in Harrisburg, we celebrated the third annual Blessing of the Balers and officially recognized May as Beef Month. House and Senate members joined farmers and agriculture advocates at the Capitol to honor the hardworking individuals who keep Pennsylvania’s agriculture industry thriving.
From the fields to our tables, these men and women play a vital role in feeding our communities, and we’re proud to recognize their dedication and contributions to our Commonwealth.
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Bridging the Divide at the Spring Legal and Legislative Conference
I was glad to join Rep. Justin Fleming (D-105) for a bipartisan conversation at this year’s Spring Legal and Legislative Conference for the Pennsylvania State Council of the Society for Human Resource Management.
It was a great opportunity to show that bipartisanship isn’t just possible; it’s attainable when we stay focused on doing what’s right for the people of Pennsylvania. I appreciated the thoughtful dialogue and the chance to share how we can work across the aisle to get real results for the Commonwealth.
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Boosting Accountability for Higher Education Funding
A council created last year to establish a new funding model for state-related universities in the Commonwealth has unanimously approved its report and recommendations to improve accountability in higher education funding.
Under Act 90 of 2024, , the Performance-Based Funding Council was charged with developing a new funding model using performance-based metrics designed to increase degree attainment, encourage affordability, meet workforce needs and grow the economy. If adopted, the model would apply to new funding for Penn State University, the University of Pittsburgh and Temple University.
The full report is available for review here.
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Peace Officers Memorial Day
Thursday, May 15, marks Peace Officers Memorial Day.
First established by President John F. Kennedy in 1962, the day is designed to pay tribute to the brave local, state and federal peace officers who have died or been disabled in the line of duty. The day falls during National Police Week, which this year is being marked from May 11-17.
We are blessed by the men and women who have taken an oath to serve and protect, and particularly by those who have sacrificed their lives to protect public safety.
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Keystone State ChalleNGe Academy Now Accepting Applications for Summer 2025 Class
Since 2022, the Keystone State ChalleNGe Academy (KSCA) has been transforming the lives of teenagers using a military academy style training model to provide structure and discipline.
KSCA is a joint effort between the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and the National Guard Bureau, in consultation with the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Applications may be submitted now through July 12 for the 22-week class that begins in July.
The program is open to 16- to 18-year-old Pennsylvania residents who are at risk of not graduating from high school, no longer attending any school or have not received a high school diploma or equivalent certificate. Applicants must be willing to be drug free, free of felony convictions and voluntarily commit to the program. If selected, students will attend the residential phase at Fort Indiantown Gap in Lebanon County.
For detailed eligibility requirements and to begin the application process, click here. You may also request a mailed application or ask questions by contacting the academy via email at RA-MVPACHALLENGE@pa.gov or by calling 717-861-7767.
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Bike Safely!
May is National Bicycle Safety Month. The Pennsylvania Vehicle Code considers "pedalcycles" as vehicles. That means bicyclists must follow traffic laws, such as obeying all traffic signals and riding in the same direction as traffic. If you ride in violation of the traffic laws, you greatly increase your risk of a crash and will likely be found at fault in the event of an accident.
Here are some additional safety tips for cyclists:
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Always wear a properly fitted bicycle helmet. |
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Use proper hand signals when turning or stopping to communicate with drivers. |
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Wear bright or reflective clothing to help drivers see you. |
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Regularly maintain your bike to keep it working smoothly. |
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Equip your bike with reflectors, a white headlight, and a bell or horn. |
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Ride a car-door width away from parked vehicles. |
Motor vehicles must allow 4 feet of distance when overtaking a bicycle and travel at a careful and prudent speed. It is the motorist’s responsibility to provide the distance, not the cyclist. For more bicycle safety tips, please visit www.penndot.pa.gov/safety.
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