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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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Recognizing a Lifetime of Service to Youth Baseball
On Sunday evening, I attended the Cumberland Valley Youth Baseball Association (CVYBA) Awards Dinner, where I had the privilege of presenting a citation to Scott Pepperman in recognition of his extraordinary service. Scott has dedicated nearly four decades to supporting the CVYBA and helping shape opportunities for young athletes in our community.
It is not often you have the chance to meet someone who has inspired so many over such a long period of time. I am grateful for Scott’s dedication and hope the organization continues to see many more years of success.
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Supporting Community Organizations at the POWER Women’s Banquet
On Sunday afternoon, I had the opportunity to stop by several events around the district, including the POWER Women’s annual banquet. I am always grateful for the work our local community organizations do to support neighbors in need and strengthen the connections that make our region special.
It was an honor to join the group and recognize the important impact their efforts have throughout our community, especially on International Women’s Day.
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Seeking Answers About Multimodal Transportation Funding
This week marked the final round of budget hearings. On Monday, I questioned PennDOT leaders about the future of multimodal transportation funding in Pennsylvania, including investments in roads, transit, rail, and other infrastructure that keep our communities connected. Ensuring reliable funding for these systems is critical for supporting economic growth and maintaining safe, efficient travel across the Commonwealth.
As budget discussions for the 2026-27 fiscal year approach, I hope to see a comprehensive and responsible funding plan that keeps Pennsylvania competitive with our neighboring states and ensures we are not falling behind our regional partners.
Sessions later in the week featured the departments of Revenue and Aging. Members engaged state agency leaders in conversations about the governor’s tax proposals and efforts to protect citizens against elder abuse, respectively.
Video of the hearings, along with a short summary of each, is available at www.PABudget.com.
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Save the Dates for My Upcoming Events
Residents of the 87th District are welcome to join us at these upcoming events. To RSVP (unless otherwise noted), please call my office at 717-975-2235 or visit RepKutz.com/Events.
Events are free of charge and open to all residents of the 87th District.
Telephone Town Hall
Property Tax/Rent Rebate Assistance Program
Damaged License Plate Event
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Community Document Shredding Events
My office is hosting two free community document shredding events to give residents a safe and secure way to dispose of personal documents. Both events are open to residential customers only and include a four-box or bag limit per household. Staples are accepted; please remove paperclips and binder clips.
RSVP is not required.
Mechanicsburg District Office
South Middleton Township Office
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PHEAA Hosts Scholarship Sweepstakes
The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) is giving away $2,500 no-essay scholarships through its PA Forward Student Loan program!
The scholarship sweepstakes is for Pennsylvania college students, graduate students and their parents for the 2026-27 academic year who opt in to receive communications from PHEAA between now and May 1. The communications are designed to provide students and families with tips on planning and paying for college.
Twelve people will be selected for the scholarship. Winners will be announced in May. Click here to enter the PA Forward sweepstakes.
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New Tax Credit to Help Working Pennsylvanians
With tax season in full swing, Pennsylvanians should know about a new tax credit adopted as part of the current year’s budget.
The Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed (ALICE) Tax Credit, also known as the Working Pennsylvanians Tax Credit, provides income-qualified working Pennsylvanians with a tax credit equal to 10% of their federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). I was proud to support this measure to return hard-earned money back to taxpayers.
Pennsylvanians qualify for credit based on their income and number of dependents. More information, including a tax credit calculator, is available here.
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Plan Your PA Getaway!
The Commonwealth’s 2026 Travel Guide is now available to help you plan your next getaway!
This year’s free guide highlights special events celebrating the nation’s 250th anniversary, as well as major sports attractions such as the FIFA World Cup, NFL Draft, PGA Championship and March Madness, all coming to Pennsylvania this spring and summer.
The guide also highlights an array of must-see attractions in all corners of the state for people of all ages. Sign up to receive a free hard copy of the guide or click here to view it online. Happy travels!
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Another Scam Involving Owed Tolls Making Rounds
A new wave of smishing scam texts is making the rounds. The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC) advises that the smishing scam is being sent to random individuals, aiming to deceive them to share their personal financial information to settle outstanding toll amounts.
The texts purport to be from “Traffic Division of Philadelphia Municipal Court” and may include a fake QR code for payment and center on an unpaid toll violation, fine and court costs. An example of part of the scam text is above.
People who receive an unsolicited text, email or similar message suggesting it is from the PA Turnpike or another toll agency should not click on the link. E-ZPass account holders and Toll by Plate customers can use approved safe methods to check their accounts such as the official PA Turnpike E-ZPass website or the PA Toll Pay app available from the Apple App Store, or Google Play store.
Those who receive a fraudulent text can file a complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov. That is a site dedicated to sharing information on Internet crimes across law enforcement agencies.
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March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month
Colorectal cancer is one of the deadliest cancers in the United States despite it being highly preventable with screening.
Annual estimates by the American Cancer Society predict new cases to increase from 152,000 in 2025 to just shy of 159,000 in 2026. It further estimates that more than 55,000 Americans will lose their lives to the disease. This makes colorectal cancer now the leading cause of cancer-related death among U.S. men and women under age 50.
During Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is reminding people the most effective way to reduce the risk of colorectal cancer is routine screening, beginning at age 45, for people who are at average risk.
You can find more resources about early and regular screenings here. There are various types of screening tests available; talk to your doctor about which test is right for you. To prepare yourself for a conversation with your physician, information supplied by the CDC can be found here.
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