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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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Join Us for Policy Hearing on Growth and Affordability
I am partnering with the House Republican Policy Committee to host a public hearing next week in our community about my Pennsylvania Growth and Affordability Plan (GAP), a legislative package focused on lowering costs for families and making Pennsylvania a more competitive place to live, work, and do business.
As the sponsor of the bills included in the GAP package, I look forward to discussing these proposals and hearing directly from Pennsylvanians about how they can help address rising costs.
The hearing will bring together Pennsylvanians, stakeholders, and leaders from the business community to provide feedback on the proposals and discuss how rising costs are impacting families and employers across the Commonwealth. I invite you to join us in person or stream the hearing live to hear directly from those who would be impacted by the GAP legislative package.
The hearing will be held Tuesday, Sept. 1, at 10 a.m., at the Silver Spring Municipal Building, 8 Flowers Drive, Mechanicsburg, PA 17050. RSVP by calling 717-975-2235.
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Supporting Local Libraries and Children’s Literacy
The Simpson Library held its Municipal, School, and Elected Officials Breakfast Wednesday morning, and my office was glad to participate. The annual gathering provided a valuable opportunity to connect with local leaders and learn more about the important role libraries play in supporting children’s literacy, encouraging a love of reading, and providing educational resources for families throughout our communities.
I appreciate Simpson Library’s continued commitment to serving local children and families and thank them for bringing community leaders together to support this important work.
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Celebrating the Grand Opening of Carlisle Goodwill
On Thursday morning, Goodwill celebrated the grand opening of its new Carlisle location. It was great to help welcome this new location to the community and recognize Goodwill’s continued efforts to provide employment opportunities, workforce development programs, and other services to individuals and families throughout our region.
Congratulations to the entire Goodwill team on the grand opening!
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Save the Dates: Pre-Game Legislative Outreach Events
Football season is right around the corner! This fall, my office will host three Pre-Game Legislative Outreach events at local high school football games. Stop by before kickoff to grab some food, meet our team, and learn more about the services available through my office.
To RSVP, please click here.
Mechanicsburg Area High School – Salute to Service Game*
Friday, Sept. 18, from 5:30–7 p.m.
Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Park
1 Memorial Park Drive, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
*Join us as we honor our veterans ahead of MASD's Salute to Service Game. This tailgate is complementary for veterans, service members, first responders, and their families.
Cumberland Valley High School
Friday, Oct. 9, from 5:30–7 p.m.
Search Dental
17 Waterford Drive, Mechanicsburg, PA 17050
Boiling Springs High School
Friday, Oct. 16, from 5:30–7 p.m.
Citizens Fire Co. Station 2
405 Forge Road, Boiling Springs, PA 17007
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Join Us for a Veterans Breakfast
Veterans, active-duty military personnel, and their families who live in the 87th District are invited to join me for a free Veterans Breakfast as we honor your service and sacrifice.
This year's keynote speaker will be Rep. Joe Kerwin, a Pennsylvania Army National Guard officer and Operation Enduring Freedom–Horn of Africa veteran.
The breakfast will be held from 8:30-11 a.m. at Kimberly Ann Fahnestock-Voelz Memorial Post 7530, 4545 Westport Drive, Mechanicsburg.
Please RSVP by calling 717-975-2235 or visiting www.RepKutz.com/Events. I hope you'll join us for this special morning of fellowship and appreciation!
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Working to Strengthen PA Law Enforcement Workforce
Recognizing the need to ensure public safety in communities across the Commonwealth, the House Republican Policy Committee was in Berks County last week for a hearing titled “Protecting Pennsylvania: Law Enforcement Recruitment and Retention” where law enforcement leaders discussed solutions to workforce challenges.
Pennsylvania employed approximately 24,300 police officers and sheriff’s deputies in 2024, an 11-year low and a 14% decline since 2013. Openings that used to generate hundreds of applications now get just a handful. Existing officers are being forced to work overtime to ensure the safety of our communities, which leads to additional stress and fatigue.
To boost the recruitment of new officers and retention of existing ones, testifiers encouraged policies to strengthen career pipelines; improve training; and support the physical, mental and financial well-being of officers.
A full video of the hearing can be found here.
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Veterans – Don’t Fall for This Scam
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is warning veterans and their spouses about a postcard promising extra monthly benefits. But the “Veterans Savings Program” mentioned in the postcard doesn’t actually exist. It’s just a scammer phishing for personal or financial information.
While the postcard might list the state you’re living in and mention real VA benefits like CHAMPVA or TRICARE For Life, those programs are just being mentioned in an effort to make the mailing look legitimate and trick veterans into sharing personal information like your Social Security number or bank account details.
If you get a postcard like this:
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Don’t respond. Legitimate VA communications will not pressure you to respond immediately or give sensitive information over the phone. |
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Contact the VA directly if you have questions about your benefits. Always use a number you know is real, never the one on the postcard. Start with the VA Benefits Hotline at 1-800-827-1000. |
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Spread the word. Scammers typically don’t just contact one person. Sharing this advice can help others in your community spot and avoid the scam. Sign up for email updates to get the latest on scams like this one at MilitaryConsumer.gov. |
If you spot this or another VA benefits scam, report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and to the VA at VSAFE.gov or 1-833-38V-SAFE.
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Keystone State ChalleNGe Academy Accepting Applications
The Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs’ (DMVA) Keystone State ChalleNGe Academy (KSCA) is now accepting applications for its first class of 2027, which begins in January.
The academy’s mission is to provide 16- to 18-year-old teens in jeopardy of not graduating on time or dropping out of school with a second chance at learning skills such as leadership, self-discipline, health and hygiene, public service, physical fitness and more. There is no tuition cost to attend, and meals, housing, uniforms and school supplies are provided at no charge.
With KSCA’s online eligibility checker at pa.gov/ksca, applicants can quickly confirm their eligibility before completing the full application. Applicants can also request a mailed form by emailing RA-MVPACHALLENGE@pa.gov or calling 717-861-7767 or 717-861-8831.
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PA Game, Fish and Boat Commissions Seek Feedback
The Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) and Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) are inviting public input about their draft 2025-2035 Pennsylvania Wildlife Action Plan.
The draft plan and public comment form are available online. Comments must be submitted by Sept. 19.
According to the agencies, the Pennsylvania Wildlife Action Plan was first developed in 2005 and has since served as the Commonwealth’s blueprint “to conserve Pennsylvania’s native fish and wildlife, maintain resilient habitat, and protect and enhance Species of Greatest Conservation Need.” As required by Congress, state wildlife action plans must be revised no less than every 10 years.
A wildlife action plan approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) is required for states to receive State and Tribal Wildlife Grant Program funds. The Pennsylvania Wildlife Action Plan is scheduled to be delivered to the USFWS by Oct. 1.
Read more here.
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