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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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House Wraps Last Week of 2025-26 Session
It’s been an honor to serve the 87th District this session, during which, the House advanced several major initiates I’m proud of. We focused on bolstering education and affordability, among other key priorities.
During the 2025-26 session, we continued implementing statewide structured literacy reforms by securing an additional $10 million in the Fiscal Year 2026-27 budget to support evidence based reading instruction and early intervention efforts. Far too many of our children aren’t reading at grade level, and I’m committed to addressing this issue. I was proud to vote to support literacy this session.
Communities also benefited from targeted investments. The 87th District received $2.5 million in Local Share Account grants to support infrastructure upgrades, park development, educational facility improvements, and community services. In total, our district received over $20 million in funding, improving the quality of life for those who call our community home.
Improving affordability was another defining theme of the session. I worked closely with colleagues to introduce the Pennsylvania Growth and Affordability Plan (GAP), a 10 bill package designed to reduce household costs, support working families, and enhance business competitiveness across Pennsylvania. Listen to my comments on the bill package here and here.
At the onset of this session, my goal was to make Pennsylvania and Cumberland County better places to live, work, and raise a family. By delivering meaningful solutions to families, strengthening schools, and investing in the future economic health of communities across the Commonwealth, we made meaningful strides toward that goal. Knowing the work is never done, I remained focused on prioritizing long-term affordability, educational opportunity, and sustained economic growth for everyone in the 87th District.
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Protecting Ratepayers and Our Children
This week, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed several bipartisan measures focused on consumer protection, family support, public safety, and student well being. Together, these bills reflect a coordinated effort to strengthen safeguards for residents across the Commonwealth.
To start, I voted to advance two significant bills regulating data center development. House Bill 2674 prevents data centers from obtaining public utility status, limiting their ability to use eminent domain and ensuring greater oversight. House Bill 2198 repeals costly tax incentives for data center operators to reduce the financial burden on taxpayers. I was proud to support both bills to put taxpayers first.
Building on efforts to support working families, the House also passed House Bill 2706, which aligns Pennsylvania’s Child and Dependent Care Enhancement Tax Credit with federal standards. By matching the federal credit, the measure offers families meaningful relief as childcare costs continue to rise.
In addition to consumer and family protections, I was pleased to support House Bill 2771 to address significant privacy concerns with sharing personal data. This legislation establishes strict limits on the use of automated license plate readers like Flock cameras, restricting them to defined law enforcement purposes and requiring deletion of non investigative data within 72 hours to safeguard drivers’ privacy.
Attention then shifted to transportation safety with House Bill 1633, which sets Pennsylvania’s first statewide regulations for e scooters. The bill allows their use in bike lanes, imposes speed and age limits, and permits shared scooter programs, all while prioritizing safety for both riders and pedestrians.
Finally, the House turned its focus to student well being by advancing Senate Bill 1014 to create a bell to bell cellphone restriction in schools. The bill requires students to secure their devices during the school day, except in approved medical or emergency situations, with the goal of reducing distractions and improving mental well being.
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Focusing on Education and Literacy
Wednesday’s pre-session meetings focused on education throughout the Commonwealth. After a briefing on addressing the teacher shortage, I was pleased to join the Pennsylvania Literacy Coalition for a discussion on implementation of recently enacted comprehensive literacy legislation.
Approximately 51% of Pennsylvania third graders are not reading at grade level. We must do better for our children.
I have been a proud supporter of literacy programs because it is vitally important that we teach our children well. I’m encouraged by our discussion this week, and I’m hopeful the General Assembly will prioritize literacy funding in next year’s budget.
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Local Park Pays Tribute to Fallen Hero
I was honored to join Silver Spring Township in celebrating the opening of phase two of Paul Walters Memorial Park!
This park serves as a lasting tribute to Corporal Paul Walters, a U.S. Air Force veteran who served in Vietnam and a Silver Spring Township police officer who tragically lost his life in the line of duty in 1975. It was especially meaningful to recognize his family and honor the legacy of a man who dedicated his life to serving others.
What a special way to honor Corporal Walters’ sacrifice while creating something that will bring our community together for years to come. Thank you to Silver Spring Township and everyone who helped make this project a reality.
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Supporting Pennsylvania Agriculture, Manufacturing in Cumberland County
This morning, I had the pleasure of joining Sen. Greg Rothman for a tour of Country Food and Backpack Yogurt in Monroe Township.
This impressive Cumberland County business sources its milk from Pennsylvania dairy farms and manufactures shelf-stable yogurt products for food banks, schools, military personnel, veterans, and so many others.
Their operation is a great example of how Pennsylvania agriculture and manufacturing can work together to support our communities.
I am a staunch advocate for cutting unnecessary red tape and have supported multiple pieces of legislation aimed at making it easier for businesses like Country Food to establish, operate, and expand right here in the Commonwealth.
We should be doing everything we can to keep jobs, resources, and economic opportunities in Pennsylvania while supporting the businesses that invest in our communities.
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King’s Table Schoolhouse Visits the Capitol
It was great to meet students and teachers from King's Table Schoolhouse at the Capitol on Wednesday! They toured the building as part of their government and elections unit, and I appreciated the chance to share my experience in state government with such an engaged group of learners.
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Congratulations to CV Track Athletes
This week, we welcomed two Cumberland Valley High School track champions to Harrisburg to celebrate their state title in the 4x400 meter relay! Congratulations to Vanessa Graziano and Sophie Werner, along with coach Derek Hockenbery, on this incredible achievement.
A special shout out to Juliana Graziano and Selina Xu, who were also part of the gold medal relay team but couldn’t join us at the Capitol.
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RSVP for My First Responders Dinner
First responders and their families who serve the 87th District are invited to join my office for my annual First Responders Dinner.
This free dinner is an opportunity for us to recognize and thank the men and women who dedicate themselves to keeping our communities safe. I hope our local first responders and their families will join us for the evening.
Wednesday, Oct. 28, from 5:30-7 p.m.
Upper Allen Township Fire Department
104 Gettysburg Pike, Mechanicsburg
RSVP by visiting www.RepKutz.com/events or call my office at 717-975-2235.
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Looking to Vote by Mail?
Voters looking to cast their ballots by mail in the 2026 General Election must apply for their mail-in or civilian absentee ballot by Tuesday, Oct. 27. You may click here to do so, or visit the county Bureau of Elections in your county of residence.
Completed ballots must be returned by 8 p.m. on Election Day, which is Tuesday, Nov. 3.
This election includes the positions of governor, lieutenant governor, U.S. House of Representatives, and state House and Senate (in even-numbered senatorial districts).
For more information about voting in the Commonwealth, visit www.vote.pa.gov.
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New Law Cracks Down on Deceptive Telemarketing Schemes
A new law modernizing the Commonwealth’s regulation of telemarketing took effect earlier this week with the goal of cracking down on spoofing, robocalls, scam texts and more.
Act 47 of 2026 prohibits telemarketing calls before 9 a.m. and after 7 p.m., and at any time on Sundays and legal holidays. It requires prior express written consent for most robocalls and telemarketing text messages for those on the Do-Not-Call List and prohibits deceptive or fraudulent practices used to obtain a consumer’s consent.
The law also prohibits telemarketers from falsely identifying themselves or using deceptive caller ID information, including spoofed numbers. It allows consumers to opt out of telemarketing text messages by responding with commonly recognized terms such as “STOP,” “QUIT,” “END,” “CANCEL” or “UNSUBSCRIBE.” Finally, it requires telemarketers to stop their solicitation when a consumer asks them to do so.
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DEP Accepting Applications for Environmental Education Projects
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is now accepting applications for its Environmental Education Grants Program through Friday, Nov. 13.
Eligible applicants include public and private schools and universities, county conservation districts, nonprofit organizations and businesses. Projects must be implemented July 1, 2027, through June 30, 2028. There are three tiers of awards available: Seed Grants for projects up to $5,000; Grow Grants for projects between $5,001 and $30,000; and Impact Grants for projects between $30,001 and $65,000.
Learn more about the grant program and how to apply here.
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