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In this Update:
South Mountain Golf Course Saved!
I’m pleased to announce South Mountain Golf Course received a 10-year lease renewal this week. The course has long served as a hub for public recreation, youth programs, senior activities, community events and league play across south central Pennsylvania. Many of you shared your strong support for the course with me since the George family first announced it was in danger of closing. This exciting development would not have happened without the efforts of Reps. Chad Reichard and Rob Kauffman, Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Sec. Cindy Dunn and the local families who never wavered in their support for the course. This lease renewal protects a treasured community institution. It keeps open space accessible, supports local jobs and maintains a place where people can gather, compete, learn and enjoy the outdoors. The renewed lease provides operational stability and allows planning for future improvements. Taxpayers Deserve Transparency — Not Excuses, Not Secrecy
Pennsylvanians are generous people. We pay our taxes. We support public safety. We understand our elected officials require security. But what we will not accept — and what we must never accept — is a government that spends our money as if it belongs to them while keeping the public in the dark. Yet that is precisely what is happening under Gov. Josh Shapiro. For months, legislators seeking basic information about taxpayer-funded renovations at both the Governor’s Residence and the governor’s private home have been met with stonewalling. State agencies slow-walked responses, withheld documents and provided incomplete answers. Only now — after subpoenas were authorized — are we learning just how much this administration has concealed from the public. And the truth is troubling. State police have now acknowledged more than $32 million in upgrades to the Governor’s Residence in Harrisburg. That figure alone should cause every taxpayer to pause. But hidden beneath this staggering number lies something even more disturbing: an additional $1.3 million in taxpayer dollars spent on renovations to the governor’s private residence in Montgomery County. No public announcement. No briefing. No notification to the General Assembly. Nothing. We learned of this only because legislators began asking questions. Sen. Jarrett Coleman, who has led the push for transparency, put it plainly: no administration — Republican or Democrat — can be allowed to operate in the shadows when public money is involved. He’s right. If we shrug this off, we set a dangerous precedent that hands every future governor a blank check: spend what you want, where you want and don’t bother telling anyone why. That is not oversight. That is not transparency. And it is certainly not leadership. Let’s be clear: security concerns are legitimate. The arson attack earlier this year was reprehensible, and those responsible must face justice. But using a crisis as a shield to hide spending is not acceptable. The question is not whether improvements were needed. The question is why the public was never informed and why this administration refused to release even the most basic records until legally compelled. The subpoenas issued this week seek straightforward, reasonable documents:
There is nothing extreme about asking for documentation when more than $1.3 million in taxpayer dollars are spent on a governor’s private home. Pennsylvania taxpayers deserve answers: What was done? Why was it necessary? And why was it hidden? This is public money — not campaign funds, not discretionary cash and certainly not a private renovation budget. At a time when grocery bills are up, energy costs are climbing and families are struggling to afford basic necessities, watching $1.3 million vanish into undisclosed construction at a private residence is not just tone-deaf — it’s insulting. Shapiro has cultivated a brand of transparency, competence and public stewardship. But transparency is not a slogan. It is a practice. And right now, that practice is nowhere to be found. This controversy is not about partisanship. It’s about stewardship. It’s about whether we still believe elected officials owe their constituents honesty — especially when taxpayers are the ones footing the bill. If we do, we must reexamine whether current law is enough to protect both the governor and taxpayers at the same time. Pennsylvanians deserve better than secrecy. They deserve better than evasive answers. And they certainly deserve better than unauthorized spending on private property with no oversight. It’s time for Shapiro to come clean. Release the assessments. Release the invoices. Release the records. And restore the trust that was compromised the moment this spending was concealed. Oversight is not optional. Transparency is not a burden. It is the minimum standard for anyone who serves the people of this commonwealth. Honoring Mr. Tipler for His Service
I had the privilege of recognizing Mr. Tipler for his many years of dedicated service to our community as a Fire Police Captain. His commitment to protecting others has left a lasting impact on countless families across the county. Mr. Tipler is also a proud Vietnam veteran of the 1st & 7th Cavalry, where he bravely served our nation. He now faces significant health challenges due to Agent Orange exposure, yet continues to embody courage, resilience, and service. It was an honor to express our deep gratitude for his sacrifice, leadership, and unwavering dedication to others. Please join us in thanking Mr. Tipler for a lifetime of service. Recognizing Therapy Cat, Chase
I had the incredible honor of presenting Therapy Cat Chase and his owner, Gwyneth, with Pennsylvania Freedom Medals in recognition of all the amazing work they’ve done across the Commonwealth. This is a huge moment for therapy cats everywhere, and a wonderful reminder of the comfort and healing these animals bring to so many people. Congratulations to Chase & Gwyneth! My letter to Secretary Driscoll regarding Geoengineering Programs
My letter to Secretary Driscoll about the Request for Review and Termination of Army-Funded Geoengineering Programs Tax Relief for Working Pennsylvanians
The new state budget we passed includes the new Working Pennsylvanians Tax Credit, which provides meaningful relief for working families across the commonwealth. In a time when affordability is a top issue affecting Pennsylvanians, policies like this tax credit help relieve some of the financial burden on families. If you claim the Federal Earned Income Tax Credit, you may also claim the state tax credit equal to 10% of the federal amount. You can use this online calculator to determine if you qualify for the Working Pennsylvanians Tax Credit and estimate how much you could receive. State Budget Funds New State Police Troopers
Public safety is a critical component of healthy, stable communities, and I am committed to ensuring that law enforcement gets the support it needs to keep criminals at bay. The Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) fills a vital public safety role in the commonwealth, and I’m happy to report that the 2025-26 state budget includes funding for four state police cadet classes. After completing approximately 27 weeks of training, the most recent cadet class saw 49 graduates join the ranks as state troopers. I wish these new troopers much success as they keep our communities safe and pray for their wellbeing. The PSP’s latest hiring cycle is open until Jan. 23, 2026. Those interested in becoming a state trooper can find application requirements, job benefits and other details at PATrooper.com. Senate Votes to Make State Funds Available for Local Bridge Projects
Legislation to make state funding available for local bridge projects was approved by the Senate. Counties receive dollars through the Highway Bridge Improvement Restricted Account within the state Motor License Fund to pay for repair and replacement of county-owned bridges. However, current law does not allow for further practical uses of leftover funds. Senate Bill 1070 would give counties the flexibility they need to improve local, municipal-owned bridges before they become at-risk. Senate Bill 1070 was sent to the House of Representatives for consideration. PA 529 is the Gift of Education
Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity recently announced a new, easy way to give the gift of education this holiday season – Gift of College gift cards. Friends and families can buy these digital gift cards, available at pa529.com/gift, for recipients to deposit into their PA 529 College and Career Savings Program account. Anyone, including parents, grandparents, other relatives and family friends, can contribute to a PA 529 account. Savings can be used for qualified education expenses for K-12, higher education, credential programs and apprenticeship programs. The person giving the gift also gets something – a PA state tax deduction for the amount of the PA 529 contribution. In November, PA 529 was ranked one of the best college savings plans in the nation. To learn more about PA 529, visit pa529.com or call 800-440-4000. Dec. 19 Deadline to Apply for Veterans Services Grants
Nonprofits, counties and other groups that provide services to veterans have until Dec. 19 to apply for Veterans’ Trust Fund (VTF) grants to help fulfill their missions. Administered by the state Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, the VTF supports programs that improve services to veterans at the county, regional or state level. For nonprofit and veterans’ organizations, funding priorities include mental and behavioral health, transportation and employment. These applicants may request up to $40,000. County directors and their association may apply for up to $15,000 per county. Their funding priorities must include outreach initiatives, enhancing veteran service officer and advocate capabilities and addressing emerging needs such as transportation, food insecurity, suicide prevention and legal assistance. Celebrating the Bill of Rights
Monday, Dec. 15 is national Bill of Rights Day, when we celebrate the ratification of the first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution in 1791. The Bill of Rights guarantees civil rights and liberties to the individual – like freedom of speech, press and religion – and limits the power of government. This document forever enshrined the fundamental rights and liberties we hold sacred as Americans and set in motion the greatest self-governance experiment in the history of the world.
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