(3/2025) Working to Protect PA Poultry and Dairy Industries, Public from Avian Influenza

With initial tests indicating positive cases of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in commercial poultry in five Pennsylvania counties, the PA Department of Agriculture (PDA) has escalated its aggressive, coordinated response to protect the agriculture industry from the spread of the virus. In late January, the department announced its first confirmed case of HPAI in domestic poultry. It was discovered in a 50,000-bird flock on a commercial poultry farm in Lehigh County. Testing showed the birds had a high level of the H5N1 virus strain that has caused the loss of more than 22 million birds nationwide since the beginning of 2025, and more than 154 million since the initial outbreak in February 2022. Several commercial poultry farms in Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon, and Lehigh counties are presumed to be HPAI-positive based on the presence of the virus in initial samples, and rapid deaths among birds. Last week, the General Assembly passed a new law that aims to increase the number of technicians available to conduct this critical testing.

HPAI has also been discovered in some dairy cows. However, we received some good news this week when PDA announced that Pennsylvania’s milk supply is HPAI-free following an aggressive testing program that began in November at the direction of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). While Pennsylvania is the first major U.S. dairy-producing state to achieve HPAI-free status, the PDA will continue testing bulk milk due to the ongoing threat of avian influenza. According to PDA, milk that has been pasteurized is safe to drink, and poultry products, including eggs are safe to eat if cooked properly.

Chamber Meeting Focuses on Economic Impacts

At a meeting of the Gettysburg-Adams Chamber of Commerce, we discussed avian influenza and the devastating effect it is having on farmers and our economy. I expressed my disappointment with the level of spending proposed in this year’s state budget, and the announcement of prison closures that will eliminate roughly 900 jobs. I explained what legislation I will be introducing this session and responded to questions about the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) permitting process, which makes it nearly impossible for Pennsylvania residents and businesses to receive timely permits. As a board member for the Center for Rural Pennsylvania, I mentioned my recent board meeting in Punxsutawney over Groundhog Day and shared my insight on the many benefits of tourism on the local economy. Punxsutawney Phil attracts tens of thousands of visitors every Groundhog Day, and while the antics of the fuzzy, local weather prognosticator may seem silly, it’s a ritual the hotels, restaurants and area retailers are taking to the bank.

Hearings to Begin on Governor’s $51.47 Billion Budget

The House Appropriations Committee will begin its examination of the governor’s proposed 2025-26 state budget when three weeks of budget hearings get underway next week. In the first week of hearings, officials of the departments of Community and Economic Development, Revenue, and Transportation will testify before the committee, as well as the Pennsylvania State Police, the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, state-related universities, the Department of Health and the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency among others. Last week, the governor proposed a $51.47 billion budget, representing a $3.57 billion, or 7.5%, increase over the current fiscal year. The proposed spending increase is significantly more than the anticipated $1.3 billion revenue increase. Budget hearings will stream live at PAHouseGOP.com

Local PennDOT Office to Hold REAL ID Mondays

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security will begin enforcement of REAL ID requirements beginning May 7. This means that to board a domestic flight, enter a military base or a federal facility that requires identification at the door, one will need a REAL ID unless they have a U.S. passport, military ID or other federally acceptable identification. If you have any questions concerning REAL ID, visit PennDOT.pa.gov/REALID. To help ensure residents in our area can secure a REAL ID by the deadline, PennDOT will open its Driver Licensing Center at 37 N. Fourth St., Gettysburg, on the following Mondays: Feb. 10, April 14, and May 5, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Policy Hearings Highlight Potential of PA’s Energy Industry

While the governor continues his push for new taxes on energy production in Pennsylvania, the House Republican Policy Committee recently heard from numerous testifiers about how detrimental these taxes would be on the energy industry, consumers and the economy. The committee held a series of hearings last week in Westmoreland and Schuylkill counties, and on Monday here at the state Capitol in Harrisburg. Business, industry and community leaders provided input on how the governor’s push for a carbon tax would scare away potential investment in Pennsylvania; increase the cost of utilities; and perpetuate the unreliable energy supply. Together with my House colleagues, I am committed to fighting these taxes and advancing policies that will help grow our energy economy.

Apply Now for Community Conservation Partnership Grants

Communities across Pennsylvania can now apply for state grants to fund parks, recreation and conservation projects, as the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) opens its latest round of Community Conservation Partnerships Program funding. Local governments and recreation and conservation nonprofit organizations are eligible and can apply now through April 2, at 4 p.m. The grants fund projects such as parks and recreation projects, conservation planning, trail planning, land and river conservation, community and streamside tree planting, and more. Grant applications are only accepted through DCNR’s Grants Customer Service Portal. Before starting an application, potential applicants should contact a regional advisor who serves the county where their project will be located.

Students Invited to Participate in Lyme Disease Awareness Campaign

Pennsylvania students in first through sixth grades are invited to enter the 2025 Lyme Art Contest by creating a short video or poster focusing on the theme: "Protect. Check. Remove." The annual contest helps students, Scout troops and community youth programs learn how to prevent Lyme disease by educating them about ticks, including where they live, how to prevent bites and how to remove ticks that do bite. Pennsylvania has one of the highest annual counts of Lyme disease cases in the nation, which further emphasizes the importance of teaching children about tick awareness and prevention measures. The deadline for entries is Friday, March 14, at 5 p.m.

Is PA Money Match Heading Your Way?

PA Money Match is a new law, which passed in the General Assembly last year with my support. It allows the Pennsylvania Treasury to automatically return certain unclaimed property valued at $500 or less and belonging to a single owner. Eligible recipients will receive a letter in the mail to confirm their address, then about 45 days later they will receive a check for their property. PA Treasury is working to return more than $4.5 billion in unclaimed property, including dormant bank accounts, uncashed checks, rebates, insurance payments and more. Residents are still encouraged to regularly search the Treasury’s website for unclaimed property patreasury.gov/unclaimed-property. Feel free to contact my district office if you require assistance. The average value of a claim is $1,600, and PA Money Match will not automatically return property valued above $500 or property having more than one owner, such as dormant joint checking or savings accounts.