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In this Update:
Returning Whole Milk to Schools
Last June, I joined my Pennsylvania Senate colleagues in voting to approve a resolution urging Congress to pass the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act. Whole milk provides 13 essential vitamins to help build strong bones and maintain a healthy immune system. The evidence is overwhelming that both 2% and whole milk should be offered to our students in schools. We applaud the recent enactment of the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act at the federal level, which allows U.S. schools to now offer whole and 2% milk as options for students, in addition to the current reduced-fat, low-fat and fat-free milk. The bill was in response to enactment of federal legislation in 2010 that permitted only low-fat and fat-free milk options in public schools. Within the first two years of the law taking effect, 1.2 million fewer students drank milk with their lunches. Pennsylvania ranks second in the number of dairy farms and eighth in total milk production, making this change a great positive for children while also supporting our dairy farmers! Eat Real Food Rally at the Capitol
This week, I joined my legislative colleagues from both the Senate and House at the Capitol for a rally with U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to kick off the “Eat Real Food Tour”. Secretary Kennedy outlined the Trump Administration’s plan to promote better nutrition and healthier lifestyles through the new Eat Real Food Program. I was proud that Pennsylvania was chosen as the place where this national movement officially began. The energy was incredible, the message was clear, and the momentum is real. What started here has the potential to make a lasting impact across the country. Ending State Funding for Gender Transition of Minors
I have joined with Sen. Sen. Cris Dush (R-25) to sponsor legislation that would end taxpayer funded “gender-affirming care” for minors. The bill would end state funding for any healthcare system that continues providing these procedures to minors. Recently, U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. issued a declaration stating that so-called “gender-affirming care” for minors does not meet professionally recognized standards of health care. With his visit to Harrisburg this week, I had the opportunity to discuss the legislation and am happy to lead the charge at the state level. These procedures are irreversible and can have lifelong physical and psychological consequences. We have a responsibility to protect our most vulnerable population and ensure that medical care for children is grounded in real science — not political agendas. Read more here: https://www.palegis.us/senate/co-sponsorship/memo?memoID=47920 Congratulations to Abby McCaffrey
Congratulations to Abby McCaffrey, a standout golfer from Schuylkill Valley School District, on winning the PIAA District III Class AA Girls Golf Championship late last year. I was honored to present her with a citation recognizing this outstanding achievement. I wish Abby continued success throughout her senior year and in all her future endeavors. Jan. 31 Submission Deadline for Student Anti-Litter Contest
Students in grades K–6 have until Jan. 31 to submit entries for the latest Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful “Litter Hawk” anti-litter campaign. This year’s theme is Celebrate America250 – Keep It Beautiful, incorporating the nation’s semiquincentennial. Students can craft their message through art, writing or video. Winners will be announced in April and will be invited to take part in a Capitol ceremony. Contest details and application can be found here. PA Department of Revenue Job Openings
Are you good with numbers? The Pennsylvania Department of Revenue lists openings for full-time, part-time, temporary and student positions. The department receives and collects all of the commonwealth’s General Fund tax revenue. In addition, it annually processes more than 10 million business and individual tax reports and payments. Positions include accountants, tax examiners, research analysts, clerical assistants and others, some of them seasonal. You can review what’s currently available and subscribe for job alerts to receive automatic email notifications when new vacancies are posted in your field of interest. Take Part in the Wild Turkey Sighting Survey
Pennsylvanians are asked to report wild turkey flocks they encounter to help the state Game Commission with winter research, population monitoring and leg-banding efforts to track survival and harvest rates. If you’d like to take part, please report the location of any turkey flocks you see through March 15 on this webpage. Game Commission crews will assess sites for the potential to trap turkeys. Turkeys will not be moved; they’ll simply be leg-banded and released on site. Trapping turkeys during winter is part of the Game Commission’s ongoing population monitoring. National Blood Donor Month
The American Red Cross reports a blood shortage as requests from hospitals exceed the available supply, drawing down the blood supply by about 35% over the past month. The shortage is especially serious for platelets and type O, A negative and B negative blood. Every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood. It is essential for surgeries, cancer treatment, chronic illnesses and traumatic injuries. Whether a patient receives whole blood, red cells, platelets or plasma, this lifesaving relies on friends and neighbors making donations. Local Events
Thursday, January 22-24: Lebanon County Home Show Friday, January 23, 4pm: LCBA Winter Wine & Craft Show Saturday, January 24, 10:30-11:30am: Gingerbread Build-Off Saturday, January 24, 10am-1pm: Lebanon County Volunteer Fair Sunday, January 25, 12-5pm: West Reading Chili Cook-Off 2026 Friday, February 13-22: Lititz Fire & Ice Festival
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