Senator Gebhard E-Newsletter

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In this Update:

  • Senator McCormick and FBI Director Kash Patel Host Roundtable on Combatting Drug Trafficking
  • Legislative Accomplishments
  • National Financial Literacy Month
  • Senate Approves Bill Aiding Pennsylvanians with Invisible Disabilities During Police Interactions
  • First Batch of 2026 Money Match Unclaimed Property Checks Being Mailed
  • Let PennDOT Know Your Opinion of Winter Road Services
  • PA Bald Eagle Cam Livestreams America’s Living Symbols
  • Happy Easter
  • Local Events

Senator McCormick and FBI Director Kash Patel Host Roundtable on Combatting Drug Trafficking

This week, I had the opportunity to join U.S. Senator Dave McCormick and FBI Director Kash Patel for an important roundtable discussion focused on combating fentanyl and drug trafficking across Pennsylvania.

The discussion brought together law enforcement officials from across the Commonwealth to address the serious challenges these dangerous drugs continue to pose to our communities. It was encouraging to see strong participation from local leaders, including the Lebanon and Berks County sheriffs, as well as our Lebanon County District Attorney’s Office.

Fentanyl and drug trafficking continue to devastate families and communities throughout Pennsylvania. That is why it is so important for federal, state, and local officials to work together to confront this crisis, support law enforcement, and ensure those responsible for trafficking these deadly substances are held accountable.

I appreciate Senator McCormick for hosting this important conversation and FBI Director Patel for his leadership on this issue.

Legislative Accomplishments

I’m extremely proud of what my team and I have been able to accomplish since I was first elected.

From legislation signed into law, to bills passed in the Senate, to the priorities I’m continuing to fight for, we’ve worked hard to deliver real results for the people of the 48th District.

Here’s some of that work and the priorities that still lie ahead.

My Legislation Signed Into Law

  • Act 141 of 2022: Requires public construction contractors use the federal E-Verify system to ensure legal immigration status.
  • Act 35 of 2023: Ensures personal financial literacy is taught in every high school starting in the 2026-27 school year.
  • Act 7 of 2025: Brings cryptocurrency transmission under the same regulations as money transmission, making it harder for bad actors to operate unchecked.
  • Act 5 of 2026: Provides Fort Indiantown Gap police officers the same Act 120 certification already afforded to other police officers.

My Legislation Passed In The Senate

  • Senate Bill 269 of 2024: Would have cut Pennsylvania’s Personal Income Tax rate from 3.07% to 2.8%, offered a $500 tax credit to volunteer EMS and eliminated the Gross Receipts Tax on energy bills.
  • Senate 1020 of 2025: Closes an unintended gap in Pennsylvania’s free hunting license program for disabled veterans.

Legislation I Supported Passed In The Senate

  • Senate Bill 471 of 2025: Requires prosecutors to notify federal immigration authorities when an illegal immigrant is charged with a state-level crime.
  • Senate Bill 490 of 2025: Denies bail to individuals caught with 10 grams or more of fentanyl who also have a prior violent offense.

What I’m Continuing To Fight For

  • Senate Bill 929 of 2025: Constitutional amendment to finally eliminate school property taxes, which place an unfair burden on homeowners- especially seniors on fixed incomes.
  • Senate Bill 738 of 2025: Addresses the growing trend of scammers targeting our elderly and exploiting them financially.
  • Senate Bill 1255 of 2026: Exempts tips from Pennsylvania’s income tax, aligning with the federal No Tax on Tips law to provide much-needed tax relief to our service workers.
  • Senate Bill TBD of 2026: Expands the real estate tax exemption for disabled veterans by excluding contributions to Pennsylvania ABLE accounts from eligibility requirements.

National Financial Literacy Month

April is Financial Literacy Month, and I’m proud that legislation I championed was incorporated into Act 35 to make completion of a half-credit personal finance course a high school graduation requirement starting this upcoming school year!

Too many students enter adulthood without a strong understanding of basic financial concepts. This law will help prepare young adults to make smart decisions with everyday spending and long-term financial planning.

Senate Approves Bill Aiding Pennsylvanians with Invisible Disabilities During Police Interactions

The Senate approved a voluntary ID designation for Pennsylvanians with invisible disabilities, such as deafness and autism, to help ensure clearer, safer interactions with law enforcement.

Under Senate Bill 802, individuals with invisible disabilities could apply for the designation free of charge, with a doctor’s sign-off, through a process similar to obtaining a handicap parking placard. The designation would appear as a symbol on a driver’s license or state-issued ID card, alerting officers of potential communication difficulties during traffic stops or other interactions.

At least 32 other states have implemented similar measures. Senate Bill 802 was sent to the House of Representatives for consideration.

First Batch of 2026 Money Match Unclaimed Property Checks Being Mailed

More than 100,000 checks, totaling nearly $23 million, are being mailed to Pennsylvania residents under the state Treasury’s 2026 Money Match program for unclaimed property.

Created by the General Assembly in 2024, Pennsylvania Money Match allows Treasury to return unclaimed property valued at up to $500 belonging to a single owner automatically without the need to search or file a claim.

Unclaimed property can include dormant bank accounts, abandoned stocks, uncashed checks and more. Treasurer Stacy Garrity urges Pennsylvanians to regularly search online for unclaimed property, since some claims may not qualify to be part of Money Match.

Let PennDOT Know Your Opinion of Winter Road Services

Motorists have until April 14 to provide feedback on Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) services this winter through its latest anonymous online survey.

The 17-question survey asks respondents about their timeline expectations for safe and passable roadways, how they rank snow-removal priorities and how they rate snow removal and other PennDOT winter services.

Respondents are also asked how they receive PennDOT roadway information, and whether or how they use the state’s 511PA traveler information services.

PA Bald Eagle Cam Livestreams America’s Living Symbols

The Pennsylvania Game Commission livestream of a bald eagle nest in Codorus State Park in York County offers viewers an incredible look at a pair of eagles and their three eggs.

The nest has never seen three eggs in one season since the webcam first started in January 2015. The eggs were laid in early March and typically take around 35 days to hatch, so viewers could see eaglets emerging in the coming days.

Forty years ago, Pennsylvania had only three bald eagle nests left in the entire state before the birds were brought back. We’re now home to more than 300 nests. The livestream is run through a Game Commission partnership with Comcast Business, HDOnTap and local property owners.

Happy Easter

I hope you and your loved ones have a happy Easter full of joy and hope.

Local Events

Saturday, April 4, 2pm: Shoemakersville Lions Club Easter Egg Hunt
Perry Recreation Area (Berks, PA)
Click here

Saturday, April 4, 10am: Jonestown Community Easter Egg Hunt
Jonestown Community Park (Lebanon, PA)
Click here

Saturday, April 4, 4pm: The Happy Gilmore Experience at Coleman Memorial Park
1400 W Maple St, Lebanon (Lebanon, PA)
Click here

Saturday, April 4, 9am-12pm: Spring Cleaning Shredding Event
347 East Penn Ave, Robesonia (Berks, PA)
Click here

Saturday, April 4, 1pm: Candy Drop at Coleman Memorial Park
1400 W Maple St, Lebanon (Lebanon, PA)
Click here

Saturday, April 4, 12pm: Egg Hunt at Hilltop Playground
801 N. 6th St, Lebanon (Lebanon, PA)
Click here

Saturday, April 4, 8am: Community Easter Breakfast with The Bunny
1031 Guilford St, Lebanon (Lebanon, PA)
Click here

Wednesday, April 8, 2pm: Medical Assistance and HealthChoices Presentation
Myerstown Community Library (Lebanon, PA)
Click here

Saturday, April 11, 5:15pm: Sound the Alarm Fundraiser for Bowmansville Fire Company
650 Gehman School Rd, Denver (Lancaster, PA)
Click here

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*Please do not reply to this email, as that mailbox is unattended.  To better serve the constituents of the 48th District, I have set up a contact form on my website.  Please email cgebhard@pasen.gov if you would like to send me a message.

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