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In this Update:
Remembering an American Hero William G. “Bill” Carpenter
This past week, we lost a true American hero and long-time community leader, William G. “Bill” Carpenter. Bill truly embodied the values of a great American, serving in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War and receiving both the Purple Heart and Silver Star for his bravery. His heart was always in public service, serving his local community on Cornwall Borough Council for 16 years and as Lebanon County Commissioner for 24 years. He worked for both the Lebanon Daily News and the Good Samaritan Hospital as the Vice President of Community Service & Development and volunteered with many local non-profit organizations. Bill’s legacy will continue to live on, as a section of Route 72 was dedicated in his name as well as the William G. Carpenter Park and Baseball field in Cornwall. It was an honor to join Rep. John Schlegel (R-101) in requesting a flag be flown over the Pennsylvania Capitol this past Saturday, May 31st in his honor. National Dairy Month Celebrated in Harrisburg
This week, I joined Sen. Elder Vogel Jr. (R-47) to recognize National Dairy Month in Harrisburg with state dairy and agriculture leaders. There are more than 4,900 dairy farms in Pennsylvania and the state’s dairy industry supports 47,000 jobs and generates over $11 billion in annual state economic revenue. Currently, Lancaster, Lebanon, and Berks are part of the top five dairy producing counties in Pennsylvania. Our dairy farmers serve as the cornerstone of our nation and are a critical part of the 48th district’s history, heritage and future. I was happy to have our new spring intern and former State FFA president, Crystal Bomgardner, with me to celebrate with some delicious farm show milk shakes. Senate Confirms Darryl A. Lawrence as Consumer Advocate
I was happy to introduce and recommend my constituent, Darryl A. Lawrence, for appointment as Pennsylvania’s Consumer Advocate this week in the Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee Meeting. He was then unanimously confirmed by the full Pennsylvania Senate. Darryl’s experience working at the Office of Consumer Advocate since 2005 makes him uniquely qualified for this role. He is a proud resident of Lebanon County and holds an MBA from Lebanon Valley College and a JD from the Widener School of Law. The Pennsylvania Office of Consumer Advocate was established by the General Assembly in 1976 to serve as the legal representative for all utility ratepayers in the Commonwealth and is housed in the Office of Attorney General. Senate Votes to Preserve Prescription Assistance for Seniors
Legislation to protect thousands of Pennsylvania seniors from losing access to life-sustaining prescriptions passed the Senate unanimously. Senate Bill 731 would exclude Social Security cost-of-living adjustments from income eligibility calculations for the PACE and PACENET programs. The bill would extend the current exclusion from the end of this year to Dec. 31, 2027. Funded by the Pennsylvania Lottery, the PACE and PACENET programs have provided hundreds of thousands of adults 65 and older with low-cost prescriptions. It now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration. Senate Approves Bill to Improve Access to Stroke Resources
The Senate unanimously passed legislation that would improve access to stroke resources. Senate Bill 411 would establish a statewide stroke registry administered and maintained by the Pennsylvania Department of Health. The registry would improve patient outcomes by giving emergency medical service providers, hospital stroke teams and other health care providers additional resources. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, strokes are the fifth-leading cause of death in the United States. Each year, more than 795,000 people experience a stroke. The bill now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration. Hand-Held Cell Phone Ban for Motorists Now in Effect
A law to increase safety on Pennsylvania roads passed by Senate Republicans that makes it illegal to use a handheld cell phone while driving is now in effect. Use is also prohibited when a vehicle is stopped in traffic or at a red light. Drivers may talk using hands-free devices, but holding a phone to make a call, text, get driving directions or check social media is now a citable offense. For the next year, officers may issue written warnings. Formal citations will be issued beginning June 6, 2026. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, distracted drivers were involved in more than 11,000 crashes in Pennsylvania in 2023, outpacing the number of crashes caused by impaired drivers. 23andMe Consumers Can Still Protect Their Information
While 23andMe has filed for bankruptcy, consumers should know they still have rights. Notably, if a consumer’s personal or genetic information was exposed in the 2023 data breach, they may file a claim electronically by July 14. People may also wish to delete their profiles and accounts to ensure their personal data is erased from the 23andMe system and not sold as part of the bankruptcy process. Attorney General Dave Sunday says consumers can learn how to delete their genetic data from 23andMe, destroy their 23andMe test sample and revoke permission for their genetic data to be used for research here. Remembering D-Day and Those Who Gave Everything
In one of the most important military actions in history, the Allies began the liberation of Western Europe on June 6, 1944. Each year, there are fewer surviving D-Day veterans, which makes it even more important that we preserve their legacy through education. We must never forget the more than 2,500 Americans who lost their lives turning the tide in World War II. The cost of freedom is high, and they gave everything to defend it for all of us. Local Events
Wednesday, June 4-7: Womelsdorf Community Days Carnival Friday, June 6, 5pm-9pm: Taste of Lititz Friday, June 6-8: Mid Atlantic Air Museum’s 34th Annual WWII Weekend Saturday, June 7: The William D. Lebo Memorial Foundation Car Show Saturday, June 7, 10am-3pm: Strawberry Fun Day Sunday, June 8, 9am-1pm: American Legion Campbelltown Chicken BBQ Sale Monday, June 9, 5:30pm: Union Canal Kayak Tours Monday, June 9, 10-11am: Jonestown Bank Story Time- Financial Literacy Thursday, June 12-14: Kempton Fair
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