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In this Update:

• DOJ Charges 19 Defendants in $4 Million Philadelphia Medicare and Medicaid Fraud
• Pennsylvania Has New Tools to Solve Violent Crimes
• State Budget Boosts College Tuition Assistance
• PA College Savings Fees Waived for Fifth Straight Year
• Red Tape Slashed for PA Cosmetology Workers
• Booking a Tour of Your State Capitol
• Congratulations to Amy Wissinger on Her Retirement
• You’re Invited! Sportsman Expo
• Local Events

DOJ Charges 19 Defendants in $4 Million Philadelphia Medicare and Medicaid Fraud

While I applaud the U.S. Department of Justice and the Pennsylvania Attorney General for charging 19 defendants in a home health aid fraud scheme, we need to do more. These crimes defraud the taxpayer and have diverted resources from people who truly need care.

That is why I joined Sen. Kristin Phillips-Hill in sponsoring legislation to combat improper government payments. With Pennsylvanian’s Medicaid improper payment rated cited at 14%, our bill would require agencies to regularly identify vulnerable programs, report improper payments publicly and implement corrective action plans.

Taxpayers deserve greater transparency, accountability and protection from fraud.

Learn more about our bill here.

Pennsylvania Has New Tools to Solve Violent Crimes

Law enforcement agencies will be able to access new tools to boost clearance rates for homicide and other violent crime cases through a new state law. 

The Violent Incident Clearance and Technological Investigative Methods (VICTIM) Act was enacted with the new state budget. The law establishes a grant program administered by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency to help police hire and retain detectives and investigators, and upgrade technology used to analyze evidence.

Solving more violent crimes will help make communities safer by getting offenders off the streets while also serving as a deterrent to would-be criminals who know their crimes will not go unanswered.

State Budget Boosts College Tuition Assistance

Under the new state budget we recently passed, the maximum PA State Grant award has increased to the highest amount in program history, helping students across the commonwealth and their families pay for higher education.

For the 2026-27 fiscal year, the maximum award is $6,000, up from $5,750, the amount it’s been for four years. The funding is administered by the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA).

Each year, PHEAA’s board reevaluates the awarding formula by analyzing several factors, including tuition costs, the effect of inflation on family incomes, the number of expected applicants and recommended funding for the program as part of the annual budget process. Read more about the PA State Grant program here.

PA College Savings Fees Waived for Fifth Straight Year  

Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity announced asset-based fees for the PA 529 College and Career Savings Program’s Guaranteed Savings Plan (GSP) will be waived for the fifth year in a row.

PA 529 GSP account owners will not see any asset-based fees on their quarterly statements for July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, resulting in $5.9 million in savings. This fee waiver is funded through surplus earnings of the GSP fund.

The PA 529 GSP allows families to save at today’s tuition rates to meet tomorrow’s tuition costs. Families can choose from a variety of tuition levels to save from community college to Ivy League. PA 529 GSP account earnings are based on tuition inflation rates.

Red Tape Slashed for PA Cosmetology Workers

Legislation to streamline licensing for the cosmetology workforce has been signed into law, a major step in addressing Pennsylvania’s ongoing workforce shortages.

Act 43 of 2026 authorizes Pennsylvania to join the Cosmetology Licensure Compact, an interstate agreement that makes it easier for licensed cosmetologists — who provide treatments for hair, skin and nails — to obtain a multistate license and work in participating states without unnecessary red tape. It also ensures cosmetology professionals in active-duty military families face no burdensome licensure requirements in compact states.

Pennsylvania is the 13th state to enter the compact, joining neighboring states Ohio, West Virginia, Maryland and Delaware. Read more about this new law here.

Booking a Tour of Your State Capitol

Summer is a great time to tour your state Capitol, a National Historic Landmark featuring Renaissance designs, paintings, stained glass and furnishings by some of the best artisans in the world.

Scheduling in advance is recommended, but walk-ins are welcome according to availability. Tours take approximately 30-45 minutes and are limited to 40 guests total per tour. Self-guided tours do not take place on weekends and holidays.

More than the seat of Pennsylvania’s government, the Capitol is a magnificent symbol of the hopes and vision of the commonwealth that gave birth to a nation. Find details and book a tour here.

Congratulations to Amy Wissinger on Her Retirement

I had the honor of presenting Amy with a Pennsylvania Senate citation recognizing her retirement from the Cornwall-Lebanon School District after more than 40 years in education.

Since 2007, Amy has served the district as its Communications and Media Relations Coordinator. Thank you, Amy, for your many years of dedicated service to students, staff and the entire Cornwall-Lebanon community. Wishing you all the best in retirement!

You’re Invited! Sportsman Expo

I’ve joined with Reps. Jamie Barton and Eric Weaknecht to host a Sportsman Expo on Saturday, August 22 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Kempton Community Center.

We’re bringing together a wide range of vendors and organizations focused on hunting, fishing, conservation and outdoor recreation to create a one-stop shop for hunters, anglers and outdoor enthusiasts.

There will be no admission fee, and no RSVPs are required.

Local Events

Saturday, August 8, 11am-3pm: Vet Fest
Lebanon VA Medical Center (Lebanon, PA)

Saturday, August 8, 10am-2pm: Smokey’s Birthday Celebration
Berks County Heritage Center (Berks, PA)

Saturday, August 15-16: Mount Gretna Outdoor Art Show
Mount Gretna (Lebanon, PA)

Tuesday, August 25, 12-7pm & August 26, 10am-5pm: Wreaths Across America’s Mobile Education Exhibit
2610 N. Reading Rd, Denver (Lancaster, PA)

Saturday, August 29: Pickleball Tournament at Coleman Memorial Park
Coleman Memorial Park (Lebanon, PA)