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In this Update:
Century Farm Visit in Armstrong County
It was a pleasure to visit the picturesque farm of Roger and Sandy Kromer. The Kromer’s family farm was recognized by the PA Dept. of Agriculture as a Century Farm in August 2023. The Kromer farm was established in 1923 by Sandy Kromer’s grandparents and operates as a Black Angus beef farm. A granary and wooden corn crib from the original farm are still in use. Roger, Jr. and Danielle Kromer are raising their children on the farm. The Century Farm designation can be earned by any farm that has been owned by the same family for one hundred consecutive years, consists of at least ten acres of the original holding or grosses more than one thousand dollars annually from the sale of farm products and has a family member residing on the farm on a permanent basis. Century Farms represent durability and love of the land that this Commonwealth was built upon, and the recognition is an honor that provides distinction for lands with legacies. Armstrong County is home to 60 Century and five Bicentennial Farms! Memorial Day Parade & Services
It was an honor and privilege to attend the Punxsutawney American Legion – John Jacob Fisher Post 62 Memorial Day parade and ceremony. Thank you to Post 62 members for organizing an amazing tribute honoring those who gave their lives while serving our great country. Town Hall Meeting
Thank you to all who participated in my Town Hall meeting in South Bethlehem Borough, Armstrong County. I greatly value hearing concerns and thoughts on various issues that are impacting our local communities and state government. The opportunity to have a discussion like this offers an important perspective as we work together to strengthen Pennsylvania. A special thanks to Distant Area VFD for the hospitality and use of their facility. New Law Requires AEDs at School Sports Events
Legislation approved by the Senate to help prevent the leading cause of death among young athletes – sudden cardiac arrest – is now law. Senate Bill 375, now Act 17 of 2026, will require automated external defibrillators (AEDs) to be present at all PIAA-sanctioned athletic events and practices. The law also requires schools to develop and rehearse emergency action plans for cardiac incidents. AEDs are portable, life-saving devices used to restore normal heartbeats with electrical shock. The legislation was introduced after the tragic death of Greg Moyer, who passed away from sudden cardiac arrest during a high school basketball game in East Stroudsburg, Monroe County. Read more about passage of this new law here. Midwifery Modernization Law Supports Mothers and Babies
A new law we passed will help ensure women and families have access to safe, high-quality care throughout pregnancy and postpartum recovery by modernizing Pennsylvania’s laws governing midwives. Senate Bill 507, now Act 14 of 2026, updates licensure requirements for certified midwives, improves collaboration with physicians and expands prescription authority in certain circumstances. The law also addresses healthcare shortages in rural and underserved communities by expanding the number of trained professionals available to provide maternal care services. Read more about our work to expand this care for mothers and babies here. Improving Stream Maintenance, Reducing Flood Hazards
Legislation to give counties and municipalities more flexibility in handling flood-related hazards and obstructions was passed by the Senate in March and now awaits action in the House of Representatives. Currently, entering streams to remove obstructions requires a permit from the state Department of Environmental Protection, a process that is lengthy, tedious and inefficient. Senate Bill 403 would allow local government organizations to apply for an extended permit, allowing maintenance to continue for 10 years or more. Senate Bill 404 would allow counties to obtain emergency maintenance permits in consultation with their county conservation district. Read more about how these bills will help protect against flooding here. Hearing Examines Bill Ensuring Lead-Free Drinking Water in Schools
A recent Senate hearing examined legislation to ensure Pennsylvania students have access to safe, lead-free drinking water in schools. The Senate Institutional Sustainability and Innovation Committee discussed Senate Bill 759, which would require school districts to replace outdated drinking fountains with lead-filtering hydration stations by 2028 while providing funding mechanisms to help schools cover implementation costs. Committee members heard testimony from experts in environmental advocacy, public health, plumbing and pediatric medicine on the dangers of lead exposure and the need for preventative action in schools across Pennsylvania. Watch the hearing and read testimony here. Read more about the hearing and Senate Bill 759 here. Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program Kicks Off in June
Beginning in June, the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program offers vouchers to eligible seniors (60+) to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables at local farmers markets. Call your county aging office to apply and find out when and where they are distributing the vouchers. You can find aging offices and voucher information here. Available on first come, first served basis. Click here for details and where to find participating markets. Recapping Mammo May 2026
As we wrap up Mammo May, Mammography Month, I hope you or the women you know are better informed on the importance of early breast cancer detection. If you’re one of the average 38 Pennsylvania women diagnosed with breast cancer each day, catching it early greatly increases your odds of successful treatment. Some resources to keep handy: No-Cost Screenings Information Most mammograms take about 20 minutes. Please spread the word and share this important information from the Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition. |
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