 |
|
| |
|
Capitol Report
|
#Listrak\DateStampLong#
|
The latest news from the State Capitol
|
Please do not reply directly to this email, as it returns to an unmanned account.
You are welcome to contact me through this link.
|
Accepting a New Appointment
This week, I was honored to be appointed chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Fiscal Policy as the General Assembly begins its work on the 2026–27 state budget.
As chair, I will work with my colleagues to closely examine revenue projections, long-term financial planning, and the policies that shape Pennsylvania’s fiscal outlook.
This is a critical time for our Commonwealth. The governor’s budget address has set the stage for months of hard work ahead. Our focus will be on ensuring a responsible, balanced budget that reflects the priorities of Pennsylvanians while maintaining fiscal discipline.
In the coming weeks, I look forward to participating in Appropriations Committee hearings with state agency leaders as we take a closer look at how taxpayer dollars are being spent and where improvements can be made.
I’m grateful to Appropriations Committee Chairman Jim Struzzi (R-Indiana) for the confidence he has placed in me. I take this responsibility seriously.
Above all, this role allows me to continue advocating for careful stewardship of public funds and policies that support Pennsylvania’s long-term financial stability.
|
Protecting Taxpayers and Pennsylvania’s Financial Future
After hearing the governor’s proposal to spend $53.26 billion in Fiscal Year 2026-27, I have serious concerns. Chief among them is the plan to transfer $4.58 billion from the Rainy Day Fund to balance the budget. Raiding one of our key savings accounts to support unsustainable spending puts the Commonwealth in a precarious financial position for the long term.
As a member of the House Appropriations Committee for the past three years, I will be directly involved in reviewing agency funding requests over the coming weeks. This is where the hard work begins. We must create a responsible, sustainable budget that reflects the priorities of Pennsylvanians without placing additional burdens on taxpayers.
As negotiations move forward, I will keep the priorities of the 87th District at the forefront. My commitment remains clear: to make Pennsylvania and Cumberland County better places to live, work, and raise a family. Ensuring financial stability for constituents through a balanced budget will be a key part of that goal.
You can watch a video of some thoughts I shared following the address here.
|
Honoring Our First Responders at Upper Allen Fire Company
I was grateful to join the Upper Allen Township Fire Company on Saturday night for its annual banquet and recognition dinner. Our firefighters and first responders put their lives on the line to keep our community safe. It’s always an honor to thank them for their dedication, service, and commitment to our district.
|
Celebrating Sue Erdman’s Remarkable Legacy at Simpson Library
On Sunday afternoon, I had the honor of congratulating Sue Erdman, outgoing director of Simpson Library, on her retirement after more than 40 years of service to our community.
Alongside Rep. Sheryl Delozier (R-88), I was proud to present a joint citation recognizing this incredible milestone. Sue’s vision and leadership helped shape Simpson Library into the community cornerstone it is today, and her legacy will continue for generations to come.
|
Celebrating a Local Business Milestone
On Monday afternoon, while we were in session, members of my staff joined the Mechanicsburg, Carlisle, and West Shore Chambers of Commerce to congratulate the Scotto family on the grand reopening of Visaggio’s Banquet Hall.
I’ve loved going to Visaggio’s for several years and look forward to seeing this updated space in person soon!
|
Save the Dates for My Upcoming Events
Residents of the 87th District are welcome to join us for a number of events my office will be hosting in the coming weeks. To RSVP for events (unless otherwise noted), please call my office at 717-975-2235 or visit RepKutz.com/Events.
Events are free of charge and open to all residents of the 87th District.
Legislative Update at Three Pines Tavern
Farmers Breakfast
Telephone Town Hall
Property Tax/Rent Rebate Assistance Program
Damaged License Plate Event
|
Community Document Shredding Events
My office is hosting two free community document shredding events to give residents a safe and secure way to dispose of personal documents. Both events are open to residential customers only and include a four-box or bag limit per household. Staples are accepted; please remove paperclips and binder clips.
RSVP is not required.
Mechanicsburg District Office
South Middleton Township Office
|
Chime Scholars Foundation Opens Applications for 2026–27 Scholarships
The Chime Scholars Foundation has opened applications for the 2026–27 academic year. Scholarships of up to $20,000 are available to students of all backgrounds pursuing college degrees, apprenticeships, trade schools, and technical or workforce certifications.
Since launching in 2022, the program has awarded $7 million to more than 1,000 scholars nationwide through Chime’s 1% pledge to expand access to education. Program outcomes show strong results: 100% of surveyed graduates report the scholarship helped them complete their degree or certification, 87% are projected to graduate—nearly double the rate of Federal Pell Grant recipients—and 72% secure employment in their field within six months of graduation.
Applications are open through March 31. Additional information is available here.
|
Think Spring! Trout Stocking Schedule Available
The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) announced its 2026 trout stocking schedule is now available online and on the FishBoatPA mobile app.
The PFBC will stock approximately 3.2 million adult trout in 684 streams and 130 lakes open to public angling. Stocking is set to begin the week of Feb. 16 in advance of the statewide Mentored Youth Trout Day on Saturday, March 28, and the statewide opening day of trout season on Saturday, April 4.
The 2026 adult trout stocking schedule is searchable by county; lists the waterways in alphabetical order; and indicates stocking dates, meeting locations for volunteers and the species of trout that will be stocked at each location.
Click here for additional details about stocking and visit www.fishandboat.com for information about fishing licenses and permits.
|
Pay Attention to Your Heart Health; Wear Red for Women Friday!
February is American Heart Month, a time when all people are encouraged to focus on their cardiovascular health. Currently, one out of every five deaths in the United States is due to heart disease.
To protect yourself, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention encourages people to choose healthy foods and drinks, keep a healthy weight, get regular physical activity and don’t smoke. People should also take charge of medical conditions that could increase their risk of heart disease, such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure or diabetes.
Learn more about heart disease and how to protect yourself here.
|
Community Conservation Partnerships Program Now Accepting Grant Applications
Communities across Pennsylvania can now apply for state grants to fund parks, recreation and conservation projects, as the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) opens its latest round of Community Conservation Partnerships Program funding. Applications are open now through April 30 at 4 p.m.
Eligible applicants include county and municipal governments, municipal agencies and nonprofit organizations. The grants fund projects such as park and recreation projects, conservation planning, trail planning, land and river conservation, community and streamside tree planting, and more.
Grant applications are only accepted through DCNR’s Grants Customer Service Portal.
Before starting an application, potential applicants should contact a regional advisor who serves the county where their project will be located. Contact information is available on the Regional Staff Assignment map (PDF).
Learn more here.
|
Students Invited to Participate in Lyme Disease Awareness Campaign
Pennsylvania students in first through sixth grades are invited to enter the 2025 Lyme Art Contest by creating a short video or poster focusing on the theme: “Protect. Check. Remove.”
The annual contest helps students, Scout troops and community youth programs learn how to prevent Lyme disease by educating them about ticks, including where they live, how to prevent bites and how to remove ticks that do bite.
Pennsylvania has one of the highest annual counts of Lyme disease cases in the nation, which further emphasizes the importance of teaching children about tick awareness and prevention measures.
The deadline for entries is Friday, March 13. Click here for details.
|
|
|
