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In this Update:
Shapiro Admin Announces Closure of Quehanna Boot Camp, SCI Rockview
Today, the Shapiro Administration announced the closure of the Quehanna Boot Camp and SCI Rockview. The Shapiro Administration has failed rural Pennsylvania. The governor allowed an unelected bureaucrat to defund our local schools, hurt small businesses, and significantly reduce the safety of our region and our Commonwealth. This decision is shortsighted and destructive, with real-world consequences for our community. At the center of this decision are our corrections officers, men and women who put their lives on the line every day to keep violent offenders off our streets and maintain order inside our correctional facilities. By moving forward with this closure, the Shapiro Administration has abandoned these dedicated professionals, stripping them of their livelihoods and undermining the very system that relies on their courage and discipline. In the shadow of darkness, the administration advanced a plan that turns away from accountability, choosing instead to shelter convicted criminals rather than enforce the tough discipline that keeps our neighborhoods secure. This reckless move abandons the values that Pennsylvanians expect from their leaders: fairness, responsibility, and a commitment to protecting families and keeping our communities safe. Despite bipartisan efforts in the Senate to preserve and modernize the Quehanna Boot Camp, the Governor and Secretary chose to side with a misguided plan that ignores the voices of the people of Clearfield and Centre counties. They chose bureaucrats over citizens, political expedience over sound policy, and ideology over common sense. This closure is more than a policy decision, it is a betrayal of the men and women who depend on these jobs, of the corrections officers who have dedicated their lives to protecting the public, of the families who rely on strong schools, and of the communities that deserve to live in safety. It is a disservice to hardworking families, to public safety, and to the principles of fairness and responsibility that Pennsylvanians expect from their government. Retirement of Richland Township Police Chief Michael Burgan
It was an honor to present Chief Michael Burgan with a Pennsylvania State Senate citation commemorating his retirement from the Richland Township Police Department. Centre County State of the County Luncheon
I had the pleasure of attending the annual State of the County luncheon hosted by the Chamber of Business and Industry of Centre County. Measure to Help Veteran-Owned Businesses Approved by Senate
Beyond serving our nation in the military, many veterans create jobs through their entrepreneurial spirit. We approved legislation to promote these veteran-owned businesses. Senate Bill 64 would authorize the creation of a special logo to promote veteran-owned businesses. To be eligible, a business must be registered with the Department of State and at least 51% of the ownership interest must be held by a veteran, reservist or member of the National Guard. To discourage the logo from being used fraudulently, anyone who falsely claims to be a veteran to obtain this designation would face a misdemeanor of the third degree. The bill was sent to the House of Representatives for consideration. Fire and EMS Funding Assistance Available
Our local fire and EMS companies are committed to saving lives and protecting property, so I’m pleased to announce they can apply now for assistance through the state Fire Company and Emergency Medical Services Grants program. The funding is available to volunteer or career fire, rescue and EMS organizations and can be used for facility improvements, equipment purchase and repair, debt reduction, training and certification, and more. The deadline to apply is Oct. 20. More information, important dates and the online application can be found here. Expanding Government Transparency with OpenBookPA
The Pennsylvania Treasury has launched an expanded portal for state government transparency, providing taxpayers with more tools to explore state finance details. OpenBookPA’s new features include:
Announced by Treasurer Stacy Garrity earlier this month, OpenBookPA also links to the Treasury Checkbook, which includes payments made by Treasury to vendors and the Contracts e-Library, which makes available state contracts, purchase orders and amendments valued at $5,000 or more for public review. PennDOT Innovations Challenge
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is inviting all students in grades 9-12 to join this year’s PennDOT Innovations Challenge, an annual contest that encourages high school students to use their problem-solving skills to develop solutions to real-world transportation problems. This year’s challenge is asking teams of 2-4 students to come up with a concept to deploy artificial intelligence to increase safety in work zones for drivers and work crews. The submission deadline for the Innovations Challenge is January 20, 2026. Regional winning teams will be invited to present their submissions to the PennDOT secretary and a panel of judges, who will select a statewide challenge winner. A monetary award for the statewide winning team will be announced at a later date. For more details on the Innovations Challenge, visit bit.ly/3Vb4jL2. Upcoming District EventsMark your calendar for several upcoming events I will be hosting across the 35th Senatorial District!
I will be hosting a Child Safety Seat Inspection event later this month in Johnstown. If you have young children who ride in a safety seat, stop by to have a certified technician ensure the seat is properly installed in your vehicle. The event will take place on Thursday, September 25, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Greater Johnstown High School Parking Lot, 222 Central Avenue in Johnstown. For more information, please contact my office at 814-266-2277.
I will be hosting my annual Senior Expo in Johnstown next month! The expo will take place on Thursday, October 2, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Penn Highlands Community College, 101 Community College Way in Johnstown. Admission is free! Stop by for door prizes, health screenings, and information on services available to seniors from government agencies and senior citizen organizations. I look forward to seeing you there!
I will also be hosting my annual Veterans Appreciation Breakfasts next month! For Cambria County veterans, breakfast will be held on October 16, 2025, at the Young Peoples Community Center in Ebensburg! The doors will open at 8:00 a.m. and breakfast will be served at 8:30 a.m. Registration is required by October 2 to attend. To register, please visit senatorlangerholc.com/vet-breakfast-cambria/ or call my office at 814-266-2277.
For veterans in Clearfield and Centre counties, breakfast will be held on October 30, 2025, at Clearfield VFW Post 1785! The doors will open at 8:00 a.m. and breakfast will be served at 8:30 a.m. Registration is required by October 16 to attend. To register, please visit senatorlangerholc.com/vet-breakfast-clearfield/ or call my office at 814-266-2277.
I will be hosting two License Plate Replacement Events next month for damaged and hard to read license plates. Damaged plates have peeling, blistering, discoloration, or a loss of reflectivity, and are unreadable from 50 feet away. Stop by one of my events to have a police officer determine if your plate needs replaced and to help with the appropriate paperwork. This service is free, and my staff will submit the paperwork to PennDOT for you! The first event will be held on Wednesday, October 22, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Patton Township Municipal Building, 100 Patton Plaza in State College. If you have any questions or cannot attend the event but need your plate replaced, please contact my office at 814-806-1197. The second event will be held on Wednesday, October 29, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Curwensville Civic Center, 11 Stadium Drive in Curwensville. If you have any questions or cannot attend the event but need your plate replaced, please contact my office at 814-765-0555. Happy Rosh Hashanah
Rosh Hashanah begins Monday at sundown. To everyone celebrating the Jewish New Year, I hope it brings thoughtful reflection, personal growth and renewed hope. |
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