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In this Update:
Win Student Essay Contest Attend America250PA Ceremonial Celebration National Constitution Center (Philadelphia)
On Tuesday May 5, 2026, the Pennsylvania State Senate will be participating in a ceremonial celebration event at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. We are honored to partner with America250PA to invite one student and their parent or guardian from each Senate district to take part in this historic occasion. Senate District 25 high school students (grades 9th through 12th) who may have an interest in government or civic engagement are encouraged to apply to be part of this historic ceremony. Because we anticipate a significant number of students will apply to be considered for this honor—and to help a panel select a winner—I am asking all interested students to submit a short essay on the theme below to https://senatordush.com/america-250-anniversary/. Essay Theme: “What was unique to the general character of The Founders at the time of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States that differentiates them from those at the formation of any other nation?” All essays must be submitted no later than Wednesday April 1, 2026 at 12 a.m. This is a rare and meaningful opportunity to represent the 25th Senatorial District at a once-in-a-generation commemoration of America’s founding. Again, please visit https://senatordush.com/america-250-anniversary/ for further details about contest requirements, any updated travel information and to submit your essay by Wednesday, April 1. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us. Complete district office contact information is available here. Welcome to Your State Capitol
On Monday, I had the privilege of welcoming Henry “Hank” Lustig to the Big 33 Football Classic Celebration at the PA Capitol. Hank is a standout 2026 wide receiver/cornerback from State College Area High School who committed to Penn State University as a preferred walk-on in January 2026. He earned first-team All-State honors in 2025 with 642 receiving yards and 11 total TDs. Congratulations Hank on all your well-deserved accolades as a premiere student athlete and best wishes for future success. The Big 33, known as the Super Bowl of High School Football, is an exciting matchup featuring PA vs. MD. For more information visit Big33.org. Senate Acts to Address Electric Generation Shortfall, Expand Energy Development
Reliable and affordable electricity is a fundamental need for families and the businesses that provide their jobs. The Senate recently passed legislation to streamline energy generation projects and preserve the reliability of our region’s power grid. Senate Bill 704 directs the state departments of Community and Economic Development and Environmental Protection to work together to identify suitable sites for natural gas electric generation projects. The goal is to address electricity generation shortages in the PJM power grid and attract investment by speeding up site preparation. The bill was sent to the House of Representatives for consideration. Other measures we passed to promote access to affordable energy prevented the creation of a new electricity tax and would authorize creation of a Pennsylvania Independent Energy Office to ensure a more cohesive strategy for managing energy resources. Measure to Speed Up Plugging of Abandoned Wells Approved by Senate
There are an estimated 350,000 abandoned oil and gas wells statewide posing safety and environmental risks. The Senate approved legislation to streamline plugging operations, eliminating uncertainty and accelerating cleanup efforts. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection requires well pluggers to clean out a well to its total depth before plugging. Senate Bill 712 removes longstanding roadblocks by defining what constitutes a reasonable effort to reach the attainable bottom of a well, eliminating ambiguity that has led to costly delays. This clarity will help Pennsylvania fully leverage nearly $400 million in federal funding to plug more wells in less time. The bill was sent to the House of Representatives for consideration. Poultry Owners Urged to Continue Efforts to Combat Avian Influenza
The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture is reminding poultry owners – backyard flock owners and commercial producers – to continue taking steps to protect their birds from highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). Since the current outbreak began in 2022, Pennsylvania has lost more than 14.3 million birds, with approximately half of these lost since the beginning of 2026. Steps to reduce HPAI risk include:
Poultry owners should report sick birds or unexplained deaths to 717-772-2852. Anyone encountering sick or dead wild birds should contact the Pennsylvania Game Commission at 1-833-PGC-WILD. You can find more information here. Next Commonwealth Vehicle Auction is April 14
Used commonwealth fleet vehicle auctions featuring more than 200 vehicles are open to the public, including dealers. The next auction is April 14. The auctions are conducted at the Manheim Keystone Pennsylvania Auto Auction, 488 Firehouse Road in Grantville, Dauphin County. Auctions begin at 10 a.m. and prospective buyers should register on the Saturday, Sunday or Monday before the sale. There is no registration on sale day. You can see what was sold at prior auctions and the most updated offerings, along with registration information and more here. Additional information, including payment options, can be found in the auction policies or by calling 717-469-7900 Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
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