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In this Update:
Shapiro Refuses $500 Million in Federal Education Funding
This past Friday, I joined with U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon, state and federal lawmakers and school choice advocates from across the Commonwealth to demand that Gov. Josh Shapiro opt-in to President Donald Trump’s historic, zero-cost Federal Scholarship Tax Credit (FSTC). A byproduct of the “One Big, Beautiful Bill” Act, the FSTC allows individuals to make dollar-for-dollar tax-deductible donations (up to $1,700) to scholarship-granting organizations nationwide. Students receiving these scholarships can use them to cover a wide array of education-related expenses—everything from private school tuition to after-school tutoring. Again, these scholarships rely entirely on private money and do not take a single cent away from public schools or the state. Rather, this program adds more to existing K–12 funding. In fact, public school students also qualify for FSTC scholarships to cover their own school expenses. All totaled, 27 governors on both sides of the aisle have already opted into the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit, and a recent poll shows that 78% of Pennsylvania voters support the FSTC. “So Pennsylvania, what are you waiting for? Opt-in. Unlock these opportunities for every family in this Commonwealth and ensure every child can manifest their academic destiny,” concluded Secretary McMahon. Josh Shapiro’s refusal/failure to “sign on the dotted line” is the only roadblock preventing Pennsylvania students and their families from opting-in to the benefits of the single largest national expansion of education freedom in history. Confronting Antisemitism on Yom HaShoah
Surrounded by paintings depicting the life of Pennsylvania’s Founder William Penn—who was no stranger to religious intolerance, imprisonment and persecution—I was humbled to speak during the Pennsylvania Jewish Coalition’s 2026 Civic Commemoration of the Holocaust. Monday’s Yom HaShoah commemoration was held inside the Governor’s Reception Room at the PA Capitol, where we remembered the six million Jewish people murdered throughout the Holocaust, along with the millions of others who were targeted by Nazi hatred and persecution. Antisemitism must be confronted and condemned wherever and whenever it appears. We mourn all who were lost, and we honor the resilience of those who survived. We can never afford to forget the cost of the Holocaust! May God Almighty protect His People and may He be with all men and women who fight to protect religious liberties near and far. Women Veterans Invited to Submit Their Stories of Service
Women who served in the armed forces are encouraged to register by May 8 for a state Capitol ceremony honoring their service. The 4th annual Women Veterans Day Commemoration will be held on Wednesday, June 10. Women veterans across the commonwealth are invited to submit entries for a display featuring each participant’s likeness alongside a personal reflection on “What Service Means to Me.” In advance of the in-person ceremony, a virtual display will be accessible online beginning June 8 at the website of the event’s host, SenatorPennycuick.com. To submit a biography and be featured in the display, click here. For additional information or assistance with registration, call 215-541-2388. Beware of Investment Scams on Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp
Fraudulent investment schemes are appearing on Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp featuring recognizable figures, like Cathie Wood (Ark Invest), Joe Kernen (CNBC) or Kevin O’Leary (CNBC) without their permission. In these “pump and dump” schemes, victims are lured into online groups and convinced to invest in cryptocurrencies or low-priced stocks. The scammers advertise, hype and recommend buying the stocks or cryptocurrencies, increasing their prices, and then sell when the price is high, while the victims lose their money. Attorney General Dave Sunday encourages anyone who may have been a victim of these types of scams to report it to the Bureau of Consumer Protection at 800-441-2555 or scams@attorneygeneral.gov. Child Abuse Prevention Month
National Child Abuse Prevention Month is an opportunity to learn how to identify abused or neglected children. You could save a child’s innocence or even their life. Signs of child abuse include unexplained injuries or injuries inconsistent with a child’s age and developmental level. Signs of child neglect include lack of adequate medical and dental care, or a child who is often hungry or not registered in school. Find more signs of abuse and neglect here. If you suspect child abuse, call ChildLine at 1-800-932-0313.
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