Another Colossal Win for Bucktail Students, Harry the Hynerpeton        

By a landslide vote of 49-0, the Pennsylvania Senate unanimously advanced legislation—brought to my attention by a very ambitious group of Bucktail High School students—which I proudly introduced to officially change Pennsylvania’s state fossil to the Hynerpeton Bassetti (Senate Bill 829).

Before the final vote, I had the privilege of collaborating alongside Bucktail’s colossal Harry the Hynerpeton mascot and welcoming several outstanding representatives from Bucktail’s Ecology Club and Student Government to our beautiful state Capitol.

They have all worked tirelessly to get this landmark legislation—recognizing a milestone achievement in local archaeology and a fossil that is exclusively unique to Pennsylvania— “teed up” for final consideration on the floor of the Pennsylvania Senate.

For those who may not know, the Hynerpeton Bassetti was a powerful four-legged, pre-historic creature that most closely resembled today’s modern-day hellbender salamander.  It was discovered in 1993 at the Red Hill fossil site in Hyner, Pennsylvania—which is about a five-minute drive down Route 120 from Bucktail Middle and High School in Clinton County.

By expertly balancing all of their daily schedules between school, homework, family and so many other extracurricular activities, each of these extraordinary students have set a tremendous example for others to emulate and have proven that a great team, with a really great mascot—like Harry the Hynerpeton—is truly unstoppable.

Senate Bill 829 is currently awaiting hopefully prompt and equally affirmative consideration in the Pennsylvania House.

Raising Human Trafficking Awareness with The Asservo Project   

As anyone who has been following me for any length of time well knows, The Asservo Project is one of the leading organizations in Pennsylvania and across this nation in the fight against Human Trafficking.

On Friday evening, Nov. 14, my wife Traci and I had the honor of attending Asservo’s inaugural gala, where I was given the opportunity to introduce a video explaining the importance of their ongoing mission of raising human trafficking awareness and vision for the future.

I also had the opportunity to share with everyone in attendance about the significant impact Joe Sweeney, CEO/Co-Founder, along with his wife Susan, and his entire Asservo team have had with ensuring that language and the direction of new and impending anti-human trafficking legislation do not make matters worse for victims and survivors.

Asservo means, Watch, Rescue, Guard and this organization does all three: watching (and gathering the information for law enforcement to catch predators); rescuing women and children taken into slavery; guarding against predators through monitoring the dark web and intervening by educating students, teachers, medical professionals in schools and elsewhere.

Without question Human Trafficking is real time, Organized Crime, exploiting millions of men, women and children, and generating more than $150 billion US dollars every year. Clearly, the government does not possess the ability, expertise, or even the necessary resources to fully address the world’s fastest-growing criminal enterprise.  

It is truly all of the dedicated folks and partnering organizations such as Asservo who are having a real and lasting impact on the lives of those they rescue and those who they have educated to prevent from becoming human trafficking victims in the first place.

I’m beyond grateful to all the people who are stepping up and taking on this curse!

Employers, Trade Unions and Lawmakers: New Permitting Reforms, Stopping RGGI Will Boost PA Economy

Trade unions, employers and energy producers joined lawmakers at the Capitol to celebrate new reforms cutting red tape and blocking the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) electricity tax – moves that will unleash Pennsylvania’s economic potential and help create jobs.

Both reforms were enacted with the 2025-26 state budget.

Pennsylvania’s permitting process has been a deterrent to businesses moving to or expanding in Pennsylvania, costing our state countless jobs. The new law cuts red tape, establishes clear timelines for permit reviews and creates a real-time online tracking system. In addition, key permits will be deemed approved if a state agency moves too slowly.

Participating in RGGI, a multi-state electricity tax Gov. Tom Wolf attempted to implement via an illegal regulation and which Gov. Josh Shapiro pursued through the courts, would have increased electricity rates for families and businesses, eliminated energy and manufacturing jobs, forced Pennsylvania power plants to close and created serious threats to grid reliability.

“After six long years the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative will no longer be a part of Pennsylvania politics and our energy future in Pennsylvania. This is great news for hardworking Pennsylvanians all across the state,” said Shawn Steffee, business agent, Boilermakers Local 154 Pittsburgh and president, South Central Building Trades Council. Read more reaction to these reforms here.

PA Tradition: Statewide Firearms Deer Season Begins Nov. 29

Pennsylvania’s statewide firearms deer season runs from Nov. 29 through Dec. 13 and includes two Sundays, Nov. 30 and Dec. 7. More than half a million hunters are expected to take part in this traditional outdoor recreation and essential wildlife management.

If you’re taking to the field, please consider participating in the Hunters Sharing the Harvest program, which lets hunters donate deer – at no cost – at any one of more than 100 licensed butcher shops across 56 counties. Venison is then processed for distribution statewide through regional food banks in partnership with Feeding Pennsylvania and Hunger-Free Pennsylvania.

Last year’s donations led to a record 283,789 pounds of venison, which equated to about 1.1 million servings of lean, nutritious meat for food-insecure individuals and families.

Bill to Ensure Disabled Veterans Receive Free Hunting Licenses Passes Senate

The Senate passed legislation that would close an unintended gap in Pennsylvania’s existing free hunting license program for disabled veterans.

Under current law, only veterans who suffered injuries during combat and were deemed 100% disabled by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs are eligible for free hunting licenses. Partially disabled veterans may purchase discounted licenses. Those who suffered service-connected injuries outside of combat — in training, non-combat operations, peacetime duties or other hazardous activities — are not currently eligible for a discount.

Senate Bill 1020 would expand eligibility so that all 100% disabled veterans qualify for a free hunting license, regardless of how or where their service-connected injuries occurred. It would also maintain discounted licenses for partially disabled veterans. The bill was sent to the House of Representatives for consideration.

Shop Local on Small Business Saturday

Small Business Saturday will be held Saturday, Nov. 29, spotlighting the role that small businesses play in our communities.  

The holiday season is a wonderful time to shop small. More than 1.1 million small businesses in Pennsylvania benefit their local economies and employ 2.5 million people.

Do you have an entrepreneurial spirit? The state offers helpful information for people who are considering starting or expanding their business. Learn more about writing a business plan, registering your business and choosing a business structure.

For anyone who hasn’t already signed up to receive my mission reports, you can get on the e-newsletter mailing list here.