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Dear Friends, Easter weekend is almost here! With the flowers blooming and the weather warming up, it’s the perfect time to enjoy the beauty of spring. Wishing you and your family lots of joy, laughter, and a basket full of blessings this Easter! Sincerely,
In this Update:
Reshaping Pennsylvania’s Economy: Exploring Opportunities in AI
I had the opportunity to join colleagues in hosting a joint public hearing of the Senate Majority Policy Committee and the House Republican Policy Committee in Pittsburgh on how artificial intelligence (AI) can reshape and grow Pennsylvania’s economy. We heard from employers in healthcare, banking, and aerospace, who shared how AI is transforming their industries. The conversation also highlighted a significant challenge: Pennsylvania’s electric grid and energy policies, which must evolve to support the growing AI economy. We also heard from experts like Ken Zapinski of Pittsburgh Works Together, who emphasized the importance of building more reliable power plants and streamlining permitting. Dr. Hooman Rashidi from the University of Pittsburgh showed how AI is transforming healthcare, and Dr. Andrew Horchler from Astrobotic Technology demonstrated how AI is essential to deep space exploration. AI is the future, and we must work together to ensure Pennsylvania leads in this transformative industry. Full release and full video here. PA Files First Charge Under New AI Child Protection Law
Pennsylvania has officially filed its first charge involving AI-generated child sexual abuse material—an important milestone in protecting children from emerging digital threats. This charge was made possible through legislation I championed to ensure our laws keep pace with evolving technology. As artificial intelligence continues to develop, we must remain vigilant in preventing its misuse and holding those who exploit it accountable. I’m grateful to the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General for taking swift action to enforce this new law. AG Dave Sunday’s leadership and dedication to protecting our children is commendable, and I’ll continue working to advance legislation that strengthens safety and justice across our Commonwealth. Recognizing Our Emergency Dispatchers During National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week
This week marks National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, a time dedicated to recognizing the critical role our 911 dispatchers and emergency communications personnel play in keeping our communities safe. To show our appreciation, my office visited several emergency communication centers and state police barracks to personally thank the men and women who serve as the first line of response in a crisis. We delivered fresh pretzels and presented each location with a certificate of appreciation as a small token of our gratitude for their service. We were honored to stop by:
These professionals are the calm voices on the other end of the line, providing critical support during some of life’s most difficult moments. Their dedication, professionalism, and ability to remain composed under pressure truly make them unsung heroes of public safety. To all our emergency telecommunicators—thank you for the work you do every single day. We are grateful for your commitment to serving our communities. Celebrating 50 Years at Boyertown Middle School East
It was a pleasure to recognize an exciting milestone for Boyertown Middle School East as the school celebrated its 50th anniversary—a remarkable moment in the history of the Boyertown Area School District. Since opening its doors, BMS East has provided generations of students with an exceptional educational experience. While much has changed over the past five decades, the school’s commitment to academic excellence and community involvement has remained strong. That kind of consistency doesn’t happen by accident—it takes the dedication of administrators, teachers, staff, and families who support the school every step of the way. Congratulations to everyone—past and present—who has been part of the BMS East story. Here’s to the next 50 years of success! Free License Plate Replacement Event – May 29
Faded, peeling, or hard-to-read license plate? Join me on Thursday, May 29, 2025, from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Gerald Richards Park (2150 Buchert Road, Sanatoga) for a Free License Plate Replacement Event. This event is a convenient opportunity for drivers to have their damaged or illegible Pennsylvania license plates inspected and begin the process of receiving a free replacement. Officers from the Lower Pottsgrove Township Police Department will be on-site to verify the condition of your plate and complete the necessary documentation. Keeping your license plate clearly visible is not only important for identification and safety—it’s required by law. I’m proud to host this event to help residents take care of this issue easily and at no cost. To register, please visit here. Should you have any questions please feel free to contact my office at (215) 541-2388. Women Veterans Ceremony – June 10
I am proud to announce that I’ll be hosting my third annual Women Veterans Ceremony at the Capitol on June 10, 2025. This event, which began following the passage of my 2022 legislation designating June 12 as Women Veterans Day in Pennsylvania, is dedicated to honoring the service of women veterans across our great Commonwealth. I truly believe that the contributions of women in the military deserve the recognition they’ve earned, and I’m thrilled to provide a platform where we can celebrate the incredible women who have served our country. I hope all women veterans from every branch of the military will join us for this special tribute. The Women Veterans Ceremony has grown year after year, and this time, we’re offering a digital display at the Capitol so that an even larger audience can experience and celebrate the stories of these remarkable women. The display will also be available online, and will go live on June 9, 2025, at www.senatorpennycuick.com. If you were featured in last year’s display, you can easily update your submission form here. For new participants, I encourage you to share your service story by completing the required submission form. The deadline for entries is May 9, 2025. This event is a chance to honor the extraordinary contributions of women throughout our history, and I can’t wait to continue recognizing their exceptional service and unwavering dedication. I look forward to seeing you there! Senate Passes Bill Reforming Nomination Process for Agency Heads
To restore balance and transparency in state government, the Senate passed a bill reining in the use of unconfirmed state agency leaders. Senate Bill 472 advanced to the House of Representatives for consideration. Former Gov. Tom Wolf appointed 11 individuals to lead various state agencies in the “acting” capacity and never nominated them to the Senate as part of the official confirmation process. Additionally, 21 cabinet officials served in “acting” capacity longer than 90 days. This allowed key decisions to be made without public scrutiny. With the passage of the bill, an individual serving in a leadership role without official confirmation by the Senate would be designated as “Deputy Head of Department.” The designation could be used once during a governor’s term. These individuals would have to appear before the General Assembly during the annual budget process. They would not receive elevated compensation or additional benefits beyond their peers. Most importantly, they would not be allowed to remain indefinitely without Senate review and would not be permitted to serve longer than 90 days. Voter Registration Deadline is May 5
The deadline to register to vote in Pennsylvania’s May 20 primary election is Monday, May 5. Your county election office must receive your application for a mail-in or absentee ballot by Tuesday, May 13, at 5 p.m. To legally register, individuals must be a citizen of the United States, reside in their local voting precincts at least 30 days prior to the election and be at least age 18 on Election Day, Tuesday, May 20. Once registered to vote, you are not required to register again unless you change your residence, name or political party affiliation. Voter registration forms, mail-in ballot applications and absentee ballot applications are available here or from your local county’s Board of Elections. You can also use the site to check your registration status. REAL ID to Replace Driver’s License as Federally Acceptable ID on May 7
Beginning May 7, Pennsylvanians who wish to board flights, visit military bases and enter certain federal facilities will be required to present a form of federally accepted identification. Options include a passport, military ID or a REAL ID. You do not need to wait until your driver license renews to get a REAL ID. To get one, you must provide documents proving your identity, lawful status, Social Security number and Pennsylvania residency. Review the list of acceptable documents. All documents must be original versions or certified copies (if applicable). While any of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s (PennDOT) driver license centers can verify these documents for customers who want a REAL ID, only certain locations can provide your REAL ID the same day. Otherwise, expect to receive your REAL ID within 15 business days after successful document verification. To make it more convenient for Pennsylvanians to get a REAL ID, PennDOT is offering dedicated time at some driver license centers on April 28 and May 5. Both REAL ID Days are on Mondays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Free Cleanup Supplies for PA Communities
Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful is working to improve the state’s communities by cleaning up litter. Now through May 31 while supplies last, free work gloves, safety vests and trash bags are available to groups who register their cleanup event. Donated landfill space is offered for trash collected during cleanups held in April. Tires cannot be accepted, and groups should plan for proper disposal of electronics that are found. Read more about how to organize a cleanup event. Please email or call Michelle Dunn with Pick Up Pennsylvania at 724-836-4121, extension 113, with any questions. In 2024, more than 77,000 volunteers picked up more than 3.2 million tons of litter and trash. Another 4.5 million pounds of materials were recycled and more than 14,000 trees, flowers and other greens were planted. Best Wishes for a Happy Easter
Easter represents joy, hope and redemption. Warmest wishes to all families who celebrate this holy holiday and rejoice in eternal life. Happy Easter!
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