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Dear Friends, As we mark EMS Week 2025, from May 18 through 25, I want to take this opportunity to express my deepest gratitude and admiration for the commitment, skill, and compassion that Emergency Medical Services (EMS) professionals demonstrate every single day. Whether responding to a medical emergency, providing life-saving care in the field, or supporting patients and families during their most vulnerable moments, EMS providers stand as pillars of strength and reliability in times of crisis. The dedication of EMTs, paramedics, dispatchers, and support personnel goes far beyond the call of duty. EMS professionals work long hours—often in unpredictable and dangerous conditions—and do so with courage, professionalism, and unwavering compassion. Thank you for your service this week and every week. Sincerely, In this Update:
Poll QuestionArtificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming health care by enhancing diagnostics, improving patient care, and streamlining operations. Hospitals use AI to analyze medical images, predict outcomes, and assist with tasks like billing and scheduling. However, these advances raise important concerns about privacy and the sharing of sensitive personal information. Click here to take my latest survey. Standing Up for Fairness in Women’s SportsAs a veteran, athlete, and legislator, I was proud to stand alongside my colleagues at the Capitol in support of the Save Women’s Sports Act. This important piece of legislation is about preserving the integrity of women’s sports and ensuring a level playing field for female athletes across Pennsylvania. Young girls deserve to know that if they train hard, stay committed, and give their all, they’ll have a fair shot at success. This legislation is about more than just sports. It’s about protecting opportunity, recognizing hard work, and honoring the spirit of women’s athletics. I will continue to advocate for policies that uphold these values and support the next generation of female athletes in our Commonwealth. Senate Votes to Help Fire and EMS DepartmentsThe Senate passed legislation to address Pennsylvania’s volunteer firefighter shortage that, if left unaddressed, threatens to cause local tax hikes to fund paid services. The bill would also fix recent issues with emergency services grant funding. Senate Bill 466 would allow job training credits to count toward Firefighter I Certification, giving volunteer recruits a more flexible pathway to credentialing. It would also correct a recent administrative error that led to a number of Fire Company and Emergency Medical Services grants being rescinded. Many departments had already budgeted for those funds, and the bill would ensure they receive the support they were promised. To prevent similar issues, the bill would also establish a one-time, 15-day grace period – available once every three years – for fire and EMS companies to submit required reports without needing to demonstrate undue hardship. It moves to the House of Representatives for consideration. Celebrating Champions from North Penn High SchoolLast week during Senate session, I had the distinct honor of introducing two outstanding athletic teams from North Penn High School: the Varsity Ice Hockey Team and the Boys’ Swimming Team. The Varsity Ice Hockey Team brought home the state championship title, and the Boys’ Swimming Team earned a first-place finish in the 400-yard freestyle relay at the PIAA State Championships. These are incredible accomplishments that reflect the hard work, discipline, and dedication of these student-athletes—and their coaches and families as well. It was a pleasure to recognize them on the Senate floor and celebrate their success with my colleagues in Harrisburg. Go Knights! Honored to Be Recognized in the WPHT Veteran SpotlightI’m incredibly honored to be named the May honoree for the TalkRadio 1210 WPHT Veteran Spotlight. As a proud U.S. Army combat veteran, it means so much to have the chance to share my story—and, more importantly, to represent the many men and women who have served, and who continue to serve, our great nation with courage, dedication, and heart. Thank you to 1210 WPHT for highlighting the ongoing contributions of veterans and the positive impact we continue to make long after our time in uniform. I’m truly grateful for the recognition and proud to stand alongside my fellow veterans as we continue to serve our communities in new ways. National Safe Boating WeekWith warmer weather on the horizon, many of us are looking forward to time on the water—and safety should always come first. May 17–23 marks National Safe Boating Week, and it’s the perfect time to brush up on a few simple steps that can help keep you and your loved ones safe during every boating adventure. Before heading out, be sure to check your equipment, wear a properly fitted life jacket, monitor weather conditions, and let someone know your plans. These small actions can make a big difference. Let’s all do our part to stay safe and enjoy a great summer on Pennsylvania’s beautiful lakes, rivers, and waterways! Annual Women Veterans Ceremony – Entry Deadline Extended to May 22!My third annual Women Veterans Ceremony is quickly approaching, set to take place at the Capitol on June 10, 2025. This event, established after 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. Women in the military have made extraordinary contributions, and it’s important to recognize the sacrifices and achievements they’ve made for our country. This event provides an opportunity to celebrate the incredible women who have served. I encourage all women veterans from every branch of the military to join us for this special tribute. The Women Veterans Ceremony continues to grow, and this year, 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, going 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 has been extended to May 22, 2025. I look forward to celebrating their contributions with you! Free License Plate Replacement Event – May 29Do you have a 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. For more information on the Local Government Commission and the valuable resources it provides, visit their website here. Red Hill Band Celebrates 125 Years of MusicI had the absolute pleasure of attending the 125th Anniversary Annual Spring Concert for the Red Hill Band. What a wonderful evening celebrating a group that has brought music, tradition, and joy to our community for over a century. For 125 years, the Red Hill Band has been a staple of our region—sharing their talent and uniting generations through the love of music. The concert was a fantastic tribute to their legacy, and I was honored to be part of it. Congratulations to the Red Hill Band on this incredible milestone! A Great Day at Douglass Township TreasuresOn Saturday, I had a wonderful time attending the Douglass Township Treasures event in Boyertown. This well-loved community gathering featured local vendors, small businesses, and food trucks—and it was great to see so many families and friends out enjoying the day. Thank you to everyone who helped make this event such a great success—I’m proud to support the people and organizations that keep our community strong! Honoring Our Heroes in Upper PottsgroveOn Saturday, I had the honor of attending the Veterans Memorial Dedication Ceremony in Upper Pottsgrove Township—a meaningful event that paid tribute to the men and women who have served our country with courage and dedication. It was a privilege to stand alongside veterans, community leaders, and local families as we honored the service and sacrifice of those who have worn our nation’s uniform. The memorial is a powerful reminder of the deep respect and gratitude we hold for all who have served. Thank you to Upper Pottsgrove Township for hosting such a heartfelt ceremony and for ensuring that our veterans are always remembered. Pottstown FARM’s 10th Birthday CelebrationOn Saturday, I attended the Pottstown FARM’s 10th Birthday Party, an event that highlighted a decade of work supporting local farmers and increasing access to fresh food in our community. Pottstown FARM has played a key role in helping local growers bring their products to market and educating residents about healthy eating. Celebrating ten years of local farming and food education reminds us of the importance of keeping our food system close to home. Thanks to everyone involved for organizing a meaningful and enjoyable day! Bill Ensuring Sportsmen’s Rights are Protected Receives Senate SupportLegislation to protect sportsmen’s rights by aligning state law with the federal and state constitution passed the Senate and is headed to the House of Representatives for consideration. The Pennsylvania Game Code contains sections indicating it is unlawful to refuse to answer questions from representatives of the Game Commission. However, that violates the United States and Pennsylvania constitutions, which ensure no person may be “compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself” and “he cannot be compelled to give evidence against himself.” Senate Bill 518 would remove the offending sections, ensuring the protection of sportsmen’s constitutional rights. New Sextortion Scam Blackmails ChildrenA disturbing new scam involves organized groups of Nigerian cybercriminals targeting American children online. After befriending them – sometimes even posing as their classmates – and exchanging nude photos, the criminals blackmail them and demand money. Organized Nigerian criminals have increased this practice, known as sextortion, by 1,000% in the last 18 months. It can cause unthinkable consequences, including even suicide after a child is told that the image will be sent to their family, friends and everyone in their school if they don’t pay. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children offers a helpful tool to anyone facing this overwhelming scenario. Take It Down is a free service that allows a child to have a “hash value” – essentially a digital fingerprint – assigned to the photo being used against them. The “hash value” is then sent out to participating sites such as Instagram, Snapchat and even pornography sites that put a block on the image so it cannot be seen, shared, or spread, rendering it useless for the blackmailer. A child never has to upload the photo to the service, nor does anyone ever view the image in the process. Win Money for Your Child’s EducationIn honor of PA 529 Day on May 29, Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity invites families to contribute $10 or more to their child’s PA 529 account in May to be automatically eligible for one of six regional awards of $5,529. PA 529 plans allow families to use their savings to pay for a wide variety of education expenses, including at any qualified educational institution, from K-12 to college and career training programs. If the child doesn’t pursue education, the beneficiary can be updated to certain family members or used to repay the principal and interest on a qualified education loan for a PA 529 beneficiary or sibling. Anyone – parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and family friends – can contribute to a PA 529 plan. Saving with PA 529 does not impact a student’s eligibility for Pennsylvania state financial aid. Learn more. Election Day is Tuesday, May 20Election Day is Tuesday, May 20, and polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. If you are in line by 8 p.m., you will be able to vote. If you applied for a mail-in or absentee ballot, your county election office must receive it by Tuesday, May 20, at 8 p.m. Track your ballot to confirm it was received. Any voter who requested to vote using a mail-in or absentee ballot but would prefer to vote in person may do so. Bring the ballot and the envelope to surrender at the polls. If you don’t have those materials, you may vote using a provisional ballot. Call 1-877-VOTESPA (1-877-868-3772) if you experience any issues.
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