Senator Pennycuick E-Newsletter

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Mobile Office Hours – Locations & Times

Dear Friends,

Each week, the Governor and General Assembly move closer to resolving disagreements over a 2025-2026 state budget. It is imperative we pass a budget to provide our schools, social service organizations, counties, and other critical entities with the state resources they need.

Unfortunately, Pennsylvania’s $3.5 billion deficit is very real, and we must balance our budget without imposing new tax burdens on families and small businesses. I am working with both sides of the aisle to find a responsible resolution soon and appreciate hearing from you about this difficult issue.

Sincerely,

In this Update:

  • Act 35 Officially in Effect to Combat Deepfake Scams
  • Honoring Constitution Day with the Towamencin DAR Chapter
  • Senate Votes to Help Relieve Long-Term Care Worker Shortage
  • Measure to Help Veteran-Owned Businesses Approved by Senate
  • Visiting Schwenksville Elementary School
  • Boyertown High School Receives Yearly Calendars
  • Celebrating 100 Years of the Boyertown Masonic Lodge
  • Celebrating 50 Years of SPARK Senior Centers
  • Celebrating the Re-Opening of Walmart in East Greenville
  • Honoring Connie Weimer’s 25 Years of Dedicated Service
  • Fire and EMS Funding Assistance Available
  • Expanding Government Transparency with OpenBookPA
  • Mobile Office Hours Across the 24th District
  • Happy Rosh Hashanah

Act 35 Officially in Effect to Combat Deepfake Scams

Act 35, legislation I authored to address the growing threat of deepfake scams, has officially gone into effect. These scams, which use artificial intelligence to create deceptive videos, images, and audio, are increasingly being used to defraud or harm unsuspecting individuals.

This new law equips prosecutors with stronger tools to hold bad actors accountable and protect Pennsylvanians from this emerging form of fraud. By closing gaps in existing statutes, Act 35 ensures that those who misuse AI technology for malicious purposes can be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

I am proud to see this important measure become law and remain committed to advancing policies that safeguard our communities from evolving threats.

Honoring Constitution Day with the Towamencin DAR Chapter

Recently, I had the pleasure of attending the Towamencin Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution to celebrate Constitution Day.

249 years ago, 38 delegates gathered in Philadelphia to sign a document that would unite 13 independent republics under a single, enduring framework—the U.S. Constitution. Strengthened over the years by amendments, this extraordinary document continues to guide public officials and the people they serve, providing wisdom and inspiration.

As a veteran of the U.S. Army and now a state Senator, I have had the honor of taking the oath to support and defend the Constitution multiple times. Each time, I am reminded of the enduring strength and importance of this remarkable document.

On this Constitution Day, let us all recommit ourselves to its principles and to the continued greatness of our nation.

Senate Votes to Help Relieve Long-Term Care Worker Shortage

The number of Pennsylvania residents ages 65 and over is expected to nearly double by 2040, but even now many nursing facilities are forced to take beds out of service because they can’t fill direct care positions.

The Senate recently passed legislation to tackle this critical problem by making it easier for those seeking employment at long-term care centers while still ensuring employees are well-qualified.

Senate Bill 114 would encourage more employees to join the long-term care workforce by expanding the availability of training courses for nurse aides and the eligibility for individuals to take the nurse aide competency exam. The bill was sent to the House of Representatives for consideration.

Measure to Help Veteran-Owned Businesses Approved by Senate

Beyond serving our nation in the military, many veterans create jobs through their entrepreneurial spirit. We approved legislation to promote these veteran-owned businesses.

Senate Bill 64 would authorize the creation of a special logo to promote veteran-owned businesses. To be eligible, a business must be registered with the Department of State and at least 51% of the ownership interest must be held by a veteran, reservist or member of the National Guard.

To discourage the logo from being used fraudulently, anyone who falsely claims to be a veteran to obtain this designation would face a misdemeanor of the third degree. The bill was sent to the House of Representatives for consideration.

Visiting Schwenksville Elementary School

I had a wonderful visit to Schwenksville Elementary School, where I had the pleasure of meeting with Principal Krista Venza and Perkiomen Valley School District Superintendent Dr. Barbara Russell.

During my visit, I distributed Pennsylvania-themed coloring books and donated school supplies to students. It was a joy to see the excitement and curiosity of the students as they received these resources to help them learn and explore.

Supporting our schools and providing students with the tools they need to succeed is always a priority, and I was thrilled to spend time with the Schwenksville Elementary community.

Boyertown High School Receives Yearly Calendars

Thanks to the generosity of Greg Herb, Boyertown High School received 2025-2026 calendars to help students with time management and planning for the school year.

I want to extend a big thank you to Greg Herb and the team at Boyertown Area Senior High School and the School District for their dedication to supporting students’ success.

These calendars will serve as a valuable tool to help students stay organized and make the most of their academic year.

Pictured (from left to right) are Michael Stoudt, Assistant Superintendent; Jared Sparks, Building Principal; me; Greg Herb; Ryan Venner, Grade Level Principal; and Eric Houck, Grade Level Principal.

Celebrating 100 Years of the Boyertown Masonic Lodge

Last week, I had the privilege of celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Boyertown Masonic Lodge. For a full century, the Lodge has been a place where members come together in fellowship, support local initiatives, and give back in countless ways that often go unseen but are deeply felt throughout the community.

In recognition of this remarkable milestone and the positive impact the Lodge has made over the years, I was proud to present a Senate citation. Congratulations to all the members—past and present—who have carried forward this tradition of service, community, and camaraderie for 100 years!

Celebrating 50 Years of SPARK Senior Centers

It was a pleasure to join SPARK Senior Centers of Montgomery County in celebrating their 50th Anniversary!

For five decades, SPARK has provided a welcoming and supportive environment where seniors can connect, learn, and thrive. The dedication of their staff, volunteers, and members has made a meaningful and lasting impact on countless lives throughout the community.

It was an honor to celebrate this incredible milestone and recognize the important work SPARK continues to do for seniors in Montgomery County.

Celebrating the Re-Opening of Walmart in East Greenville

I was excited to attend the re-opening of Walmart in East Greenville! The store looks fantastic following their remodel, and it was wonderful to see the upgrades that make it a more welcoming and accessible space for our community.

I want to congratulate the entire Walmart team for their hard work and dedication in bringing this project to completion. Their efforts have truly paid off, the store will no doubt continue to serve as a valuable resource for families in our area.

Honoring Connie Weimer’s 25 Years of Dedicated Service

I had the pleasure of recognizing Connie Weimer on the occasion of her retirement as Business Manager of the Lower Salford Township Authority. After 25 years of dedicated service, Connie has overseen wastewater management in Lower Salford with exemplary professionalism and fiscal responsibility.

It was an honor to present a citation celebrating her many years of commitment and the positive impact she has had on our community. Connie’s hard work and dedication set a high standard for public service, and her contributions will be remembered for years to come.

Congratulations on your well-deserved retirement, Connie!

Fire and EMS Funding Assistance Available

Our local fire and EMS companies are committed to saving lives and protecting property, so I’m pleased to announce they can apply now for assistance through the state Fire Company and Emergency Medical Services Grants program.

The funding is available to volunteer or career fire, rescue and EMS organizations and can be used for facility improvements, equipment purchase and repair, debt reduction, training and certification, and more.

The deadline to apply is Oct. 20. More information, important dates and the online application can be found here.

Expanding Government Transparency with OpenBookPA

The Pennsylvania Treasury has launched an expanded portal for state government transparency, providing taxpayers with more tools to explore state finance details.

OpenBookPA’s new features include:

  • An updated dashboard interface with quicker access to state fiscal information including state and federal financial information.
  • A new Local Resources section which shares local government financial reports, school district expenditure and revenue metrics and other local financial metrics with data from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development and the Pennsylvania Office of the Budget.
  • Upgraded charts with enhanced security.

Announced by Treasurer Stacy Garrity earlier this month, OpenBookPA also links to the Treasury Checkbook, which includes payments made by Treasury to vendors and the Contracts e-Library, which makes available state contracts, purchase orders and amendments valued at $5,000 or more for public review.

Mobile Office Hours Across the 24th District

To better serve constituents throughout the 24th District, my office offers Mobile Office Hours at eight convenient locations. Whether you need assistance with state-related matters or have questions, please feel free to visit during the scheduled times or schedule an appointment. The full schedule of locations and times is provided below. We’re committed to providing you with the support and resources you need.

Montgomery County

Montgomery County Community College – Pottstown Campus
Room 119 in the North Hall – 16 East High Street, Pottstown, PA 19464
*Parking lot address is 101 College Drive, Pottstown, PA 19464
Mondays and Wednesdays: 9 AM – 12 PM

North Wales Borough Municipal Building
300 School Street, North Wales, PA 19454
2nd & 4th Tuesdays of the month: 1 – 4 PM

Skippack Township Building
4089 Heckler Road Skippack, PA 19474
1st & 3rd Mondays of the month: 1 – 4 PM

Towamencin Township Municipal Building
1090 Troxel Road, Lansdale, PA 19446
2nd & 4th Tuesdays of the month: 9 AM – 12 PM

Trappe Borough Municipal Building
525 West Main Street, Trappe, PA 19426
2nd & 4th Mondays of the month: 1 – 4 PM

Berks County

Amity Township Municipal Building
2004 Weavertown Road, Douglassville, PA 19518
2nd & 4th Wednesdays of the month: 9 AM – 12 PM

Bally Borough Municipal Building
425 Chestnut Street, Bally, PA 19503
2nd & 4th Wednesdays of the month: 1 – 4 PM

Longswamp Township Municipal Building
1112 State Street, Mertztown, PA 19539
1st & 3rd Tuesdays of the month: 9 AM – 12 PM

Happy Rosh Hashanah

Rosh Hashanah begins Monday at sundown. To everyone celebrating the Jewish New Year, I hope it brings thoughtful reflection, personal growth and renewed hope.

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