PA State Rep. Jeff Olsommer

Yesterday, the House voted UNANIMOUSLY to eliminate the 6.5% gross receipts tax on utility bills for Pennsylvania rate payers. While HB2224 was initially introduced by Democrats, a Republican amendment converted the bill into a positive step for consumer affordability. If signed into law, Pennsylvanians will see a reduction on their monthly energy statements. Bad policy has created enormous energy bills for Pennsylvanians. This tax relief is one step to lowering costs. As a steadfast advocate for affordability, I was a proud "yes" on this important measure.

Are you an artist with a love of the outdoors? The Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) is seeking entries for two art contests: the Waterfowl Management Stamp Contest and the Working Together for Wildlife Art Contest.

Entries for the stamp contest must feature one of five eligible species: Bufflehead, Northern Shoveler, Gadwall, Redhead or Canada Goose. The winning artwork will be printed as the 2027 Pennsylvania Waterfowl Management Stamp and fine art print.

For the Working Together contest, the featured category is shorebirds. Qualifying submissions must include at least one of various types of shorebirds in an original, full-color horizontal or vertical painting. The artist whose painting is selected for the 2027 Working Together for Wildlife fine art print series will receive $5,000, plus 25 artist proof prints.

Participants must be Pennsylvania residents. For additional details and official rules for each contest, click here: https://www.pa.gov/agencies/pgc/about-us/get-involved/contests.

Honored to attend Camp Freedom’s annual banquet this evening. The room was packed with supporters who truly believe in their mission of giving back to those who have sacrificed so much for our country.

It was great to see Stacy Garrity, Rob Bresnahan, Rosemary Brown, and so many others who continue to support this incredible organization.

I also had the opportunity to reconnect with former Western Wayne classmates Rob Grimm and Tom Carney—always great to catch up with old friends.

Grateful to be part of a community that stands strong for our veterans and first responders. 🇺🇸

Today is Juneteenth National Freedom Day. Considered the longest-running African American holiday, Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when union soldiers reached Galveston, Texas, with news of the end of the Civil War, which had occurred two months earlier with the surrender of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee in Virginia.

The troops’ arrival also came two and a half years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, establishing that all enslaved people in Confederate states in rebellion against the Union “shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free.”

Recently, Doug from my office attended the grand opening of Lakelyn Lodge and presented a Certificate of Recognition on my behalf, along with congratulations from Senator Lisa Baker, to owners Graham and Krista. 🎉

Located along the shores of Lake Moc-A-Tek and just minutes from Lake Wallenpaupack, this beautiful new destination is a wonderful addition to the Pocono Lake Region and offers visitors a stunning lakeside experience. I extend my warmest congratulations and best wishes for continued success and encourage folks to check it out and experience all it has to offer.

To minimize waste and improve access to medications for those in need, I recently joined a unanimous vote in the state House for legislation to expand our Cancer and Prescription Drug Repository Program.

Under House Bill 69, both healthcare facilities and individuals would be able to voluntarily donate unused prescription drugs (other than cancer drugs) to the program. The program would ensure safety by requiring donated drugs to meet strict criteria before being accepted under the program.

The existing Cancer and Prescription Drug Repository Program was created in 2008 to help low-income cancer patients receive access to life-saving medications. The proposed expansion is similar to laws already in place in 44 other states. House Bill 69 now heads to the Senate.

All PennDOT driver license and photo centers, including the Riverfront Office Center in Harrisburg, will be closed Friday, June 19, in observance of Juneteenth National Freedom Day.

Customers may still obtain a variety of driver and vehicle products and services, including all forms, publications and driver training manuals, online through PennDOT's Driver and Vehicle Services website, www.dmv.pa.gov.

What an absolute delight to welcome Supervisors Tim Morey and Lance Spodek of Blooming Grove Twp along with my staff member Doug Miller from Pike County today.