This afternoon, members of my team were pleased to attend the Encompass Health Neuro Games, joining patients, families, caregivers & staff for an afternoon of friendly competition celebrating the determination & progress of individuals undergoing neurological rehabilitation! Congratulations to all participants & this year’s winning teams: Holy Spirit (1st place), Residential (2nd place) & Country Meadows (3rd place). Thank you to Encompass Health for hosting this special event & for your continued dedication to supporting patients & their families throughout their recovery journeys!

This morning, my office was honored to recognize 87th District resident Robert Timothy Strasbaugh on his induction into the Pennsylvania Voters Hall of Fame! Established in 1986, the Hall of Fame recognizes Pennsylvanians who have voted in at least 50 consecutive November elections. We were pleased to join Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt, Sen. Greg Rothman & Cumberland County Commissioners Eichelberger, Foschi & Neiderer in celebrating Robert’s achievement & presenting him with a Pennsylvania House of Representatives citation. Congratulations, Robert, & thank you for your longstanding commitment to participating in our democratic process!

It was an honor to host my annual Veterans Breakfast this morning at the Lower Allen VFW Post 7530 & recognize the service, sacrifice & commitment of veterans across our community. A special thank you to Rep. Joe Kerwin & @rothman_greg for joining us as featured speakers, the @CedarCliffColts JROTC for presenting the colors, Penelope Shaw for leading the National Anthem & Pledge of Allegiance & the @VFWPost7530 staff for helping make the morning possible. Most importantly, thank you to our veterans for your service to our nation. We are forever grateful!

Tonight’s National Anthem felt a little bit more special as we honored America and paid tribute to those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001. I’m grateful to all who answered the call to serve on that fateful day and every day since. God bless their memories, and may God bless America.

Honored and humbled to be in Congress Hall tonight for a Special House Session commemorating 250 years of America in the city where it all began.

Be sure to tune into Face the State on @CBS21NEWS this Sunday to hear about my proposed 10 bill package! This Growth & Affordability Plan includes tax cutting regulations to make Pennsylvania more affordable for your family. @JoelDReports

Reminder, my office is hosting a National Senior Citizen Day popup event at Amelia Givin Library in Mt. Holly Springs today from 11-2PM! Be sure to stop by & collect information on resources for senior citizens. No RSVP is required - we hope to see you there!

I’ve been briefed on the details of last night’s crash at Carlisle Airport in South Middleton Township. I’m grateful for the quick actions of neighbors and first responders, and for the medical teams providing care to the injured Troopers. Allie & I are continuing to pray for Dr. Sokoloski’s family during this difficult time and for a swift and full recovery for State Police Corporal Pilot Bryce Corman and Trooper Pilot Jason Mills. PSP and the NTSB are continuing to investigate. I will continue to share any updates as I receive them.

House Returns to Consider Sentencing Legislation Following Supreme Court Decision On Thursday, the House returned to session to consider House Bill 1042, legislation intended to establish a constitutional sentencing framework after the Pennsylvania Supreme Court struck down the state's mandatory life-without-parole sentence for second-degree murder. In March, the court ruled that automatic life sentences violate the Pennsylvania Constitution because they do not allow courts to consider an individual's level of culpability. The decision is scheduled to take effect today. Approximately 1,100 inmates are currently serving life sentences for second-degree murder. Without updated sentencing guidelines, these offenders may seek resentencing under the Court's ruling, leaving judges with the discretion to make those who were sentenced to life without parole in many cases immediately eligible for parole. Individuals convicted of second-degree murder include many of the most egregious offenders in our Commonwealth. Many of these offenders pled guilty to second-degree murder to avoid being prosecuted for a death penalty offense. New sentencing guidelines are imperative to ensure that society is protected from the most violent offenders in our Commonwealth. These guidelines are also necessary to prevent re-traumatizing victims repeatedly through the parole process for individuals who have been sentenced to spend the rest of their natural lives in prison. The bill was amended hours before a vote on final passage by a small panel instead of being debated before the entire House prior to amending. The amendment, among other things, changed language which already passed over a month ago by a bipartisan majority of the State Senate and in consultation with District Attorneys and the Attorney General’s office. Most troubling, the amendment included language which would provide far reaching judicial discretion rather than a more consistent structure of sentencing. This language means offenders in Philadelphia County will be treated differently than offenders in Cumberland County for the same crimes. This is a miscarriage of justice and means that equal justice under the law will no longer be a bedrock of our criminal justice system for offenders convicted of second-degree murder. Additionally, the amendment establishes that any inmate—regardless of the nature of the offense—can be eligible for medical release. This means that even the most violent offenders and sexual predators can be released for medical purposes. Even more alarming, the language allows for such broad terms that any offender with almost any medical condition may apply for release. I voted against each of these misguided provisions. By refusing to engage in meaningful negotiation earlier in this process and instead removing bipartisan language which already passed the Senate, the House has set the process back several weeks and chaos will ensue in our criminal justice system as a result. Again, I voted against this reckless action. Throughout this process, I have supported establishing a clear sentencing framework that complies with the Pennsylvania Supreme Court's ruling while promoting consistency in sentencing and ensuring that protecting victims’ and their families’ safety and wellbeing remain at the forefront of this conversation.

Kutz: State Budget Delivers for Cumberland County by Investing in Education, Supporting First Responders HARRISBURG— The General Assembly on Sunday approved a $50.8 billion state budget that strengthens investments in education and supports first responders, according to Rep. Thomas Kutz (R-Cumberland), a member and subcommittee chair of the House Appropriations Committee. The 2026-27 budget provides meaningful increases in education funding for every school district in Cumberland County. It also establishes a Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) for pre-Act 9 retirees, including municipal police and firefighters. The budget also reflects substantial investments in roads and bridges, provides support for Career and Technical Education, improves access and staffing for childcare, aids efforts to prevent human trafficking, and invests in school facilities. These investments are made while preserving all of the state’s Rainy Day fund, a key safeguard for crises and economic downturns.  “This year’s budget is balanced, protects the Rainy Day fund, and invests in our communities, our schools, and our first responders,” Kutz said. “This budget importantly avoids any new taxes—a top priority of mine and for families in Cumberland County.” “By investing in our communities and families, we can continue making Cumberland County and Pennsylvania great places to live, work, and raise a family. I am proud to support a budget that does just that,” Kutz added. Questions about the state budget can be directed to Kutz’s office at 717-975-2235.

Today we reflect on the courage, hope, and enduring spirit that shaped our nation. May this Independence Day inspire community, gratitude, and a renewed commitment to the ideals that bring us together. Happy 250th birthday, America! Let freedom ring. 🦅🇺🇸

Last night, the House Finance Committee unanimously voted to level the playing field, removing a $500 million tax exemption for data centers. We're supporting local control and putting our constituents first as many families across the state struggle to keep up with the rising cost of living. I introduced this measure as an amendment in committee last week and am hopeful it will soon receive consideration by the full House.

This week, the House adopted an amendment I offered to House Bill 2084, referred to as the PA Promise, aimed at giving Pennsylvania students and families clearer, more actionable information as they navigate decisions about higher education and future careers.

Government was made by the people, for the people. That's why in Pennsylvania, the process of amending the state Constitution requires such a long & in depth stretch of public input. Little known fact - since our current Constitution was adopted in 1968, there have been 44 amendments... a little under one every year and a half!

🚨ATTN Upper Allen Township🚨 🚧 Traffic Alert – Cumberland Parkway 🚧 A sinkhole has developed at 101 Cumberland Parkway near Dove's Auto Repair and is expanding into the roadway. A lane shift is currently in place to safely direct traffic around the affected area. A contractor is scheduled to begin repairs on Monday, June 15. Work is expected to take 7–10 days, though the duration may be extended if necessary. Please use caution when traveling through this area and expect delays.