Read my e-newsletter in a language that’s preferable to you by visiting my legislative website here and clicking on the accessibility icon in the lower right corner.

This week, I presented a condolence resolution from the Pennsylvania House to Central Berks Regional Police Officer Kristen Yeager’s brother, Kevin Houck.

In May, Officer Yeager tragically lost her life in a car accident while responding to an emergency call from a neighboring agency.

Kristen was just 42 years old, and was a wife, mother, sister, and daughter. She dedicated her life to serving our community, so it’s important that we keep her memory alive.

Her resolve is, without a doubt, an inspiration to everyone in Berks County and beyond.

This week, my House colleagues and I passed important bills that will help our neighbors and improve communities:

• We’re protecting your health and safety, especially when it involves artificial intelligence, by requiring that patients are informed when AI is used during treatment or insurance decisions and ensuring that any final decisions on patient care or coverage are made by humans (HB 1925).
  • We’re also requiring safeguards to prevent AI companions from encouraging or assisting suicide, self-harm or violence and direct users to crisis resources like the 988 Lifeline when appropriate; requiring AI companions to clearly disclose that users are interacting with AI rather than a human; and protecting kids from sexually explicit content and AI interactions designed to isolate them (HB 2006).
• We’re increasing access to healthcare by requiring health insurers to cover fertility preservation services if a medically necessary treatment, like cancer treatment, could cause infertility (HB 2649) and by expanding the age groups who are offered the vaccines for flu, pneumonia, and RSV after a hospital stay or as part of their ongoing medical care (HB 2378).
• We’re protecting consumers by requiring the Public Utility Commission (PUC) to explicitly consider the public interest – including affordability and service reliability – when making decisions on utility rates (HB 2184) and by setting statewide standards for licensing home inspectors and registration of home inspectors in training (HB 2645).
• We’re continuing to hold Big Tech accountable and strengthening public safety by requiring data center operators to submit emergency floor plans to building code officials and local fire chiefs before they get an occupancy certificate (HB 2535).
• We’re improving interactions between individuals and law enforcement by giving people with a communication barrier the option to show that on their driver's license or identification (HB 1700).
• We’re keeping students and school staff safe by directing schools to consider using a silent panic alarm system as part of their emergency response plans (HB 634).

Safely dispose of your old documents and protect yourself from identity theft at our second Shred Event of the year! If you have paper clutter, bring it to us for document shredding. I hope to see you there!

Date: Saturday, Oct. 10

Time: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Location: Muhlenberg High School, 400 Sharp Ave., Reading, 19605

Not so long ago, schools in Morrisville, Bucks County warned underfunding could lead to a mid-year closure. In response, the General Assembly provided the school district with increased funding in the 2026-27 state budget.

The House Majority Policy Committee and state Rep. Jim Prokopiak held a roundtable discussion and tour of the Morrisville schools last week so that lawmakers could see the impact of that extra funding.

I’m proud to see this adequacy funding leading to positive change in Morrisville and elsewhere in PA. Schools are using it to hire more teachers, support tech education programs, provide mental health services, and expand STEAM programming.

Sustained investment is so critical to helping our students succeed, and last week’s event was a shining example of how communities feel it first-hand.

This week, I was humbled to participate in an educational roundtable with my fellow state representatives, a student and educator from Wyomissing Area School District, and leaders from Total Experience Learning at Alvernia University.

TExpL invites students to explore questions, work together, and apply what they learn to real-world challenges. We heard how this approach can strengthen literacy, help students prepare for meaningful careers, and give teachers more reasons to stay and grow in the profession.

When educators, students, business leaders, and lawmakers get together and listen to one another, we can truly transform K-12 education across Pennsylvania and beyond.

Remember, elections happen more than just every four years – and each election is a chance to shape the future you want to see.

Some key dates to keep in mind for the 2026 General Election on Tuesday, Nov. 3:

• LAST DAY TO REGISTER TO VOTE OR CHANGE YOUR REGISTRATION: Oct. 19
  • Register to vote here 
• LAST DAY TO APPLY FOR MAIL-IN BALLOT OR ABSENTEE BALLOT: Oct. 27
  • Apply for a mail-in ballot here
• GENERAL ELECTION DATE: Nov. 3; polls are open for in-person voting from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
  • Click here to find your polling place.

If you plan to vote by mail but get too close to Election Day without mailing your completed ballot, Berks County Election Services officials have three drop boxes available to ensure your vote is counted.

Just remember to get your completed ballot there by 8 p.m. on Nov. 3.

I recently had the pleasure of visiting my dental class! Their instructor, Monica Rauenzahn, and I discussed how the new digital curriculum they have incorporated after encouragement from the OAC committee, which I participate in, has made a positive impact on the students and their learning.

My bill, HB 2425, would establish the Career and Technical Education (CTE) Curriculum Modernization Grant Program, which would provide funding to career and technical centers, school districts and intermediate units that offer CTE programs to assist them with modernizing their curriculum. The bill unanimously passed the House in June, and now awaits a full vote in the Senate.

I’ve seen first-hand the importance and educational effect modernized approaches to teaching have, and I hope we can get this bill onto Gov. Shapiro’s desk soon!

I recently had the pleasure of helping out at the monthly food pantry held at Good Shepherd Church. Food pantries are an important part of our community, helping make sure our neighbors have access to nutritious food when they need it.

Volunteering was a great reminder that strengthening our communities starts with showing up and helping one another. I reconnected with former teachers, friends, parents, Lions Club members, and retirees who come together every month to help their fellow community members.

Thank you to everyone at the Muhlenberg Churches Food Pantry for the work you do every day, and to all the volunteers who give their time to support our neighbors. It was an honor to lend a hand!

I had the incredible opportunity to spend the evening enjoying dinner while taking a ride on the magnificently restored Colebrookdale Railroad in Boyertown.

Construction on the railroad began in 1865, and many of the workers who built the line were soldiers recently returned from the Civil War. 

I was amazed by the views this ride offered! We dined inside one of the railroad’s beautifully restored cars, making for a truly memorable evening and a unique way to experience the history and scenery of our region.

As a member of the House Tourism Committee, I greatly appreciate the efforts of Berks County and everyone involved in investing in this attraction, preserving this slice of our history, and creating an experience that brings visitors to our community. It was a wonderful evening celebrating the history, beauty, and tourism opportunities right here in our region!

I participated in a bipartisan tour of Seneca Resources, an unconventional oil and gas site in Tioga County. As a former instructor, I believe in the power of education and how it can help empower us to make better informed decisions.

Additionally, as a member of the House Energy Committee, I believe it’s important to continue gaining a firsthand understanding of Pennsylvania’s diverse energy resources and the role they play in our communities and economy. Tours like this provide an opportunity to ask questions, hear different perspectives, and learn more as we work toward a more inclusive and comprehensive energy future for Pennsylvania.

My team and I are ready to help you with a range of services, including filing for your Property Tax/Rent Rebate, help with PennDOT and unemployment services.

Please stop by my office (4933 Kutztown Road), call us at (610) 921-8921 or email RepRusnock@pahouse.net to learn more about the services we offer and get started!

District Office

4933 Kutztown Rd.
Temple, PA 19560

(610) 921-8921

Pennsylvania State Capitol
152 Main Capitol Building
Harrisburg, PA 17120

(717) 783-3290

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