PA State Rep. Joe D'Orsie

Free Webinar on Digital Discernment: Raising Tech-Ready Kids in an AI Age - June 16 at 7pm ET. 📅

The digital world is changing fast.

For many parents, it can feel overwhelming to keep up. You might be struggling with that right now.

From smartphones and social media to artificial intelligence and online exploitation, you and your family are navigating challenges previous generations could have never imagined.

That’s why Pennsylvania Family Council and Protect Young Eyes are partnering for a practical and encouraging FREE webinar.

If you’d like to learn more and register for this educational resource:

Pennsylvania Family Council Pennsylvania Family Council | Powered by CharityEngine

Prevent Lyme: Check for Ticks

May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month. As you spend time outdoors, it is important to check yourself, loved ones and pets for ticks and be aware of the symptoms of Lyme disease and other tick-related ailments.

The first line of defense against Lyme is to take precautions outdoors by:
--treating clothing and gear with products containing 0.5% permethrin
--using insect repellent, and
--avoiding wooded and brushy areas with high grass or leaf litter.

When you return indoors, check your clothing, gear and pets for ticks; shower as soon as possible after being outdoors; and check your body for ticks, particularly in areas such as under the arms, in and around the ears, back of the knees and other similar areas.

If bitten, an individual should monitor the area for the appearance of a bull’s eye rash, though the rash does not develop in all cases. Early symptoms of Lyme disease include fever, fatigue, headache and muscle aches. However, symptoms may progress to arthritic, neurologic and cardiac symptoms if not treated.

Lyme disease is caused by the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi and is transmitted by the bite of a blacklegged tick or deer tick. If you pull a tick from yourself, a loved one or your pet, you may have it tested to determine if it carries Lyme or other tick-borne diseases.

More information about how to get a tick tested at the East Stroudsburg University Tick Lab is available at: https://www.ticklab.org/

Learn more about Lyme disease symptoms, treatment and prevention here: https://www.pa.gov/agencies/health/diseases-conditions/infectious-disease/vectorborne-diseases/tick-diseases/lyme

Bike Safely!

May is National Bicycle Safety Month. Remember—bicycles are vehicles, and riders must follow traffic laws. Staying alert and following the rules helps prevent crashes and keeps everyone safe.

Safety Tips:
• Wear a properly fitted helmet.
• Use hand signals.
• Wear bright/reflective clothing.
• Keep your bike maintained.
• Use reflectors, a white headlight, and a bell or horn.
• Ride a car‑door width from parked vehicles

Drivers: Give cyclists at least 4 feet when passing.

Learn more at penndot.pa.gov.

Calling Photographers of all Ages and Skill Levels!

The 47th District — home to the townships of Conewago, East Manchester, Hellam and Springettsbury, and the boroughs of Hallam, Manchester, Mount Wolf and Wrightsville — is a beautiful and vibrant community.

Help us showcase its rich history, natural beauty, and economic opportunities through YOUR eyes.

If you **reside in the 47th** and have photographs that capture the spirit of the 47th, we’d love to see them! Please send in your photos and help us celebrate everything that makes this district special.

Submissions for local landscape/nature/architecture photos are open through July 17th at 11:59 p.m.

Public voting begins Aug.4 and ends Aug. 25 at 11:59 p.m. Photos that qualify for contest voting will be displayed on a separate webpage during the voting period. Check back here on Aug 4 for the voting page URL.

The photograph with the most votes will win first place, followed by second and third place for the next highest vote-earners.

Awards Include
• 1st place: A citation signed by Representative Joe D'Orsie, photo enlarged and framed in the District Office and a $40 gift certificate to Leg Up Farmers Market.
• 2nd place: Your photo enlarged and framed in the District Office and a $25 gift card to local eatery.
• 3rd place: Your photo enlarged and framed in the District Office and a $15 gift card to Maple Donuts.

Visit the contest page for more information, criteria, and rules: https://repjoed.com/rjd2026photocontest

Bill Targets AI-Generated Child Sexual Abuse Material

The state House recently gave unanimous approval to legislation that would strengthen protections for children victimized by AI-generated sexually explicit images.

House Bill 2474 would require schools and other mandated reporters to immediately notify law enforcement when they become aware of suspected child sexual abuse material involving artificial intelligence-generated “deepfake” images. The bill aims to prevent delays that can allow harmful material to continue spreading and additional victims to be targeted.

The bill was developed in response to at least two known cases in which school officials did not immediately report such incidents. The legislation is intended to remove uncertainty about reporting obligations and ensure law enforcement becomes involved immediately.

The bill is now pending consideration in the Senate.

https://www.palegis.us/legislation/bills/2025/hb2474

🖊 Did you know that one of the original copies of the Articles of Confederation is housed right here in York? I learned this amazing fact at a recent meeting with representatives from the County History Center. York County's rich history is worth celebrating, especially as we come together to celebrate 250 years as a nation! Be sure to check out their incredible exhibits this Summer!

Recently I attended a House Republican Policy Committee hearing at Glen Brook Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center in Berwick to hear how we can make affordability a reality for our seniors.

Our senior citizens spent decades building our communities. They deserve the dignity, stability and peace of mind they provided for so many others.

At the hearing, we discussed a lot of topics which ranged from workforce shortages to regulations and beyond. My colleagues and I learned a lot about what is required to make life affordable during the golden years of someone’s life.

I was so honored to join veterans and families yesterday morning at the Veterans Memorial Gold Star Healing & Peace Garden in York, and then the Wrightsville community in the afternoon for their annual Memorial Day parade. It was such a fitting tribute to the service men & women who have fallen to secure our freedoms.

Today we give special honor to more than 1.1 million Americans who have died in wars which the United States entered.

Please take a moment this weekend to remember these men and women who sacrificed their lives for us and for our country and consider participating in Memorial Day events in your community.

For more information about Memorial Day and its history: https://www.va.gov/opa/speceven/memday/