WILKES-BARRE — Gov. Josh Shapiro this week joined Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) Commissioner Colonel Christopher Paris to celebrate the graduation of the 173rd Cadet Class of the Pennsylvania State Police Academy — one of the nation’s most rigorous and respected law enforcement training programs.
The Governor welcomed 59 new troopers that completed 28 weeks of comprehensive training and will now be assigned to PSP stations across the Commonwealth, where they will begin serving their communities.
“Policing is a noble profession — and the men and women of the Pennsylvania State Police go to work every single day to protect and serve our communities,” said Gov. Shapiro. “Today, these cadets join their ranks after completing one of the most challenging and rigorous law enforcement training programs in the nation. You are the best of us, and now you will carry the responsibility of keeping Pennsylvanians safe.”
“Today is the result of months of hard work, determination, bravery, and selflessness,” said Colonel Paris. “I am proud to call members of the 173rd Cadet Class troopers, and I have full confidence that they will succeed in answering the call to serve, protect, and uphold the law throughout our great Commonwealth.”
Since taking office, Gov. Shapiro has made historic investments in the Pennsylvania State Police — removing outdated barriers to service, expanding recruitment, and providing critical resources to keep communities safe.
The Shapiro Administration has funded eight cadet classes to train over 800 new State Troopers and secured funding to help departments recruit and retain nearly 700 municipal police officers across Pennsylvania. To date, more than 500 cadets have graduated and joined the ranks of PSP under Gov. Shapiro’s leadership.
Nearly $400 million has been secured for the construction of a new state-of-the-art PSP Academy.
The Administration is expanding the use of body-worn cameras across 67 counties to improve transparency and accountability.
Since Governor Shapiro took office, gun violence is down 42% and gun deaths by firearm are down 38% across Pennsylvania. In 2024 alone, violent crime declined nearly 12% compared to 2022.
Rep. Meuser supports bill to expand charter school opportunities and strengthen school choice
U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser, R-Dallas, this week cosponsored H.R. 3453 — the Empower Charter School Educators to Lead Act — bipartisan legislation to help experienced educators open new charter schools and expand learning opportunities across the country.
The bill gives states greater flexibility in using funding from the federal Charter Schools Program (CSP). Specifically, it allows states to use up to 5% of their CSP grants for small planning grants to assist educators navigating the complex application process for new charter schools.
Currently, Rep. Meuser said CSP funds cannot be used for planning phases, often forcing teachers and administrators to step away from their jobs and bear financial hurdles to complete applications. This legislation removes that barrier and ensures skilled educators have a fair and supported path to launch schools that meet their communities’ needs.
Rep. Meuser said proponents of the legislation argue that charter schools consistently deliver strong academic outcomes, with higher graduation rates and improved test scores in reading and math.
Rep. Meuser said expanding charter access is a critical component of school choice, empowering parents to choose the right educational setting for their children — rather than being locked in by geography or under-performing school districts.
“Charter schools provide families with more choice and students with new opportunities to succeed,” said Rep. Meuser. “By supporting experienced educators at the planning stage, this legislation removes barriers, strengthens accountability, and helps meet the demand from parents seeking alternatives to under-performing schools. Every child deserves access to a high-quality education, and expanding school choice through charter schools is an important part of that mission.”
Rep. Meuser also noted how charter school expansion complements broader reforms enacted through the One Big Beautiful Bill. Included in that legislation is a new federal tax credit scholarship program giving parents new control over their children’s education.
Starting in 2027, donors can receive a dollar-for-dollar tax credit — up to $1,700 annually — for contributions to nonprofit scholarship organizations that provide K–12 assistance. These flexible scholarships can cover tuition, tutoring, books, uniforms, transportation, technology, and special-needs services, empowering low- and middle-income families with real educational options.
Rep. Meuser said the urgency of this effort is underscored by troubling state education outcomes. He said according to the U.S. Department of Education’s Nation’s Report Card, 69% of Pennsylvania’s eighth grade students are not proficient in either math or reading.
The Empower Charter School Educators to Lead Act was reported out of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce favorably in June and now awaits consideration on the floor.
PennDOT reminds Pennsylvanians to drive responsibly ahead of Labor Day weekend
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) this week joined the PSP and safety partners to urge Pennsylvanians to celebrate responsibly ahead of the Labor Day holiday.
PSP and local municipal police agencies will be conducting impaired driving enforcement details as part of the National Crackdown on Impaired Driving enforcement and education campaign running through Sept. 1.
Over the Labor Day holiday weekend last year — Friday, Aug. 30, 2024, through Monday, Sept. 2, 2024 — there were 1,002 crashes statewide, resulting in 13 fatalities and 722 injuries. Of those crashes, 106 were alcohol related, resulting in four fatalities and 65 injuries; and 27 were drug-related, resulting in three fatalities and 22 injuries.
“These numbers should be zero,” said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll.