Senator Baker

On Police Officers’ Memorial Day, the Senate approved Senate Bill 1284, Detective Kyle Gilmartin’s Law, which means tougher penalties for individuals who attempt to murder a law enforcement officer and cause serious bodily injury, closing a glaring loophole in state law.

Tragically, the need for this legislation was first brought to my attention in February by Lackawanna DA Brian Gallagher after a horrific crime against Scranton Police Detective Kyle Gilmartin in his county in 2024.

Detective Gilmartin miraculously survived and is here with us today as a testament to his faith, tenacity, and determination.
 
Unfortunately, Detective Gilmartin faced an unexpected roadblock in his journey to recovery. It was during the criminal proceedings when DA Gallagher discovered that the attempted murder charge was not the one carrying the most severe punishment. I was shocked by this revelation.

I’m pleased we were able to address this injustice with Senate Bill 1284, which closes this loophole, and ensures anyone who intentionally tries to kill a police officer faces the full weight of the law. This bill ensures sentencing reflects the gravity of those crimes.

I had the opportunity to recently tour The Little Playroom daycare facility in Hawley, which just opened its doors on a beautiful new facility. I had a great time reading books to the children. Congratulations to owner Mindy Skelton and all the staff at The Little Playroom on their grand opening. Well done!

I was honored to attend the Bushkill Fire Company’s 90th Anniversary Banquet and present them a Senate citation to mark this incredible milestone. Thank you to all the members and the over 8,000 volunteer hours dedicated to keeping our communities and residents safe.

I joined Pennsylvania @paattorneygen Dave Sunday today to host a Senior Scam Prevention and Awareness event at the Kingston Active Adult Center, equipping older Pennsylvanians with tools to recognize and avoid increasingly sophisticated scams.

Scammers are becoming more aggressive and more convincing, and too many seniors are paying the price. We want our seniors to feel confident recognizing red flags and empowered to take action when something doesn’t seem right.

I would like thank Attorney General Sunday and his office for educating our seniors on this important issue. During the event, officials highlighted several key topics, including:

o The rise of AI-powered scams that are harder to detect.
o Common fraud tactics such as phishing, government impersonation and emergency cash schemes.
o The importance of immediate action steps, including the “hang up, shut the door” approach when contacted unexpectedly.
o Efforts by the Office of Attorney General’s Elder Exploitation Section to investigate and prosecute scams targeting seniors.

As a proud member of the Tunkhannock Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, it was an honor to attend yesterday’s Marcy Cemetery Restoration Program.

The restoration program and recognition of the new monument for American Patriot Solomon Avery marks another milestone in the Tunkhannock Chapter’s goal of historic local preservation.

Yesterday’s ceremony culminated the efforts that started in 2023 as part of Wyoming County’s involvement in @america250_pa . I was moved by this collective display of community and patriotism. Congratulations to all involved!

I was proud to recognize Wyoming County residents who were inducted into the Pennsylvania Voter Hall of Fame for voting in 50 consecutive general elections.

It was an honor to help celebrate their achievement, and we thank them for setting such a strong example of civic responsibility for future generations.

#vote

Every April, the @luzernecountycac plants pinwheels to mark #childabusepreventionmonth

At the Luzerne County Courthouse, 391 pinwheels were planted by county leaders, representing the number of children CAC helped last year. Pinwheels were also planted at the Dallas Rotary Club Triangle.

The Wyoming County Chamber of Commerce invited local legislators to participate in a breakfast panel with area employers. We discussed many of the key issues confronting northeastern Pennsylvania, including access to health care in rural communities, rising energy costs, the impact of regulatory complexity and permitting delays, and how we can better align our education system with the real-time workforce needs of our region.

I appreciated the opportunity to participate in this event. Hearing about the challenges our employers are facing is valuable as we continue our deliberations on the 2026-27 state budget.

Susquehanna County’s annual Ag Day is a great reminder of the vital role agriculture plays in our region.

This free event offers valuable educational opportunities for residents of all ages while highlighting the hard work and dedication of our local farmers. Supporting agriculture means supporting the future of our communities.

Congratulations to Dallas School District`s Mackenzie Hrivnak and Lackawanna Trail School District`s Steve Jervis as they represent our area at the Big 33 Football Classic. Mackenzie will participate as a cheerleader, and Steve will serve as one of the assistant coaches. 🏈📣🏈

#happystpatricksday☘️

Great to see our county partners representing Luzerne, Pike, Susquehanna, Wayne and Wyoming counties in Harrisburg at the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania ceremony honoring their Friend of County Government award recipients, including my colleague @senatorscottmartinpa

It was also a pleasure to meet 104-year-old, WWII veteran and fellow @shippensburgu alum Sam Worley. #centenarian #wwiiveteran #shipisit

I was pleased to join @drozcms @repbresnahan @luzernecommunitycollege to tour its nursing facilities and meet with students. We observed hands-on training, including virtual reality simulations and CPR demonstrations and discussed the urgent need to address the #nationalnursingshortage

We had a great time visiting local schools during #readacrossamericaweek 📚

This year’s theme, “Championing Kindness,” highlights the importance of compassion while encouraging students to explore diverse stories. It was a joy to read with students and see their enthusiasm firsthand.

Supporting literacy at an early age helps build a strong foundation for lifelong learning, and I am grateful to our teachers and staff who inspire that love of reading every day.

Happy #nationalloveyourpetday 🐾 ❤️ 🐾

The annual Wayne County Ag Day recognizes the farmers, students and agricultural leaders who are vital to our region’s economy and heritage.

Agriculture plays a critical role in sustaining our communities and preserving our rural character. I remain committed to supporting policies and programs that strengthen our farming families and ensure Pennsylvania’s top industry continues to thrive for generations to come.