Trending
State Sen. Gene Yaw, R-Loyalsock Township, announced his intention to run for re-election this year, pledging to continue working on behalf of the residents of Bradford, Lycoming, Sullivan, Tioga and Union counties.
"I was elected to protect and promote the interests that are important to the people of our region," Yaw said via press release. "I travel to every part of our district keeping an ear to the ground and understanding the issues that matter most to residents. I work for the people of our district, not the Harrisburg bureaucracy or special interests."
Yaw is a recipient of the National Federation of Independent Business Award for his voting record in support of small businesses throughout the Commonwealth. In 2023, Americans for Prosperity-Pennsylvania, the leading conservative grassroots organization fighting for lower taxes and limited government in the state, recognized Yaw for his legislative voting record, the press release said.
Additionally, Yaw has been named "Legislator of the Year" by the Pennsylvania Office of Rural Health for his work to address the heroin epidemic plaguing the Commonwealth, the release said.
Yaw serves as chairman of the Environmental Resources and Energy Committee and vice-chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, where he supported and advocated for legislation and funding to make schools safer, the press release said.
He also is a member of the Agriculture and Rural Affairs; Banking and Insurance; Community, Economic & Recreational Development; Rules and Executive Nominations; and Senate Majority Policy committees.
Through his work on the energy committee, he has "steadfastly fought against government mandates and executive orders, such as the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, which would have drastically increased electric bills for area consumers," according to the press release.
As a member of the Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee, Senator Yaw sponsored bills, which became part of the "Farming First Package," designed to ensure that Pennsylvania agriculture remains competitive and profitable. He prime sponsored legislation, included in the 2022-23 state budget, establishing the landmark Pennsylvania Clean Streams Fund, which directed record investments to address the top sources of pollution to local rivers and streams, the release said. He also prime sponsored Pennsylvania's new Agricultural Conservation Assistance Program, aimed at assisting farmers implement conservation measures to protect their property and local water resources.
Through the bipartisan Center for Rural Pennsylvania, Yaw has worked cooperatively with Democrats to address rural broadband issues and has held hearings across Pennsylvania to break down silos related to broadband access.
He has worked to combat the state's heroin and opioid epidemic by being at the forefront of the prescription drug monitoring program, limiting opioid prescriptions to minors, targeting drug dealers, supporting Medication Assisted Treatment and improving access to health services to save lives.
He continues to work with fellow board members to address the stagnation of Pennsylvania's population and decline of population.
In recent years, he has been the recipient of the Distinguished Citizen of the Year Award from the Susquehanna Council, Boy Scouts of America; the Lycoming College Alumni of the Year Award; the CAPPA Community Partner Award; the Central Pennsylvania State of Israel Bonds Israel Unity Award; the Pennsylvania Winery Association Industry Supporter Award; the Pennsylvania College of Technology Centennial Leadership Award; and the Pennsylvania Water Environment Association Public Official of the Year Award, the release said.
Yaw graduated from Montoursville High School, attended Bucknell University, and earned degrees from Lycoming College and the American University School of Law in Washington, D.C.
Yaw is a United States Army veteran. He is a Life Member of the VFW and an Endowed Life Member of the NRA. He is also a member of the American Legion, Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, Ducks Unlimited and the Nittany Lion Club.
A lifelong Lycoming County resident, Yaw is married to Ann S. Pepperman, Esq. He has two children: Scott and Mackenzie, and three grandchildren: Samantha, Sydney and Mason.