Latest News from State Capitol and 55th District

May 7, 2026

Fairness Sought in School Sports

The links between organized school sports and academic success are well documented.

According to one University of Chicago study, student-athletes have significantly higher graduation rates, over 97% in some regions compared to roughly 87% for non-athletes.

From sports participation, young athletes learn important life skills, such as time management, self-discipline and teamwork, that not only have a positive impact on their high school experience but also provide them with important adult skills that are applicable in their professions and family lives.

I experienced these benefits personally and have witnessed their positive impacts as my children participated in high school sports throughout their academic careers. This is why I voted in favor of House Bill 41, a bipartisan bill aimed at improving fairness in Pennsylvania school sports.

If written into law, the proposal provides the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) the flexibility to establish separate playoffs and championships for public schools and private, charter or parochial schools. Any changes are not likely to occur immediately, as the PIAA has established procedures for how it considers and adopts new rules and standards.

Because private, charter and parochial schools (also known as non-boundary schools) can actively recruit student athletes from virtually anywhere, they are able to stack their teams and hold a significant competitive advantage over public (boundary) schools. This has been especially noticeable in basketball and football championships, but it can affect any school sport. 

This year, non-boundary schools won two of the PIAA’s six football championships, three of six girls’ basketball championships and five of six boys’ basketball titles. Last year, they won four of six in football, three of six in girls’ basketball and all six boys’ basketball championships.

I earned athletic accolades as the female athlete of the year in college. Years later, I had the joy of watching both my son and daughter excel in high school and college athletics. I learned firsthand that an important motivator for young athletes is the notion that if you work hard, you have a fair shot at success.

But that success slips further away as playing fields are tilted to favor those institutions who have an unlimited source of athletes. 

I supported this bill because I believe it will level the playing field for our athletes and ensure fair competition for all. A House colleague of mine made a notable comparison, stating that the current system is as though Pitt and Penn State were limited to players from Pennsylvania on their rosters, while Ohio State would be permitted to have players from all over the country.

House Bill 41, which passed in the House 178-23, now goes to the Senate for consideration.

Here are some additional news topics and reminders I would like to share.

Hey Ladies, Join Me for Tea! - Please join me for a Women’s Legislative Tea event to discuss current events in Harrisburg and here at home. The free event, scheduled for Wednesday, May 13, from 2-4 p.m. at The Lamplighter, 6566 Route 22, Delmont, features guest speaker Westmoreland County District Attorney Nicole Ziccarelli. Register as soon as possible by contacting Robin Savage at 724-387-9113 or by emailing rsavage@pahousegop.com.

PA Preferred Marketing Grants Available - Grants to help Pennsylvania farmers and agricultural producers market their products are now available from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and its PA Preferred Marketing Grants Program. 

Applications for grants of up to $10,000 to reimburse promotional costs are due by May 16. Funding is available to reimburse product promotions under the PA Preferred, PA Preferred Homegrown by Heroes®, or PA Preferred Organic™ programs.

More information about the grant program is available at pa.gov.

To find PA Preferred products in your area, visit PAPreferred.com. Look for the blue and yellow checkmark!

Submissions Sought for 2026 Older Artists of PA Showcase - The Pennsylvania Department of Aging (PDA) and Pennsylvania Council on the Arts are inviting artists aged 60 and older to submit their work for the second annual Older Artists of PA Showcase. 

The Older Artists of PA Showcase will feature selected works from across the Commonwealth, on display in the East Wing Rotunda of the Pennsylvania State Capitol during the month of August 2026. Up to 30 pieces will be selected by jurors from across the Commonwealth.

Artists aged 60 and older who reside in Pennsylvania are invited to submit one piece of art for consideration. There is no cost to enter, and submissions must have been created within the past 18 months in one of three categories: Professional, Nonprofessional, and Artist Over 60 Living with Dementia. In addition to being featured in the exhibition, selected artists will be invited to attend a reception in Harrisburg to celebrate their creative contributions.

Applications are being collected online via the Artist Call for Entry (CaFÉ) website, artist.callforentry.org. Submissions are due by Sunday, May 24.



Representative Jill Cooper
55th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Jordan Frei
724.875.8450
jfrei@pahousegop.com