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In this update:
Robinson Highlights Robotics Legislation at Upper St. Clair
This week, I joined students, educators, and local officials at Upper St. Clair (USC) High School to highlight bipartisan legislation that would expand access to K-12 robotics programs across Pennsylvania while recognizing the international achievements of one of the district’s robotics teams. Senate Bill 1419, sponsored alongside Sen. Nikil Saval (D-1), would establish a statewide grant program to support existing K-12 robotics teams and help schools launch new programs, giving more Pennsylvania students access to hands-on STEM learning opportunities. Across Pennsylvania, students are developing skills that will define the future of our economy. They’re learning to solve complex problems, write code, and design and build sophisticated machines. They work together as a team to overcome challenges. Those aren’t just robotics skills, but life skills — the same skills our manufacturers, technology companies, healthcare providers, and countless other employers are looking for in tomorrow’s workforce. The event also showcased USC School District’s nationally recognized robotics program as an example of the type of innovative educational opportunity Senate Bill 1419 is designed to support. Learn more about the legislation and event here. View the full press conference here. South Fayette Police Department Celebrates 75th Anniversary
Congratulations to South Fayette Township on their 75th Anniversary! I was proud to present a Senate citation to Chief Phoennik to recognize the department’s continued dedication to serving and protecting the South Fayette community. See more photos from the presentation here. Pleasant Hills Community Day
It was great seeing community members at the Borough of Pleasant Hills, PA Community Day! I hope everyone had a great time watching the parade and enjoying the festivities. See more photos from community day here! Felony Murder Sentencing, PA Crime Highlighted at Hearing
Law enforcement officers and other public officials shared the on-the-ground reality of their efforts to fight crime and how the General Assembly could support their mission during a joint public hearing of the Senate Majority Policy Committee and the House Republican Policy Committee. Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday discussed sentencing for felony murder after the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled mandatory life sentences for this crime are unconstitutional. He stated Senate Bill 1400, passed twice by the Senate, would provide an appropriate sentence for felony murder. But the House changed the bill to remove sentencing minimums, and allow early medical release. With the House’s alterations, it “provides a huge break to convicted murderers,” Sunday said. He added, “Victims deserve better than legislative gamesmanship.” The committees learned that violent crime is down across the commonwealth, but drug offenses are on the rise, with the Bureau of Narcotics removing 56.5 million doses of fentanyl off the streets of Pennsylvania last year. Read more about the hearing and access video and testimony here. Robinson Tours Collier Township Police Department
Thanks to Chief Sabin for the tour of the Collier Township Police Department this week! Our community appreciates the department’s steadfast dedication to its residents. See photos from the tour here. Increased Funding for Nursing Homes Included in Finalized State Budget
The newly enacted state budget included additional funding for nursing homes to improve care for seniors and strengthen long-term care services. As Pennsylvania’s population continues to age, we must ensure we’re investing in the future of our senior citizens. Providing adequate funding for nursing homes and long-term care services is essential to ensure our loved ones are properly cared for and receiving the support and resources they need to thrive later in life. Learn more about the newly enacted state budget here. RSVP for Our Upcoming Mine Subsidence Event
Rep. Andrew Kuzma (R-39) and I are hosting a mine subsidence event on August 20 from 7-9pm at the Pleasant Hills Borough building. The event will inform community members about the Mine Subsidence Insurance (MSI) Fund, a non-profit insurance fund administered by the PA Department of Environmental Protection. The MSI Fund provides low-cost mine subsidence insurance for residential and commercial structures. Any owner of a structure at risk of mine subsidence can apply for MSI. Learn more about mine subsidence insurance here. Empowering Parents with Federal Scholarship Tax Credit
Last year, Congress established a new Federal Scholarship Tax Credit to create new learning opportunities for students. I joined a bipartisan group of colleagues this week to announce legislation that would ensure Pennsylvania families can benefit from this new program. The program would allow taxpayers to earn up to $1,700 in tax credits for contributions to non-profit Scholarship Granting Organizations. These organizations could use the funds to provide scholarships for education-related services at private or public schools, including tuition, fees, academic tutoring, special education services, technology services and classroom supplies. For students and families to be eligible for scholarships, a state must opt in with either an order signed by its governor or a law passed by the state legislature by Jan. 1, 2027. If a state does not opt in, taxpayers in that state will still be eligible for the tax credit, but the money will fund scholarships in other states. Our legislation would ensure Pennsylvania students in both public and private schools would have access to these new resources. Learn more about this opportunity for Pennsylvania students and families here. First Responder Appreciation Stair Climb & Recruitment Event
In honor of the brave men and women who responded on Sept. 11, 2001, Representative Natalie Mihalek (R-40) and I will be hosting a First Responders Appreciation Stair Climb and Recruitment event on Sept. 11, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Spencer Family YMCA Bethel Park. All constituents are invited to attend and participate by completing various exercises designed to simulate the strenuous actions of the heroes on that terrifying day. Bethel Park firefighters will be on hand to discuss volunteer opportunities, including an educational partnership with the CCAC that may include free college classes! More information about this event is available here. PA College Savings Fees Waived for Fifth Straight Year
Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity announced asset-based fees for the PA 529 College and Career Savings Program’s Guaranteed Savings Plan (GSP) will be waived for the fifth year in a row. PA 529 GSP account owners will not see any asset-based fees on their quarterly statements for July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, resulting in $5.9 million in savings. This fee waiver is funded through surplus earnings of the GSP fund. The PA 529 GSP allows families to save at today’s tuition rates to meet tomorrow’s tuition costs. Families can choose from a variety of tuition levels to save for, from community college to Ivy League institutions. PA 529 GSP account earnings are based on tuition inflation rates. Learn more about the PA 259 GSP program here. One Year since the Clairton Coke Works ExplosionAugust 11th marked one year since the tragic explosion at the Clairton Coke Works plant in the Mon Valley that claimed the lives of two workers – Steven Menefee and Timothy Quinn. Our community mourns their loss and is thinking of their families and loved ones on this difficult anniversary. This incident is a reminder of the risks steelworkers take every day when they go to work at plants across the region. Angela Campbell Recognized by PAAR
Pittsburgh Action Against Rape (PAAR) recently recognized Angela Campbell for her generosity and commitment to survivors by dedicating the waiting area at their facility in honor of the Campbell family. For the past nine years, Angela and her family have been steadfast supporters of PAAR, making significant philanthropic investments in their mission and expanding access to child and family counseling services. Thank you, Angela, for your continued advocacy! Veterans Benefits Assistance
On the second Tuesday of each month, my office hosts a veterans’ benefits expert from the American Legion. He is available to answer any questions or help solve issues a veteran may have with obtaining their benefits. If you would like to schedule a FREE appointment to receive assistance with your veterans’ benefits, please call my office at (412) 785-3070. Understanding Digital Threats to Children
Aug. 17 – Aug. 23 is “Social Media Safety and Parental Awareness Week” in Pennsylvania. This first-of-its-kind designation is designed to help parents, guardians and students better understand potential threats in the digital world, including cyberbullying, sextortion, AI-generated child sexual abuse material, grooming and other dangerous forms of abuse. Find a Back-to-School Checklist and more tips on social media safety at the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. My legislative colleagues and I have worked to keep kids safe from dangers online. This includes laws criminalizing deepfakes, giving law enforcement tools to combat online abuse, creating the Task Force on Child Protection in the Digital Age, and more. The Senate has also passed legislation (pending in the House of Representatives) providing safeguards for AI chatbots, prohibiting “nudification” apps and protecting young people against AI-generated child abuse materials. This is a growing, serious problem that we, as responsible adults, must consistently be mindful of to protect our children. Reporting Suspected Benefits Fraud
You can help eliminate fraud in benefits programs such as cash assistance, food stamps, childcare, home energy assistance and medical assistance. Suspected fraud can be reported to the Office of the State Inspector General. A complaint should be completed only if an individual has been issued benefits that you believe the individual was not entitled to receive. Report suspected fraud to the State Inspector General here. Getting Potholes Filled
If you spot a pothole on a Pennsylvania road, you can report it through the PennDOT Customer Care Center. If you notice an urgent issue, please check the list of district engineering offices and contact the one for the county in which the issue is found. For immediate safety concerns, call 1‑800‑FIX‑ROAD (1-800-349-7623), and always call 9‑1‑1 for emergencies.
I’m proud to represent you in Harrisburg. Please contact me if my team can assist you with any state-level issues or services, including PennDOT, PA Department of Revenue, PA Department of Aging, PA State Treasury, etc. I’m always happy to hear from constituents, but if you need assistance or have concerns regarding a federal issue, you may want to contact your U.S. Senators and/or your member in the U.S. House of Representatives. Thank you. |
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