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In this Update:
From Wins to What’s Next: Robinson Outlines Vision for 2026 Legislative Session
Looking Back at 2025 2025 was a whirlwind year filled with legislative wins in Harrisburg that will have a lasting impact on the residents of western PA. Beginning one year ago in January 2025, I was sworn in to the Pennsylvania Senate for my second term serving the good people of Allegheny County in the 37th Senatorial District. It’s my absolute honor to have earned the trust of my constituents and be given the opportunity to continue representing the community I call home and the people I call neighbors. I was appointed to serve on many influential legislative committees, including as Chair of the powerful Senate Labor & Industry Committee where I will continue supporting workers and businesses, fostering policies that create jobs, ensuring fair labor practices, and strengthening the economic vitality of our commonwealth. I worked with my colleagues in the Senate Republican Caucus and across the aisle to advance issues that are important to the people I represent in Allegheny County, including creating economic opportunity for all, expanding health care coverage and access, serving veterans, creating safe communities, improving public transportation, and much more. Looking Ahead to 2026 In 2026, we’re building on last year’s momentum with initiatives that strengthen our workforce, keep jobs local, and provide paid leave for caregivers. I would also like to see a long-term, stable plan to fund public transit, and I will continue to be a vocal advocate for recurring revenue that supports a reliable, affordable public transit system. These priorities reflect my commitment to making Pennsylvania a place where people want to live, work, and raise a family. A full summary of my 2025 legislative accomplishments is available here and an overview of my 2026 legislative goals is available here. 2026 NFL Draft Legislative Briefing
Thank you to the Steelers for briefing the Allegheny County Legislative Delegation on what to expect when the NFL Draft begins in April. Let the countdown begin! Read more about what to expect at the draft here. PA Treasury Mails Nearly 100,000 Money Match Checks
Check your mailboxes, because the Pennsylvania Treasury Department recently mailed nearly 100,000 Pennsylvania Money Match checks totaling more than $22 million. Treasurer Stacy Garrity urges those who receive a check to cash or deposit it immediately – this is a real program, and this money belongs to Pennsylvanians. Money Match, a law that went into effect in 2025, allows the Pennsylvania Treasury to return single-owner unclaimed property valued at $500 or less automatically without the need to search or file a claim. Money Match successfully returned $50 million in its first year and will continue issuing checks quarterly. More than one in 10 Pennsylvanians is owed some of the over $5 billion of unclaimed property in Treasury’s care. The average value of a claim is $1,000. Visit patreasury.gov/unclaimed-property to start searching. Jan. 31 Deadline for High School Seniors to Apply for America250PA Scholarships
High school seniors have until Jan. 31 to apply for $10,000 scholarships as part of the America250PA celebration. Twenty-five scholarships will be awarded throughout six regions to commonwealth high school seniors planning to attend a Pennsylvania college or university in the 2026-27 academic year. More than three dozen schools will match the $10,000 if the student chooses their institution. You can learn more and apply here. Food, Fun, and Farming: PA Farm Show Set for Jan. 10-17
Hundreds of exhibits and an array of delicious food will be featured at the 2026 Pennsylvania Farm Show, Jan. 10-17 in Harrisburg. It’s a celebration of our commonwealth’s rich farming tradition and a lot of fun for families. In line with America’s 250th birthday, this year’s Farm Show “Growing a Nation” theme recognizes Pennsylvania’s leading role in our nation’s founding and future. Information is available to plan your visit, view the daily schedule and maps, and more. If you’ve never been to the Farm Show, check out the Frequently Asked Questions page. General admission is free. New Northland Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
Congratulations to Northland Public Library on your ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate its opening of the newly renovated space! The renovated and expanded space now features a Commonplace Coffee café, an expanded and dedicated teen space, a mezzanine reading level with panoramic views, and a new conference room on the upper level. These renovations will undoubtedly be a great addition to the community, fostering education and fun for all ages. Learn more about the new space here. Upper St. Clair Troop 366 Eagle Scout Ceremony
Congratulations to Nolan, Caden, and Alex from Boy Scout Troop 366 for earning the rank of Eagle Scout! Your hard work earned you this impressive accomplishment, and I wish you the best as you continue to positively contribute to the Upper St. Clair community. More Pennsylvanians Now Eligible for PA ABLE Savings Accounts
More Pennsylvanians are eligible to participate in the PA ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) Savings Program in 2026, Treasurer Stacy Garrity announced recently. Pennsylvanians with a qualifying disability occurring prior to age 46 are now eligible to open a PA ABLE account. Previously, eligibility required the disability to occur before age 26. PA ABLE accounts allow individuals with disabilities and their families to save up to $19,000 per year tax-free without impacting important benefits. For veterans, savings and investments in PA ABLE accounts do not impact VA benefits. Funds can be used for expenses such as housing, health care, transportation, and assistive technology. Contributions are deductible on state income taxes, and qualified withdrawals are exempt from state and federal income taxes. Heating Assistance Program Now Open
Residents who struggle with their home heating bills can apply for assistance from the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). LIHEAP is a federally funded program that helps individuals and families pay their heating bills through home heating energy assistance grants. It also provides crisis grants to help in the event of an emergency or if a resident is in danger of losing his or her heat due to broken equipment, lack of fuel, or termination of utility service. Learn about income eligibility and other details here. Apply online at www.dhs.pa.gov/COMPASS or by phone at 1-866-857-7095. The program runs through April 2026. Watch Out for Black Ice
Nearly impossible to see, black ice is a thin, transparent layer of ice that forms on road surfaces creating a significant driving and walking hazard. It appears “black” because the dark color of the pavement or surface beneath shows through the clear ice. Black ice typically forms when air temperatures are at or just below freezing. Common locations are bridges and overpasses, shaded areas, and low-traffic roads. Please proceed with caution in these conditions and get where you’re going safely. You can find other useful winter driving tips here. National Human Trafficking Awareness Month
Pennsylvania consistently ranks among the top 10 states for reported human trafficking cases. Over the past five years, 1,235 human-trafficking offenses were filed in 366 cases. The General Assembly has enacted several laws in recent years to combat this abuse in which people profit from the exploitation of others. You can find more statistics and ways to identify possible human trafficking in your community here.
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. For anyone who hasn’t already signed up to receive my e-newsletters, you can get on the mailing list here. |
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