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In This Update:

• Phone-Free Schools Bill Advances
• Broughton Volunteer Fire Department Celebrates 100 Years
• PA to Update Elevator Safety Standards
• Touring the Allegheny County Office of the Medical Examiner
• Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association Legislative Panel
• Hearing on Barriers to New PA Power Generation
• Visiting The Mentoring Partnership of Southwestern Pennsylvania
• Senior Resource Session at Fair Oaks Volunteer Fire Department
• NEW Survey Question: Clean Drinking Water in PA Schools
• Addressing Reckless Truck Driving on PA Highways & Roads
• Sign up for your American Legion Appointment for Assistance with Veterans’ Benefits
• Good Luck to Pittsburgh Marathon Runners!
• May 4 is the Deadline to Register to Vote in the Primary Election
• 2026 Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program Application Window OPEN
• Mammo May: Early Detection Saves Lives
• Support Our Troops this National Military Appreciation Month
• National Small Business Week Begins TOMORROW

Phone-Free Schools Bill Advances

I joined fellow supporters of Senate Bill 1014 in February, 2026 to mark the Senate’s approval of our legislation implementing a bell-to-bell ban on student cellphone use during the school day.

Earlier this week, the House of Representatives Education Committee approved Senate Bill 1014, legislation I’ve sponsored with Sens. Vincent Hughes (D-7) and Steve Santarseiro (D-10) to create phone-free schools in Pennsylvania. This is an important step toward restoring focus, connection, and balance in our classrooms. Students deserve a learning environment free from the constant distractions of cellphones and social media.

This legislation establishes a clear, consistent statewide standard prohibiting cellphone use during the school day, while still allowing school districts the flexibility to implement policies in a way that works best for their communities. It also includes appropriate exceptions for medical needs, individualized education programs, English language learners, and instructional use with teacher permission.

Learn more about the bill here.

Broughton Volunteer Fire Department Celebrates 100 Years

Last weekend, I helped the Broughton Volunteer Fire Department celebrate 100 years by announcing a grant for much needed improvements to their fire hall. Thank you to everyone at the department for their dedicated service through the years. Here’s to another 100 years of serving the community!

Check out more photos from the ceremony here.

PA to Update Elevator Safety Standards

As chair of the Senate Labor and Industry Committee, I joined my colleague, Sen. Lisa Baker (R-20) (the prime sponsor of legislation creating the Elevator Safety Board), in applauding the Independent Regulatory Review Commission’s approval of updated elevator safety standards this week. Sen. Baker and I have worked collaboratively to advance updated standards over the last few years to improve consumer confidence in elevators across Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania currently operates under one of the oldest elevator and escalator codes in the nation, further highlighting the dire need for these updates. A modernized elevator code will ensure greater safety and reliability of equipment, incentivize regular equipment maintenance, and reduce the likelihood of accidents and mechanical failures. We are pleased to see the Commission act this week to enshrine these updates into the Commonwealth’s regulatory framework, and to give the public peace of mind when stepping onto elevators in PA.

Learn more about the updated elevator safety standards in my press release here.

Touring the Allegheny County Office of the Medical Examiner

This week, I met with the Allegheny County Office of the Medical Examiner (ACOME) and members of the Division of Forensic Labs to learn more about medicolegal death investigations. Medicolegal deaths occur when the circumstances surrounding an individual’s death warrant an investigation by a professional – like those at ACOME – to determine the nature of their passing. For example, violent, accidental, sudden, unexpected, or medical unattended deaths all fall under the jurisdiction of ACOME.

I am proud to have secured a grant for ACOME office to build out their DNA database, which continues to help with investigations. The office recently used this funding to solve the oldest case of an unidentified murder victim in Allegheny County.

Check out more photos from my ACOME tour here.

Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association Legislative Panel

I was pleased to join my colleagues on the Senate Transportation Committee for a legislative panel with the Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association to discuss transportation infrastructure, funding, highway safety, and more. At the beginning of this year, I outlined my priorities for 2026 which included my support for a long-term, stable plan to fund public transit. I will continue to be a vocal advocate for recurring revenue that supports a reliable, affordable public transit system.

Check out more photos from the panel discussion here.

Hearing on Barriers to New PA Power Generation

I joined the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee for a public hearing to examine the latest energy market conditions and barriers to new power generation in the commonwealth. The hearing, held at the Energy Innovation Center in Pittsburgh, was part of continuing efforts to ensure Pennsylvania families and employers have access to reliable, affordable electricity.

We heard from testifiers representing the regional power grid (PJM), the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, and others. ReliabilityFirst, which is responsible for ensuring the dependability and security of the regional bulk power system, projected risk to grid reliability could come in 2029 instead of in the early 2030s as previously projected.

The surge of demand from data centers and the need for more skilled infrastructure workers were also discussed. You can view written testimony and the hearing video here.

Visiting The Mentoring Partnership of Southwestern Pennsylvania

This week, I met with Kristan at The Mentoring Partnership of Southwestern Pennsylvania where I learned how they train individuals to mentor youth, understand behaviors, and build connections. Through mentorship, students and young adults can learn about different work pathways and create intergenerational connections. Thank you for the great work you do for our community!

Senior Resource Session at Fair Oaks Volunteer Fire Department

On Thursday, May 7 from 10 a.m. to noon, Rep. Valerie Gaydos (R-44) and I are hosting a Senior Resource Session at the Fair Oaks Volunteer Fire Department. Staff will be available to help seniors:

Apply for Property Tax and Rent Rebates

Apply for Pittsburgh Regional Transit Senior ConnectCards

Reclaim unclaimed property from the PA Treasury Department

This event is FREE and open to any interested seniors – no registration necessary. More information is available here.

NEW Survey Question: Clean Drinking Water in PA Schools

Did you know that Pennsylvania schools are recommended to test for lead, but the law does not require them to do so?

I’ve sponsored bipartisan legislation with Sens. John Kane (D-9) and Art Haywood (D-4) to require school districts to replace old, outdated drinking fountains with lead-filtering hydration stations by 2028. The legislation, Senate Bill 759, also includes funding mechanisms to help school districts achieve this goal.

What do you think of this proposed bill? Tell me your thoughts by filling out this brief, one-question survey here.

Addressing Reckless Truck Driving on PA Highways & Roads

Truck-involved accidents are especially dangerous, so we must hold these drivers to a higher standard to protect other motorists and ensure bad actors are prosecuted for violating the law. I was glad to hear from many of my constituents about this issue, and pleased to vote for legislation to help combat this problem.

Read the full article on WFMJ’s website here.

Sign up for your American Legion Appointment for Assistance with Veterans’ Benefits

On the second Tuesday of each month, my office hosts Graham Wieland, a veterans’ benefits expert from the American Legion. He is available to answer any questions or help solve any issues a veteran may have obtaining their benefits.

If you would like to schedule an appointment with Graham, you may call my office at (412) 785-3070.

Good Luck to Pittsburgh Marathon Runners!

Good luck to all the runners competing in the Pittsburgh Marathon this weekend! While the full marathon begins at 7 a.m., tomorrow, Sunday, May 3, there are a number of events for kids, families, pets, individuals with disabilities, and more throughout the weekend.

Get details on all the events including road closures, travel information, and more, here.

May 4 is the Deadline to Register to Vote in the Primary Election

This Monday, May 4, is the deadline to register to vote in the May 19 primary election.

You can register to vote online, by mail, or at several government agencies. To register to vote in Pennsylvania, you must:

• Be a citizen of the United States for at least one month before the next primary election.
• Be a resident of Pennsylvania and the election district in which you want to register and vote for at least 30 days.
• Be at least 18 years of age on or before the day of the primary.

Learn more about registering to vote here.

Check if you’re registered to vote here.

2026 Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program Application Window OPEN

The application window for the 2026 Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) is now open for eligible, low-income seniors to receive vouchers to purchase locally-grown fruits, vegetables, and herbs from approved farmers. Details on eligibility are available here.

Beginning this year, Allegheny County Area Agency on Aging (AAA) will accept mail-in and online applications. Once an application is received and verified, the vouchers will be mailed directly to the senior. Print a mail-in application OR submit an online application for SFMNP here.

For any questions, check out the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program FAQ page or call SeniorLine at (412) 350-5460.

Mammo May: Early Detection Saves Lives

I was proud to join the PA Breast Cancer Coalition and fellow legislators in October to recognize statewide Breast Cancer Awareness Month by turning the State Capitol East Wing Fountain pink.

May is Mammography Month in Pennsylvania. It’s an opportunity to spread the word that early detection of breast cancer through mammograms saves lives.

This PA Breast Cancer Coalition resource page walks you through the steps of the mammogram process. Mammograms are available at no cost in Pennsylvania. If you haven’t yet, use Mammo May to schedule your mammogram, and please spread the word to women in your life.

Support Our Troops this National Military Appreciation Month

May is National Military Appreciation Month, and we are deeply thankful to all the men and women who serve our country with strength and courage. This month would be a great time to learn how you can support our troops through letters, care packages, and more at https://supportourtroops.org/.

National Small Business Week Begins TOMORROW

Tomorrow kicks off National Small Business Week! Small businesses are the cornerstone of our community, making our main streets more unique and vibrant for residents and visitors alike. Celebrate by visiting a local small business this week: https://www.visitpittsburgh.com/things-to-do/shopping/.

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