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In this update:
Memorial Day Weekend in the 37th DistrictBethel Park Memorial Day Parade & Ceremony
I was proud to attend the Bethel Park Memorial Day ceremony and parade. Thanks to all who organized and participated in the parade and ceremony to honor our nation’s fallen heroes. Check out more photos from the ceremony here. Collier Township Memorial Day Ceremony
Collier Township held their Memorial Day ceremony this past Monday morning. Thank you to the local veterans and community members who attended to support this meaningful event to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. Check out more photos from the ceremony here. Sewickley Memorial Day Parade
The 2026 Sewickley Memorial Day Parade was a success! Many neighbors and community members came together to honor the true meaning of this holiday. Check out more photos from the parade here. McCandless-Franklin Park Ambulance Authority Memorial Day Ceremony
I also want to thank McCandless-Franklin Park Ambulance Authority for hosting such a great Memorial Day ceremony for veterans and first responders last weekend. It was a special evening to honor those who have served at home and abroad. Check out more photos from the ceremony here. Glenfield Valley Veterans Association Memorial Day Ceremony
Thank you to the Glenfield Valley Veterans Association for hosting a meaningful ceremony in honor of Memorial Day. Check out more photos from the ceremony here. Next Up ➡️ Pittsburgh’s Fourth of July celebration! 🎆Our city’s Independence Day festivities were voted #1 by the USA TODAY 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards “Best Fourth of July Celebration.” America250PA Podcast Bonus Episode: Answering the Call: A Memorial Day Conversation
Thanks to America250PA for highlighting so many uniquely Pennsylvania stories as we head into our nation’s semiquincentennial celebration. I was honored to be a guest on their podcast series to talk about my military service, PA’s military history, and the sacrifice of those who never made it home. Listen to the full episode here. Aer Lingus Launches Inaugural Flight from Pittsburgh to Dublin!
On Monday, May 25th, the inaugural Aer Lingus direct flight from Pittsburgh to Dublin departed, marking a significant milestone in the efforts to connect PA with Ireland. I’m proud to have worked with so many stakeholders to help make this happen! 📻I joined Southwestern PA Commission Executive Director, Rich Fitzgerald, on the Big K Morning Show on KDKA News Radio earlier this week to talk about the incredible economic impact this flight will bring to the Pittsburgh region. Listen to the full interview (beginning at the 10:20 minute mark) here. 💰Estimates project $23 million a year and 156 jobs created by the new direct flight! Learn more about the economic impact here. PA Motor Truck Association Safety Summit
Last week, I had the opportunity to address the Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association on the state of transportation in Harrisburg. We discussed a package of bills recently passed by the Pennsylvania Senate to protect drivers by reinforcing commercial vehicle safety:
Learn more about the legislation here. Statement on Attempted Assault at the White HouseJust as I spoke out when threats were made against my Democratic colleagues here in PA earlier this month, I also spoke out against the attempted assault on the White House over Memorial Day weekend. The recent incident in Washington D.C., is yet another example of unacceptable violence against political leaders, and it must stop. Again – no matter what side of the aisle you’re on, violence is never the answer to political disagreements. McCandless-Franklin Park Ambulance Authority: PA EMS Agency of the Year
I am proud to share that the McCandless-Franklin Park Ambulance Authority (MFPAA) has been named the 2026 Emergency Medical Service (EMS) Agency of the Year by the Pennsylvania Emergency Health Service Council. MFPAA earned this award for their excellent patient care standards, safety, training, community involvement, and medical care initiatives. In 2025, MFPAA was dispatched by the County 9-1-1 system on over 10,000 EMS calls and transported over 5,000 patients to area hospitals. Thank you for all you do to faithfully serve the Bradford Woods, Franklin Park, and Marshall communities! PA Students Deserve Lead-Free Drinking Water at School
Pennsylvania schools are recommended to test for lead in their drinking water, but the law does not require them to do so. This is unacceptable. We must take proactive steps to reduce children’s exposure to lead and ensure our schools are equipped with safer, modern hydration systems. I’ve introduced legislation to do just that. Learn more about the legislation here. USA Today: PA Survey Finds Heavy Screen Time, Light Parental LimitsStudy after study and survey after survey reaffirm that excessive screentime contributes to poor mental and physical health, and deficient academic outcomes in kids. As the school year is wrapping up, I’ve heard from many teachers and parents about this serious issue, and they’re getting exhausted. It’s time for the House to bring my legislation up for a vote to get the distraction of cellphones out of classrooms, and make PA schools phone-free! 🚫📱 Learn more about my legislation to do just that here. Read a recent article from USA Today about the screen time survey results here. New Law Requires AEDs at School Sports Event
Legislation approved by the Senate to help prevent the leading cause of death among young athletes – sudden cardiac arrest – is now law. Senate Bill 375, now Act 17 of 2026, will require automated external defibrillators (AEDs) to be present at all PIAA-sanctioned athletic events and practices. The law also requires schools to develop and rehearse emergency action plans for cardiac incidents. AEDs are portable, life-saving devices used to restore normal heartbeats with electrical shock. The legislation was introduced after the tragic death of Greg Moyer, who passed away from sudden cardiac arrest during a high school basketball game in East Stroudsburg, Monroe County. Read more about passage of this new law here. Dr. Walsh, Superintendent at Bethel Park School District, Retires After 35 Years
Congratulations, Dr. Walsh, on your retirement as superintendent of Bethel Park School District! Over his 35-year career, Dr. Walsh served Hopewell Area School District as a principal, the Aliquippa School District as Director of curriculum and student achievement, the Mt. Lebanon School District as a principal and districtwide curriculum supervisor, and the Burgettstown Area School District as superintendent. Dr. Walsh began his tenure as superintendent of the Bethel Park School District in 2021. During his tenure, he was instrumental to the renovation of Independence Middle School; the construction of a new elementary school; the completion of district-wide curriculum mapping; the adoption of evidence-based literacy programs; the expansion of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics initiatives; the growth of mental health supports, coteaching models, and multi-tiered systems of support; and the recognition of Bethel Park High School as a National Blue Ribbon School. Thank you, Dr. Walsh, for your dedication to students in Western Pennsylvania, and I wish you the best in your retirement! West Allegheny School District Wins $20,000 State Grant Award🏫🍎✏️Congratulations to West Allegheny School District (WASD) for being awarded $20,000 from the Pennsylvania Department of Education for a Developing Future Special Educators Grant! WASD was one of 26 schools across the entire commonwealth to receive this funding to help prepare the next generation of special education teachers. Learn more about the funding here. Shop Electric Rates before June 1 Price Hikes Kick InThe Public Utility Commission is reminding homeowners and renters to shop rates before June 1 – as rate hikes are set to take effect. Per the PUC, electric distribution companies (EDCs) will adjust their “Price to Compare” (PTC). This is the cost per kilowatt-hour (kWh) charged to customers who have not selected a competitive electric generation supplier. These prices are based on wholesale market rates and can significantly impact monthly bills. Note: These changes only affect customers receiving “default service” from their electric utility. Customers shopping with a supplier will continue paying the generation price set by their contract, but they should also be aware of these broader market trends to prepare for potential impacts when their current contract ends. In our region, Duquesne Light prices will increase about 2.8%, West Penn Power rates will increase 10.3%, and Penn Power rates will increase 6.9%, per the PUC. Learn more about the increases and how you can shop for new rates here. Midwifery Modernization Law Supports Mothers and Babies
A new law we passed will help ensure women and families have access to safe, high-quality care throughout pregnancy and postpartum recovery by modernizing Pennsylvania’s laws governing midwives. Senate Bill 507, now Act 14 of 2026, updates licensure requirements for certified midwives, improves collaboration with physicians, and expands prescription authority in certain circumstances. The law also addresses healthcare shortages in rural and underserved communities by expanding the number of trained professionals available to provide maternal care services. Read more about our work to expand this care for mothers and babies here. Improving Stream Maintenance, Reducing Flood Hazards
Legislation I supported to give counties and municipalities more flexibility in handling flood-related hazards and obstructions was passed by the Senate in March and now awaits action in the House of Representatives. Currently, entering streams to remove obstructions requires a permit from the state Department of Environmental Protection – a process that is lengthy, tedious, and inefficient. Senate Bill 403 would allow local government organizations to apply for an extended permit, allowing maintenance to continue for 10 years or more. Senate Bill 404 would allow counties to obtain emergency maintenance permits in consultation with their county conservation district. Read more about how these bills will help protect against flooding here. Recapping Mammo May 2026
As we wrap up Mammo May, Mammography Month, I hope you or the women you know are better informed on the importance of early breast cancer detection. If you’re one of the average 38 Pennsylvania women diagnosed with breast cancer each day, catching it early greatly increases your odds of successful treatment. Some resources to keep handy: No-Cost Screenings Information Most mammograms take about 20 minutes. Please spread the word and share this important information from the Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition.
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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