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In this Update:
Robinson Bill Approved to Protect Children from Internet Crimes
I’m very glad my legislation to improve Pennsylvania’s ability to investigate and prosecute internet crimes against children was unanimously approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee this week. The bill is designated as “Alicia’s Law” in honor of Alicia Kozak, a Pittsburgh-area resident who was abducted, sexually assaulted, and tortured at age 13 by a man she met online in what is recognized as one of the nation’s first documented internet-facilitated child abduction cases. Learn more about this legislation here. Paid Family Medical Leave Bill Approved by Senate Committee
My paid family and medical leave bill with Senator Maria Collett (D-12) passed committee this week with strong bipartisan support! Pennsylvania workers should not have to sacrifice their financial security during major life events. Our bill offers a practical, sustainable approach supporting working families while recognizing the needs of employers. Learn more about this legislation here. Nursing Shortage Roundtable
I am deeply concerned about the rising severity of Pennsylvania’s nursing shortage and its impact on patients, hospitals, and medical staff. That’s why as Chairman of the Senate Labor & Industry Committee, I convened a roundtable discussion this week at Carlow University to examine nursing workforce shortages and the role of private universities in developing a talent pipeline to alleviate it. Legislation Establishing Statewide Electrical Licensure Passes Senate
Pennsylvania’s electricians perform highly skilled work that powers our homes, businesses, and critical infrastructure, yet our commonwealth remains one of the few states without a statewide licensing standard. I’m proud to work with Senator Tracy Pennycuick (R-24) and Senator Joe Picozzi (R-5) on this bipartisan legislation which passed the Senate this week, and is backed by both union and non-union electrical contractors throughout the state to address this important issue. Learn more about this legislation here. Senate Passes Bill to Fight Human Trafficking
Legislation to give investigators and prosecutors new tools to fight human trafficking in Pennsylvania was passed by the Senate. Senate Bill 45 will help local law enforcement agencies and the state attorney general investigate and prosecute human trafficking by increasing penalties for several related crimes, including promoting prostitution, promoting prostitution of a minor, exploiting prostitutes and patronizing prostitutes. The bill also consolidates crimes related to human trafficking within the Crimes Code, giving the attorney general concurrent jurisdiction so these crimes, which are frequently the basis for large-scale human trafficking organizations, can be prosecuted more effectively. It now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration. Read more about our latest action to combat human trafficking here If you believe you may have information about a trafficking situation, call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 888-373-7888. Recognizing the North Allegheny Speech & Debate Team
I was proud to welcome the members of the North Allegheny School District Speech & Debate team to the Pennsylvania Senate where they were honored for their tremendous achievement of earning the title of 2026 Pennsylvania High School Speech League state champions. Congratulations! Pennsylvania National Guard & Veterans Day at the Capitol
This past week, we celebrated Pennsylvania National Guard & Veterans Day at the PA Capitol, a great opportunity for legislators and staff to connect with servicemembers and learn more about their mission. I’m proud to have the 171st Air Refueling Wing right here in the 37th Senatorial District! See more photos from the Capitol here. Bill Targeting Dangerous Fentanyl Additive Passes Senate
The Senate passed legislation to combat the increasing illicit use of veterinary anesthesia, medetomidine, by regulating it as a Schedule III controlled substance. Senate Bill 866 provides law enforcement and public health officials with another tool to combat dangerous drug adulterants while including clear exemptions to ensure veterinarians can continue using the medication in the care and treatment of animals. Medetomidine has rapidly overtaken xylazine as a common adulterant in Pennsylvania’s illicit drug supply. While medetomidine was not detected in samples collected in early 2024, it was found in approximately 80% of adulterants sold as fentanyl in Pennsylvania by April 2026. The drug is estimated to be significantly more potent than xylazine and can cause severe cardiovascular complications, even after naloxone has been administered. The General Assembly passed legislation to make xylazine a Schedule III drug in 2024. The bill now advances to the House of Representatives for consideration. Read more about the measure here. Laurel Highlands Council Scouts Visit the Capitol
I was proud to welcome several Scouts from the Laurel Highlands Council to the Capitol this week. These Scouts are exceptional young members of our communities, and it was a pleasure to honor them at the Pennsylvania Senate. See more photos from the Scouts Capitol visit here. BAPS Walkathon
Last weekend, we kicked off the season of giving with Charities as they donated to Kennedy Township Police Department. I had a great time interacting with the participants at the walkathon. See more photos from the event here. Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority Loan Awarded in 37th DistrictCongratulations to 1005 Aluminum Way LLC on being approved for a low-interest state loan to construct a 108,000-square-foot multi-occupancy building in Findlay Township. The facility will provide flexible space to attract new advanced manufacturing and technology tenants to the Neighborhood 91 campus at Pittsburgh International Airport. Learn more about the funding here. PA Guard Military Family Education Program
As students begin preparing for the fall semester, Pennsylvania National Guard members are reminded their families could be eligible for assistance to offset the cost of higher education. The Military Family Education Program is for Guard members who completed an initial service obligation on or after July 1, 2019, and eligible to reenlist in the PA National Guard for a period of six years. The grants can be used for a degree-granting or certificate-granting curriculum, course of study, or training program required for entrance into a specific career at an approved Pennsylvania institution of higher learning. Read more details and find applications here. Kids Wheels for Wheels
Last weekend, I stopped out to see my friend, Tom Baker, with Variety – the Children’s Charity of Pittsburgh Kids Wheels for Wheels event. Thank you for all you do! See more photos from the event here. School Safety and Security Committee Approves State GrantsI am happy to announce that the School Safety and Security Committee has approved over $420,000 in state grants for several schools in the 37th senatorial district to address school violence and mental health. Congratulations to the following schools:
Learn more about the projects here. Carnegie Elementary School Groundbreaking
Congratulations to Carlynton School District on the groundbreaking for renovations to Carnegie Elementary School! I look forward to seeing how these improvements will have a positive impact on the school district. See more photos from the groundbreaking ceremony here. DEP Plugs 400th Orphaned Well
Pennsylvania is home to the most abandoned wells in the country, and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), along with partners like M&A Energy, are working to clean up our region. This week, DEP Sec. Jessica Shirley and M&A Energy CEO Jerome Bettis were in North Fayette Township to highlight plugging the 400th orphaned well. National Fishing & Boating Week
This week was National Fishing & Boating Week! As the weather gets warmer and more Pennsylvanians are getting out on the water, I want to take a moment to thank my colleague, Rep. Anita Kulik (D-45), for working with me to pass legislation that addresses a longstanding safety and environmental concern along Pennsylvania’s waterways. By giving state and local authorities the tools to deal with abandoned and derelict boats, our waterways are safer and cleaner! Learn more about the legislation. National Cancer Survivors Month
There are more than 18.6 million people living with a history of cancer in the U.S. Each person diagnosed with cancer faces a unique set of challenges, but one in four survivors reports a poor physical quality of life, and many experience psychosocial challenges. If you are a cancer survivor or caregiver, you can find resources from the National Cancer Institute here that may help you enhance your health and well-being after a cancer diagnosis. They address emotional concerns, nutrition and physical activity, support services, follow-up medical care and testing for cancer.
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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