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In this Update:
Celebrating America’s 250th Birthday in Allegheny CountyLast weekend, our country celebrated its 250th birthday! 250 years ago – on July 4, 1776 – our nation’s founders gathered in Philadelphia and signed the Declaration of Independence. President Abraham Lincoln once described the Declaration as “an apple of gold” and said it gave “liberty, not alone to the people of this country, but hope to the world for all future time.” I enjoyed marking this important milestone in our nation’s history with residents in communities across Allegheny County:
To kick off Independence Day celebrations, I was proud to join the reading of the Declaration of Independence in neighboring Ben Avon Borough! See photos from the ceremony here.
It was great to see people celebrating America’s 250th at the Brentwood Borough parade! See photos from the Brentwood Independence Day parade here.
I also was glad to see so many neighbors come together and celebrate our country in Leetsdale Borough! See photos from the Leetsdale 4th of July parade here.
Additionally, I attended the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra’s Americana Concert where the National Flag Foundation had a ceremonial flag raising beforehand. It was great to see everyone and listen to the beautiful music. See more photos from the concert here!
To cap off the 250th anniversary of our nation, I delivered a PA Senate citation to the National Flag Foundation and my friend Romel Nicholas for their work in the Sojurn 250 and Light to Unite events. See more photos from the event here. I hope everyone had a happy and safe time celebrating America’s semiquincentennial! Bradford Woods Volunteer Fire Company Receives First Energy Grant
Congratulations to Bradford Woods Volunteer Fire Company on receiving a grant from Energy Transfer to purchase new oxygen tanks! I was proud to support this funding request to ensure the company has the equipment they need to serve and protect our community. See photos from the check presentation here. PA Trooper’s Death Highlights Urgent Need to Improve CDL Oversight
Pennsylvania State Trooper Michael E. Pahira Jr. was recently tragically killed in the line of duty during a Schuylkill County traffic stop when he was struck by a tractor trailer driven by a person who was in the country illegally. I join the Pennsylvania State Troopers Association in asking why this person had been granted a commercial driver’s license (CDL) in Massachusetts. I also urge the Pennsylvania House of Representatives to pass two bills approved by the Senate to help prevent similar tragedies in the future: Senate Bill 1294, which improves the training curriculum and strengthens penalties to shutdown unqualified “CDL Mills,” and Senate Bill 1295, which requires English proficiency in all testing applications to operate an 80,000-pound commercial vehicle on public highways. We must strengthen our laws and oversight governing non-domiciled CDLs to improve commercial vehicle safety and help protect lives across our commonwealth. Throwing the First Pitch at Stars and Strikes Tournament
Last week, I was invited by the Collier Township Baseball Association to throw out the first pitch in the Stars and Strikes tournament with my friend, Jack, catching! Bethel Park and Collier played a great game. Thanks for inviting me! See photos from the tournament here. Veterans Breakfast Club
I had the pleasure of joining veterans at a Veterans Breakfast Club USA event in Bethel Park yesterday. It’s always great to connect with my fellow veterans and hear their stories. See photos from the event here. Tribune Review: “Nonprofits Play Waiting Game as State Delays OK for Online Raffle Ticket Sales”
Did you know that non-profits in Pennsylvania are at a fundraising disadvantage because they’re unnecessarily barred from accepting online payments such as Venmo or PayPal? I’m proud to sponsor legislation to help our VFWs, volunteer fire companies, youth sports leagues, and others like them to raise funds more easily and help their cause by eliminating this antiquated barrier. I hope the House takes up this commonsense bill soon to ensure PA non-profits have access to the tools they need to effectively fundraise. Learn more about the legislation I’ve sponsored here. Senate Passes Bill to Quickly Bring Life-saving Treatments to Market
The Senate unanimously approved legislation to help get new life-saving treatments and devices to market more quickly while preserving safety standards. Under current law, a pharmaceutical or medical device manufacturer must first complete a lengthy federal process before it can even begin the state licensure process in Pennsylvania. Senate Bill 1206 allows companies to gain temporary approval under Pennsylvania’s virtual manufacturers’ law, so that once federal approval is granted, these companies can quickly move forward without having to clear additional administrative roadblocks. The bill was sent to the House of Representatives for consideration. Read more about Senate Bill 1206 here. Strengthening Medical Imaging Standards
Medical imaging – such as MRIs or x-rays – are essential to diagnosing and treating a wide range of medical conditions, and they rely on radiation to do so. Performed incorrectly, these tests can cause serious harm to patients. Yet, Pennsylvania is one of only four states that do not have a licensure or certification framework for these professionals. The Senate approved Senate Bill 1334, which I was pleased to support, to create a statewide licensing structure for professionals who perform medical imaging and radiation therapy procedures. The bill doesn’t require additional schooling or place unnecessary burdens on qualified professionals. It was sent to the House of Representatives for consideration. Read more about Senate Bill 1334 here. Empowering Patients to Make Care Decisions
Pennsylvania Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) clarify what a seriously ill patient does and does not want in an emergency or at the end of life. To empower patients and ensure everyone is on the same page regarding a patient’s wishes, the Senate unanimously passed legislation creating the legal framework for their use across all healthcare settings. These differ from an advance directive, which generally identifies a surrogate decision-maker or provides broad guidance about future care preferences. POLST is a medical order that must be followed immediately, ensuring care aligns with the patient’s wishes in real time. POLST forms are not consistently recognized or applied across all care settings in Pennsylvania. Senate Bill 730 provides statutory authority so that these forms are honored statewide by healthcare providers and emergency medical services. The bill was sent to the House of Representatives. Read more about Senate Bill 730 here. Addressing Pennsylvania’s Nursing Shortage
We must address Pennsylvania’s nursing shortage! That’s why, as Chairman of the Senate Labor & Industry Committee, I convened a roundtable discussion recently at Carlow University with representatives from Point Park University, Duquesne University, St. Clair Health, Chatham University, and Independence Health System to examine nursing workforce shortages and the role of private universities in developing a talent pipeline to alleviate it. Check out more photos from the hearing here. Conrad’s Tire Express & Total Car Care Ribbon Cutting
Congratulations to Conrad’s Tire Express & Total Car Care on the ribbon cutting of their new store in Bethel Park! This location will be a useful source of vehicle service repairs for our local communities. I wish you many years of success! See more photos from the ribbon cutting ceremony here. Property Tax/Rent Rebate Deadline Extended to Dec. 31
The Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program provides rebates on property taxes or rent paid for the previous year by income-eligible seniors and people with disabilities. The deadline to apply has been extended to Dec. 31, 2026. Funded by the Pennsylvania Lottery, it benefits eligible Pennsylvanians age 65 and older; widows and widowers age 50 and older; and people with disabilities age 18 and older. Rebates range from $380 to $1,000. The income limit is currently $48,110 a year for homeowners and renters, however, half of Social Security income is excluded. Treasurer Stacy Garrity recently announced that $224.4 million in rebates have already been sent to 372,291 Pennsylvanians. You can find more information and apply here. Contact my office at 412-785-3070 or send me an email at this link for assistance in applying. State Police Cadet Selection Open Through July 31
Do you know someone who is considering a law enforcement career? The Pennsylvania State Police Cadet selection cycle is open through July 31. In addition to patrol services and policing residential areas, state troopers provide a variety of support services through specialized positions. The selection process consists of a written exam, background check and polygraph exam, physical readiness test, medical checkup, and psychological evaluation. College internships are also available at participating schools. Learn more about the cadet selection process 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. |
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