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In this Update:

• Senate Stands with Attorney General, District Attorneys, and Law Enforcement
• Robinson Awarded MSOA Legislator of the Year
• NCSL Legislative Summit  
• $3.3 Million Increase for Local School Districts
• UPMC Terrace Now Open at Pittsburgh International Airport
• Pleasant Hills’ National Night Out
• Leet Township Unveils Veterans Memorial
• Upcoming Mine Subsidence Event
• Measure Cracking Down on “CDL Mills” Becomes Law
• Congratulations to Upper St. Clair Athletes
• Consider a Future as an Emergency Medical Services Provider
• World Day Against Trafficking in Persons
• Nominate a Non-Teaching School Employee for a RISE Award
• Korean War Veterans Armistice Day
• Organ and Tissue Donation Saves Lives

Senate Stands with Attorney General, District Attorneys, and Law Enforcement

Second-degree murder is a horrific crime – these are homicides committed while the criminal was also committing another violent felony such as rape, arson, robbery, burglary, or kidnapping. Those who commit such an act deserve a punishment  that appropriately fits the crime.

In March, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled that PA’s current sentencing structure for second-degree murder (life without parole in every case) is unconstitutional. The justices gave the General Assembly 120 days to enact legislation correcting the situation.

The Senate successfully passed strong bipartisan legislation to address this issue – twice. The Senate’s legislation is supported by Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday, Pennsylvania District Attorneys, the Pennsylvania State Troopers Association, the Pennsylvania State Lodge Fraternal Order of Police, and many of my constituents.   

Unfortunately, the leadership in the House of Representatives refused to allow a vote on this bipartisan legislation, instead passing a weak bill on a near party-line vote. That bill has several serious problems, including the fact that it could allow more than half of all inmates, including those on death row, to qualify for release from prison under an overbroad, ill-defined “medical release” program that is riddled with loopholes, causing more confusion and potential for danger in our neighborhoods.

I will continue fighting for a strong, common-sense response to the Supreme Court’s decision, because the safety of our communities is at stake.

Robinson Awarded MSOA Legislator of the Year

At the 60th Adios Pace for the Orchids Races, the Meadows Standardbred Owners Association (MSOA) awarded me Legislator of the Year. I’m very proud to have received such an award, and had a lot of fun watching these horses compete.

See more photos from the race here.

NCSL Legislative Summit

This week, I joined Irish Sen. Mark Daly; Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Artificial Intelligence, and Digital Transformation, Niamh Smyth TD; and other representatives from the Embassy of Ireland at the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) Legislative Summit in Chicago. Our productive discussions focused on recruiting AI companies to Pennsylvania, further strengthening the bond between the commonwealth and Ireland.

See more photos from the summit here.

$3.3 Million Increase for Local School Districts

Schools in my Senate district received funding increases across the board in this year’s state budget! I was proud to vote for this vital funding to ensure our local public schools can continue providing an excellent education to Allegheny County students.

Not sure if your school district is in the 37^th Senatorial District? Check here for a list of all school districts receiving funding boosts.

Learn more about the newly enacted state budget here.

UPMC Terrace Now Open at Pittsburgh International Airport

The first of four new outdoor terraces at the Pittsburgh International Airport is now open! This unique addition to the airport, sponsored by UPMC, will serve as a space for travelers and meeters and greeters alike to destress and get out into nature during their time at the airport.

Check out more photos of the new terrace here.

Pleasant Hills’ National Night Out

Thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate Pleasant Hills’ National Night Out! It was great to see community members and first responders collectively promoting a safer and stronger place to live.

See more photos from National Night Out here.

Leet Township Unveils Veterans Memorial

Leet Township has unveiled a new veterans’ memorial to serve as a place where community members can gather to recognize those who have fought for our freedom. I encourage everyone to stop by this new memorial.

See more photos from the unveiling ceremony here.

Upcoming Mine Subsidence Event

House that has been affected by a mine subsidence.

Rep. Andrew Kuzma (R-39) and I are hosting a mine subsidence event on August 20 from 7-9pm at the Pleasant Hills Borough building.

The event will inform community members about the Mine Subsidence Insurance (MSI) Fund, a non-profit insurance fund administered by the PA Department of Environmental Protection. The MSI Fund provides low-cost mine subsidence insurance for residential and commercial structures. Any owner of a structure at risk of mine subsidence can apply for MSI.

Learn more about mine subsidence insurance here.

Sign up for the event here!

Measure Cracking Down on “CDL Mills” Becomes Law

Legislation drafted after it was learned that unauthorized commercial driver’s license (CDL) schools were operating in Pennsylvania is now law, significantly boosting penalties for these “CDL mills.”

Act 50 of 2026, which I was proud to support, increases the maximum civil penalty for operating an unauthorized CDL school from $2,500 to $25,000, giving the state Department of Education a stronger enforcement tool to stop illegal operations and discourage violations. The new law does not impact private employers that provide free CDL training to their own employees..

The Senate also passed Senate Bill 1295 and Senate Bill 1296 – both measures that I strongly support – to reinforce tractor trailer safety in the commonwealth. The legislative package reflects new federal regulations and federal legislation to strengthen commercial vehicle operations following allegations of unqualified truck drivers in the country illegally. Read more about our efforts to improve commercial vehicle safety here.

Congratulations to Upper St. Clair Athletes

This week, my staff presented citations to several athletes from Upper St. Clair School District to recognize their outstanding accomplishments: 

• Holden Scwamberger won the Boy’s 100-meter, 200-meter, and 800-meter dash wheelchair events at the 2026 Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) State Track and Field Championship.   
• Sadie Tomczyk won the Class AAA Girls’ 100-meter dash at the 2026 Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League (WPIAL) Track and Field Championship. 
• Upper St. Clair Baseball team was named Class 5A WPIAL Champions. 
• Baseball Head Coach Jeff Donati was named 5A Coach of the Year by the TribLIVE High School Sports Network.

Keep up the great work!  

Consider a Future as an Emergency Medical Services Provider

You could have a future in Emergency Medical Services, a critical component of healthy communities.

Find out what it takes to be an EMS provider and get your start with the state Department of Health’s Bureau of Emergency Medical Services.

The site includes EMS education, information and resources, regional EMS council contact information, and more.

World Day Against Trafficking in Persons

On Thursday, July 30, we recognized World Day Against Trafficking in Persons. I’m proud to be a member of the bipartisan and bicameral Anti-Human Trafficking Caucus, which brings legislators together to support victims and survivors and advance policies to stop dangerous traffickers.  

Nominate a Non-Teaching School Employee for a RISE Award

Non-teaching school employees – including paraprofessional, clerical, transportation, food service, custodial, security, and health workers – play key roles in keeping our local schools running.   

If you know an incredible non-teaching employee, you can nominate him or her for a Recognizing Inspiring School Employees (RISE) Award. Find details and a nomination form at the state Department of Education website.

Nominations for 2026 close Aug. 30.

Korean War Veterans Armistice Day

This week, July 27 marked the 73rd Anniversary of the Korean War Veterans Armistice Day. This day commemorates the loss of 23,000 servicemembers who gave their lives for freedom and the estimated 2.5 million Korean civilians who lost their lives as well.

Let’s take a moment to recognize the deep sacrifices that will not be forgotten, and thank our Korean War veterans for their service.

Organ and Tissue Donation Saves Lives

Today is PA Donor Day across the commonwealth, a statewide effort to rally support for the more than 6,000 Pennsylvanians waiting for a life-saving transplant. It’s held on 8/1 because eight lives can be saved by just one registered donor.

PA Donor Day 2026 is especially important because the number of Pennsylvanians registering as organ donors has slowed and transplant waiting lists are long.

You can register to donate at any time – you don’t need to get a driver’s license or permit. Learn more about organ and tissue donation and register to be a donor here.