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In this Update:
Community Highlights
I was happy to join the PA State Police, Allegheny County Camp Cadet, and Macy’s for a “Shop With a Cop” event at South Hills Village. In-need students from several districts had back-to-school shopping sprees with officers from many local police departments. Thank you to all who participated in this great event!
It was awesome to see everyone come out to the Bradford Woods Volunteer Fire Company bike parade and pancake breakfast! Congratulations to the winners of the bike decorating competition; everyone did a wonderful job!
I had a great time attending the South Fayette Township Community Day. It was wonderful to catch up with good friends and meet new ones!
Marshall Township Community Day was a success! It was the perfect evening to celebrate a place voted “one of the best to raise a family in PA!”
It was wonderful to stop by Woodville for their celebration of the 250th anniversary of our nation’s military by showcasing some re-enactments from different periods in American history.
I had a great time at the Glenfield Valley Veterans Association annual corn roast. Thank you for your hospitality!
Congratulations to the Township of Robinson on the grand opening of their new borough building. The building will provide a space for administrative, recreational, and educational opportunities.
I was glad to attend a briefing at Duquesne University to learn about how they are revitalizing the uptown community and their plans for a new Health Sciences building.
Congratulations Marty McDaniel for being recognized by the Quaker Valley Council of Governments for your dedication to Leet Township! SSM Industries Tour
I was happy to join Sheet Metal Workers Local Union #12 in hosting my colleagues from the PA Senate and House for a tour of SSM Industries, Inc. We got to view first-hand how important skilled labor, apprenticeship programs, and advanced fabrication are to our communities and infrastructure. Custom sheet metal work is crucial to PA’s construction industry and future growth. Phone-Free Schools Roundtable with Congressman Deluzio
I was happy to sit with Congressman Deluzio, teachers, students, and parents at Sewickley Public Library to discuss the pros, cons, and data regarding cell phones, electronics, and social media in our classrooms. Our young students need a break from distraction so they can focus on learning and growing. Teens spend nearly eight hours a day on their phones and receive an average of 237 notifications per day. I am the prime sponsor of the bipartisan phone-free schools legislation, which I was glad to discuss. Robinson in the News
Thank you, Erin Yudt of Next Generation Newsroom, for covering how the state Urban Search and Rescue PA Strike Team 1 was vital in responding to the recent explosion at Clairton Coke Works. Brian Kokkila with Pittsburgh Fire Fighters and his team were instrumental in this disaster response and a great help in making sure my legislation reached the finish line. With the funding we worked to proudly secure in last year’s budget to provide training and equipment for our Western PA team, I am looking forward to its completion so Allegheny County and the western part of PA can be safer and stronger when disaster strikes. Read the article here. Additionally, I was pleased to participate in a briefing alongside Women for a Healthy Environment and bring more awareness about the dangers of lead and radon exposure in schools. I proudly prime sponsor legislation to address these dangers. Read the report here. Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority Awards Funding
The Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority provisionally awarded $1.5 million to expand broadband access in Allegheny County to help connect unserved and underserved households, schools and businesses. Read more here. Improving Health Care
The Senate approved several measures this year to improve the delivery of health care in our communities. Among the new laws we passed was a measure establishing a statewide stroke registry to deliver vital information to EMS providers and hospitals, ensuring the best treatment possible. Other laws aim to reduce overdose deaths by incorporating real-time reporting by EMS providers into the statewide overdose mapping system, and giving EMS personnel permanent authority to leave behind a dose of naloxone at overdose scenes, placing this lifesaving medication in the hands of a caregiver or loved one. Critical measures passed by the Senate and awaiting action in the House of Representatives include bills to strengthen Pennsylvania’s no-cost breast cancer screening law by ensuring diagnostic imaging is fully covered, and preserving prescription drug coverage for more than 10,000 seniors. You can review other measures we passed to improve health care and address other subjects here. Veterans Temporary Assistance Program
Veterans who are facing unexpected financial hardship can apply for up to $1,600 per year to cover things such as utility bills, rent payments, groceries and more through the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Veterans Temporary Assistance program. Learn more about the program here. New Law Streamlines Fishing Licenses for Disabled Veterans
A new law we passed earlier this year is now in effect removing the annual fishing license fee and application for veterans with 100% disability. Previously, only those disabled veterans with a 100% permanent disability determination from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs could receive free lifetime fishing licenses. Disabled veterans with a 100% disability determination also receive free licenses but must apply for them on an annual basis. Act 21 of 2025 takes away the annual fee and application part of the process and allows all disabled veterans with a 100% disability determination, whether or not it is a permanent determination, to purchase free lifetime fishing licenses. 2026-27 PA Student Aid Guide Available
For parents and students planning for college, the new Student Aid Guide from the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) provides a complete overview of the financial aid process. The guide can help you:
For more help planning for college, check out PHEAA webinars and EducationPlanner.org. Pennsylvania’s School Bus Stopping Law
Students are heading back to class, so we all need to be on the lookout for children around school buses and bus stops. Some reminders about Pennsylvania’s School Bus Stopping Law:
School districts are permitted to install automated camera systems on buses to enforce the law. You can find more information about the law and penalties, and safety tips for children, here. Happy Labor Day
Labor Day is a time to celebrate the workers who make our communities thrive while providing for their families. No matter what your vocation or whether you’re an active employee or a retiree, I hope you enter this last stretch of summer with a wonderful holiday weekend.
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. For anyone who hasn’t already signed up to receive my e-newsletters, you can get on the mailing list here. |
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