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In this Update:
Join Us in Harrisburg to Celebrate the U.S. Marine Corps’ 250th Birthday
It’s not too late to RSVP to join me in Harrisburg on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, at 9AM at the Pennsylvania Capitol building for a ceremony commemorating the U.S. Marine Corps’ 250th birthday. Any active-duty Marines, veterans, and their families from my district and across the commonwealth are welcome to attend the celebration, which will feature guest speakers, historic Marine Corps artwork, and a ceremonial cake cutting to celebrate the U.S. Marine Corps’ 250th birthday. Please RSVP here by November 10 to join us in Harrisburg for this joyous occasion! Senate Acts to Expand Access to Midwife Maternal Care
The Senate approved legislation to strengthen maternal health care in Pennsylvania by expanding access to midwife services. Senate Bill 507 would modernize licensure requirements for certified midwives, improve collaboration between midwives and physicians, and update prescription authority – particularly for the treatment of substance use disorders. Midwives provide care for women during pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period, as well as newborn care during the first 28 days of life. Many also offer routine reproductive health services, including prenatal care, clinical exams, screenings, and patient education. The bill was sent to the House of Representatives for consideration. Measure to Alleviate Corrections Officer Shortage Passed by Senate
The Senate approved legislation targeting the staffing crisis facing the state’s correctional institutions. Senate Bill 111, supported by the Pennsylvania State Corrections Officers Association, would expand the pool of qualified candidates to help fill critical vacancies in Pennsylvania’s correctional facilities. Corrections officers across the commonwealth have faced unprecedented challenges in recent years – including mandatory overtime, increased stress, and a rise in violent incidents – that have strained morale and operations. The bill now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration. Strengthening PA’s Unemployment Compensation Program
As chair of the Senate Labor & Industry Committee, I convened a meeting last week where we passed bipartisan legislation to reform unemployment compensation to help victims of domestic violence get benefits faster, prevent benefit cuts for seasonal workers, and protect the integrity of the system by strengthening work search and eligibility requirements. Learn more about the bipartisan bill we advanced to strengthen PA’s unemployment compensation program here. Join Sen. Robinson and Rep. Mihalek for Annual Veterans Breakfast
It’s not too late to RSVP to join Representative Mihalek (R-40) and me for our annual veterans breakfast on Friday, Nov. 14 from 9-11 a.m. at St. Clair Country Club, 2300 Old Washington Road, Upper St. Clair. The breakfast will consist of a keynote speech by Patrick Keally, author of Year of the Rooster: Vietnam 1969: Ghosts in the Night, a Vietnam veterans panel, and certificate presentation. Be sure to RSVP by Monday, Nov. 10 by calling Representative Mihalek’s office at 724-942-2045. We hope to see you there! Meeting with Community Resource Advocates from United Way of Southwestern PA
It was a pleasure to meet with representatives from United Way of Southwestern PA in Harrisburg during session last week. We discussed the work they do with 211 to connect people in southwestern PA with community resources. If you need assistance, 211 can help with food, utilities, housing, and other human service needs. Learn more about United Way of Southwestern PA and the services they offer here. Bill Protecting Privacy of Lottery Winners Passes Senate
Legislation that would protect the privacy of Pennsylvania Lottery winners who receive prizes of $100,000 or more was approved by the Senate. Senate Bill 73 would keep the names, addresses, and other personal identifying information of these winners confidential, unless they choose to make it public. The measure allows the Pennsylvania Lottery to continue operating transparently by releasing the winner’s county and municipality of residence and the prize amount. Half of all states already provide either full or partial anonymity for major lottery winners to shield them from harassment, scams, and unwanted attention after winning large sums of money. Jefferson Hospital Recognized for Excellence
I’m very proud that our own Jefferson Hospital was honored this year through The Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania (HAP) Excellence in Patient Safety Program, an honor received by only 22 hospitals statewide. Jefferson is known throughout the Monongahela Valley and South Hills of Pittsburgh for its expert care and comprehensive medical, surgical, and rehabilitative services. We are fortunate to have access to Allegheny Health Network’s incredible health care network! Internship Opportunity for Students Interested in Public Policy Careers
College students interested in careers in public policy can apply for summer internships in Harrisburg through the James A. Finnegan Fellowship Foundation. Internships are awarded through an essay contest. Applicants must write between 1,500 and 2,500 words about a public policy proposal currently under consideration by the General Assembly. The 2026 contest asks applicants to write about the pros and cons of data centers, and what the state’s role should be. Applicants have until Jan. 23, 2026, to submit their essay and other materials to the foundation. The winners will receive a cash prize and placement in paid state government summer internships in Harrisburg for eight to ten weeks. Celebrating Pennsylvania’s Italian-American Heritage
Pennsylvania has one of the largest Italian-American populations in the country, and their influence has shaped our state’s history and culture. I am very proud of my heritage, and happy to sponsor legislation alongside my colleagues Senators Pat Stefano and Joe Picozzi to designate October 2025 as Italian-American Heritage Month. Watch my remarks from the Italian-American Heritage Month celebration at the PA Capitol last week here. Watch the full celebration ceremony here. Four Local Students Win Awards in PennDOT Poster Contest
The 37th Senatorial District boasted FOUR finalists in PennDOT’s 2025 School Bus Safety Poster Contest! Congratulations to Lipi and Arjun Kairi, and Akshay and Arya Subash for their impressive artwork that landed them top spots in each of their respective divisions of the competition. Learn more about the competition and this year’s winners here. Watch Out for Increased Deer Activity on Roads
The number of deer-related crashes in Pennsylvania has been on the rise since 2020, with last year’s total of 6,426 setting a five-year high, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT). Autumn means increased deer activity on roads. Deer become more active at dawn and dusk, and if you see one, there are usually more. PennDOT advises motorists involved in a deer-related crash to assess the situation to determine whether they need to contact local authorities. Pennsylvanians can report a dead deer for removal from state-maintained roads by calling 1-800-FIX-ROAD or submitting feedback through the PennDOT Customer Care Center. A Special Thanks to All Veterans
Each year, we set aside Veterans Day to acknowledge and celebrate our fellow citizens who answered the call to serve in the military, securing and defending the freedoms we enjoy year-round. We owe a debt of gratitude to veterans locally and across this great nation. One way we show our appreciation is through the Veterans Trust Fund, which supports organizations that assist Pennsylvania veterans and their families in need of housing, financial help, food, training, recovery, and more. Find out how you can donate to this fund 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. 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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