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In this Update:
Pro-Growth 2025-26 State Budget Now Complete
This week, the PA Senate and House passed a bipartisan budget that funds state government at a responsible level without increasing taxes on working Pennsylvanians. It makes targeted investments in important programs and policies that benefit residents here in Allegheny County and across the commonwealth. The $50.1 billion budget approved by the Senate and House of Representatives cuts nearly $1.4 billion from Gov. Josh Shapiro’s proposal that would have spent far beyond the state’s means. The plan also protects families from a proposed electricity tax and encourages job growth through permitting reforms and continued tax relief – and much more. As part of the agreement, Pennsylvania will not participate in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), a multi-state carbon tax that would have added more than $1 billion in new electricity costs for families and job creators. Stopping RGGI protects consumers from higher costs, prevents potential power plant closures, and avoids job losses and rolling electric blackouts in the years ahead. Learn more here. Celebrating the U.S. Marine Corps 250th Birthday
This week we celebrated the 250th birthday of the United States Marine Corps! As a Marine Corps veteran, I was proud to sponsor a resolution commemorating the 250th anniversary of the founding of the U.S Marine Corps. This resolution is a small way to honor the brave men and women who have worn the uniform of the Marine Corps and dedicated themselves to protecting our nation. Learn more about the resolution here. Thank you to all our Marines, past and present, for your service. Semper Fi! Honoring Those Who Have Served on Veterans Day
To all who have served and to the families who have stood beside them — thank you. Your bravery, selflessness, and sacrifice serve as a constant reminder that freedom isn’t free – it’s earned through the efforts of our men and women in uniform. Throughout the Commonwealth and in the 37th district, we came together to recognize and celebrate our veterans. Thank you for your service! Veteran Breakfasts with Senator Rothman and Representative Mihalek
Thank you to my friend and colleague Senator Greg Rothman (R-34) for inviting me to speak at his annual Veterans Breakfast! It was an honor to be among so many fellow veterans to break bread and remember the lessons, camaraderie, and sense of purpose the military gave us.
Additionally, Representative Natalie Mihalek (R-40) and I want to thank everyone who came to our veterans breakfast on Friday morning. It was an honor to meet so many wonderful veterans and hear their stories. A special thanks to Patrick Keally, Eric Thomas, Jack Wagner, and Tony Accamando for sharing their stories of bravery, courage, and resilience. 2025 Senator for a Day
This week, I hosted high school students from across the district at Robert Morris University for my Senator for a Day event where they learned about the legislative process and what it’s like to be a state senator. Students came from Avonworth, Carlynton, Fort Cherry, Moon Area, Quaker Valley, Sewickley Academy, South Fayette, Thomas Jefferson and Upper St. Clair. Thank you to all the students and government relations professionals for helping to make this event such a success – we can’t wait to see everyone again next year! Talking Sense Podcast
My interview with Kelly Brennan on the Talking Sense podcast from Pittsburgh Works Together is now available! We dove into how PA can attract new residents, continue to foster a business-friendly environment, improve critical infrastructure, and create cellphone-free schools. The full interview can be viewed here. Budget Makes PA Competitive Through Sweeping Permitting Reform
The new budget includes new permitting reforms that will continue the significant progress we’ve made in recent years to cut red tape and prevent endless layers of bureaucracy from limiting business and job growth statewide. The reforms will require a wide variety of environmental permits to be deemed approved after a certain period of time, ensuring applicants will know the time frame for consideration of their application and can appeal any permits that are denied. This provides certainty to the process and ends the current practice of dragging out the permitting process for months without resolution. In addition, the reforms will require permit tracking for applicants across all state agencies, adding transparency to the process. Legislation Advances Cracking Down on AI-Generated Child Sexual Abuse Material
Legislation to better protect young people against the serious threats posed by child abuse materials generated using artificial intelligence (AI) is advancing in the Senate. The Senate Judiciary Committee approved Senate Bill 1050, which would require mandated reporters to report all instances of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) they become aware of, including those produced by a minor. This applies to teachers, child care workers, health care providers, and other individuals responsible for caring for children. There has been a startling increase in the amount of AI-generated CSAM being created and shared in recent years, including troubling cases in school settings. Law enforcement officials and child advocacy organizations shared their support for the measure during a public hearing of the Senate Majority Policy Committee. Slippery Rock University Tour
It was a pleasure to tour Slippery Rock University (SRU) with Dr. Karen Riley this week! We are fortunate to have such prestigious universities, like SRU, across the Commonwealth that help prepare students for a successful future! Keystone Scholars Offers November Incentive to Start Saving for College
State Treasurer Stacy Garrity announced a statewide incentive for Keystone Scholars this month which will give children a head start on education savings. Families who claim their child’s $100 scholarship from Keystone Scholars in November and open and link their own companion PA 529 College and Career Savings Program account will get an additional $50. Keystone Scholars provides a $100 scholarship for every child born in Pennsylvania since 2019. This money grows alongside the child and will be available to use after their 18th birthday to help pay for costs associated with four-year degrees, community college, technical training, apprenticeships, and credential programs. To learn more, visit pa529.com/keystone. We Want to Hear From You: Phones in Schools
Do you support requiring all school districts in Pennsylvania to create and implement a policy prohibiting student use of cellphones during the school day?
Submit your response to the survey question here. State Police Will Help Ensure Your Child Car Seat is Properly Installed
Throughout November, certified Pennsylvania State Police technicians are setting aside dates to help ensure child car seats are safe, secure, and properly installed. Caregivers will receive instruction on the proper installation and have seats installed, learn how to properly harness a child in a seat, and check seats for recalls. Find the nearest free car seat check here. If none are scheduled locally or you can’t make it, check your local state police station for free monthly child seat fittings. Oh Say, Can You Sing? The PA Farm Show National Anthem Contest
Think you’ve got what it takes to sing the National Anthem at the Farm Show? The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture is looking for singers to kick off each day of the 2026 edition of the nation’s largest indoor agricultural exposition. Submit your original video entry by Nov. 24 to be considered. Winners will be selected by fan voting on Facebook. You must be available at least one day of the Farm Show, which runs from Jan. 10 through Jan. 17. You can find details about eligibility, video requirements, voting, and how to apply 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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