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In this Update:
Honoring Veterans with Wreaths Across America
Please consider joining me at the Pennsylvania State Capitol building in Harrisburg next Wednesday, December 10, at 10:00 a.m., for our Wreaths Across America ceremony where we will honor those who serve and remember all who have given their lives in service and sacrifice. If you can’t attend the ceremony in person, it will be livestreamed here. You can also get involved by sponsoring a wreath or signing up to volunteer here. The event will kick off Wreaths Across America Day on Saturday, Dec. 13, at hundreds of ceremonies around the commonwealth. Volunteers will lay wreaths on veterans’ graves and say each of their names aloud to remember and honor these brave men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice. Some of the ceremonies across the Commonwealth include:
Additional details and a map with all Wreaths Across America ceremonies nationwide are available here. Robinson Earns Excellence in Government Award
Thank you Achieva for presenting Senator Nick Piciottano (D-45) and me with the Excellence in Government award! Achieva’s work to support and empower individuals with disabilities in our community is lifechanging for those they serve, and I’m proud to support them in Harrisburg through legislative initiatives that level the playing field for disabled individuals and veterans. Tour of TeraBridges 18603
Thank you to Upper St. Clair High School’s robotics team, TeraBridges 18603, for the tour of your impressive facility. Through the program, students develop technical skills, explore future career interests, strengthen teamwork and leadership abilities, and engage in meaningful community outreach. These students have a bright future ahead of them, and I can’t wait to see the impact they create! Groundbreaking of the Esplanade
It was great to attend the groundbreaking of the Esplanade by Piatt Companies. This site on the Ohio River will revamp and reinvigorate Pittsburgh’s North Side by creating jobs, injecting millions into the local economy, and attracting both residents and tourists to our great city! Discover more about the project here. Increased Funding for Libraries
The recently enacted state budget includes a $5 million boost to support Pennsylvania’s 474 public libraries (630 counting satellites like branches and bookmobiles), helping them serve adults, children, and families across the commonwealth. The budget also increases funding for library services for the visually impaired and disabled, a program known as the Library of Accessible Media for Pennsylvanians (LAMP). Since the first Pennsylvania library opened in 1731 (the Library Company of Philadelphia, founded by Benjamin Franklin), libraries have served as vital community resources. Today, they’re evolving to meet the needs of modern users, including the growth of digital lending options like the POWER Library. Anyone interested in getting a library card can visit their local library or learn about the Statewide Library Card Program. Learn more about the provisions passed in this year’s state budget and what I worked to support here. Tips for Safe Winter Driving
Last winter, there were more than 8,320 vehicle crashes statewide, with 2,959 injuries on snowy, slushy, or ice-covered roadways, and 29 fatalities – 17 of those fatalities were attributed to crashes where a driver was going too fast for conditions and drove out of their lane. For safe travels this winter, check out the Winter Driving Guide and other suggestions from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, such as keeping an emergency kit handy. Motorists can check conditions on more than 40,000 roadway miles, including color-coded winter conditions on 2,900 miles, by visiting www.511PA.com. Free and available 24 hours a day, 511PA provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information, and access to more than 1,200 traffic cameras. Look Out for Scams, Fraud, and Theft During the Holiday Season
The holiday shopping season is prime opportunity for scams, fraud, and theft. Some of the most common scams to be on the lookout for include bait-and-switch scams, skimming devices, and fraudulent “cybersquatting” websites. Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday offered several tips to prevent scammers from taking advantage when shopping online:
The Attorney General’s Office has set up a Scams Complaint Form residents can fill out should they encounter any scams. The FBI also provides tips on how to avoid holiday scams and identify skimming devices, which are estimated to cost consumers and financial institutions more than $1 billion per year. Fishing Gift Vouchers, Licenses on Sale
Gift vouchers for your favorite angler, along with Pennsylvania fishing licenses and launch permits, are now available from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. Items for the upcoming 2026 season can be purchased at HuntFish.pa.gov or by visiting one of nearly 700 retail license issuing agents. Licenses, permits, and vouchers purchased now are valid immediately for up to 13 months, from Dec. 1, 2025, through Dec. 31, 2026. While in-person retail purchases remain popular, online purchases can save time and help you avoid long lines, especially right before the spring trout season, which begins statewide on Sat., April 4, 2026. Customers can choose an auto-renew option at the time of purchase. College Application Period is Open
The application period for most colleges is now open. If the process is new to you, you can find plenty of resources for the college planning and application process here. Find out which colleges have your major, as well as information for students with disabilities, veterans, and adult students. The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency can help you access student financial aid services, including grants, loans, and other funding opportunities, including the new Grow PA Scholarship Grant Program which I was proud to support its enactment into law Dec. 7: Remembering a Day of Infamy
Each year on Dec. 7, we remember the 2,403 service members and civilians killed during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii in 1941. A further 1,178 people were injured in the attack, which permanently sank two U.S. Navy battleships and destroyed 188 aircraft. We remember not just the surprise attack, but the steely resolve of Americans to do whatever it took to defeat the Axis forces of World War II.
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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