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In this Update:
Focus on the 46th
I was proud to support the Goodwin Tombaugh System Modernization Project when it got underway seven years ago, and it was wonderful to join Essential Utilities CEO and Chairman Chris Franklin, Peoples President Michael Huwar and local leaders to celebrate this milestone. More than 300 miles of pipeline have been modernized, strengthening public safety, improving reliability and preserving natural gas access for approximately 1,600 customers across rural Greene, Washington and Allegheny counties. Signing the final piece of pipe was a meaningful way to mark this important investment in safer, more reliable energy for Southwestern Pennsylvania.
It was an honor to join the PennWest University community at its Service and Legacy: A Ceremony of Remembrance and Dedication on the California campus. I presented Senate proclamations to the families of four fallen police officers who were PennWest graduates and made the ultimate sacrifice protecting their communities: Officer Ryan Eugene Cappelletty, Officer Dale Thomas Provins Jr., Officer Sean Leonard Sluganski and Officer Andrew William Duarte. A dedicated memorial bench at Azorsky Field now stands as a lasting tribute to these heroes, whose courage, service and sacrifice will never be forgotten. The ceremony also included memorial plaques for PennWest’s three campuses, a posthumous degree for Officer Sluganski, and moving tributes honoring the lives and legacies of these officers. I am grateful to President Jim Fisher, Tony Mauro and Julie Warnick for inviting me to participate and, most importantly, to address the families directly as we honored their loved ones. May this memorial serve as a reminder that these four officers will always be remembered. May God bless these heroes and comfort all who carry their memories in their hearts.
It’s rewarding to see conversations about local needs turn into meaningful results for our communities. In July 2025, my Outreach Director, Eric Cowden, met with Carmichaels Borough Council to share information about grant opportunities to update and modernize local infrastructure, including guidance on the application process. This week, we were thrilled to present Carmichaels Borough with a $254,307 Statewide Local Share Account grant for Phase I of its Sidewalk Connectivity Project. The funding will help address deteriorating sidewalks and ADA accessibility issues along East George Street and around Center Town Square, making these areas safer and more accessible. Congratulations to Carmichaels Borough Council and everyone working to improve the community!
Although flooding damage forced the cancellation of the Houston Pumpkin Festival, it was wonderful to see the community come together to support the Pumpkin Parade. The turnout was terrific, and it was heartening to see this community tradition bring people together despite the disappointment of the festival’s cancellation.
Coalbie’s Warrior Walk is a wonderful reminder of the importance of protecting children from trauma and ensuring families can access the support they need. Over the course of a week, Growing Up Greene Executive Director Aaron Houser and Coalbie, the organization’s beloved therapy dog, walked 67 miles from the Ohio River near Fish Creek to the historic Ice Plant in Greensboro. The journey raised awareness of the needs of our county’s child welfare system and generated support for Growing Up Greene’s new facility in Waynesburg. In just seven years, Growing Up Greene has expanded from one program to seven, helping hundreds of local families. With its current space at capacity, the organization is working to transform the historic Democrat Messenger Building into a welcoming place where children and families can find resources, support and hope. I am grateful to everyone helping make this vision a reality, including Core Natural Resources’ Core Cares Foundation, which has supported Coalbie’s important work bringing comfort and calm to children in foster care. My Outreach Director, Eric Cowden, joined Aaron and Coalbie at the Ice Plant to celebrate the completion of the walk. Thank you to everyone who supported this effort and is working to give our children the brighter futures they deserve!
I enjoyed attending the third annual Arc of Washington PA Arts Festival and celebrating the creativity and talent of artists of all abilities. I have been proud to support Arc Human Services and its work using the arts to bring people together, showcase local talent and create greater opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and mental illness. As a member of the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts and a trustee of the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, I know firsthand how much the arts contribute to our communities and our Commonwealth. Thank you to Arc Human Services, the artists, families, volunteers and everyone who helped make this special event possible!
Little Lake Theatre’s second annual Talent at the Lake was a wonderful evening celebrating the talents of our young people. I was delighted to serve as a guest judge alongside Will Thomeier of the Washington County Chamber of Commerce and Joann Naser of the Washington County Community Foundation as we watched 19 incredible acts. It was inspiring to see these young performers share their abilities and try something new in a safe, supportive environment. Opportunities like this help build confidence and give our kids a chance to discover what they can accomplish. Congratulations to all the young performers, and thank you to Managing Director Patti Knapp for inviting me to be part of the fun. As an ex-officio member of the Little Lake Theatre Board, I am proud to support its work making the arts accessible and welcoming to young performers throughout our community. Working to Increase Affordability for Pennsylvanians
At a time when families continue to feel the strain of inflation, we know state government must look for ways to implement policies and programs to increase affordability. Fighting for the state budget to respect taxpayers and take less of your hard-earned money, enacting the Working Pennsylvanians Tax Credit and the Employer Child Care Contribution Tax Credit Programs, and making homes more attainable are some of the ways we’ve focused on affordability during the 2025-26 legislative session. The new Working Pennsylvanians Tax Credit provides meaningful relief for working families across the commonwealth. Families that claim the federal Earned Income Tax Credit may also claim the state tax credit equal to 10% of the federal amount. This amounts to hundreds of dollars saved every year for many working families. We also created the Employer Child Care Contribution Tax Credit Program, which provides incentives for businesses to make contributions of up to $500 annually toward their employees’ child-care costs. And we took steps to make housing attainable to more Pennsylvanians by passing legislation streamlining municipal approval processes, reducing delays, cutting unnecessary red tape, and creating a Housing Development Regulatory Compliance Officer to serve as a single point of contact and improve coordination in the permitting process. We’re committed to continuing to implement greater government efficiencies and policies to control the growth of spending and help address affordability for families throughout Pennsylvania. New Law Cracks Down on Robocalls, Scam Texts and Caller ID Spoofing
Legislation we unanimously passed enacting stronger protections from deceptive telemarketing practices will take effect Monday, Oct. 19. Under Act 47 of 2026, Pennsylvania’s telemarketing law will now cover modern forms of solicitation, including text messages, voicemails, ringless voicemails and robocalls. It also establishes stronger rules for when and how telemarketers can contact Pennsylvanians, including:
The legislation also prohibits the use of AI-generated messages to deceive consumers. Key Election Dates to Remember
Election Day will be here before you know it, and I want to make sure you know the key dates.
To make sure you’re registered, learn how to request an absentee ballot and find your polling place, visit the state’s elections information webpage. National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is Oct. 24
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, most people who use prescription medication for a nonmedical purpose obtained that medication from a family member or friend. Removing unnecessary medications from the home can help remove this risk. National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is Oct. 24 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., providing a safe, convenient and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs. Find a local collection site near you at the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration website. Understanding Metastatic Breast Cancer
Metastatic breast cancer, also known as Stage IV breast cancer, is diagnosed when breast cancer has spread to other parts of the body. While treatments can help control metastatic cancer and allow many people to live longer, Stage IV breast cancer is currently considered incurable. During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, let’s recognize the Pennsylvanians living with metastatic breast cancer every day. Organizations like the PA Breast Cancer Coalition offer programs specific to individuals with metastatic breast cancer including a Stage IV-specific care package program and patient resources. Metastatic breast cancer research is essential to developing more effective treatments, improving quality of life and extending the lives of those living with stage IV cancer. Please consider making a $5 contribution to research when you renew your Pennsylvania driver’s license or vehicle registration online. For more information, visit the PA Breast Cancer Coalition website. |
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