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In This Update:
Focus on the 46th
I attended the Blueprints Aging Well Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon, held at The Way in Waynesburg – and the ’50s were alive again! I am always so happy to be included in this very special event each year. The Blueprints Retired Seniors Volunteer Program (RSVP) has more than 190 volunteers who deliver over 46,000 meals to Greene County residents throughout the year. RSVP operates in partnership with AmeriCorps, empowers individuals to give back to their community, and serves as a vital lifeline to those who cannot easily get out and about. As part of today’s celebration, I was pleased to present Senate of Pennsylvania Certificates to all of the volunteers at the Greene County Senior Community Centers and Greene County food pantries. A special thank you to Kadie Baker, RSVP Coordinator, for her tireless work in making this program so successful. Her dedication is unwavering, and we are fortunate to have her in this leadership role. I would also like to extend my sincere appreciation to Stacy Stroman, Blueprints Aging Well Director, and Rachal Estle, Southwestern PA Area Agency on Aging, Inc. Supervisor, for their continued commitment to making this event so wonderful.
I was excited to join students from the Charleroi Area School District who took part in Student Government Day. This annual event is a joint effort with the Borough of Charleroi, and the luncheon is hosted by the Charleroi American Legion Post 22. Each student was assigned a municipal role (e.g., mayor, council member, code enforcement officer) and paired with the corresponding official to learn firsthand about borough government operations. Following the exercise, students had the opportunity to hear remarks from Brigadier General Dave Papak (Ret.), U.S. Marine Corps; Tom Anderson of Life Changing Service Dogs for Veterans; Washington County Commissioner Larry Maggi; and me. I also presented each student with an official Senate Certificate of Recognition for their participation in the event. Getting involved in your community and government is rewarding and helps make a real difference where you live, work, and play. We are grateful for the students in this program, as they are our future leaders.
Earlier this week, I had the pleasure of visiting the Mon Valley Career & Technology Center to celebrate the incredible talent and dedication of its students. It was an exciting day as students showcased their skills during the Culinary Competition, highlighting the hands-on training and real-world experience that make career and technical education so valuable. I was also proud to join COEN, the center’s Challenge Program business partner, as they recognized two outstanding students for their hard work and achievements. Congratulations to Mackenzie Stahl, of California Area School District and Mon Valley CTC Cosmetology, for receiving the Bulb Award, and to Demiya Payne, of Charleroi Area School District and Carpentry, for earning the Improvement Award. These young women exemplify the determination and drive that will lead them to bright futures. It was an honor to be there to celebrate their accomplishments and to see firsthand the impact that strong partnerships and career-focused education are having in the Mon Valley.
I was grateful to meet with Deputy Fire Chief John Storey and Assistant Fire Chief Richard Yosi from the North Strabane Township Fire Department. They shared their recent achievements and talked about their plans for the future. Our firefighters and first responders play a critical role in keeping our communities safe, and it’s always valuable to learn more about the challenges they face and the progress they’re making. Their dedication and commitment to service do not go unnoticed.
Last month I had a blast visiting the Washington County Ag Days festivities. Thank you to everyone who helped make this yet another successful event! Transportation Policy Discussion at PMTA Annual Conference
I was pleased to participate in a legislative panel discussion at the Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association’s annual conference, where we had the opportunity to engage directly with industry leaders on the most pressing transportation issues facing our Commonwealth. Moderated by Scott Pauchnik of FedEx and a member of the PMTA Executive Committee, the discussion covered everything from long-term transportation funding solutions to the rising costs impacting Pennsylvania’s trucking industry. These conversations are critical, as trucking remains the backbone of our supply chain and plays a vital role in keeping our economy moving. A key focus of the panel was how to achieve a balanced and sustainable approach to transportation funding. While there is ongoing discussion about increased transit investment, it is equally important that we continue to prioritize roads and bridges—ensuring that our infrastructure supports both passenger travel and freight movement. I emphasized the need for long-term solutions that provide stability, rather than relying on short-term fixes that create uncertainty for businesses and taxpayers alike. I am grateful for the opportunity to take part in this discussion and remain committed to advancing policies that support a strong transportation network, a competitive business climate, and a safe, efficient future for Pennsylvania. Senate Approves Legislation to Help Relieve PA Nurse Shortage
The Senate approved legislation to help alleviate Pennsylvania’s nurse shortage by increasing the number of qualified nursing students. Senate Bill 998 would establish the Nurse Education Capacity Expansion Grant Program, aimed at increasing the number of qualified nursing students by providing targeted support to accredited nursing schools across Pennsylvania. Nursing education programs would have to meet key performance benchmarks, including strong graduation rates, high licensure exam pass rates and successful job placement outcomes. The bill now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration. Read more about Senate Bill 998 here. Measures Reinforcing Commercial Vehicle Safety Approved by Committee
A package of bills to improve safety standards for commercial driver’s license (CDL) holders in Pennsylvania was approved by the Senate Transportation Committee. The measures are the result of a committee fact-finding hearing in December, which revealed deficiencies and loopholes involving criminal illegal migrants. The hearing was prompted by a fatal crash in the state of Indiana involving a Pennsylvania-issued, non-domiciled CDL held by a citizen of Kyrgyzstan. The package includes the following bills:
The bills now go to the full Senate for consideration. Hearing on Resource Adequacy, Energy Market, Barriers to New PA Power Generation
Continuing efforts to ensure Pennsylvania families and employers have access to reliable, affordable electricity, the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee held a public hearing to examine the latest energy market conditions and barriers to new power generation in the commonwealth. The panel heard from testifiers representing the regional power grid, PJM, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission and others. ReliabilityFirst, which is responsible for ensuring the dependability and security of the regional bulk power system, projected risk to grid reliability could come in 2029 instead of in the early 2030s as previously projected. The surge of demand from data centers and the need for more skilled infrastructure workers were also discussed. You can view written testimony and the hearing video here. May 4 is the Deadline to Register to Vote in the Primary Election
This Monday, May 4 is the deadline to register to vote in the May 19 primary election. You can register to vote online, by mail or at several government agencies. To register to vote in Pennsylvania, you must:
Learn more about registering to vote here. Check if you’re registered to vote here. Mammo May: Early Detection Saves Lives
Continuing to build awareness on the importance of early breast cancer detection, the Pennsylvania Senate announced a Senate Resolution recognizing May 2026 as Mammography Month in Pennsylvania. The American Cancer Society estimates that nearly 322,000 women will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer nationwide this year. In Pennsylvania alone, an average of 38 women are diagnosed with breast cancer every single day. Alarmingly, nearly one in four women aged 50 to 74 have not received a mammogram in the past two years, despite strong evidence that early detection drastically improves outcomes. Behind every mammogram is a life, a family and a future, which is why we continue to work with the Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition to spread the word that early detection of breast cancer through mammograms saves lives. Mammograms are available at no cost in Pennsylvania. If you haven’t yet, use Mammo May as a reminder to schedule your mammogram – and please spread the word to the women in your life. This PA Breast Cancer Coalition resource page walks you through the steps of the mammogram process. |
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