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In this Update:
Harrisburg Happenings
My legislation to strengthen consumer protections and crack down on fraudulent home improvement practices advanced out of the Senate Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee with bipartisan support this week. Senate Bill 1324 would update Pennsylvania’s Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act to better protect homeowners and ensure greater accountability for contractors operating in the commonwealth. We have seen too many cases where hardworking people have been taken advantage of by bad actors in the home improvement industry. This bill makes important updates to the law to better protect consumers, increase transparency and hold contractors to a higher standard. The bill also introduces a “letter of good standing” requirement for out-of-state contractors and improves communication between states regarding disciplinary actions. The legislation was developed in coordination with the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General’s Bureau of Consumer Protection after reports of fraudulent and substandard work in communities across the state. Senate Bill 1324 now heads to the full Senate for consideration. Tap or click the image above to watch my committee remarks on Senate Bill 1324.
It was a pleasure to welcome Miss Rain Day to the Capitol this week. Camryn Hawfield, crowned Miss Rain Day 2025 during last summer’s 47th annual scholarship pageant in Waynesburg, spent the day touring the Capitol with her parents, Tim and Betsy. They visited my office, met with my staff, and were recognized on the Senate floor. I would like to thank Pageant Director Jeanine Henry and Committee Member Stephanie Mitchell for accompanying the Hawfield family and for your continued dedication to carrying on the wonderful Rain Day tradition. Rain Day’s history can be traced back to the late 1800s, when a local farmer began keeping a written record noting that it always rained on July 29. In 1979, the first annual Miss Rain Day Pageant was established to celebrate this unique tradition. The event proudly boasts the distinction of being the only pageant in the world where it’s considered a success if it rains! Tap or click the image above to watch my introduction of Camryn on the floor of the senate.
It was also a pleasure to welcome and congratulate the Ringgold Rams on bringing home the PIHL Division 2 State Hockey Championship trophy. After an unforgettable overtime victory against Burrell to secure the title, these student-athletes proved what hard work, perseverance, and teamwork can accomplish. With an impressive 18-6 season record and their third state championship title, the Rams continue to make our region proud. A special congratulations to Head Coach Brady Parkinson, Assistant Coaches Anthony Parkinson and Shane Bicker, and every player who dedicated themselves to this successful season. Your commitment and determination paid off in a big way. Tap or click the image above to watch my introduction of the team on the senate floor.
This week I also welcomed members of the Washington Area Humane Society to Harrisburg for Humane Lobby Day at the Capitol. Advocates from all over Pennsylvania came together to call for stronger protections for pets and wildlife. This important effort shows the compassion and responsibility we share for animals in our care and in our communities. Humane Lobby Day was hosted by Humane World for Animals, which many people may remember as the Humane Society before its 2025 rebrand. Thank you to this dedicated group for making the trip to the Capitol and for everything you do each day for animals in Washington County and beyond. Pictured from left to right: Gretchen Grasser, WAHS Police Officer; Kelly Proudfit, Executive Director, WAHS; Taylor Duda, Director of Development, WAHS; Lena, Morgan’s daughter; Morgan Barber, Esq., WAHS Board of Directors, Vice President; and Joanne Werner, Kennel Manager, WAHS.
I enjoyed welcoming the Auberle team, including John Lydon and Abby Wolensky, to my Harrisburg office. We had a valuable conversation about the life-changing work they do in southwestern Pennsylvania. Auberle is one of the region’s most respected human services organizations, making a real difference through workforce development, foster care, behavioral health, housing, and young adult services. Hearing from John and Abby about how these programs help people in our district was especially meaningful. Foster care is very important to me, so I was grateful to learn more about Auberle’s work as one of the largest non-kinship foster care providers in our area. Their dedication to giving children stability, support, and opportunity makes a real difference. Focus on the 46th
What an exciting day it was in Carmichaels last week. I was so happy to join the ribbon cutting for Sonic Serenity, a unique wellness space at 426 Route 88. Congratulations to Tracy Zalar and her daughter Shelbee McCann for making their vision a reality. Their journey, turning personal hardship into a mission to help others find peace and balance, is truly inspiring. Sonic Serenity provides a calming, multisensory experience to help with relaxation, focus and overall well-being. With immersive sound and light settings and new therapies that encourage rest and renewal, this space was carefully designed to welcome everyone, including those who may need a sensory-friendly environment. Businesses like this help our local economy and offer important resources that support the health and wellness of our community.
There was more reason to celebrate in Greene County last week at the grand opening of Conrad’s Tire Express & Total Car Care, located at 105 Greene Plaza. I am so pleased that Conrad’s and their team chose Waynesburg as part of their expansion into Pennsylvania. This business has been around since 1969 and will be a wonderful addition to the community. As the owner of the first quick lube oil business in the Mon Valley for 31 years, it felt like being at home at Conrad’s. A special thank you to Sam Jakabcic, Regional VP; Eric Jenkins, District Leader; and Jimmy Munroe, Store Leader for Waynesburg, for their warm hospitality.
I was honored to offer a prayer for the state of Pennsylvania at the City Mission chapel during the National Day of Prayer service. Events like this remind us how strong our faith and community can be when we join together in prayer.
Instead of this year’s Harrisburg lobby day, Pennsylvania Health Care Association organized a statewide initiative to bring legislators into skilled nursing and rehab facilities. I visited Peters Township Post Acute and met the dedicated team caring for patients and residents in our area. I want to thank facility leaders McKay Bice and Ian Edmondson, PHCA Director of Government Affairs Angela Zaydon, and all the staff for their warm welcome and for discussing the challenges providers face across Pennsylvania. I also enjoyed meeting residents Mr. Reed and Ms. Gorman and seeing firsthand the compassionate, patient-centered care provided each day. Facilities like Peters Township Post Acute offer essential 24/7 care and advanced rehab services that help patients recover, regain independence, and return home stronger. But providers are also dealing with real challenges, such as unpredictable Medicaid payments, workforce shortages, and rising care costs. That’s why I’ve signed on to Senate Bill 692 to bring greater stability and predictability to Medicaid funding so facilities can stay focused on delivering high-quality care close to home for the seniors and families who depend on them. Senate Approves Tougher Penalties for Attempted Murder of Law Enforcement Officers
The Senate approved legislation closing a gap in state law and imposing tougher penalties on individuals who attempt to murder a law enforcement officer and cause serious bodily injury. Under current law, the penalty for attempted murder of a law enforcement officer could be as little as seven years in prison. Senate Bill 1284 establishes a 20-year mandatory minimum sentence and a maximum of up to life in prison. The measure was passed on Police Officers’ Memorial Day in Pennsylvania, which honors the brave men and women of law enforcement. It now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration. Read more about this legislation. Protecting Pennsylvanians’ Second Amendment Rights
The Senate moved to protect the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens by approving Senate Bill 822, which strengthens Pennsylvania’s state preemption over regulating firearms and ammunition, preventing local governments from enacting ordinances that are more restrictive than those established by the General Assembly. Allowing local governments to establish a patchwork of inconsistent gun laws would make it impossible for Pennsylvania residents, along with citizens from other states, to travel without fear of inadvertently breaking a local law they were unaware of. Senate Bill 822, which passed with bipartisan support, also reinforces and restores the original intent of Pennsylvania’s Uniform Firearms Act, ensuring consistent and clear regulations across the state. The bill has been sent to the House of Representatives for consideration. Senate Committee Approves Measures to Make Housing More Attainable
Legislation aimed at expanding access to attainable housing while preserving local control was approved by the Senate Urban Affairs and Housing Committee. The bills now move to the full Senate for consideration. The legislation includes:
Forming a robust strategy to increase housing supply, lower costs and stimulate economic activity is a key focus for the Senate this year. Read more about these attainable housing bills. Senate Honors America 250 with Ceremonial Gathering in Philadelphia
With the U.S. Semiquincentennial less than two months away, the state Senate held a ceremonial gathering honoring America’s 250th birthday at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia. The meeting included senators representing all corners of the commonwealth and students from across the state as part of a partnership with America250PA. The event marked the fourth meeting in the last 100 years that has taken place outside of the State Capitol in Harrisburg. The previous three meetings were also held in Philadelphia to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1926, the 200th anniversary of the Declaration’s signing in 1976 and the 200th anniversary of the adoption of the U.S. Constitution in 1987. Read more about the historic gathering. Mother’s Day and Mammo May
Mother’s Day is a great time to remind Mom and all the women in your life about the importance of annual mammograms. While these low-dose x-rays are critical to a lifesaving early diagnosis of breast cancer, one in four Pennsylvania women fail to get a mammogram each year. Annual mammograms are recommended for women beginning at age 40 or as early as age 25 if a woman is considered at increased risk for breast cancer. Learn more from the Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition. |
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