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In this Update:
Focus on the 46th
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.
It was great to spend some time at the Coffee with Veterans event at the Waynesburg Lions Club last weekend. There was a lot of great information shared about the resources available for our veterans in Greene County.
I am so happy that our Career Kick-Start development course has helped so many women over the last five years! Thank you so much to my staff and Pennsylvania Women Work’s absolutely incredible staff for putting this year’s event together. It’s always a pleasure partnering with Kristin Ioannou, Executive Director and Liz Gryger, Associate Director of Programs. Also a big Thank You to Frank Sarris Public Library for being so accommodating and providing a great space to host. It sounded like the attendees left with new tips and critical professional skills to use as they take the next steps in their careers. Thank you for coming.
I recently had the pleasure of presenting Senate proclamations to the incredible women nominated for this year’s Washington County Annual ATHENA Award nominees. Each of these outstanding women has made a meaningful impact on our community and is truly deserving of this recognition. The keynote address by Ellen Hough of Liberty Pole Spirits was genuine, inspiring, and deeply moving. Congratulations again to Leanna Spada, Executive Director of the Mon Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce, on being named the 2026 ATHENA Award recipient! A well-deserved honor.
This week, my office was honored to attend the dedication and unveiling of a historic plaque along the Montour Trail recognizing George Washington’s land holdings in Cecil and Mt. Pleasant Townships. The ceremony, held near Milemarker 20.5, was part of Pennsylvania’s America250PA celebrations commemorating our nation’s 250th anniversary. The plaque highlights Washington’s important ties to western Pennsylvania during his time as a surveyor, military officer, and landowner. It also serves as a reminder of the rich history that helped shape our region and our nation. I want to thank the Montour Trail Council, Historic Fort Cherry, and Montour Railroad Historical Society for their efforts in preserving and promoting our local history, as well as the Rails to Trails Conservancy and the William G. Pomeroy Foundation for supporting this meaningful project.
This information was generously submitted by Fredric Bender. Members of the community are invited to attend a Memorial Day ceremony honoring Civil War veteran John Ross Dunn, bugler of the 22nd Pennsylvania Cavalry, known as “The Ringgolds.” The ceremony will be conducted by the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at Bethlehem Baptist Church Cemetery in Ruff Creek, Greene County. John Ross Dunn served an important role during the Civil War as a bugler, helping relay battlefield commands and troop movements during combat. The ceremony will honor his service and preserve the memory of those who fought to save the Union. The program will feature a historical presentation on Dunn and the 22nd Pennsylvania Cavalry, ceremonial honors by members of the SUVCW, live Civil War drumming, and a wreath-laying ceremony in remembrance. Community members, local historical societies, veterans’ organizations, and residents are encouraged to attend this meaningful event honoring our nation’s history and those who served. Cutting Costs for PA Families by Ending Outdated Emissions Testing
Taking legislative action to do away with an outdated and unnecessary mandate, the Senate voted to eliminate the vehicle emissions testing requirement across the commonwealth. The measure will save Pennsylvanians an estimated $160 million annually. Senate Bill 1298 would remove all 25 counties currently subjected to annual emissions testing. It also clarifies that no additional counties can be added into the program, protecting Pennsylvania vehicle owners. The bill was sent to the House of Representatives for consideration. Read more about Senate Bill 1298 here. Ending State Funding for Gender Transition of Children
Legislation to end state funding for the gender transition of children was approved by the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee. The measure follows recent guidance from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services stating gender-related medical interventions for minors do not meet professionally recognized standards of care. Senate Bill 1321 would require the state to withhold Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program funding for any procedure conflicting with federal standards. At least half of U.S. states have passed similar laws. The U.K. banned the use of puberty blockers and sex-reassignment surgeries for minors in 2024. The measure now heads to the full Senate for consideration. Read more about Senate Bill 1321. Committee Acts to Bolster Support of Constitutional Right to Bear Arms
The Senate continued its work to reinforce Second Amendment protections with committee approval of legislation to allow law‑abiding adults who are legally permitted to own a firearm to carry concealed without the need for a government‑issued permit. The Senate Judiciary Committee approved Senate Bill 357, which also preserves an optional License to Carry Firearms for reciprocity with other states and modernizes the permitting process by reducing investigation time from 45 to 14 days, updating terminology and removing outdated disqualifiers while keeping all prohibitions for individuals who may not legally possess a firearm. The full Senate recently passed Senate Bill 822 to prevent local governments from undermining constitutional rights by enacting firearms ordinances that are more restrictive than those established by the General Assembly. Read more about our efforts to protect your Second Amendment rights here. Remove Invasive Plants, Get a Free Native Replacement
Registration is open for the opportunity to receive free native trees and shrubs by removing invasive plants from your property. You can participate in the Pennsylvania Invasive Replace-ive Program by removing an invasive tree or shrub from your property or with permission from a property owner (such as a park, library or school), taking a photo of the removed plants and attending an event to receive a replacement plant. It’s available on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last. Learn more and register here. Save for Education and the Opportunity to Win $5,529
State Treasurer Stacy Garrity announced the fifth annual 529 Day Promotion is running throughout May. Pennsylvania families who contribute at least $10 to their PA 529 account this month could be eligible to win one of six regional awards of $5,529 to boost their education savings. The PA 529 College and Career Savings Program is a tax-advantaged way for families to save for a wide variety of education, including technical training, college, apprenticeship, credential program and K-12 expenses. Saving with a PA 529 does not impact eligibility for Pennsylvania state financial aid. The PA 529 Guaranteed Savings Plan helps families save at today’s tuition rates to cover tomorrow’s tuition expenses and the PA 529 Investment Plan offers a wide variety of investment options to choose from. Find official rules and learn more about how to make an eligible contribution here. Mammo May: No-Cost Breast Cancer Screenings and Diagnostic Imaging
In Pennsylvania, we’ve enacted laws to cover breast cancer screenings and diagnostic breast imaging at no cost for individuals with state-regulated insurance. I urge women to take advantage of these potentially lifesaving laws. Under Act 1 of 2023, supplemental screenings including breast MRI, ultrasounds and BRCA-related genetic testing and counseling are covered at no cost for those with an increased risk who are insured under PA law. Under Act 52 of 2025, which is currently in the implementation stage, diagnostic breast imaging including diagnostic mammograms, breast MRI and ultrasounds are covered at no cost for individuals insured under state law who are of average risk or higher. Learn more about no-cost screenings here. Learn more about no-cost diagnostic imaging here. Information on no-cost mammograms for those without insurance can be found here. |
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