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In this Update:
Free Barbecue Picnic for Veterans and Service Members on July 17
I would like to invite veterans, active duty service members, and their families of the 46th District to attend my fifth annual veterans appreciation barbecue picnic on Friday, July 17, from 5-7 p.m. at the Stone Pavilion in Washington Park. This picnic is an opportunity to thank the men and women who have sacrificed their time and put their lives on hold to defend our great country. Of course, it is also about their families, who lived without their loved ones, often in fear for their safety when they were gone. I encourage all veterans and active duty members of the 46th District and their spouses to attend. Space is limited, so veterans and their families are asked to RSVP by Thursday, July 9. You can register online by clicking this link. You can also call my district office to register and ask for more information at 724-225-4380. Harrisburg Happenings
I am continuing to fight for better access to health care for PA patients. My legislation, Senate Bill 25 and its companion bill, House Bill 739, would allow nurse practitioners to serve and treat more Pennsylvanians, reach patients in underserved areas and expand access to high-quality health care in urban, rural, and suburban areas of PA. This week we held a Certified Nurse Practitioner Advocacy Day rally on the State Capitol steps to help finally get Senate Bill 25 over the finish line. You can watch my remarks from the event by tapping or clicking the image above.
The Senate Labor & Industry Committee approved my Senate Bill 142, an important step toward establishing the “Broadcast Free Market Act” protecting Pennsylvania’s broadcast professionals and expanding career opportunities across the Commonwealth. Non-compete clauses in broadcast contracts often put skilled radio, television, and media workers in a tough spot. They may have to take a job they do not want or move away from their community just to move forward in their careers. These rules can break up families, pull people away from their support systems, and hold back their professional growth. Senate Bill 142 would stop non-compete rules in broadcast contracts from applying after a contract ends. This means employees could look for new jobs without having to move away. The bill still keeps current contract promises in place while someone is working, and it continues to protect confidential information and trade secrets. You can watch my committee remarks by tapping or clicking on the image above.
I was pleased to welcome Canonsburg resident Jon Naser to Harrisburg during the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network’s annual advocacy day at the Capitol. Jon joined volunteers from across Pennsylvania who traveled to Harrisburg to advocate for policies that can save lives. Their efforts focused on supporting legislation that improves access to early detection screenings for prostate and colorectal cancer. The stories shared by advocates like Jon serve as a powerful reminder that public policy can have a meaningful impact on individuals, families, and communities across our Commonwealth. Together, we can continue working toward a healthier future for Pennsylvania.
There is something special happening in Canon-McMillan wrestling, and Marlee Solomon is continuing the legacy while blazing a trail of her own. I was thrilled to welcome Marlee back to the senate this week as part of Senator Scott Martin’s PA Day of Wrestling Champions Event. As a junior at Canon-Mac, Marlee captured her second consecutive PIAA state championship this year, finishing the season with a perfect 38-0 record and improving her career mark to an incredible 78-3. Her accomplishments extend far beyond Pennsylvania. Marlee became the first-ever Triple Crown Champion by winning the Ironman, Powerade, and Beast of the East tournaments, earned a runner-up finish at the Under-20 World Team Trials, and will represent Team USA at the Pan American Championships in Brazil this summer. She is also headed to Baku, Azerbaijan, as part of the Olympic World Teams program. I recognized Marlee on the Senate floor alongside her mother, Daneen, and Coach Sheila Mitchell-Rodi. Coach Ron Totterdale was unable to make the visit. You can watch my floor remarks by tapping or clicking the image above.
It was great to welcome members of the Pennsylvania State Council of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and ASCE members to my Harrisburg office for their annual Legislative Day. I appreciated the opportunity to hear directly from these industry leaders about their legislative priorities and the challenges and opportunities for Pennsylvania’s infrastructure. Thank you to (pictured left to right) Jesse Gormley, President of the Philadelphia Section; Dave DiGioia, President of the Pittsburgh Section; John Caperilla, ASCE Region 2 Governor; and Karen Armfield of the New York Metropolitan Section for taking the time to meet with me. I value these conversations and the expertise ASCE members bring to policy discussions that impact communities across the state.
One of my favorite Capitol traditions returned this week as legislators and staff from both chambers gathered for the annual Seersucker Caucus photo, a fun way to kick off the Summer Session season. While the event celebrates the distinctive seersucker fabric and a longstanding legislative tradition, it also serves a meaningful purpose. Each year, participants are encouraged to support Dress for Success, a nonprofit organization that empowers low-income women to enter or re-enter the workforce with confidence. Through clothing donations, Dress for Success provides professional attire to women who need an outfit for job interviews and career opportunities. What began as a lighthearted celebration has become an opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of others. I was proud to join my colleagues in supporting this important cause and helping ensure more women have the tools and confidence they need to succeed. More Than $1.8 Million for Nemacolin Sewer System Upgrades
Cumberland Township, Greene County, has been awarded $1.8 million through the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program to continue critical upgrades to the sanitary sewer system serving the village of Nemacolin. The funding will support the next phase of a comprehensive sewer rehabilitation project in the historic coal mining community. Improvements include the installation of lined epoxy resin textile piping throughout the sanitary sewer system, spot restoration work, replacement of 160 feet of return lines with new four-inch stainless steel return lines, installation of a new pretreatment mechanical bar screen, and construction of a new ultraviolet treatment system at the wastewater treatment plant. The CDBG program provides federal funding to support community and economic development projects that improve public infrastructure and quality of life in communities across Pennsylvania. Senate Approves Bills to Make Housing More Attainable Across PA
The Senate acted to help alleviate Pennsylvania’s growing housing shortage by approving three bills to expand access to housing while preserving local control. Senate Bill 1279 creates a Housing Development Regulatory Compliance Officer to improve coordination and efficiency in the permitting process. Senate Bill 1236 reduces regulatory burdens on small-scale home construction projects by reforming the stormwater permitting process. Senate Bill 1281 empowers local governments to streamline approval processes using uniform housing plans, helping reduce delays and cut unnecessary red tape. These reforms reduce several of the barriers contributing to Pennsylvania’s housing shortage, helping create more opportunities for homeownership while giving communities the flexibility to encourage growth in a way that reflects local needs and priorities. The bills were sent to the House of Representatives for consideration. Task Force on Child Protection in the Digital Age
To make sure state laws keep pace with emerging online threats, the Senate voted to establish a Task Force on Child Protection in the Digital Age. Senate Resolution 244 would direct the Joint State Government Commission to convene a task force to review Pennsylvania’s laws, assess new technologies and identify legal gaps in protections for children in the digital environment. The commission will issue a recommendation for action to the General Assembly. The proposal builds on previous work by the legislature: In 2024, we passed a law to combat AI generated child sexual abuse materials (CSAM). In 2025, we acted to classify deepfakes as digital forgery for more severe punishment. The Senate also approved bills to strengthen reporting requirements for AI-generated CSAM and to establish commonsense safeguards for AI chatbots accessible by minors. Read more about our efforts to protect children in the digital age here. Cellphone Law to Reduce Distracted Driving Takes Full Effect
After a one-year warning period, a state law aimed at reducing distracted driving is now fully enforceable. The law prohibits the use of hand-held devices while driving, even while stopped temporarily due to traffic, a red light or other delays. Drivers can still use their phones to alert authorities in the event of an emergency and use hands-free technology to make phone calls, use a GPS and listen to music. Drivers convicted of using a hand-held device while driving will pay a $50 fine, plus court costs and other fees under Paul Miller’s Law. The law is named for Paul Miller Jr., who was tragically killed in a 2010 Monroe County crash by a tractor trailer operator distracted while reaching for his phone while driving. Read more about this new law here. Protecting Yourself During Tick Season
Pennsylvania recorded more than 18,700 cases of Lyme disease in 2025, and the Centers for Disease Control estimates the true number may be much higher due to underreporting. Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses can cause serious long-term health complications, particularly when left untreated. Nearly 55% of ticks tested in Pennsylvania were found to carry at least one tick-borne pathogen, and blacklegged ticks have now been identified in all 67 counties. You can protect yourself by using repellent, avoiding brushy areas and checking your body and pets after outdoor activities. Learn more about protecting yourself from ticks here. Remembering D-Day
On June 6, 1944, the fate of Europe would be determined by the largest amphibious invasion in history, including 13,000 aircraft and gliders, 23,400 paratroopers, 5,000 ships and landing craft and 160,000 American, British and Canadian troops. More than 9,000 Allied servicemen were killed or wounded that day in northern France. It is our responsibility as Americans to honor their bravery, tell the stories of their heroism and preserve what they defended so their sacrifices were not in vain. |
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