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In this Update:

• Progress on the 2025-26 State Budget
• Focus on the 46th
• Malicious Deepfake Scams Targeted by New Law
• Protecting Our Children: Sex Offender Registry Loophole Closed
• Pennsylvania Officially Joins Three Health Care Licensure Compacts
• Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program Application Deadline Extended to Dec. 31
• Summer Boating in PA
• Operation Safe Driver Week

Progress on the 2025-26 State Budget

Standing up for families and taxpayers remains our focus as work on the 2025-26 budget continues in Harrisburg. Over the last few weeks we have taken steps to advance several key components of the state budget, to fund certain government functions, as work continues on reaching a full budget agreement.

This year’s budget must invest in our communities and core government functions that people across Pennsylvania rely on as part of their daily lives. However, we must also address the fact that in the current fiscal year Pennsylvania is faced with a $3 billion structural deficit that could grow to $6 billion if spending is left to grow unchecked. We cannot rely on one-time use dollars from our state’s Rainy Day Fund to fill the gap, given this would cause a massive fiscal cliff and tax increases in the coming years.

While divided government certainly brings challenges of different viewpoints, Senate Republicans are focused on completing a budget that respects taxpayers and addresses the needs of organizations and individuals who rely on state resources and services.

Focus on the 46th

It was a wonderful turnout for my fourth annual free barbecue picnic to show my appreciation for Veterans, Active Duty Members, and their families of the 46th Senatorial District. I was so happy that everyone came out and enjoyed themselves on Thursday.

I once again teamed up with What’s Smokin’ BBQ who cooked up some amazing food. Troy Hellen who is a veteran himself (Desert Storm) and his staff are incredibly nice people and did an outstanding job. I would also like to recognize DJ JK, John Koval, for once again volunteering his services to provide an excellent music selection for everyone. He is such a professional. I look forward to doing this again next year!

I hope everyone reading this had a safe and wonderful Independence Day celebration. My staff and I always have an incredible time attending the Greater Canonsburg Fourth of July Celebration Parade. This long-standing tradition in the community marked it’s 62nd year which is quite an accomplishment. The thousands of people that attend make this the second-largest Fourth of July parade in Pennsylvania.

This week I had an opportunity to listen to local leaders about issues and concerns impacting their townships and boroughs. I would like to thank the officials from Hanover and Independence Townships (Beaver County) for sharing your perspectives and priorities in an open, collaborative setting.

Pictured with me from left to right is Darrin Miller (Hanover), Debra Shaffer (Independence), Daniel McLaughlin (Independence), Daisy Spearing (Hanover), John Morrow (Hanover), John Wiatman (Hanover).

I would like to also thank Mike Janoski for allowing us to meet at his beautiful Janoski’s Farm and Greenhouse / Market & Gift Shop.

With deep gratitude from the entire community, it was my honor to present Senate certificates to Captain Matthew Prentice and the entire Charleroi Borough Street Department for their heroic efforts in last week’s structure fire. I am thankful to the Charleroi Borough Council for allowing me to express my sincere appreciation for their heroic efforts.

I am a board member of the University of Pittsburgh Institute of Politics (IOP) and recently met with Samantha Balbier, IOP Director, and Laura Stephany, IOP Senior Policy Analyst, to receive a few updates on advancements regarding dual enrollment. In 2022, my legislation signed into law allows students of brick-and-mortar charter schools, regional charter schools and cyber charter schools to enroll in concurrent college courses through an institution of higher education. Previously, only students at traditional public schools were able to participate in dual enrollment programs.

Samantha (pictured right) and Laura (pictured left) also shared a little bit about the IOP’s newly launched Community and Economic Development Policy Committee. This committee has been strategizing to identify areas to help grow small business in Western PA and create pathways for workforce development not only for our younger folks but for those already in the workforce.

Also this week I had the opportunity to sit down with the PennDOT District Executive Rachel Duda and the District 12 leadership team. We talked about the projects that are in different phases of construction all around the 46th Senatorial District, as well as maintenance issues facing our communities. I am very appreciative of the work that this team does – and I am grateful for the open door policy that we have.

Pictured with me from left to right is Jeremy Hughes, Cristy Kasovich, Rachel Duda, Angela Baker, Joel Morris and Tim Cook.

Malicious Deepfake Scams Targeted by New Law

Technology such as artificial intelligence has been used to commit financial scams, injure personal reputations and disrupt the political process. Legislation we passed is now enacted to classify these deepfakes and other forms of digital impersonation as digital forgeries, punishable by law. 

Act 35 of 2025 amends the current forgery provisions in state law to include “forged digital likeness.” Under the new provision, if someone creates a digital representation of a real person without their consent and distributes it as genuine, with the intent to defraud or injure, they would be subject to penalties. The law targets harmful impersonations while safeguarding legitimate artistic, journalistic and expressive works.

The new law will go a long way toward combatting scams that target teenagers, senior citizens, small businesses and other victims.

Protecting Our Children: Sex Offender Registry Loophole Closed

Pennsylvania took a huge step forward in efforts to protect children from sexual abuse in youth sports and nonprofit programs with legislation that was passed by the Senate and signed into law.

Act 22 of 2025 adds the crime of sexual assault by a sports official, volunteer or employee of a nonprofit association as a Tier II offense under the state’s Sexual Offender Registration and Notification Act.

Without the change, a conviction for this crime did not require sexual offender registration – a gap that left children and families at risk.

Pennsylvania Officially Joins Three Health Care Licensure Compacts

As of this week, Pennsylvania has now fully joined the Interstate Medical Licensure, Nurse Licensure and Physical Therapy Licensure compacts, allowing doctors, nurses and physical therapists to practice across state lines more easily – meaning out-of-state practitioners can begin working in the commonwealth within days instead of months.

In addition to these licensure compacts, Pennsylvania also participates in the previously established Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact.

Following compacts’ success, the Senate is actively engaged in passing other compacts to further support license mobility, address health care staffing shortages and improve access to care for patients across the commonwealth.

Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program Application Deadline Extended to Dec. 31

The deadline to file for the state Property Tax Rent/Rebate Program has been extended to Dec. 31, 2025, allowing eligible older adults and people with disabilities age 18 and older more time to apply for rebates on property taxes and rent paid.

The maximum eligible income is $46,520 and the maximum rebates range from $380 to $1,000 depending on the income level of the homeowner or renter. Check income, age and other eligibility details here.

Treasurer Stacy Garrity recently announced that 423,092 Property Tax/Rent Rebate payments totaling $256 million were sent to eligible Pennsylvanians on July 1. Please contact my office if you need help filling out your application.

Summer Boating in PA

If you’re putting your boat in the water this summer, it’s a good idea to reacquaint yourself with Pennsylvania boating regulations, safety courses and other information from the state Fish and Boat Commission to help you build outdoor memories.

Boating Basics explores knowledge, equipment and understanding of the requirements necessary for boat use in Pennsylvania. Boating Regulations covers rules all boaters should know (including those governing life jackets.) There’s also information on general Boating Safety and applying for a Boating Safety Education Certificate and Course.

Operation Safe Driver Week

You can expect some increased enforcement of traffic laws during Operation Safe Driver Week July 13-19.

The purpose of the week is to reduce reckless, careless, or dangerous driving for both commercial and passenger vehicles. Targeted behaviors include speeding, distracted driving, following too closely, improper lane changes, failure to obey traffic devices, not using seat belts, and drunk or drugged driving.

Drivers exhibiting dangerous behavior may receive a citation or warning, with increased enforcement on major routes.

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