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In this Update:

• Focus on the 46th
• School Bus Safety Legislation Awaits House Action
• Schools Can Apply Now for Safety, AED Training Grants
• Strategies to Prevent Electric Bill Spikes Highlighted at Senate Hearing
• What to Know About Teen Gambling
• Elk Cam Shows Largest Free-Roaming Elk population in Eastern U.S.

Focus on the 46th

There’s no better way to wind down the dog days of summer than spending a night at the Greene County Fair. This Fair is such an important part of our community, and I loved taking in all the sights, sounds, smells and, of course, the sweets.

I also had the opportunity to stop by the 4-H & FFA Market Lamb & Steer Sale. Congratulations to all of our local 4-H and FFA youth exhibitors on a fantastic week. The time, dedication and hard work these young people put in deserves to be celebrated. A special thank you as well to all of the businesses, families and community leaders who came out to support them at the livestock sale. Your support means so much.

But a very special moment of the evening was one that no one expected! Greene County Commissioner Jared Edgreen, joined by Commissioners Betsy McClure and Blair Zimmerman, surprised the crowd with the announcement of $400,000 in funding to help replace the roof on the Arena Barn.

This is a project the Greene County Commissioners have been working hard to make happen, and I was proud to champion it in Harrisburg on behalf of Greene County. When I was asked to help, I knew how important this facility is, our agricultural families and especially the young people who work so hard to showcase their livestock here each year. Thank you to Commissioners Edgreen, McClure and Zimmerman for their unwavering commitment to the community we all love. It was an honor to be part of this very special surprise.

Last weekend we kicked off the 228th The Washington County Agricultural Fair to a packed house, and I was delighted to present the 2026 Fair Person of the Year award to Lee and Shirley Bedillion.

Their Senate Certificate reads in part, “…have contributed countless hours showcasing the best of Washington County agriculture. Their kindness and willingness to volunteer have made them pillars of the community and exemplary representatives of the spirit of the Washington County Fair.” I couldn’t agree more.

A big congratulations to the 2026 Fair Queen, Grace Hutchinson, and Fair Princess, Gianna Smoyer! And a huge thank you to outgoing 2025 Washington County Fair Queen Charlotte Magon. I look forward to hosting Grace in Harrisburg soon.

Thank you to President Todd Richards and the entire Washington County Fair Board for a wonderful kickoff! The fair runs through this evening, so be sure to check the schedule and make plans to enjoy all it has to offer. And don’t forget — you can park at the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum and take part in a 114-year-old tradition by riding a trolley over to the fairgrounds.

I recently met with Washington School District leaders and PA State Rep. Tim O’Neal to talk about the challenges our students and educators face, and most importantly, how we can work together. We talked about school safety and security, the increasing need for mental health resources, transportation issues, and ways to help students connect with workforce and career opportunities.

I was especially glad to see attention given to students who might not go straight to a four-year college but want to work, learn new skills, and build a successful future. Often, they just need the right chance and some support to succeed.

Thank you to Superintendent Alisa King, Assistant to the Superintendent and Curriculum Director BJ Mihelcic, High School Principal Roylin Petties, Junior High Principal Lou Magnotta, K-2 Principal Nicole Bockstoce, and Director of Facility Maintenance Jason Sonson for meeting with us and sharing your honest thoughts. I would also like to thank Lena Hannah of Intermediate Unit 1 for facilitating the discussion.

The Redevelopment Authority of the County of Washington (RACW) has been serving our community in many ways since its establishment in 1956, and I was honored to recognize their 70 years of service with a Senate Citation of Congratulations.

Pictured with me are Rob Phillips, Senior Economic Development Director, and Robert Griffin, Executive Director, who accepted the citation on behalf of the RACW. Rob and Robert also took the time to update me on the important work RACW is doing throughout Washington County and their future goals to support our communities and strengthen economic development.

Thank you both for meeting with me and, most importantly, for your continued dedication to the residents of Washington County. Congratulations to the entire RACW team on this incredible milestone.

The former Ave Maria School in Ellsworth is starting a new chapter, bringing fresh opportunities for students with special needs in the 46th District. Last week I attended the ribbon cutting for the new Ellsworth Merakey school, which will soon open its doors to students and their families. This school, licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, will offer autism support, emotional support and therapy services for students who need them. I met the new staff, learned about the services they will offer, and saw how this great resource will help families across the district.

Congratulations to Tara Quinn, Executive Director of Operations, Rachel Fike, Education Director, and their entire team for bringing this important resource to our community. I am also so excited for Mayor Bernard Kubitza and Ellsworth Borough for this great addition. Most of all, congratulations to the families and students who will benefit from the support and opportunities this school offers.

Thank you to Jeff Kotula, President of the Washington County Chamber of Commerce, and the Chamber staff for hosting the ribbon cutting and helping us celebrate this exciting new chapter for Ellsworth.

Just like the refurbished trolleys, the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum isn’t standing still – it’s keeping schedule and making its next stops. I had the absolute joy of joining the museum for its latest milestone: cutting the ribbon on its beautiful new pavilion, which I have always considered Washington County’s crown jewel.

This new space will be important for both the Museum and our community. Families, schools, organizations and visitors now have another place to gather, celebrate, enjoy a picnic, find shelter from the weather and make memories. As we experienced today, a pavilion is especially useful on those rainy August mornings.

The Museum’s volunteers are its heart. Over 200 volunteers give more than 30,000 hours each year to preserve the trolleys, care for the campus, and share their love of history with future generations. I am truly grateful for all they do.

I recently joined Peters Township officials and community members for the ribbon cutting of the new Main Street Clock, located at the entrance to the Municipal Building on East McMurray Road.

This great new addition to the community was made possible with help from the Washington County Chamber of Commerce / Tourism and Promotions Agency through its American Spirit Grant Program. To celebrate our nation’s 250th birthday, 33 communities in Washington County have received American Spirit Grants for projects that honor our local history and spirit. From the new clock in Peters Township to Canonsburg’s new mural, these projects are making our communities more welcoming and lively.

Congratulations to Peters Township, and thank you to everyone who made this project possible. I’m proud to see our communities join together to celebrate America’s 250th birthday and show what makes Washington County a great place to live, work, and visit.

School Bus Safety Legislation Awaits House Action

Over the past five years, 25,136 Pennsylvania drivers have been cited for school zone violations, including 8,302 for overtaking or illegally passing a school bus. The Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania breaks down the numbers here.

In September 2025, the Senate unanimously passed Senate Bill 65, Enhancing the Safe Transportation of School Children, which would extend the stopping distance requirement from 10 feet to 15 feet before reaching the bus when the red signal lights are flashing and the side stop arm is activated. It also develops a tiered penalty system for a second or subsequent offense. Current law does not penalize repeat offenders.

With the start of a new school year nearly a year later, it still awaits a vote by the full House of Representatives. Read more about this effort to boost school bus safety here.

Schools Can Apply Now for Safety, AED Training Grants

School districts can apply now for the latest round of funding to improve safety, including an initiative passed by the General Assembly to increase the presence of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) at school events.

Under the School Safety and Mental Health Grant Program, school districts, career and technical centers, intermediate units, charter schools and cyber charter schools are eligible for funding to use for safety and security assessments, staff training and more. It can also be used to improve CPR training and AED preparedness.

In addition, nonpublic schools can apply for CPR/AED Training for Nonpublic Schools Grant Program that can be used for CPR and AED training.

The AED funding is made available through Greg Moyer’s Law, named in honor of Pennsylvania student-athlete Greg Moyer, who died after suffering sudden cardiac arrest during a high school basketball game.

Strategies to Prevent Electric Bill Spikes Highlighted at Senate Hearing

Strategies to increase energy production and lower utility bills for Pennsylvanians were the focus of a public hearing by the Senate Majority Policy Committee.

The committee heard from energy generators, utilities, business groups, taxpayer advocates and more. Pennsylvania is the top electricity exporter and supplier of natural gas, but the retirement of generation sources is driving up prices and risking electric grid reliability.

Testifiers noted the commonwealth needs to build more reliable baseload generation to keep prices stable and ensure access to energy. Read more and access hearing video here.

What to Know About Teen Gambling

Just because teens aren’t allowed to gamble doesn’t mean they don’t.

Gambling among teenagers is a growing problem. Information is available to learn what teen problem gambling is, how to recognize the warning signs and where to go for help. 

Topics include: Why do people gamble? The “gambler’s fallacy,” and Who’s at risk? Learn more here from the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

Elk Cam Shows Largest Free-Roaming Elk population in Eastern U.S.

Elk were once native to Pennsylvania but disappeared in the 1800s due to overhunting and habitat loss. Today, Pennsylvania is home to 1,300 to 1,400 elk, making it the largest free-roaming elk population in the eastern U.S.

Live from Elk State Forest in northern PA, the Elk Cam is a window into the world of these impressive animals, as well as turkey, deer and other wildlife. Best viewing times are mornings and evenings.

The livestream is provided by HDOnTap and made possible with the help of the North Central Pennsylvania Regional Planning and Development Commission.