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In this Update:

• Key Election Dates to Remember
• Veterans Can RSVP for Our Upcoming Veterans Breakfast
• Working to Increase Affordability for Pennsylvanians
• Harrisburg Highlights
• Highlights in the 47^th
• October is Pork Month in PA
• New Law Cracks Down on Robocalls, Scam Texts and Caller ID Spoofing
• National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is Oct. 24
• Understanding Metastatic Breast Cancer

Key Election Dates to Remember

Election Day will be here before you know it, and I want to make sure you know the key dates.

• The first step is registering to vote, and the deadline to do that is Monday, Oct. 19.
• If you want to vote by absentee ballot, the deadline to file a request is Tuesday, Oct. 27.
• Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3.

To make sure you’re registered, learn how to request an absentee ballot and find your polling place, visit the state’s elections information webpage.

Veterans Can RSVP for Our Upcoming Veterans Breakfast

Join me and Community College of Beaver County for our Veterans Breakfast on Thursday, Nov. 12, at 9 a.m. at the CCBC Dome, 1 Campus Drive in Monaca!

To register, please call 724-480-3554 or email by Friday, Oct. 30.

It’s our chance to come together, enjoy breakfast, and thank the veterans and active-duty military members who have given so much in service to our country. Breakfast is FREE for all veterans, serving military members, and one guest.

I hope to see you there as we honor and thank those who have served!

Working to Increase Affordability for Pennsylvanians

At a time when families continue to feel the strain of inflation, we know state government must look for ways to implement policies and programs to increase affordability. Fighting for the state budget to respect taxpayers and take less of your hard-earned money, enacting the Working Pennsylvanians Tax Credit and the Employer Child Care Contribution Tax Credit Programs, and making homes more attainable are some of the ways we’ve focused on affordability during the 2025-26 legislative session.

The new Working Pennsylvanians Tax Credit provides meaningful relief for working families across the commonwealth. Families that claim the federal Earned Income Tax Credit may also claim the state tax credit equal to 10% of the federal amount. This amounts to hundreds of dollars saved every year for many working families.

We also created the Employer Child Care Contribution Tax Credit Program, which provides incentives for businesses to make contributions of up to $500 annually toward their employees’ child-care costs.

And we took steps to make housing attainable to more Pennsylvanians by passing legislation streamlining municipal approval processes, reducing delays, cutting unnecessary red tape, and creating a Housing Development Regulatory Compliance Officer to serve as a single point of contact and improve coordination in the permitting process.

We’re committed to continuing to implement greater government efficiencies and policies to control the growth of spending and help address affordability for families throughout Pennsylvania.

Harrisburg Highlights

I appreciated meeting with Anastasia Kaffenes from Beaver during the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) Capitol Advocacy Day.

Anastasia took the time to share her perspective with me on issues important to women’s health and the medical professionals who provide care across Pennsylvania. Hearing directly from people in our communities helps us better understand the challenges they face and how we can work together to address them.

Larry Gerrity, Chairman of the Legislative Committee for the Pennsylvania State Fraternal Order of Police, and David Piuri, President of the Beaver Valley Fraternal Order of Police and former Monaca Police Chief, recently stopped by my Harrisburg office.

I appreciated the opportunity to hear directly from these experienced law enforcement leaders about the issues facing our officers and communities. Thank you both for taking the time to meet and for your continued service to the commonwealth and Beaver Valley!

I had the opportunity to meet with Dr. Marsha LoAlbo during the Pennsylvania Medical Society’s Advocacy Day at the Capitol.

We had a productive conversation about the challenges facing physicians and the issues impacting health care across Pennsylvania. I appreciate Dr. LoAlbo taking the time to share her perspective and advocate on behalf of physicians and patients across our Commonwealth.

Highlights in the 47^th

Congratulations to Hopewell’s own Paul Palombo on winning the Pennsylvania Middleweight Boxing Championship!

Paul’s hard work, dedication and determination paid off in a big way. Congratulations as well to his coach, Tom Yankello of Cranberry, for helping Paul reach this incredible accomplishment.

We’re proud to see local talent representing our community at the highest level. Keep up the great work, Paul and Tom!

I had the pleasure of joining the Lawrence Mercer Association of REALTORS for their legislative breakfast today at The Venue by Weber Catering.

I appreciated the opportunity to hear directly from local real estate professionals, discuss issues affecting Pennsylvania’s housing market, and talk about how we can continue working together to support our communities.

Thank you to everyone who took the time to join us and share their perspectives!

October is Pork Month in PA

This month, we’re also celebrating Pennsylvania’s hardworking pork producers and the important role they play in our agricultural industry and local economy. From our family farms to our dinner tables, Pennsylvania’s pork industry helps feed our communities and supports countless jobs across the commonwealth.

As chairman of the Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee, I’m proud to recognize the farmers and farm families who work hard every day to keep Pennsylvania agriculture strong.

This October, join me in thanking our pork producers for all they do!

New Law Cracks Down on Robocalls, Scam Texts and Caller ID Spoofing

Legislation we unanimously passed enacting stronger protections from deceptive telemarketing practices will take effect Monday, Oct. 19.

Under Act 47 of 2026, Pennsylvania’s telemarketing law will now cover modern forms of solicitation, including text messages, voicemails, ringless voicemails and robocalls. It also establishes stronger rules for when and how telemarketers can contact Pennsylvanians, including:

• Prohibiting telemarketing calls before 9 a.m. and after 7 p.m. and on Sundays.
• Requiring prior express written consent for most robocalls and telemarketing text messages.
• Prohibiting telemarketers from falsely identifying themselves or using deceptive caller ID information, including spoofed numbers.
• Requiring telemarketers to stop a solicitation when a consumer asks them to do so.

The legislation also prohibits the use of AI-generated messages to deceive consumers.

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is Oct. 24

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, most people who use prescription medication for a nonmedical purpose obtained that medication from a family member or friend. Removing unnecessary medications from the home can help remove this risk.

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is Oct. 24 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., providing a safe, convenient and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs.

Find a local collection site near you at the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration website.

Understanding Metastatic Breast Cancer

Metastatic breast cancer, also known as Stage IV breast cancer, is diagnosed when breast cancer has spread to other parts of the body. While treatments can help control metastatic cancer and allow many people to live longer, Stage IV breast cancer is currently considered incurable.

During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, let’s recognize the Pennsylvanians living with metastatic breast cancer every day. Organizations like the PA Breast Cancer Coalition offer programs specific to individuals with metastatic breast cancer including a Stage IV-specific care package program and patient resources.

Metastatic breast cancer research is essential to developing more effective treatments, improving quality of life and extending the lives of those living with stage IV cancer.

Please consider making a $5 contribution to research when you renew your Pennsylvania driver’s license or vehicle registration online. For more information, visit the PA Breast Cancer Coalition website.