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In this Update:
Area Seniors Invited to Our Butler County Senior Expo on June 5Join my staff and me for our annual Butler County Senior Expo on Friday, June 5, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Discovery Church, 170 Scharberry Lane in Mars. Local and state organizations will be available to provide seniors and their families with important information on senior-focused services and programs being offered. Various health screening tests will also be offered for attendees to participate in. If you are unable to attend this expo, we will be hosting our Beaver County Expo on Friday, Sept. 18, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Community College of Beaver County, 1 Campus Dr. in Monaca. For more information, please call my Rochester district office at 724-774-0444. Highlights in the 47th
Thank you to the Butler County Chamber of Commerce for hosting this year’s Legislative Breakfast. I appreciated the chance to speak with local employers, community leaders and residents about the challenges and opportunities facing our region. It’s always great to have these conversations and hear directly from the people I represent. Photo credit: Butler County Chamber of Commerce Progress Being Made at New Horizon SchoolI’m encouraged to see the continued progress being made at New Horizon School as construction moves steadily toward reopening for the 2026-2027 school year. From new classrooms and infrastructure upgrades to restored exterior work and interior finishes, this project represents an important investment in creating a safe, modern, and welcoming environment for students and staff. Thank you to the Beaver Valley Intermediate Unit, the construction teams, families, and everyone involved for their patience, hard work, and continued support as this exciting progress continues. Harrisburg Highlights
It was great to meet with Holly Hannum and Dexter the Beagle at the Capitol for Humane World for Animals Advocacy Day. I always appreciate hearing from advocates working to promote animal welfare across Pennsylvania! Cutting Costs for PA Families by Ending Outdated Emissions Testing
Taking legislative action to do away with an outdated and unnecessary mandate, the Senate voted to eliminate the vehicle emissions testing requirement across the commonwealth.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.
Please contact me to provide input on any state-related matter, or to receive help in dealing with a state agency. |
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