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In this Update:
Our Butler County Senior Expo is This Friday!
Join 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
It was an honor to attend the Memorial Day ceremony at the Veterans Memorial in Cranberry Township’s North Boundary Park. As we gathered to remember the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country, we were reminded that freedom is never free. Their courage, service, and dedication to our nation will never be forgotten. Thank you to everyone who helped organize this meaningful ceremony and to all who came out to pay tribute to our fallen heroes. May we continue to honor their legacy each and every day.
I appreciated the opportunity to visit Powell Farm in Cranberry Township as community leaders and stakeholders gathered to discuss the future of this important local asset. Powell Farm continues to grow as both a working farm and a center for agricultural innovation, and it was great to learn more about the emerging master plan, the introduction of the Cranberry Conservancy, and the vision for the farm’s next chapter. Thank you to the Cranberry Township Board of Supervisors for bringing everyone together for a thoughtful discussion focused on preserving agriculture, education, and community involvement for future generations.
I had the pleasure of meeting with members of the Pennsylvania Coalition for Aphasia Advocacy (PCAA) during Aphasia District Week to learn more about aphasia and the challenges individuals and caregivers face every day. Thank you to the advocates, caregivers, and families who took the time to share their stories and help raise awareness about this important issue across Pennsylvania. Your efforts to educate others and support those living with aphasia make a real difference in our communities. New Law Requires AEDs at School Sports Events
Legislation approved by the Senate to help prevent the leading cause of death among young athletes – sudden cardiac arrest – is now law. Senate Bill 375, now Act 17 of 2026, will require automated external defibrillators (AEDs) to be present at all PIAA-sanctioned athletic events and practices. The law also requires schools to develop and rehearse emergency action plans for cardiac incidents. AEDs are portable, life-saving devices used to restore normal heartbeats with electrical shock. The legislation was introduced after the tragic death of Greg Moyer, who passed away from sudden cardiac arrest during a high school basketball game in East Stroudsburg, Monroe County. Read more about passage of this new law here. Midwifery Modernization Law Supports Mothers and Babies
A new law we passed will help ensure women and families have access to safe, high-quality care throughout pregnancy and postpartum recovery by modernizing Pennsylvania’s laws governing midwives. Senate Bill 507, now Act 14 of 2026, updates licensure requirements for certified midwives, improves collaboration with physicians and expands prescription authority in certain circumstances. The law also addresses healthcare shortages in rural and underserved communities by expanding the number of trained professionals available to provide maternal care services. Read more about our work to expand this care for mothers and babies here. Improving Stream Maintenance, Reducing Flood Hazards
Legislation to give counties and municipalities more flexibility in handling flood-related hazards and obstructions was passed by the Senate in March and now awaits action in the House of Representatives. Currently, entering streams to remove obstructions requires a permit from the state Department of Environmental Protection, a process that is lengthy, tedious and inefficient. Senate Bill 403 would allow local government organizations to apply for an extended permit, allowing maintenance to continue for 10 years or more. Senate Bill 404 would allow counties to obtain emergency maintenance permits in consultation with their county conservation district. Read more about how these bills will help protect against flooding here. Hearing Examines Bill Ensuring Lead-Free Drinking Water in Schools
A recent Senate hearing examined legislation to ensure Pennsylvania students have access to safe, lead-free drinking water in schools. The Senate Institutional Sustainability and Innovation Committee discussed Senate Bill 759, which would require school districts to replace outdated drinking fountains with lead-filtering hydration stations by 2028 while providing funding mechanisms to help schools cover implementation costs. Committee members heard testimony from experts in environmental advocacy, public health, plumbing and pediatric medicine on the dangers of lead exposure and the need for preventative action in schools across Pennsylvania. Watch the hearing and read testimony here. Read more about the hearing and Senate Bill 759 here. Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program Kicks Off in June
Beginning in June, the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program offers vouchers to eligible seniors (60+) to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables at local farmers markets. Call your county aging office to apply and find out when and where they are distributing the vouchers. You can find aging offices and voucher information here. Available on first come, first served basis. Click here for details and where to find participating markets. Recapping Mammo May 2026
As we wrap up Mammo May, Mammography Month, I hope you or the women you know are better informed on the importance of early breast cancer detection. If you’re one of the average 38 Pennsylvania women diagnosed with breast cancer each day, catching it early greatly increases your odds of successful treatment. Some resources to keep handy: No-Cost Screenings Information Most mammograms take about 20 minutes. Please spread the word and share this important information from the Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition.
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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