Recent News
E-news Updates – June 21, 2025
In this Update: Pick Up the Phone, Raise Your Concerns Senate Votes to Combat Overregulation Targeting the Rise of Deepfake Scams PA Now Has Concealed Carry Reciprocity with Virginia Funding Available for Community Groups Providing Veteran Suicide Prevention Services Celebrating National Dairy Month in June Pick Up the Phone, Raise Your Concerns Thank you to […] [Read More]
E-news Updates – June 14, 2025
In this Update: Focusing on Transparency, Consumer Choice and Protections in Utility Services Safeguarding Individuals with Communication Impairments Senate Approves Bill to Secure and Modernize PA’s IT Infrastructure Bill to Expand Naloxone Access, Support EMS Providers Passes Senate Senate Committee Votes to Expand No-Cost Breast Cancer Screenings Measure to Preserve Public Information Receives Senate Support […] [Read More]
Meeting to consider SB 535, SB 536 and SB 842
Senate Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee | Room 8E-A, East Wing [Read More]
E-news Updates – June 7, 2025
In this Update: Celebrating Champions: Pennsylvania Wrestling Senate Confirms Consumer Advocate, Reappoints PUC Chair Addressing Child Care Staffing Shortage in Somerset Senate Votes to Preserve Prescription Assistance for Seniors Bill to Strengthen Enforcement of PFA Orders Passes Senate Senate Approves Bill to Improve Access to Stroke Resources Hand-held Cell Phone Ban for Motorists Now in […] [Read More]
Connect With Us
Congratulations to @tipsypig_connellsville on the grand opening of their new patio! ✂☀️ Great to celebrate a local business with the @greaterccc.
Thank you to everyone who joined my recent tele-town hall. Hearing directly from the people of the 32nd District helps guide the work I do in Harrisburg.
We had a great conversation covering key issues such as school property taxes, raising utility costs, what’s next for Penn State Fayette and of course, the pending state budget. Your questions and input were incredibly valuable.
📞 Your voice matters, so I hope you’ll join us for the next one! These tele-town halls are great because you don’t have to leave your home — it’s all done over the phone. All you have to do is sign up and answer the call.
👉 Visit my website to register.
It was a pleasure to see the sheriffs of Fayette and Somerset Counties in Harrisburg. 🚓
Law enforcement plays a critical role in keeping our communities safe. Their leadership and commitment to upholding the rule of law are essential to the well-being of our communities and our commonwealth.
Throughout the spring, the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy and hundreds of amazing volunteers came together to plant vibrant flowers and create welcoming green spaces across our region through their Community Gardens & Greenspace Planting program. 🌱 Looking forward to seeing how these spaces bloom throughout the season.
Last week, the Senate Consumer Protection & Professional Licensure Committee toured @shipleyenergy to discuss improving Pennsylvania’s utility laws, with a focus on consumer choice, billing transparency and stronger customer protections. Shipley Energy is one of the Pennsylvania’s leading retail suppliers of electricity, natural gas, oil and propane for over 100,000 residential and commercial customers.
Last week, we had the privilege of welcoming the Berlin Brothersvalley High School Girls’ Basketball Team to the capitol in recognition of their incredible achievement: winning the 2024–2025 PIAA Class AA State Championship — the second title in their program’s history.
In March, at the Giant Center in Hershey, the Lady Mountaineers defeated Bishop McCort Catholic High School 62–50, capping off a 27–2 season. Led by Coaches Rachel Prosser, Katie Flick, Ashley Brant and Regan Lauer, these student-athletes embody excellence both on and off the court.
Congratulating again, Lady Mountaineers!
📸: The Daily American & The Tribune-Democrat
This school year, I had the opportunity to participate in the Keystone Classroom Initiative, a program organized by America250PA, by reading to Mrs. Cameron`s 2nd grade class at Windber Elementary School. 📚
The Pennsylvania Commission for the United States Semiquincentennial (America250PA) was created by the state legislature and Governor in 2018 to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. The commission is working to highlight Pennsylvania’s essential role in our nation’s history and the ongoing contributions of its people.
Through the Keystone Classroom Initiative, volunteers visit kindergarten through fourth-grade classrooms, children’s hospitals, and youth camps across the commonwealth to share stories and spark curiosity about our shared past. It was a great experience connecting with young learners and contributing to this important statewide effort.
Congratulations to Garrett Spangler of Stoystown on earning the rank of Eagle Scout!
For his project, Garrett built a flag retirement box with a painted fence at The Puddle, so community members can honor our nation’s flag with respect. During his time in Troop 6152, he also served as Quartermaster and Patrol Leader, showing strong leadership and dedication to his troop. Great work, Garrett!
It`s now been months since the governor`s budget address and honestly, it still feels like Groundhog Day.
We’re once again looking at a plan that lacks substance, neglects the looming multi-billion dollar structural deficit, and can further lead to more unnecessary financial hardship for hardworking taxpayers.
As we work on the state budget this June, we must keep in mind that he governor’s $51.5 billion budget plan would increase state spending by $3.6 billion, an increase of 7.5% over the current year’s budget. During the next five years, using realistic spending and revenue estimates, Gov. Shapiro’s spending plans would leave a $27.3 billion hole in the state’s finances and that`s something we cannot afford.
Last week, following a hearing in the Senate Consumer Protection & Professional Licensure Committee, the Pennsylvania Senate unanimously confirmed Darryl Lawrence as the state’s new Consumer Advocate and Stephen DeFrank to continue serving as chairman of the Public Utility Commission.
We thank both nominees for their service and leadership in protecting Pennsylvania consumers and overseeing our critical utilities.
This week in Harrisburg, we celebrated @piaasports Champion wrestlers from across the commonwealth. 🏆 I’m elated to say that Bedford and Somerset Counties have produced four extraordinary student-athletes whose hard work, talent, and grit have earned them places in Pennsylvania wrestling history:
🤼♀️ Violette Lasure – A sophomore at Chestnut Ridge School District High School, Violette went undefeated in the 2024–2025 season and captured her second state championship title, finishing her season ranked 25th in the nation.
🤼♀️ Juliet Alt – A freshman at Chestnut Ridge, Juliet claimed 1st place at the 2024–2025 PIAA State Girls’ Wrestling Championships in the 155-lb class, ending her debut season with an incredible 31–2 record.
🤼♂️ Rowan Holmes – A senior at Somerset Area School District High School, Rowan made history by winning the school’s first-ever PIAA State Wrestling Title, finishing the season with a near-perfect 44–1 record.
🤼♂️ Dominic Deputy – A junior at Chestnut Ridge, Dominic earned the 2024–2025 PIAA State Championship in the 121-lb class with a 4–2 victory.
Congratulations to Violette, Juliet, Rowan, Dominic, and all of the remarkable young wrestlers who competed this year! 💪🏅
Last week, I joined some tiny advocates as well as local early childhood educators and community leaders in Somerset County, for a press conference at @thelearninglamp Center for Children, to shine a light on the growing child care staffing crisis impacting families and our economy.
In Somerset County alone, 17 early childhood educator positions remain unfilled, leaving over 200 children without care. Statewide, 92% of providers are struggling to hire staff. This isn’t just a child care issue. It’s a workforce crisis. For every teacher we’re missing, our centers are missing even more students that could be filling those spots, which means parents can’t go to work.
I’m committed to working with my colleagues in Harrisburg to ensure families in Somerset County — and across Pennsylvania — get the support they need to best serve our working families.
