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In this Update:
Legislative Update
As I prepare to return to Harrisburg for the 2025-2026 session this Tuesday, I reflect on the successes of last session and look ahead to the priorities of next. One of my goals as your state senator is passing legislation that will enhance the safety of our community. Last session, I introduced a package of bills along with State Reps. Tomlinson, Marcell, Hogan, and Labs that focused on addressing the rising and evolving crime in our communities. We were able to get two of those bills passed; SB 527, now Act 41 of 2023, which cracks down on porch pirating and HB 2266, now Act 103 of 2024, which puts the brakes on street racing. My focus this session will be to pass the remaining bills in the crime package, which would be to put a stop to catalytic converter robberies, expand DNA Samples in the criminal justice system, keep our public transportation workers safe, and impose a new mandatory minimum sentence for previously convicted offenders found to be illegally in possession of a firearm. Last session I introduced several pieces of legislation to protect our taxpayers and I will continue this session to work to move the following bills. SB 671 – Sterling Act Reimbursement It received a Senate vote with bipartisan support (28-21) and is currently in the House Finance Committee. SB 156- Senior Citizen Property Tax Freeze You can follow me on Facebook for more legislative and community updates! Fostering Healthy Communities
To support families, we passed bills in the 2023-24 legislative session that foster healthy communities. Landmark legislation eliminated out-of-pocket costs for breast cancer screening and testing for women at high risk – the first bill of its kind in the nation. Pennsylvanians also have greater access to licensed addiction treatment programs because of a bill we passed. From babies who are just a few days old to people who have lived a long life, new laws help Pennsylvanians with the medical care they need. Struggling babies now have critical access to life-saving care provided by medically prescribed pasteurized human donor milk. Another new law prevents senior citizens using Pennsylvania’s prescription drug programs from losing their benefits due to a Social Security cost-of-living increase. Learn more about our efforts to improve health care, including tackling health care staffing shortages, improving patient care options and reducing administrative burdens for health care providers. Home Heating Assistance Takes the Chill Out
Residents struggling with their home heating bills may apply for assistance from the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) through April 4. LIHEAP is a federally funded program that helps individuals and families pay their heating bills through home heating energy assistance grants. It also provides crisis grants to help in the event of an emergency or if a resident is in danger of losing his or her heat due to broken equipment, lack of fuel or termination of utility service. The income eligibility guidelines for LIHEAP are $22,590 for an individual, $30,660 for a couple and $46,800 for a family of four. Find limits for other family sizes here. Residents may apply for LIHEAP online or by contacting their local county assistance office. Free Drug Overdose Prevention Supplies Available
Naloxone and drug-checking strips designed to detect xylazine and fentanyl are available at no cost through the Pennsylvania Overdose Prevention Program. The program’s goal is to improve community-based distribution and harm reduction efforts while focusing on individuals who face the greatest risk of experiencing overdose. Organizations can use an interactive map, which can be filtered by product, distribution methods and trainings offered. It will display contact information for getting supplies. If organizations aren’t able to get supplies using the map, they’re encouraged to use this form. PA Farm Show Runs Jan. 4-11
As a state where agriculture is one of the top industries, Pennsylvania is proud to host the largest indoor agricultural exposition under one roof in the nation. The Pennsylvania Farm Show runs from Jan. 4-11 in Harrisburg. The Farm Show features nearly 6,000 animals, competitive events and 250 commercial exhibits. There are also educational and entertaining events – and of course the famed Food Court. Admission is free, and parking is $15 per car. Agriculture in PA employs nearly half a million people and contributes $132.5 billion to the state’s economy annually.
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