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In this Update:

• Remembering September 11, 2001
• Our Senior Expo is September 25
• New Fire and Emergency Services Co-Op Program for High School Seniors
• Clear the Shelters Event at Women’s Animal Center was a Success
• Senate Approves My Public Transportation Safety & Advertising Bill
• Protecting Animals from Painful Experiments
• School Bus Bill Improves Safety for Pennsylvania Children

Remembering September 11, 2001

Yesterday we paused to remember September 11, 2001 – attacks that changed our nation forever. We honor those nearly 3,000 lives lost and the families they left behind. We honor the courage of the first responders and the strength of the survivors. My hope is that we can come together as a nation as we did on the days that followed. For too long we’ve been divided – it’s time to find unity again.

Our Senior Expo is September 25

I am hosting a free Senior Expo on Thursday Sept 25 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Northampton Valley Country Club, located at 299 Richboro Rd. in Richboro. Our Senior Expo will feature exhibitors from state, federal, county, and local agencies offering information on various programs available to assist seniors.

There will also be flu and covid-19 vaccines, senior SEPTA key card processing station, and a prescription take-back on site. We hope to see you there!

Clear the Shelters Event at Women’s Animal Center was a Success

Women’s Animal Center in Bensalem had a successful day clearing the shelter this past Saturday as part of NBC’s Clear the Shelters adoption event. 40 of their shelter animals found their forever homes- including 27 cats, 10 dogs, 1 rabbit, 1 hamster, and 1 parakeet.

I was glad to stop by and see their success firsthand. I am pictured here with Women’s Animal Center, CEO, Cathy Malkemes and CEO and President of Inspire Federal Credit Union, Jim Merrill. Inspire generously contributed $10,000 as their event partner.

Senate Approves My Public Transportation Safety & Advertising Bill

The Senate has approved my legislation, Senate Bill 713 to modernize advertising on public transportation while enhancing safety.

The bill authorizes the use of digital display technology on transit vehicles to provide:

• A new revenue stream for agencies like SEPTA without raising fares or taxes
• The ability to broadcast urgent public safety messages (e.g., AMBER Alerts, severe weather)
• Location-specific content through geo-fencing technology

Safety is the top priority — operational signals like brake lights and turn indicators always override advertising displays.

This innovative technology is already in use in several states and will help support transit systems while keeping riders and communities informed.

The bill passed 28–22 and now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration.

Protecting Animals from Painful Experiments

The Senate unanimously approved legislation aimed at protecting dogs and cats from painful, taxpayer-funded experiments.

Senate Bill 381 also known as the Beagle Bill, would

• Prohibit Commonwealth funds from being used to conduct painful experiments on dogs and cats
• Require labs to offer animals for adoption for at least 30 days and does not require euthanasia.
• Protect whistleblowers who expose animal cruelty in labs.
• Allow state funding for noncompliant research projects to be suspended by legislative or executive action.
• Require animal testing facilities to prominently post a link to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal Care Public Search Tool.
• Prohibit the testing and sale of animal-tested cosmetics effective Jan. 1, 2027.
• Senate Bill 381 now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration.

School Bus Bill Improves Safety for Pennsylvania Children

Legislation to improve school bus safety and better protect children traveling to and from school was approved by the Senate.

Senate Bill 65 increases the required stopping distance from 10 feet to 15 feet for drivers approaching from the opposite direction when a school bus is stopped with its red lights flashing. It also raises penalties for violations, including higher fines and license suspensions for repeat offenders, and mandates additional driver education or examinations.

It also establishes penalties for drivers who fail to prepare to stop when a school bus activates its flashing amber lights, adding an important layer of accountability. During Operation Safe Stop in October 2024, law enforcement and bus drivers across 22 school districts reported 131 violations in a single day, underscoring the urgency of these reforms.

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