State Rep. Mandy Steele, D-Allegheny, a leading proponent of restricting cell phone use in schools, today celebrated the signing of a bipartisan bill prohibiting cell phone use in Pennsylvania schools so students can learn and grow without harmful digital distractions. Read more

Read my email update from October 23, 2026 Read more

HARRISBURG, Oct. 23 – The Pennsylvania House on Wednesday unanimously adopted state Rep. Rob Matzie's H.R. 539, designating October 2026 as "Agent Orange Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania. Matzie, who is chairman of the House majority caucus, said he introduced the resolution to raise awareness about the devastating impact of Agent Orange exposure and its continuing effects on some Pennsylvania veterans and their families. "While thousands of our troops were fighting in Vietnam, nearly 20 million gallons of Agent Orange and other herbicides were being sprayed to clear trees and other foliage that provided enemy cover,” Matzie said. “Exposure to Agent Orange was later linked to severe health problems, including heart disease, nervous system disorders like Parkinson's disease, birth defects like spina bifida, and various cancers including prostate, blood, bladder, respiratory and other cancers. Because the effects of exposure can take years to show up, many veterans are still discovering and being diagnosed with these conditions. "I introduced this resolution to make sure we remember and honor the sacrifice of those who died as a result of their exposure to this deadly chemical and those who continue to live with the consequences decades after they've served." Matzie said that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs recognizes certain conditions as "presumptive" Read more

HARRISBURG, Oct. 21 – The Pennsylvania Senate today passed state Rep. Abigail Salisbury’s bill to restore newborn testing for Gaucher disease – an inherited genetic disorder that can cause wide-ranging damage in affected children and adults. Salisbury said her H.B. 1652 would give parents the timely information they need for early medical intervention that can alleviate symptoms. “Until recently, Pennsylvania newborns were screened for Gaucher disease, along with a wide array of other diseases, but the condition was dropped from the panel of screened diseases several years ago without good reason,” Salisbury said. “Other states, including neighboring New Jersey, still screen for Gaucher, and it can lead to arbitrary, unfair results for families. For example, a baby born in New Jersey can be diagnosed and taken to Philadelphia for expert treatment, while a baby born right here in the commonwealth would miss that chance for early intervention. “I’m thrilled to know that we’re one step closer to restoring this screening, so parents can have critical information they need as early as possible, and infants born with this condition can get the early treatment they need to give them a better outcome.” Gaucher disease is a genetic condition in which a person is missing an enzyme that breaks down lipids, or fatty compounds, in the body. The disease can cause devastating Read more

HARRISBURG, Oct. 22 – The Pennsylvania House on Wednesday adopted state Rep. Rob Matzie's H.R. 536, designating the week of Oct. 11-17, 2026, as “Credit Union Week” in Pennsylvania. Matzie, who is chairman of the House majority caucus, said he introduced the resolution to highlight the advantages credit unions can provide for consumers and how these nonprofit organizations differ from traditional banks. “Credit unions are owned and operated by their member account holders,” Matzie said. “They function as financial democracies, with each member having an equal vote, regardless of the size of their account. Because they are not obligated to turn a profit for shareholders, they can return surplus income to members in the form of lower fees and loan rates and higher savings dividends. “As member-owned organizations, they also tend to be community-focused, sponsoring local events and financial seminars and supporting members’ charitable work. For all of these reasons, they can be a good choice for consumers.” According to recent regulatory reports, there are nearly 270 credit unions headquartered in Pennsylvania, including 32 state-chartered credit unions and 236 federally chartered credit unions. State-chartered credit unions are regulated and supervised by the state Department of Banking and Securities, while federally chartered credit unions Read more

AMBRIDGE, Oct. 21 – Grant funding of nearly $620,000 from the state Department of Education will bolster literacy skills for elementary school students in the Central Valley and Freedom Area school districts, state Rep. Rob Matzie announced today. Matzie said the funding – which includes $415,405 to Central Valley School District for the Center Grange Primary and Todd Lane Elementary schools, and $204,160 to the Freedom Area School District for the Freedom Area Elementary School – will give students a stronger start in an essential core curriculum subject. “Few skills are more important to success in life than reading, but it takes a coordinated effort of planning, coaching and the right resources to help students master those skills,” said Matzie, who is chairman of the House majority caucus. “The new funding to Central Valley and Freedom Area school districts will provide the tools educators need to give students a strong foundation early on.” The funding comes from the Pennsylvania Structured Literacy Grant program, which provides funding to help school districts implement Pennsylvania's structured literacy legislation. Grants may be used for purchasing materials, obtaining screening assessments, developing plans and sustainable literacy systems, and strengthening districtwide collaboration. More information about the funding is available here: Read more

HARRISBURG, Oct. 21 – The Pennsylvania House today passed S.B. 1328 – companion legislation to state Rep. Rob Matzie’s bill that would mandate the availability of automated external defibrillators at utility and electrical linework job sites in Pennsylvania. Matzie, who is chairman of the House Majority Caucus, said he introduced his companion bill with state Rep. Jason Ortitay to address a major gap in the law and ensure that workers on some of the highest-risk job sites have access to lifesaving medical equipment. “When seconds count, AEDs save lives,” Matzie said. “Using them immediately on site after cardiac arrest dramatically increases survival compared to situations that rely on EMS arrival alone. It’s why we mandate these devices in schools, hotels, health clubs and coal mines. “But there is a critical gap in the law – there’s no similar requirement for AEDs to be available at utility and linework job sites, even though these are some of the most dangerous jobs around. We introduced this legislation in conjunction with the Senate bill passed today to address that gap and ensure that our workers have the protections they need when doing the essential work that keeps our lights on. I was glad to see the bill move forward and will push to ensure it gets to the governor’s desk.” “Line workers routinely work on energized electrical systems, at Read more

Legislation recognizing telecommunicators, expanding access to benefits heads to governor’s desk Read more

BEN AVON HEIGHTS, Oct. 21 – Through the Community Conservation Partnerships Program , Ben Avon Heights will receive $203,200 in grant funding, announced state Rep. Arvind Venkat, D-Allegheny, who represents the borough in the state House. The funding will serve for rehabilitation and development of Ben Avon Heights Park, including construction of pedestrian walkways and a parking area, the installation of play equipment, and landscaping and ADA access improvements on site. “These improvements will allow our neighbors in Ben Avon Heights to have better opportunities to enjoy nature,” Venkat said. “I look forward to seeing these developments completed, and I will continue to work with my bipartisan colleagues to advocate for state support of our community.” Venkat worked alongside state Sen. Devlin Robinson, R-Allegheny, to secure this funding. The grant came through the C2P2 program, which is administered by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and serves to build connections between Pennsylvanians and the outdoors by supporting recreational improvements, natural resource conservation, and community revitalization efforts. Read more