It was a busy week in Harrisburg, as we had a return to session, many committee meetings, and advocacy for legislation I’m pushing to get done as we head toward the end of 2026.

In a Transportation Committee meeting this week, we took testimony about Automated License Plate Readers. While these are important tools for law enforcement and for billing purposes, there was broad agreement that guardrails are needed to prevent abuse of the systems. Testimony was also taken about the potential abuses of these surveillance devices, such as stalking, monitoring political and religious activities, and reproductive stalking. Drafting legislation is ongoing, but we'll need to take all these things into account moving forward.

We passed numerous bills of note this week, including semi primaries legislation allowing Independent voters to have a say in primaries, the regulation of AI companionship apps for minors and guardrails on AI use in the healthcare industry, and insurance coverage for fertility preservation during a cancer diagnosis. Hopefully, the Senate will take up these important pieces of legislation and move them forward to the Governor’s desk before session ends this year.

I hope you have a great weekend, and I look forward to updating you next week on my continued work in Harrisburg.

Sincerely,

It was great to join my colleagues on Tuesday to rally around the ‘No Time for a Pause’ package of menopause-related legislation.

The package includes legislation on topics like menopause education, insurance coverage, workplace protections and Medicaid coverage; reporting seven bills out of committee on Tuesday. We also passed House Resolution 287 this week, directing the Joint State Government Commission to conduct a study and issue a report on workplace policies related to perimenopause and menopause offered by public and private employers.

It's important to recognize the significant impact that menopause can have on women, and it is often a topic swept under the rug. I'll continue to advocate for more research and resources to provide better care, education, and treatment for those experiencing menopausal symptoms and related health risks.

On Monday, the House passed House Bill 2006, which would require AI companion platforms to clearly tell users they're interacting with AI and establish safeguards against conversations that encourage self-harm or violence. As children begin to interact with technology, they should know exactly who or what they are talking to. I was proud to vote to keep our most vulnerable internet users safe from explicit content and harmful AI influence.

The House also passed House Bill 280 this week, which would create a system where unaffiliated voters can participate in Democratic or Republican primary elections. I co-sponsored this reform because it would strengthen civic engagement across the commonwealth, bringing more than 1.5 million Pennsylvanians into the election process earlier than ever. It's also a way to create representation for taxpayers that currently pay for primaries without receiving a vote. It's time that Pennsylvania joined much of the country in using this system for primaries.

I was part of a unanimous vote this week for House Resolution 611, designating the month of September 2026 as Firefighter Appreciation Month in Pennsylvania. I’d like to encourage everyone to recognize and thank their local firefighters for their service, and to participate in local events that honor these heroes and promote local safety.

Thank you to the Society Hill Civic Association and all my constituents that came out for my first Fall Shredding & E-Recycling event. It may have been cold, windy, and very rainy, but I still had many people stop by and dispose of their unwanted appliances, electronic devices, and old documents. The E-Recycling truck was almost full!

The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency has released its 2027-28 PA Student Aid Guide that high school students and their families can pick up for free. This guide is a comprehensive financial aid publication, providing in-depth information on the federal student aid process and details on Pennsylvania’s aid programs. Both English and Spanish versions are available on the PHEAA website!

It was disheartening to see the Academy of Natural Sciences close this past weekend, just shy of its 200th anniversary. I spent many weekends with my children searching for dinosaur skeletons and looking at all the natural history dioramas. The Outside In Zone brought science to life with live animals and an interactive space to explore the forest and seashore.

Institutions like the Academy engage children, promote scientific literacy, nurture curiosity, and expand critical thinking skills. The closing of this treasured museum that captured the hearts and imaginations of Philadelphians through science is a profound loss for the community, the city, and the region.

My next Shredding & E-Recycling events will be held on Saturday, October 17th from 10 a.m.–12 p.m. at 343 Fairmount Ave., and on Saturday, October 31st from 10 a.m.–1 p.m. at the Mummers Museum, 1100 S. 2nd St. These are great opportunities to safely dispose of personal and sensitive documents.

My fall Senior Fair is scheduled for Friday, October 23rd from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Holy Name Church, bringing resources to seniors and caregivers like information on healthcare, volunteer opportunities, prescription drug plans, preventing identity theft and more.

Wills Eye Hospital will host Give Kids Sight Day on Saturday, October 3, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Vision screenings and glasses are available for children ages 6-17; no insurance is required. You can reserve your spot by scanning the QR code above, visiting the Wills Eye website or by calling 215-928-3240.

The Northern Liberties Neighbors Association will host its volunteer-run compost drop-off on Saturday, October 3rd from 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. at Liberty Lands, 913 North 3rd Street. The compost program accepts raw fruits & vegetables, tea bags, coffee grounds, eggshells and more. Visit the NLNA website for more acceptable items and information.

The 31st annual Chinatown Mid-Autumn Festival has been rescheduled to Saturday, October 3rd, from 12 – 7 p.m. after last weekend’s weather delay. This family-friendly event will have activities like lion dances, martial arts displays, Chinese opera, carnival games and the mooncake eating contest!

On Saturday, October 3rd from 1-4 p.m. at Headhouse Plaza, the Philadelphia Parallel Parking Association and the South Street Headhouse District will host a battle to find out the best parallel parker in Philly! A total of 20 contestants will take part in three events to determine the winner. Visit the event website for more information.

Mother Bethel will host a special street renaming of Bishop Richard Allen Way on Wednesday, October 7th, starting at 9 a.m. at the Historic St. George’s United Methodist Church, 235 North 4th Street before a walk to Mother Bethel AME Church, 419 South 6th Street at 10 a.m. The ceremony and celebration will take place at 11 a.m.

The Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation’s YeShi Chinatown Night Market returns at Race & 10th Street on Thursday, October 8th from 6 – 10 p.m. Come out for a night filled with delicious food trucks, local eats, live performances, art and craft stations and much more.

District Office

610 North Second Street

Philadelphia, PA 19123
(215) 503-3245

Pennsylvania State Capitol
300 Main Capitol Building

P.O. Box 202175

Harrisburg, PA 17120
(717) 783-8098