You are invited to join my Earth Day event on April 22 from 4:30 p.m. – 6 p.m. at my district office (Goodwill Parking Lot) in Cheswick. My team and I will be providing information on recycling at this event. We will also have a limited number of sapling trees, wildflower seed packets, and reusable tote bags for attendees.

We will also be recycling glass starting April 19 through April 24 for all colors of glass bottles, jars and jugs. Please empty all containers before recycling. This bin is a self-serve drop off, so that you can take advantage of this program as it best fits your schedule.

I am hosting a Shred Event on May 3 where your paperwork with personal and/or financial information will be safely and securely shredded on site. Please join us for this event at my Cheswick District Office from 10:30 a.m. – noon.

Celebrate summertime recreation on the Allegheny River with me and my office staff! On Sunday, June 1 from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. we will host a RiverTrail Rec Day at Allegheny RiverTrail Park.

It was an honor to join Acmetonia Elementary School for this year’s Ecostudent Challenge fundraiser. Each student had sponsors who committed to giving a donation for each challenge question they answered correctly. In the four years they have been doing this challenge, students have raised over $35,000! It’s incredible to see kids engaged in learning about ecosystems and the environment. Wonderful job to these students, those who supported them, and to Ms. Newill for leading this each year.

I am happy to announce that the Highland Hose Volunteer Fire Company was awarded a grant this week that will help them secure critically needed turnout gear. I’m proud to support our brave volunteers and am glad to ensure that they have the gear that they need. I will keep working to drive money home to all the fire companies within our District. Firefighters are one of the great pillars of true community service.

I also had a great conversation with Chief Beer and his team at Harrison Hills Fire Company.

Working with our volunteer fire departments has been one of the most impactful parts of my job as your state representative. Hearing their concerns and working to support them is important to me in this position. Chief Beer and the firefighters from Harrison Hills have such a wonderful outlook considering the challenges our volunteer fire departments are facing. It was a great visit, and I look forward to continuing to work with them.

If you’re interested in becoming a volunteer firefighter, please reach out to your local fire department to see how you can get involved!

I had the opportunity to tour a Westinghouse nuclear facility recently and learned about the exciting new micro nuclear technology they’re developing. As a member of the Nuclear Caucus and vice chair of the PA House Energy Committee, I’m proud to support these developments—from Pittsburgh to Harrisburg.

The incredible breakthroughs that are happening in nuclear energy technology right now are occurring out of Pittsburgh. We are the city that is a hub for technology and manufacturing that will make the world cleaner, safer, and more affordable.

A Policy Committee hearing was held this week on the impact of life sciences – including research and innovation -- throughout the Commonwealth.

It was important to hear what can be done in Pennsylvania to develop skilled workers for manufacturing and hospitals in the region and increase investments and job growth to stay competitive in this critical sector.

Thank you to all who joined the hearing and for bringing thoughtful testimonies and questions for my colleagues.

Last week we passed a bill to add 911 telecommunicators to the legal definition of “emergency responder”. This bill ensures that these dedicated professionals are properly identified and can access certain wellness and stress management programs.

911 staff are a crucial link in the emergency response framework who collect and relay vital information. They keep all of us safe in emergencies. The bill now heads to the Senate for consideration.

In addition to this bill, I supported other bills to help our neighbors and improve our communities:

• Extending federal OSHA protections to public sector workers in Pennsylvania (HB 308).
• Updating Workers’ Compensation Act to ensure that workers who are seriously or permanently disfigured are eligible for workers’ compensation (HB 183).
• Requiring that childcare facilities be equipped with carbon monoxide alarms (HB 156).
• Banning remote stalking - the unauthorized tracking of victims using AirTags and similar devices (HB 407).

A federal executive order was recently signed, designed to reignite the use of coal. While coal was once important for our state, PA has its own path to follow and will continue to pursue new energy opportunities that will create jobs and save energy costs for Pennsylvanians.

With May being National Distracted Driving Month, it’s a good a time as any to remind folks about the dangerous practice of using a hand-held cell phone while driving. According to PennDOT, 11,262 crashes occurred in 2023 involving a distracted driver, resulting in nearly 6,700 injuries and 65 fatalities.

Beginning in June, the use of hand-held devices while driving will be prohibited under a law the governor signed last year. Law enforcement will begin warning drivers who violate this law, with citations issued starting in 2026.

Stay safe and stay off your devices while driving!

Each month I host a dedicated Veteran Service Officer in my Cheswick office on the second Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. The Veteran Service Officer can help with pension claims, enrollment in the VA Health Care System, State benefits, and much more. To schedule an appointment, call (724) 826-5151.

Pennsylvania State Capitol

111 B East Wing
Harrisburg, PA 17120

(717) 705-7141

District Office

1296 Pittsburgh Street

Cheswick, PA 15024

(724) 826-5151