This week, the House adopted my HR 254 that would require the Joint State Government Commission to study the efficacy of burying electric and other utility lines in Pennsylvania. Following the April storms in Allegheny County, the time for this study is now. I will continue to fight to protect our communities against severe weather events.

This week I was joined in the House chamber with my office interns and Sharpsburg Council Member Roman Mason. Thank you for joining us in the Capitol!

This week, my House colleagues and I passed important bills that will help our neighbors and improve our communities:

We’re protecting your health by restoring dental coverage within the Medical Assistance program (HB 583), ensuring day care facilities can obtain prescriptions for and maintain a constant supply of EPI pens (HB 928) and ensuring that an insurance company cannot deny coverage for care that is received from a health care provider solely because it is provided in a school setting (HB 1445).

We’re protecting your wallet by banning “junk fees,” requiring the disclosure of all mandatory fees and charges included in the advertised and displayed price of any good or service (HB 1216); prohibiting taxes on overtime and taxes on tips and creating a Working Pennsylvanians tax credit, which would help nearly a million people who already claim the Federal Earned Income Tax Credit and give them up to $2,300 back (HB 1610).

We’re protecting children and teens from illicit vape products by requiring a public directory managed by the Office of Attorney General that lists all approved and certified electronic cigarette manufacturers and products and requiring manufacturers to submit certification forms that confirm their compliance with federal regulations to the Attorney General's Office prior to selling e-cigarettes (HB 1425).

We’re addressing the child care worker and teacher shortages crisis by helping those who wish to return to education complete continuing professional education requirements (HB 1403), increasing the length of time that future teachers and Career and Technical Education (CTE) educators can utilize an intern certification from three years to five years (HB 1404) and providing recruitment and retention bonuses for licensed child care providers participating in the Child Care Works program (HB 506).

We’re protecting communities and ensuring fair housing access by establishing procedures to limit access to eviction records in certain cases, such as no-fault evictions (HB 1095) and giving communities more input on liquor license decisions (HB 559).

We’re supporting and leveling the playing field for local businesses by requiring multi-state corporations to use?combined reporting?to determine their tax responsibilities beginning with tax year 2026 (HB 1610).

To watch our House Sessions live, visit: www.pahouse.com/live.

This week I joined the House Consumer Protection Committee for a public hearing on HB 505, which will implement ways to reduce the amount of power consumed, with such energy-efficient measures as solar, battery storage, and heat pumps. This bill will support low-income households across the Commonwealth and save families money on their energy bill.

We have updated our Veterans Services hours to be on the third Wednesday and Thursday of every month. These services will be available by appointment only, you can call (724) 826-5151 to schedule an appointment. Our Veteran Service Officer can help with various assistance services, such as: compensation and pension claims, education benefits, and other state benefits.

Pennsylvania State Capitol

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Harrisburg, PA 17120

(717) 705-7141

District Office

1296 Pittsburgh Street

Cheswick, PA 15024

(724) 826-5151