Recognizing Labor Day – and Office Closure
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This Labor Day, we recognize and honor the dedication and strength of the Labor movement in our country, especially in Pittsburgh. From safe working conditions to fair wages, unions and workers have fought and continue to fight for the rights in the workplace we cherish every day.
My office will be closed starting today, August 29th at noon through Monday, September 1st. Regular hours will resume on Tuesday, September 2nd.
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Fighting to Keep our Schools Funded
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Our public schools are the heart of our community. With the start of the school year, I wanted to let folks know about where we are on state funding for the Avonworth, Hampton, and North Allegheny school districts.
My commitment is to fight for funding for ALL of our public schools so that every child in our region and across Pennsylvania gets the public education they deserve.
You can hear my remarks on how I am fighting for public education funding by clicking the image above.
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We Cannot Wait on Transit Funding
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Monday saw the start of transit system cuts in Philadelphia, and cuts in our region are not far behind. This is a result of not recognizing how critical public transit is in communities all across our state. I will continue to make the hard decisions we need to sustain public transit for all Pennsylvanians.
You can hear my remarks on this important matter by clicking on the above image.
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Introducing Legislation to Protect Vaccine Access
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Vaccines are vital and lifesaving. As we see falsehoods from the federal government regarding their benefits and risk, we need to ensure that states make it easy and affordable to receive them.
That is why I introduced HB 1828 alongside Reps. Khan and Kosierowski yesterday. As healthcare professionals, we have seen how vaccines can save lives, and this legislation would require private insurance to cover recommended vaccines without additional patient costs upon recommendation from the PA Department of Health which could receive recommendations from professional medical societies.
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Going Out for a Taste of Greece
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It was great to take my team to the Taste of Greece Food Festival at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in McCandless! Hope everyone is able to stop by this event through Sunday for delicious food and celebration of Greek culture.
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Expanding Health Science Programs in our Community
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It was great to join fellow elected officials at Duquesne University to discuss their efforts to expand their health sciences programs and facilities to the benefit of our region and all of Pennsylvania.
As a physician-legislator, I continue to advocate for ways we can expand the health professionals workforce in our Commonwealth.
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105 Years of the 19th Amendment
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Tuesday marked the 105th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, expanding the right to vote to women.
We should both celebrate and recognize that in this time of great threat to our Constitutional rights, we must emulate those Americans who showed great courage in expanding the blessings of liberty for all of us by forcing us to live up to our American ideals.
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Free Home Repairs to Protect from Lead Exposure
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No level of lead exposure is safe, and lead paint can make you exposed every day when you are in your house.
Allegheny County has a program where qualified families with young children can have lead paint removed from their homes. More information can be found here.
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Sunday Hunting Dates Announced
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The Pennsylvania Game Commission has approved Sunday dates to hunt in state parks and state forests. Dates to hunt in state forests include:
- September 14, 21, and 28
- October 5, 12, 19, and 26
- November 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30
- December 7
Sunday hunting in state parks is limited to only three dates: November 16, 23, and 30.
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Study Abroad in Germany – or Host a German Exchange Student
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The Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange, which fosters connections between the United States and Germany by selecting outstanding young leaders to learn in each other’s nations, has opened their 2026-27 program for applications.
For American students who want to take part, details include:
- Fully funded academic year exchange to Germany
- Open to U.S. citizens ages 15 - 18½ on August 1 of the program departure year
- No prior German language experience required
- Participants live with a host family and attend a local school
- Application deadline: November 3, 2025
More information on how to apply or how to host a German exchange student, can be found here.
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Picnic Safety for Labor Day Weekend
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As we head into the final days of summer, this Labor Day weekend is a great time to have a picnic. If you have one, make sure to follow these food safety tips from the Red Cross.
No matter your weekend plans, whether you are going for a picnic or taking a well-deserved break at home, I wish you all a happy Labor Day weekend!
Please remember that my talented staff can help you with a variety of state-related matters, from filing for a Property Tax/Rent Rebate to obtaining a disability placard or senior bus pass – to name just a few. Contact us or stop by to see how we can help!
You can read my e-newsletter in a way that’s preferable to you by visiting my legislative website here and clicking on the accessibility icon?in the lower right corner.
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Pennsylvania State Capitol
101 B East Wing
PO Box 202030
Harrisburg, PA 17120
(717) 772-2363
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District Office
9800B McKnight Road, Suite 130
Pittsburgh, PA 15237
(412) 348-8028
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