I will be hosting a free community shred event where you can bring papers to clean out your home and protect your privacy by securely disposing of sensitive documents.

We will be at Ohio Township Community Park (325 Nicholson Road, Sewickley) on Saturday, September 27, from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m., or until the truck is full. Please bring no more than two boxes of paper per car. Boxes will be returned to your car after the paper has been shredded.

I have vigorously advocated for a solution to prevent significant Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) cuts that would eliminate or severely reduce service in Ben Avon, Emsworth, McCandless, and Hampton Township. Yesterday, PRT requested approval from PennDOT to use capital assistance funds for operational purposes, which would allow our local public transit to continue running.

If approved, this would redirect up to $106.7 million in capital funds to PRT operations, which would:

• Delay proposed service reductions for at least two years.
• Delay proposed fare increases for at least the next two years.
• Ensure that no safety-critical capital projects are affected.

Without this approval, PRT would have to cut 35% of fixed-route service, significantly reduce paratransit service, and raise fares by 9%.

This is not a permanent solution, but it does buy time without imposing devastating cuts across our region. I strongly urge PennDOT to approve this shift of capital funds.

Vaccines save lives, and it is crucial that Pennsylvanians have access to them. That is why I am partnering with colleagues to ensure that residents can continue going to the pharmacy to receive their vaccines, confident that their insurance will cover them.

It was a pleasure to sit down with Face the State on CBS 21 to discuss this important legislation. You can watch our discussion in the video above.

PennDOT has announced that the implementation of a new traffic configuration from northbound I-579 to northbound I-279 (Parkway North) in Pittsburgh will begin today.

The new traffic configuration is expected to be fully implemented by noon on Sunday, September 14. Motorists can expect the following changes:

• Northbound I-579 traffic will be shifted into the northbound I-579 HOV lanes on the Veterans Bridge.
• Northbound traffic in the I-579 HOV lanes will continue into the I-279 HOV lanes.
• Northbound traffic can exit at McKnight Road or continue to the terminus of the HOV lanes onto mainline I-279 north of the Perrysville Road exit.
• Two 11-foot lanes will be maintained in this new configuration.

Additional traffic restrictions include:

• Northbound I-579/I-279 HOV traffic will not have access to the Hazlett Street (Exit 3), Evergreen Road (Exit 4), or Perrysville Avenue (Exit 5) off-ramps.
• The northbound I-579 ramp to northbound Route 28 will be closed to traffic.
• Access to the I-279 HOV lanes in the southbound direction will be prohibited.
• Southbound I-279 and southbound I-579 will remain in their current configuration.

For more information on posted detours, please visit PennDOT’s website here.

Twenty-seven students from the North Allegheny School District were named semifinalists for the 71st Annual National Merit Scholarship Program. They are among 16,000 semifinalists from across the nation selected for their outstanding academic performance.

Congratulations to all of you on your hard work and determination! You can read more about these students and their accomplishments here.

As a physician-legislator, I have a front-line view of how our healthcare system needs to improve—insights I bring with me to Harrisburg.

I had the opportunity to sit down with the American Journal of Healthcare Strategy to discuss my journey from the ER to the Capitol, how I am fighting to make healthcare more accessible and affordable, and how my fellow clinicians can join the effort to improve healthcare. You can watch our conversation above and read about it here.

I had the opportunity to join my colleagues on the House Democratic Policy Committee for two events focused on the development of our local economy. First, we heard testimony from unions, energy companies, utilities, and members of the agricultural community regarding the construction of artificial intelligence data centers. This represents an important economic development opportunity, but we must ensure it is carried out both diligently and prudently to avoid increased energy costs for consumers.

Then we met at the Pittsburgh Regional Airport to discuss how the airport is combining innovation and economic development in a way that could serve as a model for investment in our region. I am proud to explore new opportunities for growth that allow more businesses to thrive in Western Pennsylvania.

Our EMS heroes save lives every day, often facing significant danger themselves. It was an honor to attend and speak at the 15th Annual Pennsylvania EMS Memorial Service, recognizing the first responders who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

The arts ennoble our community and are a major economic driver for our region. Veena and I were grateful for the opportunity to join the leaders and supporters of the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust at their gala, which recognized the importance of the arts in Western Pennsylvania.

It was wonderful to join County Treasurer Erica Brusselars and County Controller Corey O’Connor at the 12th Annual Pittsburgh Indian Community and Friends 5K at North Park in McCandless. Each year, this event raises funds for important causes in the region, with this year’s proceeds supporting the Homeless Children’s Education Fund.

Thank you to the Indian American community for hosting a great event and for all that you do to support those in need in our region.

PennDOT has announced this year’s Innovations Challenge, which encourages high school students to use their problem-solving, creative, and strategic-thinking skills to tackle real-world transportation challenges in a competition among their peers.

Students are asked to develop a concept for how artificial intelligence can be used to dramatically improve safety for work crews and road users, while also considering cost-benefit information, statewide deployment implications, and public outreach.

Regional winners will be selected and invited to present their findings to PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll and a panel of judges, who will determine the statewide winner. Students in grades 9–12 are eligible to enter, and the submission deadline is January 30, 2026. More details can be found here.

Please remember that my talented staff can assist 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 most convenient for you by visiting my legislative website here and clicking on the accessibility icon in the lower right corner.

Pennsylvania State Capitol

101 B East Wing

PO Box 202030

Harrisburg, PA 17120

(717) 772-2363

District Office

9800B McKnight Road, Suite 130
Pittsburgh, PA 15237

(412) 348-8028