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| The Latest News from Your State Representative |
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A Budget That Invests in Our Future and a More Affordable Pennsylvania Today
One of the most important responsibilities I have as your state representative is voting on Pennsylvania's annual budget. Every dollar we spend should reflect the priorities of the people we serve while ensuring we remain fiscally responsible. The 2026-27 state budget was passed by the House of Representatives and has been signed into law by Gov. Josh Shapiro.
Although no budget is perfect, and I will always seek ways to keep spending in control I believe this year's plan makes meaningful investments in our future.
That is why I voted in favor of the 2026-27 state budget.
This $50.8 billion budget does not raise broad-based taxes or tap into the Rainy Day Fund. Through stronger-than-expected revenues, we were able to invest in the priorities that matter most while protecting taxpayers and preserving affordability.
The budget provides funding for our local schools, roads and bridges, career and technical education and public safety. It includes an additional $10 million for career and technical education to prepare students for high-demand careers and continues investments in the Rapid Bridge and Road Deployment Program to improve infrastructure across Pennsylvania.
As our economy continues to grow, we must also protect families from rising energy costs. I remain committed to ensuring large-scale data centers and other energy-intensive projects do not drive up utility bills for Pennsylvania households and small businesses. Economic growth should never come at the expense of affordability.
This budget also supported a long-overdue cost-of-living adjustments for retired municipal police officers and firefighters who put their lives on the line to keep our communities safe and pre-Act 9 retirees.
At the end of the day, my job is to make decisions that are in the best interest of our communities. This budget invests in education, workforce development, infrastructure and public safety while protecting taxpayers and maintaining Pennsylvania's current financial stability.
To view my comments from the House chamber, click below.
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Big Boy Brings History Roaring into Leetsdale
There is something special about seeing history come to life, and that is exactly what happened when Union Pacific Big Boy Steam Locomotive No. 4014 rolled into Leetsdale last Saturday.
I was proud to welcome the world's largest operating steam locomotive to my hometown as nearly 15,000 thousand rail enthusiasts, families and visitors lined the tracks throughout Quaker Valley to witness this incredible piece of American history.
Watching Big Boy 4014 make its way through Leetsdale was an unforgettable sight, but what stood out even more was seeing families and visitors lining the tracks to get a glimpse of the train. It was a day that showcased our community spirit while celebrating a remarkable piece of living history that continues to inspire people of all ages.
Originally built during World War II to haul heavy freight over the rugged Wasatch Mountains, Big Boy 4014 is one of only eight surviving locomotives of its kind and the only one still operating today. Its visit to Leetsdale gave our community the rare opportunity to experience this engineering marvel up close.
I was also honored to present House of Representatives citations to Leetsdale Mayor Sandra Ford to recognize the history of the railroad in our community and to Union Pacific Chief Engineer Ed Dickens in recognition of this historic visit.
Hopefully, the visit of this engineering marvel will inspire the next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs! Read my remarks here.
I talked with people who came to see Union Pacific Big Boy. Watch the interviews to hear why this historic locomotive means so much to them.
Thank you to everyone who came out to welcome Big Boy 4014. It was wonderful to see so many people come together to celebrate our shared history and create memories that will last for years to come.
I also captured the sights and sounds of this entire historic event. Please watch the video.
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Pennsylvania Showcases Leadership in Defense Innovation
This week, I had the opportunity to meet with several constituents who participated in U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick's 2026 Pennsylvania Defense and Innovation Summit, an event that highlighted Pennsylvania’s growing role in strengthening our nation’s defense through technology, innovation and collaboration.
The summit brought together leading technology companies, emerging startups and critical suppliers that are helping develop the next generation of defense and security capabilities. It was also encouraging to see strong bipartisan participation, with Gov. Josh Shapiro, Deputy Secretary Jen Gilburg of the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, and other state leaders joining the conversation about supporting innovation and economic growth across the Commonwealth.
I was especially proud to see local companies represented, including KTA-Tator Inc. of Imperial, a recognized leader in protective coatings, corrosion control and materials engineering. Organizations such as Team Pennsylvania, the Pittsburgh Technology Council, the Keystone Space Collaborative, state Rep. Barb Gleim, Hivers and Strivers, and The PenFed Foundation for Military Heroes also participated, demonstrating the broad partnerships that are helping position Pennsylvania as a leader in defense innovation.
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A Visit to Pittsburgh Botanic Garden
Recently, I had the opportunity to visit Pittsburgh Botanic Garden in Findlay Township and meet with Executive Director Abigayle Tobia to learn more about the garden's continued growth and its vision for the future.
Spanning 460 acres, Pittsburgh Botanic Garden is one of the largest botanical gardens in the United States by area. The garden showcases plants native to the Allegheny Plateau while providing visitors with a beautiful place to explore, learn and connect with nature. Today, it welcomes more than 100,000 visitors each year, making it an important destination for both our region and our local economy.
As more people are choosing to spend time outdoors, we had a productive conversation about the garden's future needs and how we can help support its growth so it can continue welcoming families, students and visitors from across the region and beyond.
One of the highlights of the visit was experiencing Momentum, a stunning outdoor art exhibition by internationally acclaimed artist Patrick Shearn of Poetic Kinetics. The exhibit features colorful, large-scale sculptures suspended above the landscape that move gracefully with the wind, creating a unique experience that changes with every visit.
I also had the pleasure of meeting wood sculptor Fredy Huaman Mallqui, whose work has been exhibited internationally. Fredy will transform a remarkable 250 year old red oak that unfortunately had to be removed from the property into a one-of-a-kind sculpture, preserving the legacy of this magnificent tree for future generations to enjoy. What do you think should be sculpted into the tree? Let’s hear your suggestions.
Please watch the video as I talked to Fredy Huaman Mallqui about his project.
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Conversing with Constituents
Thank you to everyone who joined my telephone town hall on Monday. I appreciate everyone who took the time to participate and be part of the conversation.
During the event, we discussed a variety of important issues, including the state budget, data centers, affordable housing, senior care, property and inheritance taxes, and more. Hearing directly from residents helps me better understand the issues that matter most to our communities.
If you have additional questions, concerns or ideas, or if you missed the telephone town hall altogether, please know you can always call my office. We are happy to answer your questions, provide updates or help in any way we can. I can be reached at 412-262-3780, or you can stop by my office at 1005 Beaver Grade Road, Suite 106, in Moon Township. My team and I are always happy to assist you.
Thank you again for participating. I look forward to continuing these important conversations in the months ahead.
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More Events Coming Your Way! Join Me!
Human trafficking can happen in any community, and awareness is one of our strongest tools in preventing it. Join me for this important educational event to learn how to recognize the warning signs, protect vulnerable individuals and help make our communities safer.
I am inviting parents, caregivers and community members to join me for a conversation about daycare policies, procedures and safety practices. We will have an open discussion about what's working, what needs improvement and how we can better support families.
Protect yourself from identity theft by safely disposing of documents containing sensitive personal information. Join me and our partners from Edgeworth Borough for our free Community Shredding Event on Saturday, Oct. 3.
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Another Tool to Fight Human Trafficking
A bill aimed at helping the Pennsylvania attorney general and law enforcement more effectively target and prosecute human trafficking has been approved by the House and Senate and is awaiting the governor’s signature to become law.
Recognizing the proliferation of sex trafficking, Senate Bill 45 moves most of the state’s prostitution offenses to the human trafficking section of the state Crimes Code. It also enhances the penalties for several of those offenses and places them under the jurisdiction of the Office of Attorney General, giving it the ability to better combat prostitution and human trafficking across the Commonwealth.
The bill has been a top priority for the bipartisan, bicameral PA Anti-Human Trafficking Caucus, of which I am a member. The caucus aims to advance legislation to combat the crime and support victims, as well as educate elected officials and others about the signs of trafficking.
Human trafficking is one of the fastest growing crimes in the nation. If you or someone you know is being trafficked, call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.
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New Law Aims to Stop Benefits Fraud
Legislation aimed at reducing theft of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits is now law.
Under Act 21 of 2026, the Department of Human Services will upgrade the state’s Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards to include chip-enabled technology. Chip cards are encrypted and more difficult for fraudsters to copy or hack into than standard cards. Recent reporting showed there were more than 5,000 cases of card skimming in Pennsylvania in the past year.
SNAP benefits help many families keep food on their tables. The law is a necessary step to both protect taxpayer dollars and ensure public assistance benefits reach those who truly need them.
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PennDOT Seeking Workers for Winter Maintenance Program
While we are still feeling the summer heat, PennDOT is preparing for cooler temperatures by gearing up for its winter maintenance program.
Positions available may include CDL equipment operators, mechanics, dispatchers, tradesman helpers and semi-skilled laborers. The positions pay between $17.73 per hour to $28.94 per hour. The winter maintenance program runs from September through April.
Anyone wishing to apply should visit www.employment.pa.gov and go to the PennDOT Winter Maintenance Program posting.
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Enjoying the Great Outdoors!
July is Outdoors for All Month in Pennsylvania, and no matter where you live in the Commonwealth, there are plenty of opportunities to get out and enjoy it!
Pennsylvania is home to 125 state parks and millions of acres of forestland, as well as county and local parks that provide everything from active adventures to peaceful walking trails and picnic areas.
Find your favorite activities or a nearby park or forest by visiting the outdoor recreation section of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources website.
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