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| The Latest News from Your State Representative |
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A Budget with Some Bright Spots, But Serious Spending Concerns
This week, Gov. Josh Shapiro delivered his budget address before the General Assembly, proposing a $53.26 billion budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year, a 5.4% increase over the current year.
As a legislator and a taxpayer, I take the budget process seriously. What the governor presented is only a starting point. The House and Senate now have the responsibility to dig into the details and make improvements. Just like at home, there is a real difference between what we want and what we can realistically afford, and government should live by the same rule.
One area where the governor and I agree is limiting the use of phones in schools. I am proud to be a co-prime sponsor of House Bill 1238, which would give schools the authority to limit cell phone use during the school day. This is about keeping students focused and giving teachers the classroom environment they need to teach without constant distractions.
However, the overall budget proposal raises serious concerns. Spending continues to grow, and families deserve honesty about what that means for their wallets. Relying on revenue from gambling and marijuana is not a responsible long-term strategy, and it is not healthy for the people of Pennsylvania. The plan also depends on unrealistic growth assumptions and pulls billions from the Rainy Day Fund to support ongoing expenses. That is simply not sustainable.
There are parts of the proposal I support. Increased funding for career and technical education, police, basic and special education, the Earned Income Tax Credit and energy initiatives all matter. With energy costs already straining family budgets, affordability must remain a priority, and I am glad that issue was acknowledged.
Last year, I voted for the budget with the understanding that spending would be brought under control. That promise has not been kept. I have continued to look for real solutions, including my improper payment legislation, which I believe should be implemented. Unfortunately, the governor’s proposal moves us further away from fiscal responsibility, not closer to it.
I will continue to fight for responsible mass transit funding because public transportation is essential to our communities and workforce. But we must fund it sustainably, so we do not put the state on a risky financial path.
I am ready to work with my colleagues and the governor to deliver a budget that protects taxpayers, strengthens our economy and benefits all Pennsylvanians. As it stands today, however, this budget spends far more than our economy can support, and I cannot support it in its current form.
For more information on the 2026-27 state budget, go to www.PABudget.com.
To view my comments following the governor’s budget address, click below.
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Fighting Toxic Chemicals, Cleaning Up Our Food Supply
I’m proud of my colleague, Rep. Natalie Mihalek, for introducing House Bill 1135, legislation that would prohibit the use of paraquat, a highly toxic herbicide, here in Pennsylvania.
During the press conference at the Capitol, I talked about the personal pain of watching a loved one suffer. My mother battled Parkinson’s disease for decades, and studies show people who spray or work near paraquat face a higher risk of developing Parkinson’s. Protecting communities from harmful chemicals is not just policy; it’s personal.
Our food can be medicine, but it can also be poison. We like to think we can choose what we eat, but many toxic ingredients have quietly become part of our food supply over the years. Ultra-processed foods now make up nearly two-thirds of the standard American diet, and with that has come rising rates of obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, certain cancers and many chronic illnesses. Other countries are taking steps to protect their citizens, while the U.S. continues to pay trillions of dollars each year managing preventable diseases.
We cannot wait for change. That is why we are introducing a package of bills to clean up our food supply, protect public health and prevent needless suffering in our communities.
Please watch my remarks below.
Click here to watch the entire press conference.
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Celebrating Pennsylvania’s Role in America’s Story at the Farm Show
I had a great time at the Pennsylvania Farm Show learning more about how we are marking the nation’s 250th anniversary in an EPIC way. I had the opportunity to talk with Christian Cassidy Amstutz from America250PA about how the EPIC theme of Education, Preservation, Innovation, and Celebration is shaping this year’s semiquincentennial efforts.
As a commissioner on the state’s Semiquincentennial Commission, I was proud this year’s Farm Show theme was Growing a Nation. It reflects Pennsylvania’s central role in building our country and highlights how our history continues to influence where we are headed.
The interactive mobile unit in the Giant Expo Hall was a fantastic experience to share with fellow commissioner Rep. Anita Kulik and Rep. Jill Cooper. It also gave us the chance to have a meaningful conversation with Christian about the important work still ahead as we prepare for this historic milestone.
I hope you will take a moment to check out the video and learn more about how Pennsylvania is helping lead the celebration of America’s 250th anniversary.
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Honoring Legacy and Leadership
Recently, I had the opportunity to tour the U.S. Naval Academy (USNA) in Annapolis alongside a group of veteran-led entrepreneurs and their investors.
As we celebrate America250 PA, our nation’s 250th birthday, it is especially meaningful to recognize the founding of the USNA in 1825 by President John Quincy Adams. The USNA is a national treasure.
The Academy is also the final resting place of John Paul Jones, the “Father of the American Navy,” who is buried in a magnificent crypt beneath the iconic United States Naval Academy Chapel.
Today, the USNA enrolls about 4,500 undergraduates and accepts roughly 1,200 students each year into an elite curriculum focused on leadership, service and excellence.
Go Navy!
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Business and Legislative Leaders Come Together for Roundtable Discussion
Recently, I had the pleasure of participating in the Southwest Allegheny Business and Legislator Roundtable, hosted by Michael Baker International. It was a great opportunity to connect with local employers and community leaders for a discussion about our region’s economic future.
Thank you to John Robinson, office executive at Michael Baker International, for bringing everyone together. I also appreciated the collaboration with our chamber partners, including the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry, represented by Alex Halper; the Allegheny Conference on Community Development with Ben Bush; and the Pittsburgh Airport Area Chamber of Commerce, led by Chris Heck.
I was glad to join Sen. Devlin Robinson and Rep. Arvind Venkat for a productive conversation with business leaders from across the area. After our remarks, Alex Halper moderated a lively question-and-answer session that focused on reducing regulatory burdens, attracting and growing businesses in Allegheny County and Pittsburgh, and the critical economic role Pittsburgh International Airport plays in our region.
During the discussion, I shared updates on my legislative priorities. These included my bill to help small businesses access more affordable health coverage, legislation to right size the Pennsylvania General Assembly, and ongoing efforts to expand job creation and economic growth in our district.
Thank you to everyone who took part and helped make this roundtable both meaningful and productive. Conversations like these are essential as we work together to strengthen our local economy.
Please check out the video as we captured some of the sights and sounds of the event.
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Bingo Night for a Great Cause at Coraopolis Elks 1090
I had a fun and meaningful evening playing bingo with friends at the Coraopolis Elks Lodge 1090 while supporting the incredible work they do for our community. It was a great reminder that sometimes the simplest gatherings can have the biggest impact.
The Elks are deeply committed to giving back through charitable efforts that support students, veterans and neighbors in need. Their dedication to service truly makes a difference, and it was a pleasure to be part of an event that helps further that mission.
Thank you to Claudia Bender and Scott O’Donnell for helping make the night such a success, and to everyone at the Coraopolis Elks for their continued commitment to our community.
To learn more about the Elks and their programs, click here.
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Heating Assistance Program Available
If bitter cold temperatures have left you struggling with your home heating bills, help may be available through the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).
LIHEAP is a federally funded program that helps individuals and families pay their heating bills through home heating energy assistance grants. It also provides crisis grants to help in the event of an emergency or if a resident is in danger of losing his or her heat due to broken equipment, lack of fuel or termination of utility service.
To qualify for LIHEAP in Pennsylvania, you must meet income requirements, which are set based on your household size. For example, the maximum annual income for an individual is $23,475 and for a family of four it is $48,225. For each additional person, add $8,250 to the income limit.
Residents may apply for LIHEAP online at www.dhs.pa.gov/COMPASS, by phone at 1-866-857-7095 or by contacting the County Assistance Office at https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dhs/contact/cao-information.
Click here for additional information. The program runs through April 10.
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Students Invited to Enter Financial Literacy Scholarship Competition
Pennsylvania students in grades 9-12 are being invited to enter the 13th annual Student Financial Literacy Scholarship Competition.
Participants are encouraged to submit a short essay, poem or video that fits this year’s theme: “What Does Financial Literacy Mean to Me?” Student winners will be announced and publicly honored during Financial Literacy Month, which occurs every year in April. Competition prizes will be offered as follows:
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One First Place ($1,500) award for each grade level (9–12).
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One Honorable Mention ($500) award for each grade level (9–12).
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One Grand Prize ($2,500) for the best overall entry.
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Additionally, Harrisburg University will award a one-time, $1,000 scholarship to each student who submits a competition entry and then applies to and is accepted as a full-time student at the university. Harrisburg University hosts the competition in partnership with Pennsylvania Office of Auditor General and Members 1st Federal Credit Union.
The deadline for competition submissions is March 20. Students must submit their entry online here.
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Think Spring! Trout Stocking Schedule Available
The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) announced its 2026 trout stocking schedule is now available online and on the FishBoatPA mobile app.
The PFBC will stock approximately 3.2 million adult trout in 684 streams and 130 lakes open to public angling. Stocking is set to begin the week of Feb. 16 in advance of the statewide Mentored Youth Trout Day on Saturday, March 28, and the statewide opening day of trout season on Saturday, April 4.
The 2026 adult trout stocking schedule is searchable by county; lists the waterways in alphabetical order; and indicates stocking dates, meeting locations for volunteers and the species of trout that will be stocked at each location.
Click here for additional details about stocking and visit www.fishandboat.com for information about fishing licenses and permits.
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Pay Attention to Your Heart Health; Wear Red for Women Friday!
February is American Heart Month, a time when all people are encouraged to focus on their cardiovascular health. Currently, one out of every five deaths in the United States is due to heart disease.
To protect yourself, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention encourages people to choose healthy foods and drinks, keep a healthy weight, get regular physical activity and don’t smoke. People should also take charge of medical conditions that could increase their risk of heart disease, such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure or diabetes.
Learn more about heart disease and how to protect yourself here.
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