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| The Latest News from Your State Representative |
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Protecting Our Communities Must Come First
Public safety and justice for victims must always come before politics. As Pennsylvania works to establish a new constitutional sentencing framework for second-degree murder, we cannot lose sight of protecting our communities, holding violent offenders accountable and ensuring victims’ families have a strong voice in the process.
I will be hosting a public hearing on House Bill 1042, bipartisan legislation that could have resolved the constitutional issues and preserved public safety until it was watered down amended by House Democrat leaders which caused the legislation to not meet a court determined deadline of July 24. Specifically, the amended bill creates a new sentencing framework that would expand parole eligibility for some individuals convicted of second-degree murder after serving a minimum term.
Any new sentencing law must meet constitutional requirements without weakening accountability or placing our communities at unnecessary risk. Families who have already endured unimaginable loss deserve confidence that violent offenders will face appropriate consequences and their voices will not be overlooked.
The hearing will examine how Pennsylvania can establish a constitutional sentencing framework that protects the public, respects victims’ rights and includes strong safeguards before any offender is considered for parole. We will hear testimony on sentencing standards, parole eligibility and the protections needed to keep dangerous criminals from returning to our neighborhoods.
I hope you will join us on Thursday, Aug. 20, at 1 p.m., at the Allegheny County Emergency Services Building, 150 Hookstown Grade Road, Moon Township, as we discuss this important issue and work toward policies that put the safety of Pennsylvanians first. Invited speakers include PA Attorney General Dave Sunday, Pennsylvania FOP, PA State Troopers Association, victim advocates and others.
I encourage everyone who cares about public safety and justice to attend.
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Giving Glenfield Residents a Voice
Recently, I received a letter from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers regarding the proposed commercial barge fleeting area near Neville Island.
After hearing concerns from Glenfield residents, Glenfield Borough Council and Council President Paul Carmody, I requested a public hearing so our community has an opportunity to be heard. Residents have raised concerns about the potential impact on noise, traffic, recreation, property values and the overall quality of life in the community.
I share the Army Corps’ response and what comes next.
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Continuing the Fight Against Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson’s disease is a life-changing disease that affects not only those living with it, but also the families and loved ones who stand beside them every day. For me, this issue is very personal. I spent more than 15 years standing by my mother’s side as she courageously battled Parkinson’s, witnessing firsthand the challenges this disease brought to her life for more than two decades.
Recently, I had the privilege of joining Margaret Preston, president of Power Over Parkinson’s, and Dr. George Ackerman, founder of TogetherForSharon®, on The Parkinson’s Policy Podcast to discuss Parkinson’s disease, the importance of awareness, and the work being done in Pennsylvania to support individuals and families affected by this devastating condition.
During our conversation, we reflected on the passage of House Resolution 432 in 2024, which recognized April 2024 as Parkinson’s Disease Awareness Month in Pennsylvania. We also discussed ongoing efforts to reduce exposure to environmental toxins, including polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), paraquat and certain synthetic food dyes that have been associated with health risks and continue to be studied for their potential impact on neurological health.
While there is still much work to do, I remain committed to advancing policies that raise awareness, protect public health, support research, and bring hope to the thousands of Pennsylvanians and their families living with Parkinson’s disease.
Please watch the podcast.
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National Night Out Celebration
There is something special about an evening when people of all ages come together to celebrate with the people who work every day to keep us safe. National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships, neighborhood camaraderie and safer neighborhoods
A big thank you to the Sewickley Borough Police Department and the Borough of Sewickley for hosting this event and for your continued dedication to the community.
I had the opportunity to visit with residents and talk to our first responders. I always appreciate catching up with familiar faces and having the chance to meet new people from across the district.
One of the best parts of National Night Out is seeing our community come together in support of the men and women who serve and protect us every day.
Thank you to everyone who helped organize, volunteer and participate in this year’s celebration.
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A Summer Filled with Stories, Learning
Last weekend, I had the pleasure of joining families at the Moon Township Public Library’s Summer Reading Celebration.
The event marked the successful conclusion of a summer filled with learning and a love of reading. More than 300 people came together to celebrate the children who participated in the summer reading program, visiting nearly 20 community partners while completing a scavenger hunt and passport activity for prizes.
A special thank you to the Moon Township Public Library for hosting such an outstanding event and to all the volunteers and families who helped make it a memorable day for our children.
It was inspiring to see so many children excited about books, learning and community involvement.
I had the chance to talk to Moon Township Public Library Director Heather Panella about the event. Please watch the interview.
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Nonprofit Security Grant Fund Program Accepting Applications
The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) is seeking applicants for $10 million in funding to support security enhancement projects for nonprofit organizations serving diverse communities throughout the Commonwealth.
The Nonprofit Security Grant Fund Program was part of Act 83 of 2019, which directs PCCD to administer grants to nonprofit organizations that primarily serve individuals, groups or institutions that are included within a bias motivation category for single bias hate crime incidents as identified by the FBI’s Hate Crime Statistics publication. Applicants are eligible for security enhancements designed to protect the safety and security of the users of a facility located in the Commonwealth that is owned or operated by the nonprofit organization.
More information about the program is available on PCCD’s website. The deadline to apply is Thursday, Sept. 10.
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LIHEAP to Provide Supplemental Payments
The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) is issuing a $100 supplemental payment to households that received Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funds in the 2025-26 season and have at least one family member who is a child 6 years old or younger, is age 60 or older or has a disability.
Supplemental payments are being distributed directly to a household’s utility company or home heating fuel provider. Eligible households will receive the benefit automatically and do not need to apply.
LIHEAP is a federally funded program administered by PA DHS. It provides assistance toward a household's heating bill for renters and homeowners. If the household’s supplemental payment is issued to an electric vendor, it could be applied to cooling costs.
More information is available here.
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A Last Hurrah for Summer!
With students soon set to return to the classroom, many families are looking to squeeze in one more vacation, long weekend or day trip. Fortunately, Pennsylvania has a lot of fun options close to home or within a few hours’ drive!
Check out the Visitpa.com website for an array of travel ideas, from outdoor adventures and historic sites to arts and culture destinations, amusement attractions and other must-visit places, Pennsylvania has something for everyone and every budget.
Click here to start planning!
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Call Before You Dig
Aug. 11 marks National 811 Day – a day dedicated to reminding residents, contractors and utility workers of the importance of calling 8-1-1 before digging to help ensure the safety of excavation projects across the state.
Every time an underground utility line is hit, there is a risk to the contractors or homeowners who are doing the digging; to utility workers and emergency responders who are mobilized to deal with the damage; and to bystanders who live, work or travel near the locations of the incidents.
State law requires contractors and residents to contact PA One Call at least three business days prior to excavation – triggering alerts to all utilities within an intended digging area and prompting utilities to mark where their facilities are located. Pennsylvanians can dial 8-1-1 to connect with the One Call system, while out-of-state residents or businesses can call 1-800-242-1776.
Learn more at www.PA1call.com.
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