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| The Latest News from Your State Representative |
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Hearing Puts Second-Degree Murder Sentencing, Public Safety in the Spotlight
Pennsylvania needs to get second-degree murder sentencing right. And we need to act now! This is about victims, families and the safety of our communities.
That was the focus of a House Republican Policy Committee hearing I hosted titled “Protecting Pennsylvania: Accountability and Justice in Second-Degree Murder Sentencing.” The hearing gave lawmakers an opportunity to look closely at how Pennsylvania can create a clear and consistent sentencing framework that holds violent offenders accountable, protects the public and gives victims’ families a meaningful voice.
There is no time to delay. The hearing comes as Pennsylvania continues to address questions surrounding second-degree murder sentencing following a Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling. Every day this issue remains unresolved creates more uncertainty in our justice system.
The Senate has already acted by passing bipartisan legislation to establish a sentencing framework. But when the legislation came back to the House, House Democrats made changes that could allow some individuals convicted of second-degree murder to become eligible for parole after serving a minimal term.
That should concern every Pennsylvanian.
The testimony at the hearing made the stakes unmistakably clear. Prosecutors spoke about the urgent need for accountability and consistency. Victims’ families submitted written testimony that brought the devastating human consequences into focus. Their message was clear. Murderers must be held accountable, and our communities must remain safe.
Testifiers included Ronald M. Wabby Jr., deputy district attorney in Allegheny County’s Critical Case Review Unit, Appellate Division; Nicole Ziccarelli, Westmoreland County district attorney; and Robert Manzi Jr., Indiana County district attorney.
This is not a debate about sentencing language. It is about people and families who have suffered an unimaginable loss. They deserve a justice system that takes that loss seriously.
The Senate took a bipartisan approach to address this serious issue. House Democrats must do the same and make sure any final legislation protects the public, holds violent offenders accountable, and respects the voices of victims and their families.
Pennsylvania cannot afford to get this wrong. Public safety must come first.
Please watch my comments as I summarize the hearing and explain why Pennsylvania must get second-degree murder sentencing right.
Click here to watch the entire hearing, which includes more of my remarks and questions to the testifiers.
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Protecting Taxpayer Dollars
One of my priorities has always been making sure Pennsylvania is a good steward of taxpayer dollars.
Recently, I read an opinion in the Reading Eagle about welfare fraud and the importance of making sure assistance reaches the people who truly need it. I agree. We can support programs that help people, while also demanding accountability for how those programs are administered.
That is exactly the issue I addressed in 2021 when I introduced House Bill 104, the State Improper Payment Act. The House passed it overwhelmingly; however, the bill stalled in the Senate.
When I spoke on the House floor, I said, “House Bill 104 is all about transparency and accountability in government. It will incentivize our state agencies to more efficiently comply with federal law and to ensure the state is not in violation of requirements which can result in our state owing the federal government money.” I still believe that.
An improper payment can be an overpayment, an underpayment, a payment for an ineligible service or a payment to someone who was not eligible to receive it. My legislation would require state agencies to identify programs vulnerable to improper payments, measure the problem and take corrective action.
Taxpayers deserve to know where their money is going, and we should make every effort to recover money that is improperly paid.
I did not let the issue end when House Bill 104 stalled. I reintroduced the State Improper Payment Act as House Bill 971 in 2023 and again as House Bill 979 in 2025.
This should not be a partisan issue. We can make sure people who legitimately need assistance receive it while also making sure taxpayer dollars are protected.
Pennsylvania families work hard for their money. They deserve to know that their tax dollars are being spent carefully, responsibly and for their intended purpose.
That is what transparency and accountability in government should mean.
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Putting School Safety and Student Support First
I am pleased to announce three school districts in the 44th Legislative District will be receiving a combined $699,456 in School Safety and Mental Health Grants through the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency’s School Safety and Security Committee.
Keeping our students safe and supporting their mental health must always be a priority. These grants will give our local schools additional resources to strengthen physical security, address safety concerns, and provide behavioral health support for students and staff.
The funding will be distributed to:
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Moon Area School District: $276,692. |
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Quaker Valley School District: $175,545. |
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West Allegheny School District: $247,219. |
Our schools face a variety of challenges and having the resources to address both physical safety and behavioral health is necessary to creating supportive learning environments for our students and staff.
The School Safety and Security Committee, administered through PCCD, supports programs designed to improve school safety and security, strengthen behavioral health supports, and provide training and technical assistance to schools across Pennsylvania.
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Corn, Community and a Whole Lot of Fun
What a great time at the Moon Township Rotary Corn Roast!
There really is nothing better than good food, great people and a chance to catch up with friends. Let’s be honest, who can pass up all-you-can-eat roasted corn?
The food was fantastic, but what made the event even better was the incredible sense of community. The annual Moon Township Rotary Corn Roast has been bringing people together for more than 60 years, and it is easy to see why this tradition has lasted so long.
It was great to see so many people come out, enjoy a delicious meal, share some laughs and support the Rotary Club of Moon Township and the charitable work it does throughout the community.
A big thank you to everyone with the Moon Township Rotary who helped make this year’s Corn Roast such a fun and successful event.
Be sure to watch the video for an up close and personal look at all the fun!
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Get Ready for My Upcoming Events
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AG Warns of Imposter Scams Involving County Sheriff Offices
Attorney General Dave Sunday is warning Pennsylvanians to be aware of an uptick in government imposter scams in which callers pose as members of local county sheriff’s offices. The calls appear to come from the county sheriff’s offices due to the use of number spoofing, making their phone number appear legitimate on caller ID.
The caller may claim to be a sheriff and say an arrest warrant has been issued because you failed to appear for federal grand jury duty or missed a court hearing. The scammer then demands payment for “bail” or a “bond” to avoid arrest.
According to the attorney general, no legitimate law enforcement agency or court will demand immediate payment over the phone. No law enforcement agency, government office or court will ask you to pay any outstanding fees with gift cards, Bitcoin or other cryptocurrency. If you receive one of these calls, hang up, verify the information independently and report it to local authorities, as well as the attorney general’s office.
Click here for more information about red flags to watch out for, and what to do – and what not to do – if you receive one of these calls.
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College Savings Program Fees Waived
Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity has announced that asset-based fees for the PA 529 Guaranteed Savings Plan (GSP) will be waived for the fifth consecutive year, saving Pennsylvania families $5.9 million between July 1, 2026, and June 30, 2027. The fee waiver is funded through surplus earnings of the GSP fund.
The PA 529 GSP allows families to save at today’s tuition rates to help cover tomorrow’s tuition costs.
The PA 529 College and Career Savings program has been helping Pennsylvania families steadily and strategically save for more than 30 years. PA 529 accounts can be used for a wide variety of qualifying technical, collegiate, apprenticeship and credential expenses like tuition, fees, books, equipment, room and board, and more.
Treasury also offers the Morningstar Gold-Rated PA 529 Investment Plan (IP), and together both plans have helped nearly 343,000 account holders save more than $10 billion for future education expenses.
To learn more about PA 529, visit pa529.com or call 800-440-4000.
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Elk Cam Fires Back Up!
With the September peak of Pennsylvania’s elk rut right around the corner, you can get a jumpstart on viewing some of those bugling bulls through the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s Elk Cam.
The camera is located in the heart of Pennsylvania’s elk range, an area totaling more than 220,000 acres including State Game Lands 311 and Elk State Forest. Video and sound from the camera will be livestreamed here, and viewers can expect not only to see elk, but turkey, deer and other wildlife as well. The top times to view elk on camera are mornings and evenings.
If you’d like to see the bugling season in person, the PA Game Commission reminds visitors to always be “Elk Smart” by giving elk space, never feeding elk and doing your part to ensure the welfare of the herd. Learn more here.
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