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In this Update:

• October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month
• Free REAL ID Seminar on October 18 in McDonald
• Harrisburg Happenings
• Focus on the 46th
• Senate Votes to Strengthen PA’s Sexual Offender Registry
• Bill to Minimize Utility Disruptions, Protect Workers Passes Senate
• Senate Approves Bill Exempting Milk Haulers from Travel Bans
• $10 Million Available to Farmers for Agricultural Innovation
• State Pumpkin Contest Open Until Oct. 20

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

As we kick off Breast Cancer Awareness Month in Pennsylvania, we honor the brave survivors, fighters and advocates who inspire us all in the battle against breast cancer. Each year, we turn the Capitol fountain pink as a powerful reminder of our commitment to raising awareness, advancing research and supporting early detection efforts.

This month serves as an important time to reflect on the progress we’ve made and the work that still lies ahead. One in eight women will get breast cancer in her lifetime, so early detection and access to life-saving treatments remain critical. We stand united in spreading awareness and fostering hope, reminding everyone that we can make a lasting impact in the fight against breast cancer.

Stay up to date here.

Free REAL ID Seminar on October 18 in McDonald

I am partnering with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) to host a free REAL ID Seminar for residents on Friday, October 19, from 1-3 p.m. at Heritage Public Library, 52 Fourth Street, McDonald.

PennDOT representatives will explain the federal ID requirements, how and where to apply, and the documents needed to obtain a Pennsylvania REAL ID. They will also share how to know if the identification is needed.

The process of obtaining a REAL ID can be confusing, and my goal is to make it as simple as possible for everyone by providing an opportunity to hear from the experts and ask any lingering questions. This can help to prevent people spending time at the DMV only to find out the documents they have are insufficient.

Beginning May 7, 2025, a REAL ID will be necessary to fly and enter a federal building or military base.

Harrisburg Happenings

This week the PA Senate Transportation Committee heard testimony from advocates of multimodal public transportation. These services are a lifeline for hundreds of thousands of residents across the Commonwealth. It’s even more critical for those with disabilities. At the hearing, representatives from the PA Statewide Independent Living Council and the PA Transportation Alliance highlighted areas of concern for affordable and accessible transportation for people with all disabilities.

Click the image above to watch my remarks.

The inaugural Pennsylvania Fair Queen Advocacy Day was held on Monday in Harrisburg at the State Capitol. PA State Fair Queen, Erica Teagarden from Claysville, Washington County and State Alternate Elise Honeycutt from Erie County, joined 25 County and Community Fair Queens from across the Commonwealth. These ladies had one-on-one meetings with their House and Senate members, attended a House of Representatives Agricultural & Rural Affairs Committee Meeting and heard from the Senate Agricultural & Rural Affairs Committee Executive Director Lily Guthrie. In addition, they had the opportunity to watch the Pennsylvania Senate hold Session.

Locally, along with State Fair Queen Erica Teagarden, attending the Advocacy Day were the Greene County Fair Queen, Ms. Eryka Hackney, the Washington County Fair Queen, Ms. Faith Ealy and the West Alexander Fair Queen, Ms. Allee Hoover. The four royalty had a unique opportunity to visit the Senate Chamber prior to the opening of Session and I introduced them as part of Session which you can watch by clicking the image above. The planning committee included the PA State Fair Queen Program Director, Karen Dobson and the Pennsylvania State Association of County Fair President, Martha Ebersole.

Senator Scott Martin and Senator Devlin Robinson had a very special guest in Harrisburg this week. Chloe Kondrich, an amazing young lady, was the inspiration behind Act 130 of 2014, also known as “Chloe’s Law.” This law ensured more information would be available to parents and families following a prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome. You can learn more about the law by clicking this link.

Chloe was accompanied by her parents Margie and Kurt, who were invited guests to the capitol because Senator Martin plans to introduce a Senate Resolution that designates the month of October as “Down Syndrome Awareness Month” in Pennsylvania.

It was a pleasure meeting Riley Gaines, one of the most decorated swimmers in SEC history, and Frank Murphy, a former NFL wide receiver, who both were in Harrisburg advocating for fairness in women’s sports and common-sense values. I applaud their efforts sticking up for women and girls and their rights to privacy, safety, and equal opportunity in sports.

Focus on the 46th

Last week I had the honor of joining in the celebration of First Federal Savings and Loan Association of Greene County’s 100 Year Anniversary. It was a wonderful evening of celebration and fellowship.

I was pleased to present Mr. Chuck Trump, President of the Bank, with an official Senate of Pennsylvania Citation. We even had a special celebrity appearance from Coalbie, Growing Up Greene’s beagle mix therapy dog. Congratulations to everyone involved on a wonderful evening and thank you again for being such a landmark of our community.

I had a blast helping kickoff the 36th Annual Cecil Township Fall Festival. There were over 160 vendors, the most ever at the event. Kudos to the Cecil Township Parks & Recreation Board and all the volunteers for their hard work putting this successful festival together every year.

To ensure the 12 local Senior Centers in Washington County continue to provide a gateway to accessing services and benefits available to senior citizen residents, the Washington County Senior Center Strategic Plan was unveiled earlier this week at the Canonsburg Senior Center. Funded through a $160,000 grant received from the Henry L. Hillman Foundation in 2023, Washington County Human Services called on the guidance of lead consultants The Hill Group, Inc. to outline a 3-5 year plan on how investments will be utilized for the centers.

The year-long project relied heavily on a partnership with Aging Services of Washington County, the Southwestern PA Area Agency on Aging, Inc., and independent providers SPHS Aging Services and Washington Area Senior Citizens Center, Inc.

Senate Votes to Strengthen PA’s Sexual Offender Registry

The Senate unanimously approved legislation to protect children from sexual predators by closing a loophole in existing state law. The legislation now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration.

Senate Bill 1317 would add the crime of sexual assault by a sports official, volunteer or employee of a nonprofit association as a Tier II sexual offense, requiring individuals convicted of this offense to register as a sexual offender under the Sexual Offender Registration and Notification Act. Under current law, those convicted of this offense are not required to register as sex offenders.

The bill supports the Senate Republican priority of cultivating healthy and safe communities.

Bill to Minimize Utility Disruptions, Protect Workers Passes Senate

The Senate unanimously passed a bill to improve and extend protection of Pennsylvanians and the workers who maintain essential underground utilities such as gas, water, telecommunications and more. The bill now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration.

Senate Bill 1237 would make permanent the PA One Call Law, which has been extended for 50 years and is set to expire on Dec. 31. PA One Call prevents accidents that threaten the safety of Pennsylvanians, construction workers and other excavators. It also minimizes utility service disruptions by ensuring underground utility lines are properly marked prior to any digging.

The bill would also enhance safety protocols by improving communication between excavators, facility owners and the Public Utility Commission, as well as requiring better documentation of underground utility lines. To prevent dangerous situations, the legislation calls for expanded timelines for filing violation reports and additional consequences for non-compliance.

Senate Approves Bill Exempting Milk Haulers from Travel Bans

The Senate approved legislation to exempt milk haulers from travel bans imposed during a declaration of disaster emergency. It heads to the House of Representatives for consideration.

Senate Bill 153 would allow a licensed milk hauler to transport milk on highways even during weather-related commercial travel bans. These vehicles would be required to display a decal that would be developed and issued by the Pennsylvania Milk Marketing Board.

Dairy producers and processers had to dispose of milk due to weather-related commercial vehicle travel bans, rather than have it transported to market. This adversely affects their already tight profit margins, threatening farmers financially and making them more likely to be forced out of the industry – compromising Pennsylvanians’ access to healthy beverages and foods.

$10 Million Available to Farmers for Agricultural Innovation

To support farmers who supply our communities with healthy foods and beverages, Senate Republicans dedicated $10 million for the new Agricultural Innovation Grant Program in this year’s budget.

Funding can be used to improve efficiency on the farm or in processing, generate energy while reducing nutrient waste leaving the farm and support crops that effectively store carbon or replace non-renewable resources. It can also be used to address practical challenges including data collection, biosecurity and odor remediation.

Learn more about eligibility and apply online by Nov. 15.

State Pumpkin Contest Open Until Oct. 20

The Department of Agriculture has announced its PA Preferred® Pumpkin Palooza Contest. Participants are encouraged to express their creativity by painting or carving a pumpkin.

Pumpkins must be purchased from a Pennsylvania farm, and contestants must be a Pennsylvania resident. Three age divisions include child (11 and younger), youth (12-17) and adult (18 and older).

Contestants should email a photo of their submission, with the subject “PA Pumpkin Palooza Entry,” to agcontests@pa.gov by Oct. 20. Winners, who will be emailed on Oct. 24, will receive a PA Preferred swag bag. Learn more.

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