|
|||
|
In this Update:
Audit Raises More Questions About Election Integrity
A recent audit by Pennsylvania Auditor General Timothy DeFoor raised serious concerns about the state’s voter registration system. The findings confirm that noncitizens CAN register to vote through the automatic motor-voter process, a program that allows driver’s license applicants to register to vote when they obtain or renew a driver’s license or ID card. The auditor general also found that PennDOT cannot fully account for who has accessed motor-voter data or verify the accuracy of information transferred to the Department of State. Notably, the audit reviewed only six months of data and did not include a full comparison of all PennDOT noncitizen records with the Statewide Uniform Registry of Electors — the one cross-check I specifically asked for. This leaves significant gaps and unanswered questions. Pennsylvanians deserve transparency, accountability and certainty that every safeguard is in place when it comes to our elections. Gov. Josh Shapiro’s repeated assurance that Pennsylvania’s elections are secure does not make it true. This audit proved our system needs fixed. Restoring trust requires action, not assurances. You can read my full statement on this issue here. Empowering Patients
Patients deserve clear, understandable information when making decisions about their healthcare. That’s why I introduced the Patient Right-to-Understand Act, Senate Bill 1289, and joined We The Patient for a press conference to highlight the need for greater transparency in how coverage, costs and care options are communicated to Pennsylvanians so they can make informed decisions with their medical treatment. Too often, patients are confronted with unclear pricing, complex coverage rules and limited access to straightforward information at critical moments. This lack of transparency and clear information can delay care and make it harder for individuals to choose the best path for their health and finances. The Patient Right-to-Understand Act is designed to address these challenges by improving clarity and accountability in the healthcare system. Patients deserve straightforward, accessible information so they can make confident choices about their care. Town Hall on School Property Tax Elimination Set for East Manchester
School property taxes continue to place a growing burden on Pennsylvania families, increasing each year with no end in sight. To address this, Rep. Wendy Fink and I have introduced the School Property Tax Elimination Act and want to share our proposal with you. We invite you to join us for a town hall on this issue on April 30 from 5-7 p.m. at Alert Fire Hall, 3118 N. George St., Emigsville. The event will be hosted by Rep. Joe D’Orsie, Rep. Fink, former Rep. Frank Ryan and myself. Even a recent analysis by the Independent Fiscal Office confirms that our School Property Tax Elimination Act would boost business investment while providing immediate relief to families. This town hall is an opportunity to learn more, ask questions and share your perspective. Residents are encouraged to RSVP by calling Rep. D’Orsie’s office at 717-840-4711 or registering online. Local Government Committee Advances Key Measures
The Senate Local Government Committee advanced two important pieces of legislation focused on smart planning and public health. As chair, I was proud to move forward Senate Bill 1287, legislation I introduced to bring greater clarity and accountability to land development. The bill requires proof of adequate water service before final approval, helping ensure communities are prepared for responsible growth. The committee also advanced House Bill 1442, sponsored by Rep. Lisa Borowski and Rep. Ann Flood, to improve reporting and awareness of Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP). This measure will support ongoing research, provide families with better information and help save lives. Both bills reflect a commitment to thoughtful policy that strengthens our communities. I look forward to continuing this work as these measures move through the legislative process. Senate Acts to Protect Fairness in Women’s Sports
The Senate again approved legislation to protect the safety and opportunities of female athletes by requiring scholastic sports teams to be designated based on biological sex. Senate Bill 1293 would require public schools and colleges to label sports teams as male, female or coed. The legislation states only biological females can join teams designated for women. The bill would also allow students to take legal action if they are harmed by violations of this rule. Since 2020 in Pennsylvania, men have stolen first place from female athletes 87 times and unjustly took second or third place 64 times. Recently, the International Olympic Committee enacted new policy guidelines ensuring all sporting events under their jurisdiction for any female category are limited to biological females only. The legislation is similar to Senate Bill 9, which was passed by the Senate in May 2025 with bipartisan support. Since then, it has been delayed by procedural maneuvers by Democrat leaders in the House of Representatives, leaving young female athletes at risk. I urge the House to act on this legislation and restore fairness to athletic competition in our commonwealth. Watch my Senate floor comments on Senate Bill 1293 here. Strengthening Electricity Affordability and Reliability
Pennsylvanians need electricity that’s affordable and reliable. That’s why I joined legislative colleagues in February urging action to preserve critical baseload power generation by preventing the premature shutdown of two commonwealth power plants. I’m pleased to report the Trump administration has reached agreement with the state Department of Environmental Protection and the operator of the Keystone and Conemaugh Generating Stations in Indiana and Armstrong counties to allow continued operation of both plants. The agreement ensures continued, environmentally compliant generation of 3,400 megawatts of electricity for the regional grid and preserves the livelihood of more than 1,000 workers. I applaud the parties for working to find common ground, and will continue working to expand Pennsylvania energy production to provide our residents with a true “all of the above” energy strategy to ensure affordable, reliable electricity. Committee Approves Measure Eliminating Emissions Test Mandate for Newer Vehicles
Legislation exempting state emissions testing for newer vehicles and removing it entirely for counties where it’s no longer needed was approved by the Senate Transportation Committee. Senate Bill 1298 exempts vehicles five years old or less from the requirement and removes Blair, Cambria, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Lycoming, Mercer and Westmoreland counties from the emissions program. The Vehicle Emissions Inspection and Maintenance program mandates motorists in 25 Pennsylvania counties undergo annual emissions testing. However, a Joint State Government Commission study has shown that removing seven of these counties from the program would have minimal impact on maintaining federal air quality standards. Less than 1% of the five most recent model year vehicles fail annual emissions inspections. The measure now goes to the full Senate for consideration. You can read more about our efforts to reform emissions testing here. PennDOT Roadwork Schedules for Cumberland and York Counties
Please see the latest PennDOT road work schedules provided to my office. These updates are issued periodically and may not include all projects or reflect the most current conditions. Additional updates are shared as they become available and posted on my Facebook page. If you have a road concern such as potholes, bridge issues or other roadway problems, you can report that information directly to PennDOT through the Customer Care Center form. I hope this information helps you plan your travel and avoid delays. |
|||
|
|||
Want to change how you receive these emails? 2026 © Senate of Pennsylvania | https://senatorkeefer.com | Privacy Policy |
