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In this Update:
Honoring the Fathers and Father Figures in Our Lives
As Father’s Day approaches this weekend, we celebrate the remarkable fathers in our communities. Fathers often carry the weight of the world on their shoulders, balancing roles as providers, protectors, and mentors. From coaching Little League games and teaching a child to ride a bike to serving as the family handyman—fixing leaky faucets or building backyard forts—fathers inspire through their steadfast support, strength and quiet sacrifices for their family’s dreams. Happy Father’s Day! Protecting Taxpayers: Calling for Fiscal Responsibility in Harrisburg
Last Wednesday, I stood alongside my legislative colleagues and policy advocates to emphasize the importance of holding the Pennsylvania state budget line at $47.9 billion. For more than 30 years, our commonwealth’s population has trended older, smaller and poorer; yet government spending continues to rise at an unsustainable pace. This pattern not only strains our economic stability but also puts added pressure on working families who are already feeling the burden of inflation and rising costs. As lawmakers, we have a responsibility to protect taxpayers and ensure state government lives within its means. That starts with demanding a more fiscally responsible budget: one that prioritizes core services, eliminates waste and avoids any new or increased taxes. Our focus must remain on delivering results without placing additional financial strain on Pennsylvanians. You can listen to my remarks here or watch the full news conference here. Senate Votes to Preserve Prescription Assistance for Seniors
Legislation to protect thousands of Pennsylvania seniors from losing access to life-sustaining prescriptions passed the Senate unanimously. Senate Bill 731 would exclude Social Security cost-of-living adjustments from income eligibility calculations for the PACE and PACENET programs. The bill would extend the current exclusion from the end of this year to Dec. 31, 2027. Funded by the Pennsylvania Lottery, the PACE and PACENET programs have provided hundreds of thousands of adults 65 and older with low-cost prescriptions. It now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration. Congratulations to PIAA Class 2A State Wrestling Champion Braiden Lotier!
Braiden Lotier, a sophomore at Bishop McDevitt High School, captured the gold at the 2025 PIAA Wrestling Championships with an impressive 7-1 victory over Saucon Valley’s Carter Chunko in the 107-pound final. His championship performance capped off a remarkable season, finishing with a 49-4 record and bringing his career total to 75-18. With this win, Braiden becomes the fifth state wrestling champion in Bishop McDevitt’s history. A proud achievement for both him and his school. Congratulations to Braiden on his hard work, determination and well-earned success! Empowering Local Government: A Conversation with Borough Leaders
This past week, I had the opportunity to join the PA State Association of Boroughs for its annual legislative panel discussion. It was a valuable conversation about legislative priorities, local government and the public policy issues that matter most to our boroughs. Understanding the challenges our local boroughs face is essential to shaping effective policy. From unfunded mandates to bureaucratic hurdles, our communities need a more efficient and responsive government. I’m committed to working alongside local leaders to remove red tape and ensure boroughs have the tools and flexibility they need to better serve their residents. Bill to Strengthen Enforcement of PFA Orders Passes Senate
The Senate unanimously approved legislation to improve the enforcement of Protection from Abuse (PFA) petitions and orders and properly reimburse law enforcement agencies. A longstanding imbalance in the law directs a portion of PFA-related court fees to county sheriffs, even when local police departments or state troopers process the paperwork. Senate Bill 302 would require sheriffs to transfer the $25 service fee collected through the existing surcharge to the agency completing the service. The bill would also address a critical safety concern and reinforce professional enforcement standards by authorizing only sheriffs or trained law enforcement officers – not private individuals – to serve PFAs. The bill now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration. Shipley Energy Hosts Senate Committee for Tour and Engaging Dialogue
Thank you to Shipley Energy for hosting members of the Pennsylvania Senate Consumer Protection & Professional Licensure Committee for an insightful tour and discussion. The visit provided an opportunity to see firsthand the work being done in Pennsylvania’s energy sector and to learn more about the challenges and opportunities facing energy providers and consumers alike. Our discussion centered on how we can strengthen Pennsylvania’s energy landscape to ensure it remains reliable, affordable and focused on the needs of consumers. We also explored how state government can play a key role in fostering a more transparent, competitive and consumer-friendly energy market. 23andMe Consumers Can Still Protect Their Information
While 23andMe has filed for bankruptcy, consumers should know they still have rights. Notably, if a consumer’s personal or genetic information was exposed in the 2023 data breach, they may file a claim electronically by July 14. People may also wish to delete their profiles and accounts to ensure their personal data is erased from the 23andMe system and not sold as part of the bankruptcy process. Attorney General Dave Sunday says consumers can learn how to delete their genetic data from 23andMe, destroy their 23andMe test sample and revoke permission for their genetic data to be used for research here.
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