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In this Update:
- Thankful for Our Community
- Why Pennsylvania Families Should Be Alarmed by This Budget
- PennDOT’s CDL Security Failure Puts Public Safety at Risk
- RHI Magnesita: Powering Industry with Local Talent
- Empowering Kids to Explore and Create
- Working Together for Pennsylvania’s Counties
- Attorney General Expands Protections for Older Pennsylvanians
- PennDOT Roadwork Schedules for Cumberland and York Counties
Important Notice – My offices will be closed for the Thanksgiving holiday on Nov. 27 and 28. Regular business hours will resume Monday, Dec. 1.
Thankful for Our Community
This Thanksgiving, I’m especially grateful to represent the people of the 31st Senatorial District. Over the past year, I’ve met many dedicated, inspiring neighbors who pour their time and energy into making our communities stronger. It’s an honor to serve you.
As we head into the holiday, I hope you get a chance to slow down, enjoy the people who matter most and reflect on what you’re thankful for.
From my family to yours,
Happy Thanksgiving!
Why Pennsylvania Families Should Be Alarmed by This Budget
The recently passed 2025-26 Pennsylvania budget is another setback for school choice, and I am deeply concerned about its impact on families. While underperforming traditional schools are set to receive $1 billion more with little accountability, public cyber charter students face a $175 million cut, on top of last year’s $200 million reduction. Families seeking alternatives to struggling schools are being unfairly penalized.
The budget also adds complex new administrative requirements for public cyber charter schools, even as traditional schools sit on more than $13 billion in reserves. At the same time, $120 million is allocated for mental health services in schools — funding that I believe is better handled by counties and local experts while schools take on responsibilities they are not equipped to manage.
Schools cannot be all things to all people. We must refocus on education and rely on community experts for additional services. Protecting school choice is essential to giving families real options and empowering students to succeed.
See my take on the PA budget cuts to public cyber schools — watch here!
PennDOT’s CDL Security Failure Puts Public Safety at Risk
A recent U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrest in Kansas found that an Uzbek national in the country illegally had obtained a commercial driver’s license (CDL) issued by PennDOT. This comes on the heels of reports that a dozen other illegal immigrants — discovered during an October bust involving more than 80 noncitizen commercial truck drivers in Oklahoma — received their CDLs from Harrisburg.
This is a serious security failure by PennDOT and a direct threat to our public safety.
After hearing about the arrests in Oklahoma, I joined Sens. Jarrett Coleman, Kristin Phillips-Hill and Doug Mastriano in demanding answers from PennDOT. We want to know how individuals who are in the country illegally, some with criminal records and alleged terror ties, were able to obtain Pennsylvania CDLs.
Our letter requests key information, including:
- Whether PennDOT reviewed the files of CDL holders arrested by ICE.
- Whether required immigration verification through the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements program was used.
- Whether PennDOT is complying with the federal order to halt non-domiciled CDL issuances.
PennDOT must explain how this happened, how it is being fixed and what is being done to ensure it never happens again. Our national security depends on it.
Empowering Kids to Explore and Create
I recently toured Keystone Kidspace in York and saw firsthand how this STEAM makerspace lets kids create, explore, tinker and play. From robotics to hands-on science and art, it sparks curiosity and gives young learners the freedom to experiment and discover.
Keystone Kidspace is an incredible resource for families, and I am grateful for the work it is doing to inspire the next generation of innovators.
RHI Magnesita: Powering Industry with Local Talent
I recently toured RHI Magnesita, a plant that mines a rare mineral found in West York and turns it into extreme-heat bricks. These bricks line vessels that melt, bend, shape and refine materials at temperatures most of us can hardly imagine.
What we build, fabricate and produce in York County is unmatched. RHI Magnesita is a perfect example of the skill, innovation and hard work of our local workforce, and I’m proud to see the incredible work happening right here in our community.
Working Together for Pennsylvania’s Counties
I recently attended the Pennsylvania State Association of Elected County Officials (PSAECO) Annual Meeting and had a great opportunity to meet with county leaders from across the state. It was good to hear firsthand about the challenges and successes facing our local communities.
During the meeting, I discussed the state budget and shared why I opposed it, stressing the importance of fiscal responsibility at every level of government. I also reaffirmed my commitment to collaborating with county officials to develop practical solutions that strengthen our communities.
I’m grateful to PSAECO for hosting this important gathering and for their ongoing dedication to supporting Pennsylvania’s counties.
Attorney General Expands Protections for Older Pennsylvanians
An expansion of protections and services for seniors, focused on deterring financial theft and holding offenders criminally responsible, was announced with the launch of the Office of Attorney General’s Elder Exploitation Section by Attorney General Dave Sunday.
The section will primarily focus on cases involving financial exploitation, deception and theft from older residents — typically perpetrated by relatives, caregivers or appointed conservators and powers of attorney.
These are complex cases, involving meticulous review of financial records and other documents. Municipal police departments may not have the resources required to take on these investigations. The Elder Exploitation Section will have the resources, and expects referrals to come from police departments, county, state, and federal agencies and other sources.
PennDOT Roadwork Schedules for Cumberland and York Counties
As we enter the winter months, PennDOT no longer sends weekly roadwork schedules. Instead, we will share PennDOT news releases about specific construction projects planned in our senatorial district.
These updates are provided sporadically based on project timelines, so the information at this link may not change weekly. Please note that it may not include every construction project or be fully accurate.
We hope these updates help you avoid delays and make your travel easier.
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