Recent News
Responsible and Transparent Data Center Policies
Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman (R-41) issued the following statement regarding responsible, transparent, and effective data center policies in Pennsylvania: [Read More]
E-news Updates – August 15, 2026
In this Update: Dedication of the New Snyder Hill 911 Communications Tower National Night Out โ Northern Westmoreland County A Great Day in Punxsutawney! Indiana County Veteran Celebrates Birthday Milestone Felony Murder Sentencing, PA Crime Highlighted at Senate, House Hearing Empowering Parents with Federal Scholarship Tax Credit Understanding Digital Threats to Children Reporting Suspected Benefits […] [Read More]
E-news Updates – August 8, 2026
In this Update: Visit to Peoples Library in New Kensington Armstrong County Junior Livestock Sale Cambria County Regional Firefighterโs Association Pennsylvania Has New Tools to Solve Violent Crimes State Budget Boosts College Tuition Assistance PA College Savings Fees Waived for Fifth Straight Year Red Tape Slashed for PA Cosmetology Workers Booking a Tour of Your […] [Read More]
PA Senators Support Empowering Parents with Federal Scholarship Tax Credit
A bipartisan group of state senators is working to ensure Pennsylvania benefits from a new federal tax credit program which could help empower parents and create new learning opportunities for students. [Read More]
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๐๐๐ฌ๐ฉ๐จ๐ง๐ฌ๐ข๐๐ฅ๐ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ซ๐๐ง๐ฌ๐ฉ๐๐ซ๐๐ง๐ญ ๐๐๐ญ๐ ๐๐๐ง๐ญ๐๐ซ ๐๐จ๐ฅ๐ข๐๐ข๐๐ฌ
โA year ago, Governor Shapiro proudly announced his administration was โalready all in on AIโ and โthe future of AI is going to run right here through the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.โ His comments today seem aimed at erasing his remarks from last year and underscore how afraid heโs become over his previous record of embracing data centers, only to find out how politically intense the proposals have become. Heโs not seriously engaged on this issue, other than what we have seen on his data center-driven social media.
โData center transparency is of chief importance, which is why we took action on this front as part of the 2026-27 state budget passed by the Senate. While the Senate also passed legislation to revoke the data center sales tax exemption, the House proceeded to amend the measure into something unrecognizable. In addition, work is also being undertaken to position pieces of legislation for further action this Fall. We strongly believe communities need to have the ability to weigh in on what is best for their residents and are open to further discussions, including considering measures to allow for moratorium decisions to be made at the local level.
โThe issue of data center development has no doubt taken a center stage here in Pennsylvania. We want all residents to have their voices heard when it comes to this important issue. As our world continues to embrace greater access to technological advancements, the issues of energy development and national security also go hand in hand. Together, I am confident we can work to safeguard our communities, foster economic growth, and build a stronger Pennsylvania for future generations to come.โ
๐๐ง๐๐ข๐๐ง๐ ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ง๐ญ๐ฒ ๐๐๐ญ๐๐ซ๐๐ง ๐๐๐ฅ๐๐๐ซ๐๐ญ๐๐ฌ ๐๐ข๐ฅ๐๐ฌ๐ญ๐จ๐ง๐ ๐๐ข๐ซ๐ญ๐ก๐๐๐ฒ ๐๐๐บ๐ธ
It is always a great honor to recognize veterans, most especially those celebrating #MilestoneMoments, such as local resident, Fred Decarlo.
Fred was born on July 28, 1926, and celebrated his 100th birthday on July 28, 2026, a remarkable milestone! Mr. Decarlo served our nation with honor and courage during World War II, joining the generation of #Americans whose sacrifice and dedication helped preserve the freedoms we cherish today.
Fred devoted 35 years of service to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania through the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board with dedication & professionalism. He also shared 73 years of marriage with his wife, demonstrating a lifelong commitment to love, faith, and enduring partnership. Wishing Fred a wonderful and blessed year ahead!
๐๐๐จ๐ฉ๐ฅ๐๐ฌ ๐๐ข๐๐ซ๐๐ซ๐ฒ โ ๐๐๐ฐ ๐๐๐ง๐ฌ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ญ๐จ๐ง
I had a great time visiting @peopleslibrarypa in New Kensington and watching an afternoon magic show held as part of the summer programming for children.
Peoples Library has a rich #history in the community as it was started by The Womanโs Club of New Kensington in October 1927. After several location and name changes, it was incorporated as the Peopleโs Library on October 18, 1946. In 1992, a newly built branch was also opened in Lower Burrell.
Libraries, like Peoples Library, provide access to a wealth of knowledge, resources, and technology for people of all ages. Their work plays an important role in helping to foster a love for #reading and lifelong #learning!
Thank you to Library Director, David Hrivnak and staff for the warm welcome and for all you do to serve the New Kensington community!
๐๐๐ฆ๐๐ซ๐ข๐ ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ง๐ญ๐ฒ ๐๐๐ ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐๐ฅ ๐
๐ข๐ซ๐๐๐ข๐ ๐ก๐ญ๐๐ซโ๐ฌ ๐๐ฌ๐ฌ๐จ๐๐ข๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐
The 105th annual convention of the Cambria County Regional Firefighterโs Association was recently held in St. Michael. The festivities were hosted by the St. Michael #firedepartment, gathering numerous #firemen from around the region for meetings, a variety of awards, tributes to past members, a #community parade, the battle of the barrel, and several other friendly competitions. I was pleased to join area leaders and Senator Wayne Langerholc, Jr. to take part in the event. A special thank you to all the members of CCRFA for presenting me with a plaque as an honorary member of the Cambria County Regional Firefighters Association!
Two of my family members were also recognized for their extraordinary actions during a carbon monoxide incident on April 3rd of this year. Fire Chief/EMT Mark Riva and First Responder Trish Riva were presented with the Life Saving Award/Unit Citation for their heroic actions that helped save the lives of four individuals who were unconscious.
Congratulations to St. Michael Fire Department & VFD members, and all the local officials who hosted a wonderful convention this year!
๐๏ธ ๐๐ง๐๐ข๐๐ง๐ ๐ข๐ง ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐จ๐ซ๐ง๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๏ธ
Thank you to Todd Marino for inviting me to join him on @wccsnewstalk โIndiana in the Morningโ today to discuss the completion of the 2026-27 state budget and key issues impacting our Commonwealth as we move forward. You can watch this 15-minute video here.
๐๐๐ซ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐๐๐ง๐ญ๐๐ซ ๐๐๐ง๐ข๐จ๐ซ ๐๐ฉ๐จ๐ญ๐ฅ๐ข๐ ๐ก๐ญ
I recently had the pleasure of meeting with Bryon Breisch. Byron is a rising senior at Marion Center Jr. Sr. High School and has a strong desire to pursue a nomination to attend the USAF Academy and ultimately to serve our country in the United States Air Force.
For the past two years, Byron has been studying for his private pilotโs license which spurred his interest in the #USAF. He is also very active with numerous school club activities, served as a class officer and is an avid athlete on Marion Centerโs #Basketball and #Track teams. Thank you to Byron for stopping by my Indiana office and best wishes in his future endeavors!
๐๐ ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ ๐
๐๐ข๐ฅ๐ฌ ๐๐ฎ๐ซ๐๐๐ซ ๐๐ข๐๐ญ๐ข๐ฆ๐ฌโ ๐
๐๐ฆ๐ข๐ฅ๐ข๐๐ฌ ๐๐ก๐ข๐ฅ๐ ๐๐๐จ๐ฉ๐๐ซ๐๐ข๐ณ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ญ๐ฒ ๐จ๐ ๐๐จ๐ฆ๐ฆ๐จ๐ง๐ฐ๐๐๐ฅ๐ญ๐กโ๐ฌ ๐๐จ๐ฆ๐ฆ๐ฎ๐ง๐ข๐ญ๐ข๐๐ฌ
In March, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled the stateโs sentencing guidelines for second-degree murder cases โ life without the possibility of parole โ are unconstitutional. The court gave the legislature 120 days to set new guidelines that ensure fairness, accountability and public safety. Members of our Senate Republican Caucus have worked with victim advocates, law enforcement, prosecutors and the Pennsylvania Attorney General to create new guidelines that would ensure the punishments fit the terrible nature of these crimes.
The Senate passed legislation twice to address the issue of Second-Degree Felony Murder. On June 25 we sent Senate Bill 1400 to the House and on July 12 we sent House Bill 1042 to the House. Both bills have bipartisan support, passing our chamber by votes of 30 to 20. With the support of Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday, the FOP and the DAโs Association, there is no valid reason for House Democrats to have not allowed a vote to send HB1042 or SB1400 to the Governorโs desk.
On the 119th day, House Democrats still had the opportunity to join the Senate in keeping our communities safe. Instead of allowing a vote on either of the bipartisan bills passed by the Senate, they chose to engage in political theater and failed to produce any feasible product to protect our communities and victimsโ families.
@pasenategop are serious about public safety and securing our communities, which is why we acted decisively and in a bipartisan way. Since the day the House announced their return to Session this week, there has been no outreach to us by the Governor or House Democrat Leadership. The lack of engagement on such a significant issue is gravely troubling and a complete failure of leadership.
๐๐ง๐๐ข๐๐ง๐ ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ง๐ญ๐ฒ ๐
๐๐ซ๐ฆ ๐๐ฎ๐ซ๐๐๐ฎ ๐๐ฏ๐๐ง๐ญ
I had a wonderful time visiting the Indiana County Farm Bureauโs โHay Thereโ Summer event on Saturday with great activities, picnic food, raffles, and a few rides for folks to take part in. It was a pleasure chatting with students from Marion Center & Penns Manor #FFA programs, as well as with farm bureau members, Ed Rising and Ray Sleppy.
Always such a privilege to spend time with our local #agriculture community!
