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In this Update:
Armstrong Terminal Site Dedication
It was an honor to take part in the site dedication at Armstrong Terminal this week. Planning and construction have been underway on the Armstrong Terminal Dock Upgrade Project for the last several years and I’ve been pleased to advocate for state support for this project, which is an example in real time of the economic impact the river stands to have on the immediate area and the entire region. The completion of this project marks a very exciting milestone! Armstrong Terminal, Inc. is a full-service bulk material handling and storage facility located in Schenley, which specializes in loading and unloading of river barges and trucks for efficient distribution of dry-bulk and packaged materials to the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic and Mid-Western regions. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers bases lock funding and operation on the Allegheny River solely on commercial traffic. The overall increase in commercial barge traffic on the Allegheny River resulting from these improvements means greater opportunity to maintain the operations of the local dam network, which can also positively impact recreational boating. Construction should be finished within the next three weeks, and the dock is projected to last for at least 80 years. Once completed, the project is expected to triple the facility’s capacity and workforce. Video: Interview on the State Budget & Key Issues
I sat down with Dennis Owens from abc27 News this week to talk about the 2026-27 state budget and key issues impacting Pennsylvania. Click here to watch the video. Our main concern is that the Governor’s proposed budget simply spends too much money, and so for us containing the growth of spending at the state government level is a critical piece of the conversation. Tune in this weekend to ‘This Week in PA’ to see more of our conversation. Pennsylvania Sheriff Association’s Visit to the PA Capitol
I was pleased to welcome Pennsylvania Sheriffs Association and their team members from around the Commonwealth to the Capitol this week. The group visited Harrisburg as part of the ‘3rd Annual Day on the Hill’ to meet with legislators for discussions on community safety initiatives and legislative priorities. It was great to meet with Indiana County Sheriff, Bob Fyock, who was here for the day. My thanks to all Pennsylvania Sheriff offices for the work they do in helping to protect our communities! Punxsutawney Phil Comes to Harrisburg
It’s June, and everyone’s asking the same question: When will the state budget be finished? Lucky for me, Punxsutawney Phil wandered into my Harrisburg Office this week & I asked for his expert prognostication. Check out the reel here! Targeted School Safety Grants
The School Safety and Security Committee within the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD), has approved 2025-26 Targeted School Safety Grants for Nonpublic Schools. Throughout the 41st Senatorial District 18 grants are being awarded totaling $927,755: Armstrong County
Indiana County
Jefferson County
Westmoreland County
This funding is awarded to nonpublic schools to address school violence and school mental health, and to municipalities, law enforcement agencies, and approved school security personnel third-party vendors to provide school security services to public and nonpublic schools.
State of the State – Westmoreland County
It was a pleasure to attend the Annual State of the State event hosted by the Westmoreland County Chamber of Commerce and NFIB. It was a wonderful opportunity for us, as legislators, to connect with the local business community, listen to their concerns, and discuss legislative issues that affect employers across our region and Pennsylvania. Thank you for having me! Senate Approves Bills to Make Housing More Attainable Across PA
The Senate acted to help alleviate Pennsylvania’s growing housing shortage by approving three bills to expand access to housing while preserving local control. Senate Bill 1279 creates a Housing Development Regulatory Compliance Officer to improve coordination and efficiency in the permitting process. Senate Bill 1236 reduces regulatory burdens on small-scale home construction projects by reforming the stormwater permitting process. Senate Bill 1281 empowers local governments to streamline approval processes using uniform housing plans, helping reduce delays and cut unnecessary red tape. These reforms reduce several of the barriers contributing to Pennsylvania’s housing shortage, helping create more opportunities for homeownership while giving communities the flexibility to encourage growth in a way that reflects local needs and priorities. The bills were sent to the House of Representatives for consideration. Task Force on Child Protection in the Digital Age
To make sure state laws keep pace with emerging online threats, the Senate voted to establish a Task Force on Child Protection in the Digital Age. Senate Resolution 244 would direct the Joint State Government Commission to convene a task force to review Pennsylvania’s laws, assess new technologies and identify legal gaps in protections for children in the digital environment. The commission will issue a recommendation for action to the General Assembly. The proposal builds on previous work by the legislature: In 2024, we passed a law to combat AI generated child sexual abuse materials (CSAM). In 2025, we acted to classify deepfakes as digital forgery for more severe punishment. The Senate also approved bills to strengthen reporting requirements for AI-generated CSAM and to establish commonsense safeguards for AI chatbots accessible by minors. Read more about our efforts to protect children in the digital age here. Cellphone Law to Reduce Distracted Driving Takes Full Effect
After a one-year warning period, a state law aimed at reducing distracted driving is now fully enforceable. The law prohibits the use of hand-held devices while driving, even while stopped temporarily due to traffic, a red light or other delays. Drivers can still use their phones to alert authorities in the event of an emergency and use hands-free technology to make phone calls, use a GPS and listen to music. Drivers convicted of using a hand-held device while driving will pay a $50 fine, plus court costs and other fees under Paul Miller’s Law. The law is named for Paul Miller Jr., who was tragically killed in a 2010 Monroe County crash by a tractor trailer operator distracted while reaching for his phone while driving. Read more about this new law here. Remembering D-Day
On June 6, 1944, the fate of Europe would be determined by the largest amphibious invasion in history, including 13,000 aircraft and gliders, 23,400 paratroopers, 5,000 ships and landing craft and 160,000 American, British and Canadian troops. More than 9,000 Allied servicemen were killed or wounded that day in northern France. It is our responsibility as Americans to honor their bravery, tell the stories of their heroism and preserve what they defended so their sacrifices were not in vain. |
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