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In this Update:
Indiana County Fife & Drum Corps at the State Capitol
The Indiana County Fife and Drum Corps visited the Capitol on Wednesday, filling Harrisburg with the unmistakable sound of early American music. The Corps is made up of talented students in grades 7–12 from seven school districts, all dedicated to learning and preserving the tradition of American Fife and Drum music and its significance during the Revolutionary War. Many in our community have likely seen them in recent months as they’ve been actively performing in celebration of America 250. During their visit, I had the privilege of welcoming the group to my office and taking them onto the Senate floor to see firsthand the chamber where so much of our state’s history continues to unfold. Thank you for sharing your time and your talents at the Capitol! PA Association of School Nurses & Practitioners Day on the Hill
I was pleased to meet with constituents, Valerie Zanotti and Kayla Daughtery, during their visit to Harrisburg for the PA Association of School Nurses & Practitioners Day on the Hill. Valerie is a certified school nurse for Kiski Area School District and Kayla is a certified school nurse for Ligonier Valley School District. Thank you for your efforts advocating for school nurses and students! Statement on Supreme Court Ruling on Skill Games
On Monday, Senator Kim Ward and I issued the following statement on the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania’s ruling on skill games: “We appreciate the clarity the Supreme Court has given with today’s ruling. As expressed in the decision today, ‘Under a plain reading of the law, “skill game” devices are subject to both the Gaming Act and the Crimes Code.’ “The proliferation of skill games is a matter of public safety which must be addressed, and given the timing of this decision, we believe gaming reform is a critical piece of resolving this year’s budget. In addition, with the fiscal realities facing our Commonwealth, it stands to reason that new revenue from gaming reform should be directed to the general fund, as the Governor proposed in his 2026-27 budget. “Last year, Senate Republican Leadership introduced a gaming reform bill as a basis for discussion and with the Supreme Court ruling now in hand, we look forward to all parties swiftly engaging in meaningful conversations to resolve this issue.” Kittanning Firemen’s Band Washington DC Send-Off Celebration
I was pleased to attend a special ceremony at the Armstrong County Courthouse on Saturday, honoring Kittanning Firemen’s Band for their upcoming trip to our nation’s capital. The Kittanning Firemen’s Band (KFB) has been selected to represent the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in the America 250 National Independence Day Parade in Washington, D.C., on July 4, commemorating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Thank you to KFB for representing Pennsylvania so well – we look forward to watching the nationally televised performance in July! Senate Votes to Protect Your Right to Know About Government Actions
The Senate approved legislation to strengthen government transparency and protect the public’s right to know. Senate Bill 1150 would clarify Pennsylvania’s Sunshine Act to ensure public agencies provide meaningful notice before acting on important matters. The bill reinforces the 24-hour agenda posting requirement and ensures exceptions for emergencies and small-scale matters remain limited. The legislation follows a state Supreme Court ruling allowing agencies to add agenda items and take official action on them with a simple majority vote, even when those items were not included on a publicly posted agenda. The bill was sent to the House of Representatives for consideration. Read more about legislation to strengthen the Sunshine Act here. Making it Easier for Fire Companies, EMS Agencies to Access Funding
Legislation to make it easier for fire and EMS agencies to access state funding through the Fire and EMS Grant program was approved by the Senate. Senate Bill 1261 streamlines the application process, including eliminating outdated wording and incentives, using the state’s Single Application for Assistance instead of having a separate, redundant system, and asking fire companies to provide additional contact information to ensure lines of communication are open. The bill also increases the amount fire and EMS agencies can borrow through the State Fire Commissioner’s low-interest loan program, freeing up more funding opportunities for first responder agencies. Senate Bill 1261 now advances to the House of Representatives. Read more about these proposed improvements here. Flying the POW/MIA Flag at Public Schools
The Senate voted to require the POW/MIA flag be displayed at any public school in the commonwealth that already displays the American flag, provided the school can reasonably accommodate it. By meeting the requirement of Senate Bill 835 schools can help ensure the sacrifices of prisoners of war and those missing in action are never forgotten and demonstrate their commitment to supporting military families and educating students about the importance of service. The bill was sent to the House of Representatives for consideration. Read more about Senate Bill 835 here. Quarantine Order Issued to Protect PA Farms from Screwworm
Heightened risk of New World Screwworm (NWS) following confirmed cases in Texas and New Mexico has prompted the state Department of Agriculture to issue a quarantine order limiting the movements of livestock and pets. There are currently no cases in Pennsylvania, but NWS is a devastating pest. Its fly larvae can infest livestock, pets, wildlife, occasionally birds, and in rare cases, people. The quarantine order establishes movement restrictions and enhanced animal health requirements for susceptible domestic animals entering Pennsylvania from affected areas. The order includes provisions for veterinary inspection, animal health certification and preventative measures designed to reduce the risk of NWS entering the commonwealth through animal movements. Read the NWS quarantine order here. Find more information about the NWS outbreak here. Happy Father’s Day
On Sunday, we celebrate fathers and fatherhood, and honor the dads who influenced us throughout our lives. Happy Father’s Day to all the fathers and father figures who contribute so much to our families and communities. |
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