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In this Update:

• Responsible and Transparent Data Center Policies
• Saltsburg America 250 Celebration and Parade
• State Funding to Help Keep Allegheny River Locks Open
• Flag Presentation
• School Bus Safety Legislation Awaits House Action
• Schools Can Apply Now for Safety, AED Training Grants
• Strategies to Prevent Electric Bill Spikes Highlighted at Senate Hearing
• What to Know About Teen Gambling
• Elk Cam Shows Largest Free-Roaming Elk population in Eastern U.S.

Responsible and Transparent Data Center Policies

Speculative data center development across the state has created a lot of understandable concern in communities. I’m pleased we worked to include data center transparency measures within the 2026-27 budget, and more work will continue as we move forward.

The ever-changing technological advances within our society require careful review and proactive policies for data centers and AI, and there must be local oversight to make sure community concerns are addressed. I also believe facilities should identify their own power source – meaning they need to identify new power, not use power already on the grid.  Click the image above to view my latest comments or click the link here to see my latest statement.

Saltsburg America 250 Celebration and Parade

America 250 Celebrations continue to take place throughout our Commonwealth, and I was pleased to be invited to take part in a local parade last weekend. It was exciting to see many displays of patriotism and so many folks & organizations taking part in Saltsburg’s community celebration & parade recognizing America’s 250th Birthday!

Thank you to the organizers, participants, and all who came out for the special day – and a big thank you to Iselin/West Lebanon VFC for the great ride!

State Funding to Help Keep Allegheny River Locks Open

𝑃𝑖𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒𝑑 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑙𝑒𝑓𝑡 𝑡𝑜 𝑟𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 – 𝑆𝑒𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑜𝑟 𝐽𝑜𝑒 𝑃𝑖𝑡𝑡𝑚𝑎𝑛, 𝑀𝑖𝑘𝑒 𝐹𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑖𝑠 (𝐴𝑅𝐷𝐶 – 𝑃𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑡), 𝑅𝑒𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝐴𝑏𝑏𝑦 𝑀𝑎𝑗𝑜𝑟, 𝐾𝑖𝑚 𝐹𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑖𝑠 (𝐴𝑅𝐷𝐶 – 𝐵𝑜𝑎𝑟𝑑 𝑀𝑒𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟) and 𝐷𝑎𝑣𝑖𝑑 𝑉𝑜𝑟𝑝𝑒 (𝐴𝑅𝐷𝐶 – 𝐵𝑜𝑎𝑟𝑑 𝑀𝑒𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟)

I was pleased to present the Allegheny River Development Corporation (ARDC) with a check for $100,000 to help support efforts to keep locks open on Armstrong County’s portion of the Allegheny River. The funding was approved by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

The Allegheny River is a great resource for Armstrong County, but if the locks on the river don’t remain open, it will have an extremely negative impact on recreational opportunities and local businesses. I am happy to have worked with Rep. Abby Major to get the ARDC needed funding to benefit recreational boaters, tourism and the region’s economy.

Flag Presentation

It was wonderful to meet with Austin Cumberledge in my Kittanning office and present him with a United States Flag, which was flown over the Pennsylvania Capitol Building in Harrisburg. Austin is from Rural Valley and a senior at Lenape Tech and was joined by his mother Christy and stepfather Marty.

Austin has been an American Flag enthusiast for years, taking genuine pride in understanding proper flag etiquette and mastering the traditional folding technique. His bold patriotism and enthusiasm have a way of uplifting those around him and reminds people of the significance behind the symbol.

I appreciate Vicki Shaeffer from Ford City VFW Auxiliary Post 4843 for coordinating with my staff for this special recognition for Austin!

School Bus Safety Legislation Awaits House Action

Over the past five years, 25,136 Pennsylvania drivers have been cited for school zone violations, including 8,302 for overtaking or illegally passing a school bus. The Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania breaks down the numbers here.

In September 2025, the Senate unanimously passed Senate Bill 65, Enhancing the Safe Transportation of School Children, which would extend the stopping distance requirement from 10 feet to 15 feet before reaching the bus when the red signal lights are flashing and the side stop arm is activated. It also develops a tiered penalty system for a second or subsequent offense. Current law does not penalize repeat offenders.

With the start of a new school year nearly a year later, it still awaits a vote by the full House of Representatives. Read more about this effort to boost school bus safety here.

Schools Can Apply Now for Safety, AED Training Grants

School districts can apply now for the latest round of funding to improve safety, including an initiative passed by the General Assembly to increase the presence of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) at school events.

Under the School Safety and Mental Health Grant Program, school districts, career and technical centers, intermediate units, charter schools and cyber charter schools are eligible for funding to use for safety and security assessments, staff training and more. It can also be used to improve CPR training and AED preparedness.

In addition, nonpublic schools can apply for CPR/AED Training for Nonpublic Schools Grant Program that can be used for CPR and AED training.

The AED funding is made available through Greg Moyer’s Law, named in honor of Pennsylvania student-athlete Greg Moyer, who died after suffering sudden cardiac arrest during a high school basketball game.

Strategies to Prevent Electric Bill Spikes Highlighted at Senate Hearing

Strategies to increase energy production and lower utility bills for Pennsylvanians were the focus of a public hearing by the Senate Majority Policy Committee.

The committee heard from energy generators, utilities, business groups, taxpayer advocates and more. Pennsylvania is the top electricity exporter and supplier of natural gas, but the retirement of generation sources is driving up prices and risking electric grid reliability.

Testifiers noted the commonwealth needs to build more reliable baseload generation to keep prices stable and ensure access to energy. Read more and access hearing video here.

What to Know About Teen Gambling

Just because teens aren’t allowed to gamble doesn’t mean they don’t.

Gambling among teenagers is a growing problem. Information is available to learn what teen problem gambling is, how to recognize the warning signs and where to go for help. 

Topics include: Why do people gamble? The “gambler’s fallacy,” and Who’s at risk? Learn more here from the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

Elk Cam Shows Largest Free-Roaming Elk population in Eastern U.S.

Elk were once native to Pennsylvania but disappeared in the 1800s due to overhunting and habitat loss. Today, Pennsylvania is home to 1,300 to 1,400 elk, making it the largest free-roaming elk population in the eastern U.S.

Live from Elk State Forest in northern PA, the Elk Cam is a window into the world of these impressive animals, as well as turkey, deer and other wildlife. Best viewing times are mornings and evenings.

The livestream is provided by HDOnTap and made possible with the help of the North Central Pennsylvania Regional Planning and Development Commission.