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Dear Friends,

On September 11, 2001, I was serving in the U.S. Army. I remember my outrage and deep sadness at the loss of innocent life on that day and the extraordinary response of our military personnel and emergency responders. Let us never forget the families that lost loved ones that day and the importance of defending this great nation.

God Bless America.

Sincerely,

In this Update:

• COLA for Retired Municipal Police Officers and Firefighters and School Teachers Applauded
• Protecting Children and Families from AI Deception
• New Law Cracks Down on Robocalls, Scam Texts and Caller ID Spoofing
• Phishing Scam Targets “MyChart” Patient Portal Users
• Fire and EMS Companies Can Apply Now for State Assistance
• Remembering 9/11 25 Years Later

COLA for Retired Municipal Police Officers and Firefighters and School Teachers Applauded

I was pleased to be joined this week at a press conference in Lower Salford Township

to announce a long-overdue cost of living adjustment (COLA) for retired municipal police officers, firefighters, and teachers.

Pennsylvania’s retired municipal police officers and firefighters have not received a state-authorized pension COLA since 2002.

These brave men and women have spent their careers putting their lives on the line to keep our communities and neighborhoods safe. For more than two decades, these retirees have watched inflation, and rising costs steadily erode their purchasing power. The cost of food, housing, utilities, transportation and health care has increased significantly since the last COLA was approved, while their pension benefits have remained largely unchanged. This adjustment is an important step toward keeping our promise to the men and women who protected our communities throughout their careers.

I was joined by my colleague PA Senator Joe Picozzi (R-5th); Joe Regan, President, FOP PA State Lodge; Daniel Diedel, Montgomery County FOP Lodge #14; Kevin Ressler, Recording Secretary, PA Professional Fire Fighters Association; and Kristen Holjes, PASR Executive Director, PA Association of School Retirees (PASR). Cory Moyer, Chief of Police, Lower Salford Township provided welcoming remarks.

The COLA adjustment will be $75/month for eligible retirees who have been retired for between 5 and 10 years, $150/month for eligible retirees who have been retired for more than 10 years but less than 20, and $300 for eligible retirees who have been retired for more than 20 years.

Protecting Children and Families from AI Deception

It’s critical for state laws to keep up with fast-evolving Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology, especially as it relates to protecting our children online. I’m proud my legislation to address the alarming rise in AI-generated sexual images of children, as well as non-consenting adults, through  Act 125 of 2024 gives prosecutors the ability to go after criminals who create “deepfake” AI images of minors and child sexual abuse materials.

Previously, Pennsylvania law made it illegal to share intimate images without consent, and Act 125 took it a step further to combat the use of AI technology for this purpose and prohibits AI from being utilized to generate child sexual abuse material. As technology continues to advance, we must be vigilant in making sure proper safeguards are put in place.

New Law Cracks Down on Robocalls, Scam Texts and Caller ID Spoofing

Legislation we unanimously passed enacting stronger protections from deceptive telemarketing practices will take effect next month.

Under Act 47 of 2026, Pennsylvania’s telemarketing law will now cover modern forms of solicitation, including text messages, voicemails, ringless voicemails and robocalls. It also establishes stronger rules for when and how telemarketers can contact Pennsylvanians, including:

• Prohibiting telemarketing calls before 9 a.m. and after 7 p.m. and on Sundays.
• Requiring prior express written consent for most robocalls and telemarketing text messages.
• Prohibiting telemarketers from falsely identifying themselves or using deceptive caller ID information, including spoofed numbers.
• Requiring telemarketers to stop a solicitation when a consumer asks them to do so.

The legislation also prohibits the use of AI-generated messages to deceive consumers. The new law takes effect Oct. 19.

Phishing Scam Targets “MyChart” Patient Portal Users

If you use MyChart — a popular online patient portal used by many hospitals and healthcare providers — please be aware of a phishing scam targeting patients.

State Attorney General Dave Sunday reports scammers are impersonating MyChart by sending emails or text messages that offer patients a chance to claim a reward in the form of a “MyChart Medicare Kit.” No such program or reward exists.

These emails and text messages are attempts to trick recipients into clicking on malicious links, and obtain passwords and personal information from patients, which allows hackers to gain access to the patients’ MyChart portals. Read about how to avoid this and other phishing scams here.

Fire and EMS Companies Can Apply Now for State Assistance

Attention local fire companies, emergency medical services and volunteer rescue squads: Applications are being accepted for the latest round of the state Fire Company and Emergency Medical Services Grant program.

The funds can be used to help pay for facility construction/renovation, equipment, training, debt reduction and more. The application period closes Oct. 22.

Providing communities with fire, medical and rescue services comes with a considerable price tag, especially for volunteer organizations. The General Assembly funds these grants to ensure these life-saving services are available. Find more information and applications here. 

Remembering 9/11 25 Years Later

On Sept. 11, 2001, terrorists highjacked four airliners on America’s east coast and turned them into deadly missiles, ultimately taking the lives of nearly 3,000 citizens in the name of Islamic fundamentalism.

Filled with passengers, two of the planes were flown into the World Trade Center towers in New York City and another into the Pentagon in Washington, D.C.  The fourth, perhaps destined to strike the White House or U.S. Capitol, was brought down in Somerset County by brave passengers who fought back.

Twenty-five years later, we recall the shock and anger over the attack, the grief over lives taken and the resolve to prevent another act of that scale. I hope we also remember the nation coming together in response, and the power of a unified people facing adversity. As the number of people who experienced this event declines, it becomes more important to dedicate ourselves to never letting that day slip from our nation’s memory.