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Mobile Office Hours – Times & Locations! Dear Friends, I’m pleased to share that this week I voted to help Pennsylvanians reduce their monthly electric bills by supporting House Bill 1667, which eliminates the Gross Receipts Tax on electricity. This change will return nearly $2 billion to families’ pockets across the Commonwealth. The measure also removes the tax exemption for large data center companies, generating more than $125 million in savings for taxpayers. At a time when costs continue to rise, it is imperative that we do all we can to make life more affordable for Pennsylvania families. Sincerely,
In this Update:
Senate Approves Bill to Honor POW/MIA Service Members
I’m proud to share that the Senate has approved my legislation, Senate Bill 835, which requires public schools that display the American flag to also display the POW/MIA flag when space permits. The POW/MIA flag serves as a powerful reminder of the brave men and women who were prisoners of war or remain missing in action and a lasting symbol of our nation’s commitment to never forget them. The bill now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration. Read more about this legislation. Senate Votes to Cut Taxes and Put PA Families First
The Senate approved legislation to dramatically decrease costs for Pennsylvania families by cutting taxes on electric bills and school supplies, strengthening the state’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program and eliminating the current sales tax exemption for data centers. Making up the largest tax cut in Pennsylvania history, the proposal would eliminate the gross receipts tax on electric bills and require utility companies to pass the reduction on to consumers, saving ratepayers more than $1.7 billion over the first year. It would also implement a two-week sales tax holiday in August for school supplies, such as book bags, crayons, textbooks and tablets. The highly successful EITC program, which provides scholarships to help families send children to schools that best meet student needs, would receive an additional $25 million under the legislation, bringing the total to $705 million. EITC scholarships remain one of our top priorities for empowering Pennsylvania parents. House Bill 1667, as amended by the Senate, would also respond to concerns being raised across the commonwealth by eliminating the existing sales tax exemption for data centers. The Senate action aims to provide greater affordability at a time when hardworking Pennsylvania families are feeling the strain of rising costs. The bill now moves to the House of Representatives. Senate Votes to Support Victims Over Murderers
The Senate approved legislation to update Pennsylvania’s sentencing laws for second-degree murder following a recent Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling. The bill now advances to the House of Representatives, which must act quickly. Without legislative action, Pennsylvania’s existing sentencing structure for second-degree murder would be invalidated, creating uncertainty for victims, prosecutors and the courts. More than 1,150 individuals currently serving sentences for second-degree murder could be affected. Under Pennsylvania law, second-degree murder, often called felony murder, applies when someone dies during the commission of certain serious crimes, even if the defendant did not directly cause the death. In March, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled that the automatic life-without-parole sentence for second-degree murder was unconstitutional. The ruling takes effect July 24. Senate Bill 1400 creates a new sentencing framework that complies with the court’s ruling while ensuring those involved in serious crimes remain accountable. The bill allows judges to consider an individual’s role in the crime when determining a sentence, while maintaining strong penalties for offenders and protections for victims. Read more about this effort to safeguard communities here. Senate Passes Bill to Improve Rape Kit Testing
This week the Senate has passed my legislation, Senate Bill 1212, to further reduce delays in rape kit testing across the Commonwealth. This legislation establishes a clear statewide standard for the testing of sexual assault evidence, helping ensure survivors receive the urgency, consistency, and dignity they deserve while strengthening criminal investigations and continuing Pennsylvania’s efforts to eliminate rape kit backlogs. Learn more about this legislation. Honoring PA National Guard Promotions
This week, I had the privilege of meeting with members of the Pennsylvania National Guard and recognizing five outstanding service members on their well-earned promotions. Congratulations to each of these soldiers on reaching this important milestone in their military careers. Their dedication, professionalism, and commitment to serving our Commonwealth and our nation are truly commendable. Thank you for your continued service and sacrifice. I wish each of you continued success as you take on your new leadership roles. Senate Unanimously Passes Bill to Speed Medical Innovation
This week, the Senate unanimously passed my bill, Senate Bill 1206. This legislation will help bring new life-saving treatments and medical devices to market faster by allowing manufacturers to begin Pennsylvania’s licensing process while awaiting final FDA approval. This commonsense step will reduce delays, encourage innovation, and ensure patients have quicker access to potentially life-saving therapies and technologies. Learn more about this legislation. Cutting Red Tape for Charities
The Senate voted to update charitable financial reporting requirements to better reflect the resources of nonprofits. The change would ensure transparency without imposing an unnecessary burden that undermines the charity’s mission. Senate Bill 1183 would update the level of financial review required for charitable organizations based on the amount of annual contributions they receive. Reviews range from independent CPA audits for larger nonprofits to no reviews or audits for smaller ones. The thresholds have not been updated since 2017. The bill was sent to the House of Representatives for consideration. Read more about updating charitable audit requirements here. Providing Discounted Fishing and Hunting Licenses to Law Enforcement
In gratitude for the service of police officers across our commonwealth, the Senate approved legislation to provide current and retired law enforcement with discounted hunting and fishing licenses. Under Senate Bill 469, law enforcement officials would be able to acquire each license for $1. It may be a small gesture, but discounted licenses can help the men and women patrolling our communities take a break from a stressful job and enjoy the outdoors. The measure now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration. Read more about Senate Bill 469 here. Honoring Chief Thomas Medwid on His Retirement
Congratulations to Chief Thomas Medwid on his retirement after 27 years of dedicated service to the Lower Salford community. It was an honor to present him with a Pennsylvania Senate citation recognizing his leadership, commitment to public safety, and the lasting impact he made on the Lower Salford Township Police Department. Wishing Chief Medwid all the best in this well-earned retirement and the next chapter ahead. Celebrating the Ribbon Cutting of Camino Farms
I was honored to join the ribbon-cutting celebration for Camino Farms in Barto. I want to thank the Keating family and everyone who helped bring this inspiring, community-driven vision to life. From supporting students to providing fresh food for local families, Camino Farms is already making a meaningful impact in the community. I look forward to seeing all the great things this organization will continue to accomplish in the years ahead. Introducing Our Summer Intern
I was pleased to introduce my Summer 2026 district office intern, Jayson Erwin, on the Pennsylvania Senate floor. A Schwenksville native and student at Belmont Abbey College, Jayson is passionate about public service and committed to making a difference in his community. We are grateful to have him on our team this summer and look forward to all he will accomplish in this role. Why Do PA Energy Costs Remain High?
A topic I hear often about from constituents is skyrocketing electric rates. Here’s what’s driving this frustrating trend: Pennsylvania is the number one exporting state in the nation for net electricity. We’re the energy hub for the 13 states that are part of the Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Maryland grid, known as PJM. Without Pennsylvania’s reliable energy sources, including natural gas, coal and nuclear power, states like Maryland, New Jersey and Virginia would literally be in the dark. They don’t produce nearly enough reliable baseload power for their own needs. The Shapiro Price Cap With the Shapiro Price Cap in place, every state is paying the same: $330 per megawatt day, meaning Pennsylvania families and employers are paying MORE while people in Virginia and Maryland are paying LESS. If we want lower electricity rates, we must require other states to do their fair share or pay more to help keep the PJM grid viable. Click here to read more about why energy costs remain high for Pennsylvanians. Your Input Wanted on Statewide Transportation Improvement Program
The 2027 Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP), a list of transportation projects identified for funding statewide, is available for public review and comment through June 30. The STIP is made up of 24 regional Transportation Improvement Programs and a variety of additional programs. It is updated every two years after the regional programs are submitted and approved, and will be adopted as part of the 12-Year Program update by the State Transportation Commission in August. |
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