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Dear Friends, As Election Day approaches, please remember to be respectful of poll workers and fellow voters. Many of these workers are your neighbors, volunteering their time to help voting run smoothly for everyone. Thank you to all who serve on Election Day! Sincerely,
In this Update:
Bill Requiring Parental Notification of School Weapons Incidents Set to Become Law
Legislation requiring school districts to notify parents and school employees of any incidents involving possession of weapons on school property is set to become law. Under current law, school districts are not required to inform parents or guardians about incidents when a weapon is brought onto school grounds or to related activities. The changes in Senate Bill 246 apply to public, nonpublic and private schools. The bill, which first passed the Senate in May, received strong bipartisan support from the General Assembly and now awaits the governor’s signature. New Protections Against Telemarketers Approved by Senate
The Senate approved legislation to better protect Pennsylvanians from scammers and other deceitful telemarketers. Senate Bill 992 prohibits telemarketing calls being made on Sundays and either before 9 a.m. or after 7 p.m. on every other day of the week. It also expands the law to cover text messages, voicemails and “ringless” voicemails – tools often used by telemarketers to evade existing restrictions. In addition, it establishes penalties for both telemarketers and the companies that hire them for illegal activity. The bill would also prohibit the use of artificial intelligence or fake caller IDs to deceive or defraud consumers. A violation of the law carries a civil penalty of up to $1,000 or $3,000 if the person contacted is age 60 or older. The bill was sent to the House of Representatives for consideration. Standing Up for Humane Treatment of Animals
This week, I joined fellow dog lovers at a press conference in support of Victoria’s Law, which takes an important step toward ending the cruel cycle of puppy mills in Pennsylvania. These operations often prioritize profit over compassion, and I’ve seen firsthand the heartbreaking impact they can have on innocent animals. As a mom of two rescue dogs, I believe we have a responsibility to promote humane sources such as shelters, rescues, and responsible breeders. Every animal deserves a safe, loving home. I was also honored to be featured in Dogspiracy, a powerful film that sheds light on this issue and underscores the need for change. Together, we can make a difference for animals across our Commonwealth. Senate Adopts My Resolution to Review State-Owned Aircraft and Aviation Assets
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has aging aircraft. To determine the safety and quality of our state-owned aircraft, I introduced Senate Resolution 89, which was adopted by the full Senate this week. This resolution has a clear and simple goal: to study how the Commonwealth manages its state-owned aviation assets and ensures they are being used as efficiently and effectively as possible. Pennsylvania owns a significant number of aircraft and aviation-related resources across multiple agencies, including PennDOT, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Office of Attorney General. These assets play a vital role in public safety, law enforcement, emergency response, and day-to-day state operations. However, as with any public resource, it is essential that we regularly evaluate their use, upkeep, and cost to ensure we are serving the public interest and being responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars. Honoring U.S. Army Veteran Troy Harbour at the Capitol
What a great honor to welcome U.S. Army Veteran Troy Harbour and his family to the Capitol alongside my colleague Senator Rosemary Brown. Troy, a constituent of the 40th Senatorial District, visited as the winner of one of my “A Day in Harrisburg” prizes. He proudly served as a 12B Combat Engineer in the U.S. Army from 2012–2015, including a tour in Afghanistan. Today, Troy continues his service as a project director, advocating for veterans’ rights and supporting his fellow service members. It was a privilege to recognize his dedication both in and out of uniform. Watch here. Welcoming Berks County Education Leaders to the Capitol
Educators from Berks County visited Harrisburg this week to discuss a range of educational issues facing the county and state. Superintendents, career and technology center directors, and representatives from Intermediate Units and school districts joined us to discuss workforce development, student achievement, and expanding access to quality education. I look forward to continuing our work together to strengthen education in Berks County and across Pennsylvania. Watch here. Welcoming My Fall Intern to the Senate
Our Red Hill Senate intern Jonathan Carnesi joined me in Harrisburg to visit the Capitol and see the Senate in session. Jonathan is a senior at Penn State Harrisburg, majoring in political science and interning in my Red Hill District Office. He is passionate about public service and hopes to pursue a career in government after graduation. Jonathan has been a wonderful addition to the Pennycuick team, and I’m grateful for his hard work and enthusiasm throughout the semester. Watch here. Updated Mobile Office Hours and New Location Added
My mobile offices provide a convenient way to connect with my office for assistance with state services, resources, and any questions you may have. We’ve updated our mobile office hours to better serve you: We are now in Amity from 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM, and in Bally from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM, and we’ve added a new location in Washington Township on the first Monday of each month. Please see below for the full list of times and locations. Montgomery County Montgomery County Community College – Pottstown Campus North Wales Borough Municipal Building Skippack Township Building Towamencin Township Municipal Building Trappe Borough Municipal Building Berks County Amity Township Municipal Building Bally Borough Municipal Building Longswamp Township Municipal Building Washington Township Municipal Building Senate Votes to Eliminate Unnecessary Boards and Commissions
Legislation to streamline state government operations by eliminating outdated, unnecessary and inactive boards, commissions and advisory committees was passed by the Senate. Senate Bill 755 would eliminate 13 government entities that are expired, dormant, no longer have any members or are unnecessary. Examples include the Greater Pennsylvania Council that has been long dormant; the Senior Citizen Advisory Committee, whose duties were all assumed by a different committee; the High-Speed Intercity Passenger Rail Commission, which expired in 1987; and the Climate Change Advisory Committee, which has produced no specific beneficial outcomes while continuing to expend taxpayer dollars. Many of the commonwealth’s nearly 400 boards, commissions and advisory committees do not publicly share information about their duties, meetings or other activities, raising concerns about transparency. The bill was sent to the House of Representatives for consideration. Make Your Voice Heard Tuesday on Election Day
Tuesday, Nov. 4 is Election Day, the last chance of the year for voters to weigh in on races for local, county and judicial positions. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. For those voting by mail, county election offices must receive completed ballots by 8 p.m. on Election Day. Find your polling place and other voter information here. Internship Opportunity for Students Interested in Public Policy Careers
College students interested in careers in public policy can apply for summer internships in Harrisburg through the James A. Finnegan Fellowship Foundation. Internships are awarded through an essay contest. Applicants must write between 1,500 and 2,500 words about a controversial policy currently under consideration by the General Assembly. The 2026 contest asks applicants to write about the pros and cons of data centers, and what the state’s role should be. Applicants have until Jan. 23, 2026 to submit their essay and other materials to the foundation. The winners will receive a cash prize and placement in paid state government summer internships in Harrisburg for eight to 10 weeks. Coming Together for Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Breast Cancer Awareness Month was a time of reflection and unity. Senators from both sides of the aisle took part in October’s Rock the Ribbon campaign to acknowledge the strength of those impacted and the continued importance of awareness. Please share this information with a friend or family member. It could save their life.
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