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In this update:
Shining a Light on Government Spending During Sunshine Week
Sunshine Week is a national initiative dedicated to promoting government transparency, and I’m introducing legislation to pull back the curtain on taxpayer-funded spending. As newspapers across the nation celebrate Sunshine Week and call for greater openness in government, it’s important that they also practice what they preach—because government spending works best in the sunlight. State, county, and local governments, as well as school districts, are required to post public and legal advertising in newspapers, which comes at a rising cost to taxpayers. A 2006 survey by the bipartisan Local Government Commission found that these costs exceeded $18 million at the time. Adjusted for inflation, today’s costs surpass $28 million annually. For example, Blair County’s legal advertising spending jumped from $176,853 in 2021 to $215,431 in 2022, while the City of Lancaster spent nearly $73,000 on required advertising costs. This growing financial burden falls on local taxpayers, and they deserve to know where their money is going. That’s why I’m introducing simple, commonsense legislation requiring newspapers to disclose, in the corner of each mandated legal advertisement, the cost incurred by the local government entity to publish it. The way we consume news has changed dramatically, but our laws haven’t kept up. While newspaper circulation has declined by more than half in the last two decades, advertising costs for local governments have only gone up. It’s time to bring greater transparency to this mandated taxpayer spending. Respecting taxpayer dollars is one of my top concerns as your state senator. I believe in openness and transparency in state government and have made that a priority throughout my time in public office. From day one, I have turned down many of the lavish perks offered to members of the General Assembly. As your state senator, I declined the public pension, did not enroll in the Senate’s healthcare plan, and do not use a state vehicle. I do not submit for mileage reimbursement for events throughout the 28th District, nor do I seek reimbursement for travel to and from the state Capitol. I also rejected the automatic cost-of-living adjustment and returned it to the Treasury. You can find all of our office expenses here. Transparency isn’t just something I talk about; it’s something I live by. I have worked to hold government accountable, protect taxpayer dollars, and ensure the people of Pennsylvania know how their money is being spent. Sunshine Week is about making sure government works for the people and not behind closed doors. My bill ensures that the entities championing transparency also uphold it when it comes to taxpayer dollars. PA Recovers $11.3 Million in Medicaid Fraud
One of my top priorities is fighting fraud throughout state government, and I’m pleased that Attorney General Dave Sunday’s Medicaid Fraud Team recovered more than $11.3 million in misused Medicaid funding in fiscal year 2024. In fact, a federal annual report ranked Pennsylvania first in the nation for the number of Medicaid fraud charges filed against individuals and third in convictions secured. The report also states that Medicaid Fraud units across the country recover $3.46 for every $1 spent by the units. Retrieving this funding ensures that limited-income and vulnerable populations have access to health care as intended. The Medicaid Fraud Team prosecutes those who defraud the program through unlawful billing or failure to provide services. It also prosecutes those who neglect or abuse Pennsylvanians dependent on their care and those who financially exploit older adults or care-dependent persons. However, stopping fraud shouldn’t just be reactive, it must be proactive. That’s why I’ve partnered with Sen. Lindsey Williams to introduce the Commonwealth Fraud Prevention Act for Taxpayer Accountability. This bipartisan legislation will encourage whistleblowers to come forward and report fraud, waste, and abuse of government funds, ensuring that taxpayer dollars are protected. The bill includes all provisions necessary to comply with the Federal False Claims Act, meaning Pennsylvania could recover an additional 10% of any misused funds. Other states with similar laws have successfully recovered billions of dollars, and it’s time for Pennsylvania to do the same. Accountability in government is nonpartisan, and this legislation will provide the necessary protections to ensure fraudsters are held responsible, no matter where they operate. Lucky Start to Coffee and Conversation
Earlier this week, I had the pleasure of kicking off St. Patrick’s Day with great conversations and even better coffee at Merlin’s Coffee. I always appreciate the opportunity to sit down with constituents, hear what’s on their minds, and discuss the issues that matter most. A special thank you to Merlin’s Coffee for the warm welcome and fantastic brews. Stay tuned for more events coming near you! Online Unclaimed Property Auction – March 26 and 27
Pennsylvania’s next auction of unclaimed property – including jewelry, collectible coins, currency and more – will take place on March 26 and 27. Treasurer Stacy Garrity said more than 5,500 items will hit the auction block, and anyone interested in bidding can register on the website of the Pennsylvania Treasury Department’s auctioneer partner, Pook & Pook. Unclaimed tangible property, like the items being auctioned, comes to Treasury most often from forgotten safe deposit boxes. Treasury works to find the rightful owner for at least three years before auctioning an item but holds auctions twice a year to make room for incoming property in Treasury’s vault – the largest working vault in the country. All items sold at auction are carefully documented, and net proceeds remain with Treasury until a rightful owner comes forward to claim the property – no matter how much time passes. Treasury is working to return more than $4.5 billion in unclaimed property that is owed to more than one in 10 Pennsylvanians. The average value of a claim is about $1,600. This money can belong to individuals, businesses, nonprofits, local government entities, and other organizations. Anyone can search for unclaimed property online. My office is also always glad to help you file a claim or to answer any of your questions. ICYMI: Discussing Fiscal Responsibility on CBS-21’s “Face the State”
Last Sunday, I sat down with Joel D. Smith on CBS-21’s Face the State to discuss the latest updates on Pennsylvania’s state budget and the importance of fiscal responsibility. Just as families across our commonwealth carefully manage their budgets, state government must do the same – prioritizing essential services while cutting back on wasteful spending. If you missed our conversation, you can catch up on the discussion here. Thank you to CBS-21 for the opportunity to highlight these critical issues! Job Openings for Lifeguards at State Parks
Applications are being accepted through March 31 for summer job opportunities at 13 of Pennsylvania’s state parks. Lifeguards will be paid $17 an hour and must have proper certifications. Full-time and part-time schedules are available. Lifeguards are essential in safeguarding the health and safety of park visitors. Duties will include overseeing the swimming zones, upholding park policies, and addressing emergencies. Plus, Codorus State Park is one of the best state parks in the Commonwealth! Find information about required qualifications and apply online here. Upcoming Virtual FAFSA Workshop for Students and Parents
Filing for financial aid can be overwhelming, but help is available! The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) is hosting a virtual FAFSA Completion Workshop on Tuesday, April 1, to assist students and parents with completing the 2025-26 FAFSA form. This one-on-one assistance from PHEAA staff will help ensure that students maximize their financial aid opportunities. Registration is required, as spots are limited. Protect Your Home from a Flood
Flooding is the most frequent and expensive U.S. natural disaster. Yet, it’s not typically covered through most homeowners and renter’s insurance. More than 20% of the National Flood Insurance Program’s claims come from outside high-risk flood areas. Those who live in areas with low-to-moderate flooding risk are five times more likely to experience a flood than a fire in their home in the next 30 years. You can determine your risk using this flood map. Checking your policy and consulting your agent to confirm that flood perils are included in your insurance can save you. Review flood insurance basics so you know how to protect your home. Celebrating National Agriculture Week
Agriculture – one of Pennsylvania’s top industries – directly impacts our health, economy and communities. It also preserves open space. Farmers work tirelessly to provide us with fresh produce and dairy products. Supporting them is as easy as enjoying the wonderful foods they offer. As the weather begins to improve, farmers markets will pop up all over the state. Read more about Pennsylvania’s farmers markets. You can watch highlights from my recent Farmers’ Breakfast, which featured our state’s top agriculture official, Secretary Russell Redding, and Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, Congressman GT Thompson, here. In addition to farming, many other jobs play an important role in our state’s agricultural success. Pennsylvania’s more than 500,000 jobs in agriculture also include the fields of business, technology, science and more. Upcoming PennDOT Maintenance Projects
Most weeks, PennDOT provides me with its upcoming maintenance schedule. While my team and I aim to keep this information up to date, please note that the page may not always reflect the latest changes. For the most accurate details, I recommend checking back on Friday afternoons or over the weekend, as we usually receive updates from PennDOT on Fridays. You can view the full list here to see if any roadwork might impact you and your family. On Deck
The Senate of Pennsylvania reconvenes on Monday, March 24, at 1 p.m. Follow me on X for all of the latest updates on session convening times. You can watch all of the Senate votes and view our agenda here.
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