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In this update:
Bill Reining in Unconfirmed Cabinet Secretaries Passes Senate
The Senate approved legislation I sponsored this week to restore accountability and transparency in state government. Under the previous administration, several individuals were appointed to lead major state agencies without ever being formally confirmed by the Senate, and some were never even formally brought up for nomination. Some served for more than a year while making significant decisions that affect Pennsylvanians across the state. This included leadership departments like Health, Education, Human Services and State. These unconfirmed, nominated position were making decisions about the COVID-19 response, our election process, and major budget decisions without ever facing public scrutiny. This bill ensures this practice will not continue. It limits how long an unconfirmed individual may lead a state agency to 90 days. After that time, they will be designated as Deputy Head of Department and they must appear at the General Assembly’s budget hearings and will not receive any additional pay or benefits. You can find out more information here. Senate Votes to Strengthen Crime Prevention, Keep Communities Safe
Pennsylvania families deserve to be safe. The Senate took decisive action this week to hold dangerous criminals accountable and approved three key bills to protect Pennsylvania communities. Senate Bill 92 would impose a mandatory minimum 25-year sentence on drug dealers who sell fentanyl resulting in a fatal overdose. Known as Tyler’s Law, after Tyler Shanafelter, who tragically died at the age of 18 after purchasing pills he didn’t realize were laced with fentanyl, SB 92 sends a strong message that those fueling the opioid crisis will face severe consequences. Senate Bill 471 would require prosecutors to notify U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement when a criminal defendant is identified as unlawfully present in the United States. The bill would ensure that individuals who commit serious crimes are transferred to federal custody for removal proceedings. It also would prohibit sanctuary policies that obstruct communication between local law enforcement and federal agencies. Senate Bill 490 would prohibit non-monetary bail for the most threatening individuals, including those who possess 10 grams or more of fentanyl, have a history of violent crime or assault a law enforcement officer. These bills reflect Senate Republicans’ commitment to fighting crime, protecting Pennsylvania families and ensuring that our law enforcement officials have the tools they need to uphold justice. Each measure builds upon broader efforts to make Pennsylvania a safer place to live, work and raise a family. Test Your Keystone State Facts and Chat State Issues at PA Trivia Night
From whoopie pies to William Penn, join us for a fun evening of Pennsylvania facts, friendly competition, discussion on state-related issues, and great food from the Laurel Fire Company (available for purchase). Prizes will be awarded to the top three teams (no taxpayer dollars used). Teams can include up to 6 people. Please note, space is limited. Only one person per team should register. Learn more and register your team here. Coming Soon: A Conversation with Former NCAA Swimmer Paula Scanlan
My upcoming podcast episode will feature an in-depth conversation with Paula Scanlan, a former NCAA swimmer at the University of Pennsylvania, who has been using her voice to advocate for women in sports and fairness in competition. It’s a conversation you won’t want to miss. Stay tuned and be the first to listen or watch by subscribing to my podcast on Spotify, Apple, and YouTube. Senate Acts Against False Emergency Threats at Schools
The Senate this week approved legislation to crack down on false emergency threats targeting schools, a move aimed at enhancing public safety and reducing the strain on emergency responders. The bill, which also passed the Senate in the previous legislative session, now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration. Senate Bill 96 would establish new felony penalties for individuals who make hoax emergency reports involving educational institutions. If signed into law, making a false report of an emergency threat to a school would be classified as a third-degree felony, and courts would be allowed to impose financial penalties to recover the costs incurred by taxpayers for emergency response efforts. The legislation comes in response to a troubling rise in hoax threats made against schools across Pennsylvania, causing fear among students and parents while diverting law enforcement and emergency personnel from real emergencies. Senate Bill 96 is part of a broader effort to safeguard schools and hold bad actors accountable. Citizen’s Police Academy with State Police Troop J
Thank you to the Pennsylvania State Police for hosting the Citizens Police Academy this year. Participants gained firsthand insight into law enforcement responsibilities, covering everything from traffic enforcement to crime scene investigations. This program is a great example of how we can enhance the partnership between our police and the public. It was insightful to attend the class’s graduation last week and hear directly from the participants about everything they learned. Spotlight on Career and Technical Education
I had the opportunity to stop by Career and Technical Education (CTE) Day this week and witness firsthand the work happening in our local CTE programs. York Tech Spartans’ Hot Rodders of Tomorrow team was the main attraction. This team of five talented students worked together to disassemble and reassemble a Chevy 350 engine using just a few hand tools. It was an impressive demonstration of precision, teamwork, and technical skill. Programs like this are equipping students with real-world skills, building their confidence, and preparing them for success in high-demand careers across Pennsylvania. You can watch a video of the team here. Celebrating Patriotism at South Eastern Intermediate School
Last week, Rep. Mike Jones and I joined South Eastern School District’s Intermediate School to celebrate this year’s Patriot Program graduates. With more than 200 students participating, the program continues to instill a love for American history, civic responsibility, and patriotism. Special thanks to the dedicated volunteers, especially founder Mary Maccarelli, for keeping this tradition strong. Congratulations to all the proud student patriots! You can find more photos from the event here. May 7 is the REAL ID Deadline
Beginning May 7, Pennsylvanians will need a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license/photo ID card or another form of federally acceptable identification (such as a valid passport or military ID) to board a domestic commercial flight or enter a federal building or military installation that requires ID. Only about 26% of Pennsylvania drivers have replaced their standard driver’s license with a REAL ID. REAL IDs are available now and will continue to be available to Pennsylvanians after the May 7 enforcement deadline. Learn more about REAL ID documentation requirements and find a printable checklist for required REAL ID documents here. This requirement is due to a federal law that was approved by Congress and signed by President George W. Bush in 2005. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is offering dedicated times at specific driver license centers to help Pennsylvanians get their REAL ID. Some centers will be able to process and issue a REAL ID at the time of service. Others will be able to verify and image your documents. You will then receive your REAL ID by mail within 15 business days. Dates for these REAL ID Days include April 7, April 14, April 28 and May 5 – all Mondays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Additionally, I will be hosting license plate replacement events where we will have team members on-hand to assist with providing you with the information you need to replace your regular driver’s license with a REAL ID license. Customers who want a REAL ID but aren’t able to attend a REAL ID Day may visit any REAL ID Center to receive a REAL ID at the time of service, visit any PennDOT Driver License Center to have documents verified and then receive REAL ID within 15 business days or apply online (pre-verified customers only). Planning for College: Join for Live PHEAA Q&A
Join financial aid experts Suzanne Sparrow, William McGinley, and Daniel Wray from PHEAA for a live Financial Aid Planning Q&A session! Whether you’re overwhelmed by scholarship searches, stuck on student loans, or just not sure where to start, this open forum is your chance to get real answers in real time. Tuesday, April 8, at noon You can register at pheaa.org/virtual. Free Tax Prep Services Available for Qualified Individuals
Free tax preparation services are available to individuals and families who qualify through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. The IRS-sponsored initiative serves households earning approximately $60,000 or less, those with disabilities, the elderly and individuals with limited English proficiency. To find a VITA site near you, dial 211, visit the PA 211 website or use the IRS’s VITA locator tool. It’s essential to make an appointment in advance, as many VITA sites operate on a seasonal basis and appointments can fill quickly. Be sure to bring necessary documents. Households with an annual income of $73,000 or less can file their federal and state tax forms online for free through MyFreeTaxes.com. The user-friendly platform allows filers to easily navigate the tax preparation process at their own pace and features live support from IRS-certified specialists. MyFreeTaxes.com uses secure, IRS-approved software to protect your personal information and data. April is National Donate Life Month
For the 23rd year, we recognize April as an opportunity to raise awareness about organ donation. In the season that represents new beginnings, we honor donors, recipients, their families, caregivers and the clinical teams that make it all possible. More than 6,000 Pennsylvanians are awaiting organ transplants. Organ donation can save up to eight lives, and tissue donation can enhance the lives of 75 others by helping them recover from trauma, spinal injuries, burns and vision loss. If you aren’t an organ or tissue donor yet but would like to be, there’s no need to wait until you get or renew your driver’s license, learner’s permit or photo ID. It’s easy to register online to donate. There are no costs to the donor’s family for donation. Paramedics, doctors and nurses remain committed to doing everything possible to save donors’ lives. Learn 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.
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