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In this update:
Why We Must Save Women’s Sports
This week, I stood alongside Sen. Judy Ward and courageous young women like Lily Williams to mark the Senate’s bipartisan passage of Senate Bill 9, the Save Women’s Sports Act. Together, we are working to protect the promise of Title IX and ensure fairness, safety, and equal opportunity for female athletes in Pennsylvania.
Senate Bill 9 reinforces the original intent of Title IX by ensuring athletic teams designated for girls and women in K-12 and collegiate sports are reserved for biological females. This legislation aims to prevent female athletes from being denied scholarships, placements, or roster spots due to unfair competition from biological males. Last week’s Senate vote marks a major step forward in this important effort, and I was proud to join supporters at a press conference celebrating this milestone. I also recently sat down with former University of Pennsylvania swimmer Paula Scanlan to hear her firsthand experience and why she continues to speak out about this issue. You can watch our conversation on YouTube or listen on Apple or Spotify. The bill is in to the House of Representatives for consideration. I will continue to fight for fairness in women’s sports and advocate for policies that protect the opportunities Title IX was created to ensure. Saving Lives and Supporting EMS Providers
As our communities continue to confront the opioid crisis, I’m working to support the dedicated EMS providers who are on the front lines every day. This week, the Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee unanimously advanced my legislation, Senate Bill 95, which would permanently allow EMS personnel to leave behind a dose of naloxone, also known as Narcan, with a caregiver at the scene of an overdose. While some forms of naloxone are now available over the counter, others are still awaiting federal approval. My bill ensures EMS teams can leave behind any life-saving formulation of naloxone, even those still under review, to help bridge the gap for individuals and families in crisis. This commonsense measure provides caregivers with a critical tool and eases the burden on EMS providers who are already stretched thin responding to the growing demand for emergency care. The goal is simple: save lives and support those working tirelessly to protect public health. Senate Votes to Help Fire and EMS Departments
The Senate passed legislation to address Pennsylvania’s volunteer firefighter shortage that, if left unaddressed, threatens to cause local tax hikes to fund paid services. The bill would also fix recent issues with emergency services grant funding. Senate Bill 466 would allow job training credits to count toward Firefighter I Certification, giving volunteer recruits a more flexible pathway to credentialing. It would also correct a recent administrative error that led to a number of Fire Company and Emergency Medical Services grants being rescinded. Many departments had already budgeted for those funds, and the bill would ensure they receive the support they were promised. To prevent similar issues, the bill would also establish a one-time, 15-day grace period – available once every three years – for fire and EMS companies to submit required reports without needing to demonstrate undue hardship. It moves to the House of Representatives for consideration. FourCorners Comics New Location in Hanover
Downtown Hanover has a new destination for comic lovers and gaming enthusiasts! FourCorners Comics officially opened the doors to its second location at 34 Frederick Street during a grand opening celebration earlier this month. I had the opportunity to stop by and take part in the excitement alongside Rep. Kate Klunk, Mayor SueAnn Whitman, Main Street Hanover, and Hanover Borough officials. It was great to welcome this small business to its new space and see firsthand how they’re bringing fresh energy to our downtown. Whether you’re on the hunt for a new comic book, like the copy of “I Am Superman” I picked up, or looking to join in on tabletop games, FourCorners Comics offers something for everyone. Be sure to check out their website for updates on game nights, special events, and new arrivals. You can see more photos from the event here. Bill Ensuring Sportsmen’s Rights are Protected Receives Senate Support
Legislation to protect sportsmen’s rights by aligning state law with the federal and state constitution passed the Senate and is headed to the House of Representatives for consideration. The Pennsylvania Game Code contains sections indicating it is unlawful to refuse to answer questions from representatives of the Game Commission. However, that violates the United States and Pennsylvania constitutions, which ensure no person may be “compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself” and “he cannot be compelled to give evidence against himself.” Senate Bill 518 would remove the offending sections, ensuring the protection of sportsmen’s constitutional rights. Combatting Growing Sextortion Scam Targeting Children
A disturbing scam is on the rise, with organized groups of Nigerian cybercriminals increasingly targeting children across the United States. These criminals pose as friends, or even classmates, on social media platforms to gain a child’s trust. After coaxing them into sharing explicit photos, the blackmail begins. This practice, known as sextortion, has surged by 1,000% in just the past 18 months. The threats are terrifying: unless the child sends money, the criminal threatens to share the photos with their family, friends, and classmates. Tragically, this kind of emotional trauma has already led to unthinkable consequences, including cases of suicide. To fight back, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children offers a powerful tool: Take It Down. This free, confidential service allows individuals to submit the image being used against them. The platform then creates a unique digital fingerprint, called a “hash value,” which is sent to participating sites like Instagram, Snapchat, and adult content platforms. It is important to note, the image or video does not get uploaded onto the website, it remains stored on the personal device. These sites use the hash to identify and block the image, preventing it from being shared or resurfacing online. Once blocked, the photo becomes useless to the blackmailer. This tool offers a vital lifeline to children and families caught in an overwhelming and dangerous situation. To learn more or use the service, visit here. Calling Out Maryland’s Energy OverreachI recently joined WBFF FOX 45 to sound the alarm on how Maryland’s failed energy policies are driving up costs for Pennsylvania families, especially those living near the state line. Maryland politicians are pushing extreme mandates that ignore market realities and burden border communities with higher energy bills. These policies don’t stop at the state line, and the consequences are being felt right here in York County. It’s time Maryland stops the nonsense and considers the real impact on everyday families. You can watch the conversation here. Boosting Transparency in Public Education
Two measures I sponsored to increase transparency and accountability in public education have passed the Senate and are now headed to the House for consideration. Senate Bills 226 and 227 would ensure that organizations like the Pennsylvania School Boards Association (PSBA), which receives taxpayer-funded benefits including state pensions and Social Security reimbursements, are subject to the state’s Right-to-Know Law and held to the same public accountability standards as other state-affiliated entities. No other association receives this level of taxpayer support without being bound by transparency requirements. These bills close that loophole. The legislation builds on a recent Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling that classified the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) as a public entity under the Right-to-Know Law, affirming that taxpayer-funded organizations must be transparent in their operations. Taxpayers deserve to know how their money is being spent, especially in public education. I’ll continue to fight for greater transparency and stronger accountability wherever your tax dollars are involved. Cameron Irwin Earns Rank of Eagle Scout
Congratulations to Cameron Irwin of Boy Scout Troop 24 in New Freedom on achieving the rank of Eagle Scout. I had the pleasure of presenting Cameron with an official citation from the Senate of Pennsylvania in recognition of his achievement. For his Eagle Scout project, Cameron, son of Donald and Amanda Irwin, built new shelving for The WELL in Glen Rock, improving its storage and organization capabilities to better serve local families. Well done, Cameron! Your commitment to giving back and strengthening our community is something to be proud of. Win Money for Your Child’s Education
In honor of PA 529 Day on May 29, Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity invites families to contribute $10 or more to their child’s PA 529 account in May to be automatically eligible for one of six regional awards of $5,529. PA 529 plans allow families to use their savings to pay for a wide variety of education expenses, including at any qualified educational institution, from K-12 to college and career training programs. If the child doesn’t pursue education, the beneficiary can be updated to certain family members or used to repay the principal and interest on a qualified education loan for a PA 529 beneficiary or sibling. Anyone – parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and family friends – can contribute to a PA 529 plan. Saving with PA 529 does not impact a student’s eligibility for Pennsylvania state financial aid. Learn more. Honoring Those Who Serve and Protect
During National Police Week, we pause to recognize the unwavering courage and sacrifice of the men and women who protect our communities and the families who stand beside them. This week, we pay tribute to the unwavering commitment of law enforcement officers across our Commonwealth and nation. Their courage and sacrifice are the foundation of safe, thriving communities. This year’s observance is especially solemn for our community as we remember Officer Andrew Duarte, who gave his life just two months ago during the tragic events at UPMC. His bravery in the face of danger reflects the very best of what it means to wear the badge. You can find a video of Officer Duarte being honored on the Senate floor here. To every law enforcement officer and to the families who share in both the pride and the burden of service, thank you. We are forever grateful. 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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