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In this update:

• Working to Increase Affordability for Pennsylvanians
• Discussion on E-Bike Safety in York County
• New Law Cracks Down on Robocalls, Scam Texts and Caller ID Spoofing
• Rose Interchange Debacle Comes to a Close
• National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is Oct. 24
• On Deck
• Upcoming PennDOT Maintenance Projects

Working to Increase Affordability for Pennsylvanians

At a time when families continue to feel the strain of inflation, we know state government must look for ways to implement policies and programs to increase affordability. Fighting for the state budget to respect taxpayers and take less of your hard-earned money, enacting the Working Pennsylvanians Tax Credit and the Employer Child Care Contribution Tax Credit Programs, and making homes more attainable are some of the ways we’ve focused on affordability during the 2025-26 legislative session.

The new Working Pennsylvanians Tax Credit provides meaningful relief for working families across the commonwealth. Families that claim the federal Earned Income Tax Credit may also claim the state tax credit equal to 10% of the federal amount. This amounts to hundreds of dollars saved every year for many working families.

We also created the Employer Child Care Contribution Tax Credit Program, which provides incentives for businesses to make contributions of up to $500 annually toward their employees’ child-care costs.

And we took steps to make housing attainable to more Pennsylvanians by passing legislation I authored that would streamline municipal approval processes, reduce delays, cut unnecessary red tape, and create a Housing Development Regulatory Compliance Officer to serve as a single point of contact and improve coordination in the permitting process.

We’re committed to continuing to implement greater government efficiencies and policies to control the growth of spending and help address affordability for families throughout Pennsylvania.

Discussion on E-Bike Safety in York County

In many parts of southern York County, it’s hard to go anywhere without seeing e-bikes on the road. As they become more popular, it’s our job to ensure our roadways remain a safe place for all who use them.

I was happy to join Rep. Joe D’Orsie’s roundtable e-bike discussion with local law enforcement and legislators to make sure we are aware of the struggles law enforcement officers face in maintaining safety for travelers.

New Law Cracks Down on Robocalls, Scam Texts and Caller ID Spoofing

Legislation we unanimously passed enacting stronger protections from deceptive telemarketing practices will take effect Monday, Oct. 19.

Under Act 47 of 2026, Pennsylvania’s telemarketing law will now cover modern forms of solicitation, including text messages, voicemails, ringless voicemails and robocalls. It also establishes stronger rules for when and how telemarketers can contact Pennsylvanians, including:

• Prohibiting telemarketing calls before 9 a.m. and after 7 p.m. and on Sundays.
• Requiring prior express written consent for most robocalls and telemarketing text messages.
• Prohibiting telemarketers from falsely identifying themselves or using deceptive caller ID information, including spoofed numbers.
• Requiring telemarketers to stop a solicitation when a consumer asks them to do so.

The legislation also prohibits the use of AI-generated messages to deceive consumers.

Mt. Rose Interchange Debacle Comes to a Close

After over a decade of missed deadlines, legal proceedings, change orders, and headaches for many motorists and businesses along Exit 18, the Mt. Rose interchange project has officially come to a close – at a total cost of nearly $80 million to taxpayers. The construction phase was 4 years late and over $21 million more than bid. This is absolutely unacceptable and I have a bill to ensure it never happens again.

My Senate Bill 305 would require better vetting of contractors who are the lowest responsible bidder but have a history of change orders and delayed projects in other states. The suffering taxpayers and motorists endured for a project delayed by more than four years is inexcusable.

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is Oct. 24

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, most people who use prescription medication for a nonmedical purpose obtained that medication from a family member or friend. Removing unnecessary medications from the home can help remove this risk.

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is Saturday, Oct. 24 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., providing a safe, convenient and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs.

Find a local collection site near you at the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration website.

On Deck 

The Senate of Pennsylvania reconvenes on Monday, October 19, at 1 p.m. Follow me on X for the latest updates on session convening times. You can watch Senate votes and view our agenda here.

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 Sunday afternoons. You can view the full list here to see if any roadwork might impact you and your family.