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Is this Update:
John Hancock Visit
Last week, I had the opportunity to visit John Hancock Demonstration School and see firsthand the incredible work happening in their classrooms. From the moment I arrived, it was clear how excited these students were to learn – their energy and enthusiasm carried through every lesson. I observed skills blocks, reading comprehension and writing modules throughout first and second grade classes. The students especially shined during their phonics and literacy centers, confident in demonstrating the building blocks of strong reading skills. Seeing these young learners excel and witnessing the dedication of the educators who support them reaffirmed how vital our strong public schools are to the future of Northeast Philadelphia. Thank you to Principal Bragg for having me at the school, and Ms. Kahalehoe and Ms. Hull for hosting me in your classrooms! Honoring Al Schmid: Bells Across PA
On Veterans Day, I was honored to attend the unveiling of a bell dedicated to World War II veteran Al Schmid. Al’s bravery at the Battle of Guadalcanal – fighting through injury to protect his fellow Marines – is the kind of heroism that continues to inspire generations. The Bells Across Pennsylvania Project is a creative and meaningful way to connect our history to our future. Each bell in this series tells a story about people, our communities, and the pride we share in our Commonwealth. Standing with community members, veterans, colleagues and local leaders to recognize his service was a powerful reminder of the courage and sacrifice that define our nation’s history. Mayfair Tree Lighting
I had the pleasure of joining families, neighbors, and local businesses for the annual Mayfair Tree Lighting to kick off the holiday season! Events like these are what make Northeast Philadelphia feel like home – bringing community together to celebrate the start of a joyful time of year. I am grateful to everyone who worked hard to put this event together and look forward to many more celebrations with our Mayfair community.
Senate Bill 734 Passes in the Senate The Pennsylvania Senate unanimously passed legislation I co-sponsored to install a semi-quincentennial celebration bell at the Pennsylvania State Capitol in recognition of America’s 250th anniversary. Senate Bill 734 directs the Department of General Services to oversee the installation of the America250PA monument, honoring Pennsylvania’s central role in America’s founding and celebrating the Commonwealth’s enduring influence on democracy, freedom, and civic pride. As the state’s official commission, America250PA leads the planning of events, education initiatives, and commemorations for the milestone. Philadelphia is where the story of America began. As someone proud to represent part of the city that gave birth to our nation, this means a great deal. It’s about honoring our history and ensuring Pennsylvania’s role in that story is recognized and remembered. Senate Bill 1090 Clears Committee This week, the Senate Communications and Technology Committee advanced Senate Bill 1090 – the SAFECHAT Act – an important bipartisan measure designed to protect children from harmful AI-driven chat interactions. AI continues to create exciting opportunities in our schools, workplaces, and local businesses. But with those benefits come real risks – especially for our youngest and most impressionable users. The SAFECHAT Act puts strong safeguards in place to ensure AI tools interacting with minors are safe, transparent, and free from abuse. It reflects a commitment to prioritizing responsibility and child safety in a rapidly changing technological landscape. I was proud to support this bill in committee and will continue to advocate for common-sense protections that keep Pennsylvania families safe as technology evolves. Urban Affairs and Housing Committee Meeting This week, The Urban Affairs and Housing Committee got to work in Harrisburg, taking up two important pieces of legislation: Senate Bill 979 and House Bill 858 – both aimed at strengthening neighborhoods and improving oversight. Senate Bill 979 focuses on protecting homeowners from unnecessary financial penalties when they are attempting to maintain, sell or improve their property. The bill ensures that residents can invest in their homes without fear of unexpected property tax repercussions. House Bill 858 strengthens municipal oversight by requiring a designated point of contact for absentee landlord properties. By mandating a specific and accountable contact, HB 858 equips municipalities with the tools they need to address blight, improve responsiveness, and protects tenants and neighbors. As Chair, I take our mission seriously – making sure every community in Pennsylvania has access to safe, stable, affordable housing. I was glad to lead a productive discussion on both bills, and I am committed to keeping our committee focused on real solutions that strengthen neighborhoods and our families across the Commonwealth. Employers, Trade Unions and Lawmakers: New Permitting Reforms, Stopping RGGI Will Boost PA Economy
Trade unions, employers and energy producers joined lawmakers at the Capitol to celebrate new reforms cutting red tape and blocking the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) electricity tax – moves that will unleash Pennsylvania’s economic potential and help create jobs. Both reforms were enacted with the 2025-26 state budget. Pennsylvania’s permitting process has been a deterrent to businesses moving to or expanding in Pennsylvania, costing our state countless jobs. The new law cuts red tape, establishes clear timelines for permit reviews and creates a real-time online tracking system. In addition, key permits will be deemed approved if a state agency moves too slowly. Participating in RGGI, a multi-state electricity tax Gov. Tom Wolf attempted to implement via an illegal regulation and which Gov. Josh Shapiro pursued through the courts, would have increased electricity rates for families and businesses, eliminated energy and manufacturing jobs, forced Pennsylvania power plants to close and created serious threats to grid reliability. “After six long years the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative will no longer be a part of Pennsylvania politics and our energy future in Pennsylvania. This is great news for hardworking Pennsylvanians all across the state,” said Shawn Steffee, business agent, Boilermakers Local 154 Pittsburgh and president, South Central Building Trades Council. Read more reaction to these reforms here. New Law Will Preserve Prescription Access for Seniors
Legislation to prevent thousands of Pennsylvania seniors from losing access to life-sustaining prescription medications is set to become law following final passage by the Senate. House Bill 923 would extend the practice of excluding Social Security cost-of-living adjustments when calculating income eligibility for the PACE and PACENET programs. The exclusion, currently set to expire at the end of 2025, will be extended through Dec. 31, 2027 when the bill is signed by the governor. Without the extension, 10,039 PACENET enrollees would lose their coverage. Additionally, 12,594 PACE enrollees would move to PACENET, losing their lower copayment and their PACE-paid Part D premium. Bill to Ensure Disabled Veterans Receive Free Hunting Licenses Passes Senate
The Senate passed legislation that would close an unintended gap in Pennsylvania’s existing free hunting license program for disabled veterans. Under current law, only veterans who suffered injuries during combat and were deemed 100% disabled by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs are eligible for free hunting licenses. Partially disabled veterans may purchase discounted licenses. Those who suffered service-connected injuries outside of combat — in training, non-combat operations, peacetime duties or other hazardous activities — are not currently eligible for a discount. Senate Bill 1020 would expand eligibility so that all 100% disabled veterans qualify for a free hunting license, regardless of how or where their service-connected injuries occurred. It would also maintain discounted licenses for partially disabled veterans. The bill was sent to the House of Representatives for consideration. Attorney General’s New Elder Exploitation Section Expands Protections for Older Pennsylvanians
An expansion of protections and services for seniors, focused on deterring financial theft and holding offenders criminally responsible, was announced with the launch of the Office of Attorney General’s Elder Exploitation Section by Attorney General Dave Sunday. The section will primarily focus on cases involving financial exploitation, deception and theft from older residents — typically perpetrated by relatives, caregivers or appointed conservators and powers of attorney. These are complex cases, involving meticulous review of financial records and other documents. Municipal police departments may not have the resources required to take on these investigations. The Elder Exploitation Section will have the resources, and expects referrals to come from police departments, county, state, and federal agencies and other sources. National Diabetes Awareness Month
Diabetes affects about 38 million Americans, including adults and youth. A disease that occurs when your blood sugar is too high, diabetes can damage the eyes, kidneys, nerves and heart, and it is linked to some types of cancer. The good news is that taking charge of your health may help you prevent diabetes health problems. Find out more here. Upcoming Events in the Community
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