View this email in a browser

In this Update:

• Former St. Paul’s School to Become New Neighborhood Center in Erie
• Supporting Safer Families Through Children’s Advocacy
• Federal Office Hours
• ECGRA Grants Support Events Across Erie County
• State Funding Expands Access to Essential Student Resources
• How I Can Help
• Senate Stands with Attorney General, District Attorneys, State Troopers and Police
• Measure Cracking Down on “CDL Mills” Becomes Law
• Consider a Future as an Emergency Medical Services Provider
• Nominate a Non-Teaching School Employee for a RISE Award
• Organ and Tissue Donation Saves Lives

Former St. Paul’s School to Become New Neighborhood Center in Erie

I toured the future Saint Paul’s Neighborhood Center with the team from Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest Pennsylvania to learn more about this exciting project taking shape in Erie.

The former St. Paul’s School on Walnut Street is being transformed into a community resource that will expand access to nutritious food, connect residents with important services, and provide a welcoming space to support families.

We appreciate Second Harvest’s continued commitment to addressing food insecurity and investing in resources that strengthen our community. We look forward to seeing this project completed and serving Erie residents for years to come.

Supporting Safer Families Through Children’s Advocacy

I joined the Bradley H. Foulk Children’s Advocacy Center of Erie County to announce its award of $150,000 over three years through the Pennsylvania Children’s Trust Fund Grant Program.

This funding will help expand the ACT Raising Safe Kids Program, providing families with resources and education to help prevent child abuse and create safer environments for children.

I was proud to support this investment in a program that strengthens families and helps protect children across our community.

Federal Office Hours

Staff from U.S. Senator Dave McCormick’s office recently joined us at our district office to assist constituents with federal issues, including Social Security, Medicare, veterans benefits, passports, immigration, the IRS, and more.

Thank you to everyone who stopped by to connect with federal casework resources. Our office remains committed to helping residents navigate government services and find answers to their questions.

ECGRA Grants Support Events Across Erie County

Members of my staff joined community leaders to celebrate ECGRA’s investment of more than $214,000 through its Special Events Grants, supporting more than 150 events across Erie County.

These events bring our communities together, support local businesses, attract visitors, and highlight the many things that make Erie County a great place to live, work, and visit.

Congratulations to all of this year’s grant recipients!

State Funding Expands Access to Essential Student Resources

Members of my staff attended an event at Strong Vincent Middle School in Erie highlighting Pennsylvania’s investment in providing free period products to students across the Commonwealth.

Pennsylvania Department of Health Secretary Dr. Debra Bogen joined Erie Public Schools Board Vice President Angela Amatangelo and Strong Vincent Middle School student Autumn Sala to discuss the state’s $9 million investment over the past three years to expand access to essential hygiene products in schools.

The funding supports more than 750 school districts, intermediate units, career and technical centers, and brick-and-mortar charter schools, helping ensure students have the resources they need to stay focused on learning.

How I Can Help

If you or someone you know is having trouble accessing state programs or services, or if you have questions about a law or government program and aren’t sure where to turn, my team and I are here to help. We can guide you through the process, connect you with the right resources, and provide support on a wide range of issues to make things easier for you.

Senate Stands with Attorney General, District Attorneys, State Troopers and Police

Second-degree murder is a horrific crime – these are homicides committed while the defendant was also committing another violent felony such as rape, arson, robbery, burglary or kidnapping. Those who commit such an act deserve a punishment that matches.

In March, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled that our current sentencing structure for second-degree murder (life without parole in every case) is unconstitutional. The justices gave the General Assembly 120 days to enact legislation correcting the situation.

The Senate successfully passed strong bipartisan legislation to address this issue – twice. The Senate’s legislation is supported by Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday, Pennsylvania District Attorneys, the Pennsylvania State Troopers Association and the Pennsylvania State Lodge Fraternal Order of Police.           

Unfortunately, the leadership in the House of Representatives refused to allow a vote on this bipartisan legislation, instead passing a weak bill on a near party-line vote. That bill has several serious problems, including the fact that it could allow more than half of all inmates, including those on death row, to qualify for release from prison under an overbroad, ill-defined “medical release” program that is riddled with loopholes. It makes no sense.

I will continue fighting for a strong, common-sense response to the Supreme Court’s decision because the safety of our communities is at stake.

Measure Cracking Down on “CDL Mills” Becomes Law

Legislation drafted after it was learned unauthorized commercial driver’s license (CDL) schools were operating in Pennsylvania is now law, significantly boosting penalties for these “CDL mills.”

Act 50 of 2026 increases the maximum civil penalty for operating an unauthorized CDL school from $2,500 to $25,000, giving the state Department of Education a stronger enforcement tool to stop illegal operations and discourage violations. The new law does not impact private employers that provide CDL training to their own employees at no cost.

The Senate also passed Senate Bill 1295 to reinforce tractor trailer safety in the commonwealth. The legislative package reflects new federal regulations and federal legislation to strengthen commercial vehicle operations following allegations of unqualified truck drivers in the country illegally. Read more about improving commercial vehicle safety here.

Consider a Future as an Emergency Medical Services Provider

You could have a future in Emergency Medical Services, a critical component of healthy communities.

Find out what it takes to be an EMS provider and get your start with the state Department of Health’s Bureau of Emergency Medical Services.

The site includes EMS education, information and resources, regional EMS council contact information and more.

Nominate a Non-Teaching School Employee for a RISE Award

Non-teaching school employees – including paraprofessional, clerical, transportation, food service, custodial, security and health workers – play key roles in keeping our local schools running.   

If you know an incredible non-teaching employee, you can nominate them for a Recognizing Inspiring School Employees (RISE) Award. Find details and a nomination form at the state Department of Education website.

Nominations for 2026 close Aug. 30.

Organ and Tissue Donation Saves Lives

Saturday is PA Donor Day across the commonwealth, a statewide effort to rally support for the more than 6,000 Pennsylvanians waiting for a life-saving transplant. It’s held on 8/1 because eight lives can be saved by just one registered donor.

PA Donor Day 2026 is especially important because the number of Pennsylvanians registering as organ donors has slowed and transplant waiting lists are long.

You can register to donate at any time – you don’t need to get a driver’s license or permit. Learn more about organ and tissue donation and register to be a donor here.