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In this Update:
SB 666 Clears Committee, Offers Relief for Struggling Casinos
This week, my bill to support Pennsylvania’s gaming industry, SB 666 advanced out of the Senate Community, Economic & Recreational Development Committee. This legislation eliminates an outdated requirement that forces casinos like Presque Isle Downs to always operate at least 1,500 slot machines, even when the market doesn’t support it. My bill gives casinos the flexibility to adjust their operations based on actual demand, while still requiring regulatory oversight to ensure we protect jobs, tax revenue, and local funding. Presque Isle Downs provides hundreds of jobs and generates critical revenue for Erie and the surrounding region. We can’t afford to let overregulation put that at risk. SB 666 is a step toward giving our local gaming industry the tools it needs to succeed. Honored to Receive Champion of the Voters Award
I’m grateful to Students for Ballot PA for recognizing me with their inaugural Champion of the Voters Award as we work together to open Pennsylvania’s elections to more voices. More than 1.4 million independent voters, many of them young people and veterans, are currently excluded from voting in primary elections that decide key races. That’s not fair, and it’s not democratic. Every taxpayer deserves a say in how their government is shaped. It’s time to make our elections more fair, inclusive, and truly representative of all Pennsylvanians. Honoring Our Fallen Heroes
This week, my staff attended the annual memorial service at PSP Troop E in Lawrence Park to honor fallen Pennsylvania State Police officers from across the Commonwealth. I’m deeply grateful to the Pennsylvania State Police for their powerful and moving tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. We will never forget their service and dedication. Welcoming Erie’s New Superintendent
It was great to meet Dr. Natalyn Gibbs, the newly selected superintendent of Erie’s Public Schools. With her experience and dedication to student success, I’m confident she’ll be a strong and effective leader for our schools. As a long-time supporter of public education, I look forward to working with Dr. Gibbs to support Erie’s students, families, and educators in every way possible. PASS Scholarships to Help Students in Failing Schools Receive Senate Support
To expand education access and reform outcomes in Pennsylvania’s most challenged schools, the Senate Education Committee this week advanced bipartisan scholarship legislation. The bill, also known as the Pennsylvania Award for Student Success (PASS) scholarship program, now heads to the full Senate for consideration. Senate Bill 10 would establish scholarship accounts for eligible students, allowing them to pursue educational opportunities outside of their assigned public school. The program would be administered by the Pennsylvania State Treasury and funded through appropriations, grants, donations or other contributions from public and private sources. Eligible students must live within the attendance boundary of a school that ranks in the bottom 15% statewide based on academic performance and come from households earning less than 250% of the federal poverty level. Funds in a student’s PASS account could be used for tuition, school-related fees or special education services at a nonpublic school. Learn more about scholarship amounts, which vary from $2,500 to $15,000 based on the student’s grade level. Bill Strengthening PA’s Sexual Offender Registry Approved by Senate
The Senate unanimously approved legislation this week to better protect children in Pennsylvania against sexual predators. Senate Bill 255 would require a sports official, volunteer or employee of a nonprofit association who is convicted of sexual assault to register as a sexual offender under the Sexual Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA). Under current law, a conviction for this offense does not require registration as a sex offender. Closing this loophole will strengthen SORNA and ensure potentially violent sex offenders can be properly monitored. The bill, which now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration, is part of a larger Senate Republican priority of making commonwealth communities safer. PA Treasury Continues Working to Return Money to the People
More than 40,000 Pennsylvanians may soon find a check in their mailbox for money they didn’t know they had, thanks to legislation passed by Senate Republicans. PA Money Match is a new law that allows Treasury to automatically return certain unclaimed property. The program includes properties valued at $500 or less that belong to a single owner. Those with eligible properties will receive a letter in the mail to confirm their address. About 45 days later, they’ll receive a check for their property. PA Treasurer Stacy Garrity is working to return more than $4.5 billion in unclaimed property, which includes dormant bank accounts, uncashed checks, rebates and insurance payments. The average claim is worth more than $1,000. Because PA Money Match will not automatically return properties exceeding $500 or those that may have more than one owner, you are still encouraged to regularly use Treasury’s website to check if you have unclaimed property. Senate Votes for the Save Women’s Sports Act
With a bipartisan vote, the Senate passed legislation to protect athletic opportunity, competitive fairness and safety for female athletes across Pennsylvania. The Save Women’s Sports Act would ensure athletic teams designated for girls and women are reserved for biological females in K-12 and collegiate sports across the commonwealth. Senate Bill 9 would reinforce the original intent of Title IX by ensuring female athletes are not denied scholarships, placements or opportunities due to unfair competition from biological males. It is now headed to the House of Representatives for consideration. Happy Mother’s Day!
Mothers are the backbone of our communities. Whether they sat in the stands cheering us on at our games, brought cupcakes to every PTA bake sale or roughed it in the woods with our scout troop, they put action to their love. On Mother’s Day, we recognize the special women who love and care for us at all stages of our lives. Their support sets us up to be happy, healthy members of society.
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