|
||
|
In this Update:
Encouraging Civic Engagement
I enjoyed participating in Erie Insurance’s Thomas B. Hagen Fellowship Civic Engagement Panel. We had a great conversation about the importance of showing up, getting involved and using your talents to make a difference in the community. Thank you to Erie Insurance for having me! Erie-Made Products Building Erie
I recently toured A. Duchini Inc. in Erie to get a firsthand look at its operation and meet the hardworking employees who manufacture concrete block and masonry products used across our region. Some of the blocks we watched coming off the assembly line are headed to the expansion of Grover Cleveland Elementary School—a great example of Erie-made products and local workers helping build a stronger Erie community. Three-Peat for a Great Cause
For the third consecutive year, my office brought home the win in the Second Harvest Food Bank of NW PA’s Legislative Challenge. It’s always fun competing alongside my fellow legislators to see who can pack the most cans into boxes, but the real victory is supporting Second Harvest’s work to fight food insecurity and help families throughout Erie County. Three years in a row—we’ll be ready to defend our title again next year! Investing in Gem City Outdoorsmen
I joined the PA Game Commission and presented a $50,000 check to Gem City Outdoorsmen through Pennsylvania’s Shooting Range Improvement Program. The funding will support the construction of long-range shooting benches and a pavilion, improving safety and accessibility while providing local sportsmen and women with a quality place to practice their marksmanship skills. Greens Choice Opens Erie Showroom
My staff recently attended the ribbon cutting for Greens Choice LLC’s first Erie retail showroom at 2126 Filmore Avenue. This family-owned business offers professional baking tools, specialty ingredients, decorating supplies and premium bakeware for home bakers and culinary professionals alike. Congratulations to owner Tracy Jose and the entire Greens Choice team on this exciting new chapter! Honoring Shawn Giles’ Legacy of Service
My staff joined Fuller Hose Company #1 and the Shawn Giles Memorial Fund for the rollout of HAAS Alert’s Safety Cloud technology across five area fire stations. Funded in memory of fallen firefighter Shawn Giles, this technology will alert motorists when emergency vehicles are approaching or operating at a scene, helping protect first responders and the traveling public. This meaningful investment ensures Shawn’s legacy of service will continue protecting others throughout our region. 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. School Bus Safety Legislation Awaits House Action
Over the past five years, 25,136 Pennsylvania drivers have been cited for school zone violations, including 8,302 for overtaking or illegally passing a school bus. The Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania breaks down the numbers here. In September 2025, the Senate unanimously passed Senate Bill 65, Enhancing the Safe Transportation of School Children, which would extend the stopping distance requirement from 10 feet to 15 feet before reaching the bus when the red signal lights are flashing and the side stop arm is activated. It also develops a tiered penalty system for a second or subsequent offense. Current law does not penalize repeat offenders. With the start of a new school year nearly a year later, it still awaits a vote by the full House of Representatives. Read more about this effort to boost school bus safety here. Schools Can Apply Now for Safety, AED Training Grants
School districts can apply now for the latest round of funding to improve safety, including an initiative passed by the General Assembly to increase the presence of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) at school events. Under the School Safety and Mental Health Grant Program, school districts, career and technical centers, intermediate units, charter schools and cyber charter schools are eligible for funding to use for safety and security assessments, staff training and more. It can also be used to improve CPR training and AED preparedness. In addition, nonpublic schools can apply for CPR/AED Training for Nonpublic Schools Grant Program that can be used for CPR and AED training. The AED funding is made available through Greg Moyer’s Law, named in honor of Pennsylvania student-athlete Greg Moyer, who died after suffering sudden cardiac arrest during a high school basketball game. Strategies to Prevent Electric Bill Spikes Highlighted at Senate Hearing
Strategies to increase energy production and lower utility bills for Pennsylvanians were the focus of a public hearing by the Senate Majority Policy Committee. The committee heard from energy generators, utilities, business groups, taxpayer advocates and more. Pennsylvania is the top electricity exporter and supplier of natural gas, but the retirement of generation sources is driving up prices and risking electric grid reliability. Testifiers noted the commonwealth needs to build more reliable baseload generation to keep prices stable and ensure access to energy. Read more and access hearing video here. What to Know About Teen Gambling
Just because teens aren’t allowed to gamble doesn’t mean they don’t. Gambling among teenagers is a growing problem. Information is available to learn what teen problem gambling is, how to recognize the warning signs and where to go for help. Topics include: Why do people gamble? The “gambler’s fallacy,” and Who’s at risk? Learn more here from the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Elk Cam Shows Largest Free-Roaming Elk population in Eastern U.S.
Elk were once native to Pennsylvania but disappeared in the 1800s due to overhunting and habitat loss. Today, Pennsylvania is home to 1,300 to 1,400 elk, making it the largest free-roaming elk population in the eastern U.S. Live from Elk State Forest in northern PA, the Elk Cam is a window into the world of these impressive animals, as well as turkey, deer and other wildlife. Best viewing times are mornings and evenings. The livestream is provided by HDOnTap and made possible with the help of the North Central Pennsylvania Regional Planning and Development Commission. |
||
|
||
Want to change how you receive these emails? 2026 © Senate of Pennsylvania | https://www.senatorlaughlin.com | Privacy Policy |
