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In this Update:
Modern Tool Square Secures CRIZ Approval
I fought for nearly a decade to bring the City Revitalization and Improvement Zone (CRIZ) program to Erie. In its first year, the program has already helped drive more than $152 million in new private investment. I joined the Erie CRIZ Authority this week to announce that the state approved CRIZ financing for the $17.2 million redevelopment of Modern Tool Square. The project will give a historic downtown building new life with upgraded office space and room for more dining options. This is why I kept pushing for CRIZ. We’re keeping tax dollars working right here in Erie and helping projects like Modern Tool Square move forward. Strengthening Re-entry Services
I joined Pennsylvania Human Services Secretary Dr. Valerie Arkoosh and Erie County’s re-entry team to discuss what people need when they return home after incarceration. Finding stable housing, getting identification and other essential documents, keeping access to medications and connecting with PA CareerLink for job assistance can help people get back on their feet and reduce repeat offenses. Thank you to Erie County’s re-entry team for helping people make a successful return to our community. A Conversation With Erie’s Media Leaders
I attended the Executive Speaker Series featuring John Christianson of Lilly Broadcasting and Spencer Lane of Nexstar. I enjoyed hearing what they’ve learned about leading their teams as the media industry changes. I appreciated their perspective on why local journalism matters and how Erie’s television stations keep residents informed and give local businesses a way to reach their neighbors. UPMC-GoHealth Opens Erie West Urgent Care
My staff joined the ribbon-cutting for UPMC-GoHealth Urgent Care’s new Erie West center on West Ridge Road. The new center gives Erie-area families another option close to home for timely treatment of minor illnesses and injuries, helping ease pressure on local emergency rooms. Congratulations to the UPMC-GoHealth team on the opening! Lakeshore Celebrates 40 Years
It was a pleasure to present Lakeshore Community Services with a Senate citation in recognition of its 40th anniversary. I appreciated the opportunity to celebrate with the team and thank them for the work they do every day to support people and families in our community. This milestone reflects the dedication of everyone who has been part of Lakeshore over the past four decades. Congratulations to the entire team, and thank you for continuing to show up for our neighbors. 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. PA Taxpayer-Funded Childcare Programs Face More Accountability
Taxpayers have seen childcare fraud and abuse uncovered in other states, and we’ve passed a new law to strengthen oversight of Pennsylvania’s taxpayer-funded childcare programs. Act 113 of 2026 requires the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services to provide annual reports detailing inspections, investigations, enforcement actions and financial oversight activities related to childcare facilities and programs receiving public funding. The reports will cover facility inspections, violations, complaints, investigations and enforcement actions. It would also require reporting on taxpayer-funded childcare payments, improper payments identified and efforts to recover misspent funds. More than a billion taxpayer dollars are spent annually on childcare in Pennsylvania, and this law will help ensure it’s spent properly. New Law Helps Protect Children from Online Exploitation
A new law I supported provides critical resources to law enforcement agencies and prosecutors working to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Act 71 of 2026 expands the Investigation and Prosecution of Internet Crimes Against Children Program, providing grants to help pay for investigators, prosecutors, forensic specialists and education for professionals working on cases involving human trafficking, sexual offenses, child sexual abuse, unlawful contact with minors and the sexual exploitation of children using online platforms. The bill is called “Alicia’s Law” in honor of Alicia Kozak (Kozakiewicz), a Pittsburgh-area resident who was abducted, sexually assaulted and tortured at age 13 by a man she met online in what is recognized as the nation’s first known internet-facilitated child abduction case. Read more about Alicia’s Law. Home Heating Assistance Program Accepting Applications
The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) application period is now open. Eligible applicants can receive a one-time cash grant to help pay a heating bill. Grants range from $200 to $1,000 based on household size, income and fuel type and is sent directly to the utility provider or fuel company. Families experiencing an emergency related to household heat may be eligible to receive additional funds through a crisis grant. Learn more about the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program here. Cold Weather Life Jacket Requirement in Effect
Nearly 80% of Pennsylvania boating fatalities occurred because boaters were not wearing life jackets. With that in mind, please note the state’s cold weather life jacket requirement is in effect through April 30. Boaters are required to wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket while underway or at anchor on boats less than 16 feet or on any kayak, canoe or paddleboard. Even on warm days from late fall through early spring, water temperatures can remain frigid on rivers, lakes and streams. Wearing a life jacket helps you survive cold-water shock, which occurs when a person is unexpectedly plunged into cold water resulting in an involuntary gasp where water is often inhaled and swimming is difficult. Learn more from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. State Police Accepting Applications for Youth Camp
Pennsylvania residents aged 15 to 17 interested in a career in law enforcement or the military can apply now to attend the State Police Youth Week camp taking place June 6-12, 2027, at Messiah University in Mechanicsburg, Cumberland County. Held in collaboration with the Pennsylvania National Guard and the Pennsylvania American Legion, the camp provides cadets hands-on learning experiences and physical fitness training to build their understanding of law enforcement as well as their confidence, teamwork, self-esteem and leadership abilities. Candidates should be physically fit with a strong academic record. Local American Legion posts sponsor cadets and cover the registration fees. For more information and an application, visit the State Police Youth Week webpage. Motorboat Fuel Consumption Survey Underway
If you own a motorboat registered in Pennsylvania, you might have received an invitation from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) to take part in its annual fuel consumption survey of motorboat registrants. Participation will help support PA boating. The results will be used to determine the Oil Company Franchise Tax refund that PFBC receives on behalf of registered boaters. The refund helps pay for boat access area maintenance, buoys, beacons, signs and other water markers, boating safety education, law enforcement and more. The survey will be available into mid-November. A random sampling of about 20,000 motorboat registrants will be asked via postcard or email to report their boat fuel consumption from April through September of this year. Learn more at the commission’s website. |
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