Senator Mastriano

Today we remember Jonny Tomasello, a young life lost far too soon.

Jonny’s story is a heartbreaking reminder of the devastating impact bullying can have on our children. No student should ever feel alone, unheard, or without support.

📢 Jonny’s Law – SB 982: Anti-Bullying & School Safety Legislation

Senate Bill 982 — also known as Jonny’s Law — is a proposal in the Pennsylvania Senate aimed at strengthening protections against bullying and cyberbullying in K-12 public schools.

The bill would require:
• Clear, consistent anti-bullying policies across all school districts
• Confidential reporting systems for students and families
• Designated anti-bullying response coordinators
• Age-appropriate instruction for students on bullying prevention
• Regular training for school staff on recognizing and addressing bullying

Jonny’s Law focuses on giving schools better tools and accountability to combat bullying and support healthy learning environments for all students.

📍 Update on Current Status:
SB 982 has been referred to the Pennsylvania Senate Education Committee in August 2025 for review and discussion. It has not yet advanced to a full Senate vote.

This means the bill is under evaluation by committee members, who will consider its language, impacts, and possible amendments before it moves forward.

🚨 Speeds Reduced in South Central PA 🚨

Due to the winter weather, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) has reduced speed limits to 45 MPH on major roadways throughout Southcentral PA

• I-81 (MD state line to Schuylkill County line)
• I-83 (entire length)
• I-283 (entire length)
• Route 581 (entire length)
• Route 15 (MD line to Route 581)
• Route 283 (entire length)
• Route 30 (Route 24 to Route 462)
• Route 222 (Route 30 to Berks County line)
• Route 11 (Duncannon north to Juniata County line)
• Route 22/322 (I-81 to Millerstown)

⚠️ Tier 1 Vehicle Restrictions are in effect on I-81 from I-78 to the Schuylkill County line (extending north to the NY state line).

Under Tier 1 restrictions, the following are NOT permitted:
• Tractors without trailers
• Lightly loaded or unloaded tractor trailers (including tandem trailers)
• Lightly loaded cargo/box trucks (CMVs)
• Passenger vehicles towing trailers
• RVs/motorhomes
• Motorcycles
• School/commercial buses without chains or approved traction devices

Commercial vehicles not affected must move to the right lane. Additional restrictions may be added as conditions change.

❄️ If you must travel:
• Slow down gradually and increase following distance
• Turn on headlights (hazards if in a snow squall)
• Stay in your lane and avoid sudden moves
• Do not stop in travel lanes
• Keep windows, mirrors, and lights clear
• Carry an emergency kit
• Buckle up and never drive impaired

Please avoid unnecessary travel if possible. Stay safe and give crews room to work.

🚧 Online Plans Display – Route 30 (Lincoln Way West) Safety Improvement Project 🚧

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is inviting residents to view an online plans display for the Route 30 Section 150 (Lincoln Way West) Safety Improvement Project in Hamilton Township and Chambersburg Borough, Franklin County.

📍 Project Location:
Intersection of Lincoln Way West, Sollenberger Road, and West Loudon Street — extending into Chambersburg Borough where Lincoln Way West and West Loudon Street operate as one-way streets.

🛠️ What’s Included:
✔️ Widening Lincoln Way West to add a second westbound lane through the intersection
✔️ New right-turn lane into West Side Plaza
✔️ Milling and paving of existing roadway
✔️ Traffic signal replacement and timing upgrades
✔️ Drainage and stormwater improvements
✔️ Culvert extension under Lincoln Way West
✔️ New curbing, pavement markings, and signage
✔️ ADA-compliant curb ramps & new sidewalk near Corpus Christi Cemetery
✔️ Retaining wall to minimize impacts to the cemetery

🚗 Traffic Impact:
Approximately 16,000 vehicles travel this corridor daily. All traffic movements will be maintained during construction. No long-term detours are anticipated.

🗓️ Timeline:
Project is currently in design. Construction is expected to begin in April 2028 and be completed by November 2029.

This project is focused on improving safety, traffic flow, and accessibility along one of our community’s busiest corridors.

March 2 (Evening) - March 3
The Festival of Lots recalls the rescue of the Jews of Ancient Persia from annihilation at the hands of Haman, who cast lots to choose this day for his plot to kill the Jews. Queen Esther and her uncle, Mordechai, foiled his plan.
On Purim, the Megillah of Esther is read, and the holiday is celebrated with festivity, costumes, and noisemakers. Hamantashen are the traditional food, mishloach manot (gift packages) are exchanged, and money is given to the poor.

Peace Through Strength: Why President Trump’s Action on Iran Was Necessary
Sen. Doug Mastriano (R-33)

As a retired U.S. Army colonel who served more than three decades in uniform — including combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan — I have seen firsthand what happens when America projects strength and what happens when it projects weakness. The world is watching. Our allies are watching. And our enemies are watching most of all.

President Donald Trump’s decisive action against Iran was necessary.

For more than four decades, the Islamic Republic of Iran has been the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism. From the 1979 hostage crisis under President Jimmy Carter, to the bombing of our Marine barracks in Beirut, to the arming and training of militias that killed American soldiers in Iraq, the regime in Tehran has waged a sustained campaign against the United States and our allies.

Under President Carter, America’s handling of the hostage crisis projected uncertainty. The images of blindfolded Americans held captive signaled to adversaries that the United States could be humiliated without consequence. That perception carried far beyond Iran.

Decades later, the Obama administration pursued the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). While presented as a diplomatic breakthrough, the agreement released billions in sanctions relief without permanently dismantling Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Meanwhile, the regime expanded its regional aggression — funding Hezbollah, Hamas and militias across the Middle East — while continuing missile development. As a soldier who saw Iranian-backed explosive devices tear through American convoys, I cannot accept the premise that appeasement moderates a regime built on hostility to the West.

Under President Joe Biden, a familiar pattern returned. Sanctions enforcement weakened. Frozen assets were made accessible. Proxy attacks against U.S. forces and our allies increased. Regional instability grew. The lesson is consistent: when the United States signals retreat, the ayatollahs advance.

Diplomacy without credible force behind it is not strategy, it is wishful thinking.

Continued in comments

March 2 - Read Across America is a yearly program initiated by the National Education Association (NEA) that aims to promote reading among children and young adults, primarily celebrated on March 2nd, which coincides with Dr. Seuss`s birthday, and often includes activities like reading aloud, book fairs, and themed events to encourage a love of reading across communities; essentially, it`s a national day to celebrate literacy and reading culture.

March 1 - PA became the first state to begin to abolish slavery by signing the Gradual Abolition Act.