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In this Update:

• PEMA 911 Press Conference
• VAEP Committee Advances Five Veterans Measures at First Meeting
• Time for Shapiro to Step Up and Protect Pennsylvanians with Border Security
• Mastriano Announces $40,000 Grant for Cumberland Township Outdoor Recreation Plan
• Senator Doug Mastriano Veteran FaceBook Page
• Pennsylvanians Deserve the Truth about Electricity Costs
• Senate Acts to Fight Waste, Fraud and Abuse in Public Assistance Programs
• Bill Enabling World Cup Team Doctors to Practice in PA Receives Senate Support
• New Law Conveniently Returns Money to Pennsylvanians
• Game Commission Provides Avian Influenza Information
• Recognizing National School Choice Week

PEMA 911 Press Conference

On Wednesday, I joined Franklin and Adams County commissioners, Franklin County Emergency Services, and Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency to acknowledge and celebrate the vital upgrades made in Pennsylvania’s 911 system. These improvements enhance safety and service for our communities. Key upgrades include the availability of texting to 911 in all counties, improving caller location data, and making information sharing more seamless.

It is important that we continue working to keep the 911 law and regulations updated to provide the framework necessary to fully deploy Next Generation 911 in Pennsylvania.

Listen to the remarks here.

VAEP Committee Advances Five Veterans Measures at First Meeting

The Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee held its first meeting of the 2025-26 legislative session yesterday and reported five measures supporting Pennsylvania’s veterans, according to Sen. Doug Mastriano (R-33), committee chairman.

“Pennsylvania has more than 700,000 veterans who have served this country,” said Mastriano. “These measures, taken as a whole, will have a substantial impact on the lives of our veterans – from those who served in the Global War on Terror to Korean Americans who fought alongside the United States in the Vietnam War to those residing in our six state veterans homes.”

Senate Bill 129, sponsored by Mastriano, would enhance the oversight of the advisory councils of Pennsylvania’s veterans homes.

“This important measure would ensure that appointments to the advisory council are veterans from the surrounding community of the homes,” said Mastriano. “It would require that at least one appointee of each council be a family member of a resident of the home. It would also require subject matter staff from the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs to participate in meetings. The department would also provide the General Assembly with an annual report regarding the work of the councils. Through these steps, we can help ensure that veterans in our veterans homes continue to receive the quality care that they deserve.”

Senate Bill 130, sponsored by Mastriano, would ensure that family members of deceased veterans are provided notice of VA burial benefits from funeral directors as well as being put in touch with their county director of Veterans Affairs. 

“Fostering communication between surviving family members, funeral directors and county directors of veterans affairs will not only help ensure family members get access to the veteran’s records but that the veterans get a proper sendoff that they deserve,” said Mastriano.

Senate Bill 144, sponsored by Sens. Mastriano, Lisa Baker (R-20) and Tracy Pennycuick (R-24), would provide a monetary bonus to veterans who served in the Global War on Terror.

“In every war, Pennsylvanians have stepped up to protect and serve us. Pennsylvania, in turn, has provided a monetary bonus to those who served,” said Mastriano. “Now that the Global War on Terror has ended, it is time for us to say ‘thank you’ by passing this measure.”

Under the bill, every veteran who was in theater would receive a $1,000 bonus – as denoted by the specific medals that they received.  Those not in theater would receive a $500 bonus. If a soldier was killed in action or a POW/MIA, their family would receive $5,000. 

Senate Bill 146, sponsored by Baker, would establish an advisory board for the Veterans’ Trust Fund.

“The Veterans’ Trust Fund provides essential funding to many fine organizations serving veterans,” said Mastriano. “This advisory board will help to better identify underserved regions of our commonwealth while increasing awareness of the Veterans’ Trust Fund.”

Senate Bill 173, sponsored by Pennycuick, is modeled after the federal Korean American Vietnam Allies Long Overdue for Relief Act (VALOR Act). It would afford any Pennsylvania resident who is an American citizen, was an active-duty member of the Republic of Korea Armed Forces in the Vietnam War between the dates of Jan. 9, 1962, and May 7, 1975, and received an honorable discharge or equivalent discharge from military service the same rights and state benefits as their American military veteran counterparts.

“It is important that we recognize that the Korean Army veterans who fought in the Vietnam War alongside the United States and are now residing in Pennsylvania,” said Mastriano. “This legislation will do just that.”

The five bills now advance to the full Senate for further consideration. 

Time for Shapiro to Step Up and Protect Pennsylvanians with Border Security

Amid an escalating crisis at the southern border, Pennsylvania has an opportunity to act decisively. Last summer, the Pennsylvania State Senate passed Senate Resolution 251, calling for the PA National Guard to deploy to Texas to assist with border security. While securing our borders and protecting Pennsylvanians from human trafficking, crime and fentanyl should be a bipartisan priority, Gov. Josh Shapiro and Senate Democrats dismissed this resolution as “political theater.”

But the facts tell a different story.

According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, more than seven million illegal immigrants have crossed the southern border since January 2021, with the majority entering through Texas. To put that into perspective, that’s more than the total population of at least 22 individual states.

In 2021, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott launched Operation Lone Star. The operation deployed the Texas National Guard and Texas Department of Public Safety to the southern border to detect and repel illegal crossings, arrest human smugglers and seize deadly drugs like fentanyl.

This effort produced remarkable results. More than 500,000 illegals have been apprehended, 468 million lethal doses of fentanyl were seized, and more than 40,000 criminal arrests were made.

Gov. Abbott also called on other states to support Operation Lone Star through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact, enabling states to share resources during emergencies. Sixteen states, including Arkansas, Florida and Ohio, responded by deploying their National Guard to assist.

Pennsylvania must act now.

Every state is now a border state. The effects of an unsecured southern border are felt far beyond Texas. For Pennsylvania, the crisis is clear.

Top of the list is the fentanyl crisis. Fentanyl trafficked across the southern border has devastated communities throughout Pennsylvania. In 2022 alone, more than 5,000 Pennsylvanians lost their lives to fentanyl poisoning.

There’s also a tremendous burden to taxpayers. A 2023 report from the Federation for American Immigration Reform estimated that 251,000 illegals reside in Pennsylvania, costing taxpayers more than $1.6 billion annually – an average of $318 per household.

While taxpayers are paying for people who aren’t even from our country, the people receiving generous assistance are a serious public safety threat.

According to the Department of Homeland Security, 15,000 illegals were convicted of crimes in 2023. They committed 3,000 violent crimes and 300 sex crimes.

Former Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Christopher Wray warned the Senate Intelligence Committee in March 2023 of human smuggling networks with ties to ISIS operating at the southern border. Wray expressed grave concerns that such activities could lead to a terrorist attack comparable to 9/11.

President Donald Trump recognized the need for border security and took action. Since his inauguration earlier this month, he has taken significant steps to secure the southwest border.

First, the administration restarted construction on the border wall, focusing on areas with high illegal crossing rates, including critical stretches in Arizona, Texas and California.

President Trump also increased the hiring of Border Patrol agents, providing additional manpower to secure vulnerable areas and intercept traffickers.

The administration implemented enhanced technology. It has deployed advanced surveillance technologies, including drones, cameras and sensor systems, to improve the detection of illegal crossings and smuggling operations.

Declaring Mexican drug cartels to be foreign terrorist organizations enables stricter penalties for those aiding their operations and expands resources for dismantling their networks.

President Trump also initiated a stronger collaboration with states. He partnered with states like Texas to expand Operation Lone Star, bolstering border security through combined state and federal efforts.

We need that same leadership from elected officials here in Pennsylvania.

Gov. Shapiro expressed his willingness to work with President Trump on issues of mutual concern. This is the perfect opportunity for him to show leadership by deploying the Pennsylvania National Guard to support border security.

More than 276 years ago, Benjamin Franklin founded the PA National Guard to protect Pennsylvanians in times of crisis. The lawlessness at the southern border and its far-reaching impacts on our state constitute such a crisis. This would not be unprecedented.

In 2007, Democratic Gov. Ed Rendell authorized the deployment of 500 PA National Guard troops to the border as part of President George W. Bush’s bipartisan Operation Jump Start.

Securing our border is not a partisan issue – it is a mission to save lives and protect Pennsylvania’s families from the devastating effects of fentanyl, human trafficking and violent crime. Dismissing this as “political theater” insults the thousands of Pennsylvanians who have lost loved ones to fentanyl poisoning and the taxpayers footing the bill for unchecked illegal immigration.

Gov. Shapiro, this is your moment to lead. Deploying the PA National Guard to assist at the southern border is a vital step in protecting Pennsylvanians and contributing to the security of our nation.

Mastriano Announces $40,000 Grant for Cumberland Township Outdoor Recreation Plan

Sen. Doug Mastriano (R-33) today announced that Cumberland Township in Adams County received a $40,000 state grant through the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) to develop a comprehensive Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan.

The plan will be used to determine what the township’s recreational goals should be. It will also identify the methods, resources, organizational capacity and funding needed to accomplish those goals.

Specifically, the plan will assess residents’ interests in recreation and future recreation needs; provide benchmark comparisons of parks, facilities, greenways, trails, programs and operations in similar communities; and give recommendations and establish priorities to guide municipal decisions about recreation in the next decade.

“Residential and commercial development is expected to keep growing, so this funding will be beneficial in ensuring future funding for outdoor recreation is spent wisely. With some research and thoughtfulness, we can maximize the desirability of the township as a place to live, play and work,” Mastriano said. “This is especially important as the township does not currently own any municipal recreational facilities within its borders.”

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) estimates that only 35% of the township’s population has access to a park, trail or open space within a 10-minute walk. This coverage is significantly lower than the statewide average of 54%.

DCNR also identifies a large geographical area of “high need” in the northern half of the township, including the region where the township is experiencing most of its residential growth.

The CFA is an independent agency of the Department of Community and Economic Development that administers many of Pennsylvania’s economic development and community improvement programs.

Senator Doug Mastriano Veteran FaceBook Page

Announcement: Senator Doug Mastriano Veteran Page

I’m excited to share the launch of the Senator Doug Mastriano Veteran Page on Facebook! This page is dedicated to honoring our Fallen Heroes—the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation.

Every day, I’ll be sharing stories and tributes to those who gave their all, ensuring their legacy is never forgotten.

Visit the page here: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572459870183

Let’s come together to remember and honor the heroes who have served our country with courage and devotion.

Pennsylvanians Deserve the Truth about Electricity Costs

This week, Gov. Josh Shapiro made multiple announcements about the cost of electricity in Pennsylvania. One of those claims is that customers will save billions of dollars through an agreement he made with PJM, a regional transmission organization that coordinates the movement of wholesale electricity in all or part of 13 states and the District of Columbia.

The reality is that none of the governor’s announcements will save any of us a single dollar on our electric bills. The truth is that his administration’s misguided policies have directly contributed to higher prices. Now, he’s trying to take credit for lower prices that won’t even happen.

Senate Republicans have prioritized advancement of meaningful legislation to help address rising costs for consumers of electricity. It is unfortunate that many of the measures were not supported by the Shapiro Administration during the last two years. We will continue working to enact energy policies which reduce costs for hardworking Pennsylvanians, ensure the future stability of our power grid, and help expand access to good, family sustaining jobs here in Pennsylvania.

Senate Acts to Fight Waste, Fraud and Abuse in Public Assistance Programs

This week, the Senate passed three bills to stop waste, fraud and abuse in Pennsylvania’s Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) and Medical Assistance program (Medicaid). The bills will be sent to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for consideration.

Senate Bill 155 would prevent deceased people from receiving benefits by requiring the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) to check death certificates at the Bureau of Vital Statistics against recipients of public assistance. A state audit previously found 2,324 deceased public assistance recipients received benefits totaling $700,000 in a 12-month period.

Senate Bill 156 would require DHS to compare wage records held by employers and the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue with public assistance recipients quarterly to prevent fraud. From 2019-23, the Pennsylvania Office of State Inspector General filed more than 2,900 criminal complaints of welfare fraud, with more than $15 million owed in restitution.

Senate Bill 157 would update the Public Assistance Integrity Act to require DHS to issue a yearly report on its efforts to ensure lottery winners are not receiving cash benefits. The Public Assistance Integrity Act, a bipartisan initiative signed into law in 2018, closed a loophole that did not require lottery winnings to be considered as income when determining eligibility for benefits.

Bill Enabling World Cup Team Doctors to Practice in PA Receives Senate Support

With World Cup soccer set to come to Philadelphia, the Senate approved legislation enabling international team doctors to treat their players in the commonwealth. The bill now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration.

Philadelphia will host the FIFA Club World Cup this summer and the FIFA World Cup in 2026. In both of those contests, athletes will be supported by their traveling team doctors. Under current law, each international doctor would be required to obtain a medical license from the Pennsylvania State Board of Medicine to treat players, even for just a single match.

Senate Bill 184 would exempt international team doctors from needing to obtain a Pennsylvania medical license to care for their athletes. Much like how the law treats team physicians licensed in other states, international doctors would be limited to treatment of just their players and would be prohibited from practicing in all health care facilities in the commonwealth.

New Law Conveniently Returns Money to Pennsylvanians

Money you weren’t expecting may soon be coming your way! The Pennsylvania Treasury Department sent the first batch of letters this week to people who have unclaimed property, thanks to legislation passed by Senate Republicans.

The new law, PA Money Match, allows the Pennsylvania Treasury to automatically return certain unclaimed property. Eligible properties must be valued at $500 or less and belong to a single owner. Those with eligible properties will receive a letter in the mail to confirm their address. After doing so, they will receive a check for their property in about 45 days.

Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity announced this week that the first round of PA Money Match has the potential to return more than $2 million to more than 8,000 Pennsylvanians – and more will be coming later this year. Treasury is working to return more than $4.5 billion in unclaimed property, which includes things like dormant bank accounts, uncashed checks, rebates, insurance payments and more. Check if you have unclaimed property, and contact my office if you need any assistance in filing a claim.

Game Commission Provides Avian Influenza Information

Earlier this year, the Pennsylvania Game Commission announced that highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) was the cause of death for wild waterfowl in northeastern Pennsylvania.

To best protect the health of wildlife, domestic animals and humans, the Game Commission asks the public to assist them by doing the following:

• Report sick or dead wild birds to the commission by calling 1-833-PGC-WILD (1-833-742-9453), emailing pgc-wildlifehealth@pa.gov or using the online Wildlife Health Survey tool.
• Dispose of a dead wild bird found on your property – if the commission hasn’t responded within 24 hours – by burial or commercial/residential trash. Both methods will protect scavenging wildlife. If electing to dispose of the carcass, the following guidance is provided:
  • Before picking up the wild bird carcass, put on disposable or washable gloves. If gloves are unavailable, a plastic bag can be used as a makeshift glove.
  • If performing on-site burial, a burial hole at least two feet deep will discourage scavenging. Do not bury the carcass in an area that could contaminate a water supply.
  • If disposing of the carcass in commercial/residential trash, place the carcass in a plastic bag along with any disposal gloves that were used. Then place everything in a second plastic bag before disposal.
  • Once disposal is complete, immediately wash your hands and any non-disposable gloves that were used.

Because HPAI impacts more than just wildlife, please also report any sick or dead domestic bird to the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture at 717-772-2852. Anyone who isn’t feeling well after having contact with sick or dead birds is encouraged to contact their primary care physician or the Pennsylvania Department of Health at 877-724-3258.

Recognizing National School Choice Week

Students succeed in different environments. By giving families the opportunity to choose their child’s school, students will be more successful and better prepared to enter the workforce with skills that will make Pennsylvania competitive in a variety of fields.

When campaigning, Gov. Josh Shapiro agreed with the Senate Republican perspective that parents need greater school choice, and we intend to hold him to that promise. Families and educators visited the Capitol this week to highlight this important need in honor of National School Choice Week.

We will continue to lead efforts in 2025-26 to increase parental involvement in the education of their children. Parents know best and should be able to choose the education option that allows their children to succeed.

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