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In this Update:
Upcoming Telephone Town Hall
On Monday, Feb. 24, at 2 p.m., I will be hosting a Telephone Town Hall to engage with residents of the 33rd Senate District. This type of meeting allows you to attend from the comfort of your home. I invite you to join the call to share your thoughts and ask questions on statewide and district-specific issues. Three Local Farms to be Preserved
The State Agriculture Land Preservation Board voted this week to preserve three farms in the 33rd Senatorial District:
Pennsylvania leads the nation in the number of farms and acres permanently preserved for agricultural production. With the farmland that was preserved this week, the state’s Farmland Preservation Program includes 6,500 farms and 648,692 acres across the commonwealth. The program guarantees a future food supply and contributes to a healthier economy. Protecting Our Food, Our Families, and Our Freedom
To protect Pennsylvania families from food filled with hidden substances, I will soon introduce the Food Purity Protection Act. The bill would ensure that Pennsylvania’s food remains pure, natural and free from any unauthorized or inadvertent inclusion of vaccines or vaccine-related substances. This is not just a hypothetical scenario; it’s a growing concern as scientific advancements blur the lines between medicine and agriculture. While biotechnology has its place, our food supply should never become a testing ground for experimental medical interventions. My bill would ban the inclusion of vaccines or vaccine-related substances in food and ensure transparency so Pennsylvanians can be confident in the safety of their food. It would also prohibit the sale, storage, production, transportation or distribution of any agricultural product containing vaccine components, including livestock feed and crops. Read more about my defense of food purity. Allowing Ivermectin to be Available Over the Counter in Pennsylvania
A bill I will soon be introducing would support public health by increasing access to critical medication. It would allow ivermectin, a proven antiparasitic medication, to be sold over the counter (OTC) in Pennsylvania. Ivermectin is an FDA-approved medication primarily used for treating infections such as river blindness, strongyloidiasis, scabies, and lice. It would empower residents with various parasitic conditions to manage their health more efficiently by reducing wait times and lessening dependency on health care providers for conditions that do not require extensive consultation. This is especially beneficial for those in rural areas where access to health care can be limited. It is time for Pennsylvania to make this necessary change. With proven efficacy and a strong safety record, enabling over-the-counter access to ivermectin will significantly benefit our communities. Introducing the Educational Freedom for Families Act
To ensure that every student in Pennsylvania has access to a high-quality education tailored to their family’s needs, I will soon be introducing the Educational Freedom for Families Act. It would empower parents and guardians to choose the educational path that fits their children best, whether that is public, charter, private or homeschooling. My bill would include support for homeschooling initiatives and education savings accounts. It would also expand Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) programs and charter schools, particularly in underserved communities. Teacher incentives would attract and retain skilled educators, and school vouchers would enable families in underperforming districts to transfer to higher-performing schools. The legislation would also enhance options at cyber schools. Research shows that diverse educational options lead to better academic performance, higher graduation rates and improved student satisfaction while helping to uplift struggling schools. It’s essential that we continue to expand learning options for families throughout the state. Budget Hearings Begin Next Week to Examine Shapiro’s Unrealistic Spending Plan
State spending would increase by $3.6 billion, or 7.5%, under Gov. Josh Shapiro’s new budget plan. During the next five years, using realistic spending and revenue estimates, Shapiro’s spending plans would leave a $27.3 billion hole in the state’s finances. The process of finding ways to rein in this spending includes three weeks of budget hearings held by the Senate Appropriations Committee. Hearings begin Tuesday with appearances by the Department of Revenue, Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency, State Police, Department of Health, Department of State and Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. I will share updates on this important process each week. The hearings will be used to review Shapiro’s spending plan and ask administration officials about the need for any proposed expenses. From there, a budget that more appropriately reflects the needs of taxpayers can be developed. Senate Votes to Strengthen Penalties for Harming PA Public Transit Operators
Legislation strengthening penalties for people who harm public transit operators was approved by the Senate and now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration. Senate Bill 210 would create a new offense for interfering with the operation of a public transit vehicle. Offenders causing serious bodily injury or death would face a felony of the first degree, while interference resulting in bodily injury, or the fear of imminent harm would be classified as a felony of the third degree. The legislation aims to protect transit workers, passengers and the general public. It sends a strong message that violence against public transit operators will not be tolerated, and those responsible for putting others’ safety at risk will face severe consequences. This is an important step in safeguarding the well-being of public transit operators who serve communities across Pennsylvania. Bill Ensuring Great Care at State Veterans’ Homes Passes Senate
To ensure high-quality health care and well-being of veterans, the Senate unanimously passed legislation that would enhance oversight at Pennsylvania’s six state veterans’ homes. It now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration. With passage of Senate Bill 129, advisory councils would have 15 members, including a family member of a current or past resident. Nominees would be veterans from the surrounding communities. Advisory councils would make recommendations about resident care, management, operations and compliance of facilities to the state adjutant general. The bill would also require the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs to provide a subject matter expert for each of the advisory council’s meetings and an annual report to the General Assembly. To increase transparency, it would also stipulate that councils comply with open meeting requirements. Senate Passes Bill Providing Military Benefits to Korean Americans Who Served in Vietnam
Korean Americans who served in the Vietnam War with the Korean Armed Forces would receive the same state veterans benefits as their U.S. counterparts under legislation unanimously approved by the Senate. The bill now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration. Senate Bill 173 would grant the same rights, benefits and privileges of U.S. military veterans to Pennsylvania residents who are naturalized U.S. citizens and who served in the Vietnam War with the Korean Armed Forces. There are more than 3,000 naturalized Korean American citizens who served in the Vietnam War as a part of the Korean Armed Forces and hundreds now live in Pennsylvania. The bill would apply to 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 Jan. 9, 1962, and May 7, 1975, and received an honorable discharge or equivalent. Emergency Alerts Keep You Safe and Prepared
You can sign up to receive CodeRed alerts about severe weather and emergencies at your chosen locations, building alerts, health notifications and other timely updates from state and federal agencies. A CodeRed weather warning will automatically alert you if your address falls in the path of severe weather, as determined by the National Weather Service. Get alerts by phone, text or email and using your home address and/or work by signing up online. If you no longer wish to receive alerts, you may opt out of certain or all alerts from CodeRed at any time. Happy Presidents’ Day!
On Monday, Feb. 17, we recognize Presidents’ Day. The holiday initially honored the birth of President George Washington, who established many of the traditions and precedents of the presidency. Now, it gives us an opportunity to remember all United States presidents. Because of the holiday, my offices will be closed with normal business hours resuming on Tuesday, Feb. 18.
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