|
|||
|
In this Update:
Rolling Green Memorial Day Service
On May 22, the Annual Memorial Day Ceremony took place at Rolling Green Cemetery, kicking off Memorial Day weekend with a heartfelt tribute to our fallen soldiers and military veterans. It was an honor to speak at this meaningful event and stand among such a wonderful group of people gathered to remember and honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. Grateful for the opportunity to be part of a ceremony filled with patriotism, remembrance, and community. Pennsylvania Families Should Not Foot the Bill for Big Tech’s AI Boom
Data centers consume staggering amounts of electricity and water — in some cases using as much power as small cities. As AI rapidly expands, states across the country are racing to attract these enormous operations. But before politicians rush to hand out incentives and approvals, Pennsylvania citizens deserve an honest conversation: Who will pay for the enormous infrastructure demands these facilities create? That is why I will soon introduce the “Pennsylvania Families First” AI Infrastructure Protection Act. Pennsylvania residents should not be forced to pay higher electric bills so trillion-dollar technology corporations can operate massive AI server farms. As AI reshapes the future, Pennsylvania must put people first. Read more about this legislation here. Tobyhanna Depot Tour
It was an honor to visit Tobyhanna Army Depot on May 21 and present the Pennsylvania Freedom Medal to several outstanding members of Team Tobyhanna for their dedication, leadership, and service. Corey Katsak, Nicholas Paras, and Chris Volch were recognized for their contributions to advancing Tobyhanna’s manufacturing mission. Nick Caprioli and Mark Sgobba were honored for their work supporting the depot’s microelectronics mission. Depot Commander Benjamin L. Kilgore was recognized for his leadership and unwavering service to our nation. Pennsylvania is stronger because of the hardworking men and women serving at Tobyhanna Army Depot. Congratulations to each of these deserving recipients. Throwback!
During my time as a Professor at the U.S. Army War College, I lead officers from the Canadian Army’s Tactics School on a staff ride of the Gettysburg Battlefield. Through our study of leadership, decision-making, and combat operations, this battlefield remains one of the world’s premier classrooms for us as military professionals. New Law Requires AEDs at School Sports Events
Legislation approved by the Senate to help prevent the leading cause of death among young athletes – sudden cardiac arrest – is now law. Senate Bill 375, now Act 17 of 2026, will require automated external defibrillators (AEDs) to be present at all PIAA-sanctioned athletic events and practices. The law also requires schools to develop and rehearse emergency action plans for cardiac incidents. AEDs are portable, life-saving devices used to restore normal heartbeats with electrical shock. The legislation was introduced after the tragic death of Greg Moyer, who passed away from sudden cardiac arrest during a high school basketball game in East Stroudsburg, Monroe County. Read more about passage of this new law here. Midwifery Modernization Law Supports Mothers and Babies
A new law we passed will help ensure women and families have access to safe, high-quality care throughout pregnancy and postpartum recovery by modernizing Pennsylvania’s laws governing midwives. Senate Bill 507, now Act 14 of 2026, updates licensure requirements for certified midwives, improves collaboration with physicians and expands prescription authority in certain circumstances. The law also addresses healthcare shortages in rural and underserved communities by expanding the number of trained professionals available to provide maternal care services. Read more about our work to expand this care for mothers and babies here. Improving Stream Maintenance, Reducing Flood Hazards
Legislation to give counties and municipalities more flexibility in handling flood-related hazards and obstructions was passed by the Senate in March and now awaits action in the House of Representatives. Currently, entering streams to remove obstructions requires a permit from the state Department of Environmental Protection, a process that is lengthy, tedious and inefficient. Senate Bill 403 would allow local government organizations to apply for an extended permit, allowing maintenance to continue for 10 years or more. Senate Bill 404 would allow counties to obtain emergency maintenance permits in consultation with their county conservation district. Read more about how these bills will help protect against flooding here. Hearing Examines Bill Ensuring Lead-Free Drinking Water in Schools
A recent Senate hearing examined legislation to ensure Pennsylvania students have access to safe, lead-free drinking water in schools. The Senate Institutional Sustainability and Innovation Committee discussed Senate Bill 759, which would require school districts to replace outdated drinking fountains with lead-filtering hydration stations by 2028 while providing funding mechanisms to help schools cover implementation costs. Committee members heard testimony from experts in environmental advocacy, public health, plumbing and pediatric medicine on the dangers of lead exposure and the need for preventative action in schools across Pennsylvania. Watch the hearing and read testimony here. Read more about the hearing and Senate Bill 759 here. Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program Kicks Off in June
Beginning in June, the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program offers vouchers to eligible seniors (60+) to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables at local farmers markets. Call your county aging office to apply and find out when and where they are distributing the vouchers. You can find aging offices and voucher information here. Available on first come, first served basis. Click here for details and where to find participating markets. Recapping Mammo May 2026
As we wrap up Mammo May, Mammography Month, I hope you or the women you know are better informed on the importance of early breast cancer detection. If you’re one of the average 38 Pennsylvania women diagnosed with breast cancer each day, catching it early greatly increases your odds of successful treatment. Some resources to keep handy: No-Cost Screenings Information Most mammograms take about 20 minutes. Please spread the word and share this important information from the Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition. |
|||
|
|||
Want to change how you receive these emails? 2026 © Senate of Pennsylvania | https://senatormastriano.com | Privacy Policy |
