|
|||
|
In this Update:
Jonny’s Bill Rally in Support of SB 982
Tragedy struck when 15-year-old Jonathan “Jonny” Tomasello lost his life. On June 3, it was an honor to stand on the steps of the Pennsylvania Capitol and speak at the Jonny’s Bill Rally, joining Nick and Natalie Tomasello and advocates from across the Commonwealth in calling for the passage of SB 982 and safer schools for every student in Pennsylvania. This bipartisan legislation strengthens bullying prevention by requiring trained anti-bullying coordinators, rapid incident response, family notification, and meaningful accountability. These commonsense measures can help identify problems earlier, protect vulnerable students, and prevent future tragedies. No child should have to suffer in silence, and no family should have to endure the loss that Jonny’s family has experienced. Recognizing Specialist Alcides Perez, Jr.
Honoring Purple Heart Recipient Alcides Perez, Jr. When America was attacked on September 11, 2001, a young Alcides Perez stepped forward to serve. At just 17 years old, he volunteered for the United States Army, joining the generation that answered our nation’s call in a time of war. During combat operations in Iraq, Specialist Perez served with extraordinary courage, participating in more than 100 combat missions and helping capture numerous high-value enemy targets. Time and again, he volunteered for some of the most dangerous duties, serving as a point man and vehicle gunner while facing direct enemy fire. In November 2004, he also volunteered for the perilous mission of clearing a former underground chemical weapons facility. For wounds sustained in combat, Specialist Perez was awarded the Purple Heart last year. His distinguished military service has also earned him the Combat Infantry Badge, Iraq Campaign Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation, and numerous other decorations. He has recently been submitted for the Army Commendation Medal with Valor. As we near the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, we must never forget the brave Americans who stepped forward to defend our nation in its hour of need. Today, Senator Boscola and I were privileged to present Specialist Alcides Perez, Jr. with a Pennsylvania Senate citation in recognition of his bravery, sacrifice, and faithful service to the United States. Please join us in congratulating and thanking this outstanding soldier and American hero. Meet & Greet with National Guard Officers
I am proud to recognize several outstanding Pennsylvania Army National Guard officers who have been nominated for promotion to higher rank in recognition of their exceptional leadership, dedication, and service to our Commonwealth and Nation: Col. Jonathan Lloyd – nominated for Brigadier General Col. Randy Lutz – nominated for Brigadier General BG Reece Lutz – nominated for Major General Col. David Marous – nominated for Brigadier General Col. Andrew O’Connor – nominated for Brigadier General These nominations reflect decades of faithful service, outstanding leadership, and unwavering commitment to the Soldiers of the Pennsylvania National Guard and the defense of our Nation. Promotion to the ranks of Brigadier General and Major General is a rare and significant achievement, reserved for officers who have demonstrated exceptional ability, character, and dedication throughout their careers. The promotion process is not yet complete. These officers have been nominated and now await the remaining steps in the process, including a vote out of PA Senate Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness Committee which I chair – and then a full Senate vote before they are officially promoted. Please join Rebbie and me in congratulating these distinguished officers and their families on this well-earned achievement. We thank them for their continued service and wish them every success as they prepare to assume greater responsibilities in service to Pennsylvania and our Nation. Congratulations, gentlemen, and thank you for your service to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the United States of America. Senate Adopts Resolution Supporting Veterans with Traumatic Brain Injuries
The PA Senate adopted my resolution this week calling on Congress to support care for veterans with traumatic brain injuries. As chairman of the Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee, I was grateful to see this measure receive such strong support. Senate Resolution 245 urges Congress to pass the Veterans Traumatic Brain Injury Adaptive Care Opportunities Nationwide Act, S. 3130, which would establish a three-year pilot program dedicated to developing and evaluating new neurorehabilitation treatments specifically for veterans with chronic mild traumatic brain injury. I’d like to thank U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick for introducing this important bipartisan legislation. I am hopeful we can replicate this effort in Pennsylvania to support organizations like Aurelius in Harrisburg who are having great success in treating veterans with traumatic brain injuries. Read more about Senate Resolution 245 here. Neuro Transitional Center Ribbon Cutting
On May 27th, my office attended the ribbon cutting for Select Medical’s “Neuro Transitional Center,” located in Susquehanna Township (Dauphin County). This will be Select Medical’s 5th Neuro Transitional Center in the nation – providing specialized care for individuals as they recover from traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, stroke or other neurological diseases. Select Medical NTC will help fill the gap between a patient’s hospital admission and their return home – providing neuropsychology and insensitive physical, occupational and speech therapies in a 24-hour seven days a week structured, home-like setting. As a 30-year veteran of the United States Army, I am acutely aware that many Veterans and First Responders deal with Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI ). I’d like to thank Select Medical for selecting Pennsylvania for its 5th NTC here in Pennsylvania. As Chair of the Pennsylvania Senate Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness Committee, I support U.S. Senator Dave McCormick’s S. 3130 – the Veterans Traumatic Brain Injury Adaptive Care Opportunities Nationwide Act and I will soon be introducing a pilot program for innovative TBI therapies in PA. New! Monthly Photo Contest
Monthly Photo Contest! Show Us What Makes Adams & Franklin Counties Special! Our communities are filled with incredible people, beautiful landscapes, historic places, and unforgettable moments. I want to help showcase the very best of Adams and Franklin Counties through a new Photo of the Month Contest! Whether it’s a breathtaking sunrise, a family farm, a community event, a veteran being honored, a historic landmark, wildlife, or a special moment that captures the spirit of our region, I encourage you to submit your favorite photos. At the end of each month, I will personally review the submissions and select a Photo of the Month. The winning photo will be featured on my social media platforms, and the photographer will be recognized for their outstanding work. This is a great opportunity to celebrate the people, places, and moments that make Adams and Franklin Counties such wonderful places to live, work, and raise a family. Submit your best photos by clicking on the link provided and help tell the story of our communities! I look forward to seeing our counties through your lens. Throwback!
I organized a multinational NATO delegation from the Allied Land Component Command in Heidelberg, Germany, to participate in France’s commemoration of the 90th Anniversary of the Meuse-Argonne Offensive. Bringing together military personnel from nine allied nations, our event celebrated shared sacrifice and the enduring partnership forged on the battlefields of World War I. We concluded our journey at the American Monument at Montfaucon, one of the most significant memorials to American service in Europe. Senate Approves Bills to Make Housing More Attainable Across PA
The Senate acted to help alleviate Pennsylvania’s growing housing shortage by approving three bills to expand access to housing while preserving local control. Senate Bill 1279 creates a Housing Development Regulatory Compliance Officer to improve coordination and efficiency in the permitting process. Senate Bill 1236 reduces regulatory burdens on small-scale home construction projects by reforming the stormwater permitting process. Senate Bill 1281 empowers local governments to streamline approval processes using uniform housing plans, helping reduce delays and cut unnecessary red tape. These reforms reduce several of the barriers contributing to Pennsylvania’s housing shortage, helping create more opportunities for homeownership while giving communities the flexibility to encourage growth in a way that reflects local needs and priorities. The bills were sent to the House of Representatives for consideration. Task Force on Child Protection in the Digital Age
To make sure state laws keep pace with emerging online threats, the Senate voted to establish a Task Force on Child Protection in the Digital Age. Senate Resolution 244 would direct the Joint State Government Commission to convene a task force to review Pennsylvania’s laws, assess new technologies and identify legal gaps in protections for children in the digital environment. The commission will issue a recommendation for action to the General Assembly. The proposal builds on previous work by the legislature: In 2024, we passed a law to combat AI generated child sexual abuse materials (CSAM). In 2025, we acted to classify deepfakes as digital forgery for more severe punishment. The Senate also approved bills to strengthen reporting requirements for AI-generated CSAM and to establish commonsense safeguards for AI chatbots accessible by minors. Read more about our efforts to protect children in the digital age here. Cellphone Law to Reduce Distracted Driving Takes Full Effect
After a one-year warning period, a state law aimed at reducing distracted driving is now fully enforceable. The law prohibits the use of hand-held devices while driving, even while stopped temporarily due to traffic, a red light or other delays. Drivers can still use their phones to alert authorities in the event of an emergency and use hands-free technology to make phone calls, use a GPS and listen to music. Drivers convicted of using a hand-held device while driving will pay a $50 fine, plus court costs and other fees under Paul Miller’s Law. The law is named for Paul Miller Jr., who was tragically killed in a 2010 Monroe County crash by a tractor trailer operator distracted while reaching for his phone while driving. Read more about this new law here. Protecting Yourself During Tick Season
Pennsylvania recorded more than 18,700 cases of Lyme disease in 2025, and the Centers for Disease Control estimates the true number may be much higher due to underreporting. Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses can cause serious long-term health complications, particularly when left untreated. Nearly 55% of ticks tested in Pennsylvania were found to carry at least one tick-borne pathogen, and blacklegged ticks have now been identified in all 67 counties. You can protect yourself by using repellent, avoiding brushy areas and checking your body and pets after outdoor activities. Learn more about protecting yourself from ticks here. Remembering D-Day
On June 6, 1944, the fate of Europe would be determined by the largest amphibious invasion in history, including 13,000 aircraft and gliders, 23,400 paratroopers, 5,000 ships and landing craft and 160,000 American, British and Canadian troops. More than 9,000 Allied servicemen were killed or wounded that day in northern France. It is our responsibility as Americans to honor their bravery, tell the stories of their heroism and preserve what they defended so their sacrifices were not in vain. |
|||
|
|||
Want to change how you receive these emails? 2026 © Senate of Pennsylvania | https://senatormastriano.com | Privacy Policy |
