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In this Update:
March For Life Rally
Proud to stand with thousands of Pennsylvanians at the March for Life Rally in Harrisburg. The Capitol grounds were filled with people united by a conviction that every human life has dignity and value, from the most vulnerable among us to every mother and family facing difficult circumstances. Thank you to everyone who traveled from across our Commonwealth to make your voices heard peacefully and boldly. Every life has value. Every life has purpose. Every life is worth defending. Pennsylvanians Remember Why They Changed Our Constitution
In 2020, Gov. Wolf used extraordinary emergency powers across the Commonwealth. Health Secretary Levine directed the administration’s public-health response, while then-Attorney General Josh Shapiro supported the Wolf administration’s policies. Those decisions had real consequences. Small businesses were ordered closed, livelihoods were disrupted, and family-owned businesses struggled to survive. Today, Shapiro is Governor, and his Department of Health is seeking expanded regulatory authority. We cannot separate what is happening now from what Pennsylvanians experienced then. You will also hear from my Chief of Staff, Melissa Cruys, who will share her own experience as a small-business owner during that difficult period. Pennsylvanians changed our Constitution for a reason. Those safeguards should not be circumvented through regulation. Senate & House VAEP Hearing: From Combat to Careers
On Thursday, our Senate and House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness committees held a joint hearing on “From Combat to Careers”—how Pennsylvania can help veterans turn military experience into civilian careers. We heard from Penn State, health care educators, employers, and state agencies about SkillBridge internships, pathways from military medical service to nursing, and ways to make professional licensing easier to navigate. We also discussed career opportunities for military spouses and how to connect more families with programs already available. Veteran Service Officer Meetings
VETERAN SERVICES – CHAMBERSBURG DISTRICT OFFICE ** Our NEXT available appointment date is THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2026 ** On the third Thursday of each month, starting September 17th, a Veteran Service Officer with the Pennsylvania American Legion will be available BY APPOINTMENT ONLY at my Chambersburg District Office to assist veterans and their families. Assistance is available with: State and Education Benefits Military Personnel and Medical Records Compensation and Pension Claims Burial and Survivor benefits Enrollment in the VA Health Care System. Chambersburg District Office Email: dmastriano@pasen.gov *Please note: Office hours are BY APPOINTMENT ONLY. Please call or email to schedule an appointment. Our NEXT available appointment date is THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2026 If you served our nation, we are here to serve you. Monthly Photo Submission
Monthly Photo Submission! 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 chosen 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!
On the Iron Curtain – The Front Lines of Freedom These photographs were taken at and around Observation Post India, near Bad Hersfeld, West Germany, in the sector patrolled by the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment. While the 11th was away conducting gunnery at Grafenwöhr, I coordinated the deployment of portions of my unit to the area. The East German border guards were clearly surprised to 2nd Cavalry there instead of the familiar “11th” troopers. Tensions were already high, and a series of incidents made it seem that the Cold War could turn hot at any moment. Fortunately, cooler heads prevailed, but for those standing watch on freedom’s frontier, the possibility of war was always very real. Shapiro’s Troubling Health Regulations: Thousands of Pennsylvanians Weigh In
Thousands of Pennsylvanians – ordinary citizens, school officials and many others – have voiced their opposition to Gov. Josh Shapiro’s proposed health regulations which would vastly expand state government’s power over their lives. Thank you to each and every person who took the time to let your voice be heard! I’ve added my voice to the effort in this letter to the Independent Regulatory Review Commission, which spells out the reasons these regulations must be stopped. Comments were submitted asking the commission to reject the proposal, which would give the state more power to enter homes and businesses without a warrant, speak to students without parents present, access private health records, unilaterally impose mask mandates – and more. Gov. Shapiro and the state Department of Health should listen to the people and withdraw this 502-page executive branch overreach. Pennsylvanians endured the previous governor’s mandates during COVID lockdowns, and we cannot afford to go back. Learn more about what’s at stake at this State Health Regulations information webpage. Senate Bill Protecting Children from Harmful AI Chats Needs House Action
It’s critical that our commonwealth establish commonsense safeguards for children increasingly interacting with AI chatbots. The Senate overwhelmingly passed bipartisan legislation to do just that back in March, but the House of Representatives has yet to consider it. Senate Bill 1090 would require robust, age-appropriate safeguards to prevent content generation that encourages self-harm, suicide or violence against others, and directs users to appropriate crisis resources whenever high-risk language is detected. In recent years, vulnerable individuals, including minors, have used AI chatbots to cope with trauma, depression and anxiety, only to have chatbot responses allegedly contribute to deaths by suicide. I urge the House to pass this bill so it can be enacted before the year is out. Read more about this important measure. March for Life Brings Record Crowd to Capitol
The recent March for Life outside the state Capitol was the largest ever, with more than 6,000 people traveling from across the state to pledge their support for protecting the unborn. With the 2022 U.S. Supreme Court ruling overturning the unconstitutional Roe v. Wade, the battle to promote life over abortion is playing out in the states. It was especially heartening that so many of the enthusiastic participants in the march were young citizens who clearly understood the stakes. I will always be a voice for the voiceless and an advocate for the sanctity of life. Suicide Prevention Month Raises Awareness and Spreads Hope
Suicide Prevention Month is a time to raise awareness, spread hope and encourage discussion of a difficult topic. Warning signs of suicide include:
The National Alliance on Mental Illness has more information about risk factors. The 988 Lifeline provides free and confidential support over call, text or chat for people in distress 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Empathetic, trained professionals provide prevention and crisis resources for you or someone you know. Garrity Announces $1,000 Bonus for Families’ Education Savings
Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity is giving families with qualified PA 529 College and Career Saving Program Guaranteed Savings Plan (GSP) accounts a $1,000 bonus contribution, enhancing education savings for about 107,000 Pennsylvania families. The bonus is being paid for through surplus dollars in the GSP Fund. PA 529 GSP savers with at least a $1,000 account balance, or those with at least a $100 balance with contributions made since 2022, as of July 31, 2026, are eligible for this bonus deposit. Account owners will see this deposit reflected in their third quarter statement. The PA 529 GSP allows families to save at today’s tuition rates to cover tomorrow’s tuition costs with account growth dependent on tuition inflation. For more information, visit the PA 529 website. Certified Veteran-Owned Businesses Gain New Opportunities
Pennsylvania veteran-owned small businesses that get certified can be listed on a state database, opening doors to state contracting opportunities. To qualify for certification, businesses must be at least 51% veteran-owned, meet “small business” revenue and size standards, and hold a valid third-party certification. The state does not certify a business as veteran owned; it only verifies it. Find out how to obtain certification and third-party verification at the Department of General Services. |
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