Op-Eds

The Pennsylvania law governing township construction projects is as old as Henry Ford’s Model T, operates as ineffectively as an orchestra without a conductor and equates to a 10% tax on commonwealth residents.  [Read More]

Many Pennsylvanians might be surprised to learn that the national movement to prevent the abuse of dogs and cats in cruel and wasteful experiments began in the Commonwealth.  [Read More]

Should a middle school student in Pennsylvania be taught he’s partially to blame for racism in America simply because of the color of his skin? Should an elementary school student be taught it’s OK for her to choose her own gender?  [Read More]

On 3 February, 2023, at approximately 9:30 p.m., a 53-car train derailment occurred near the border of Pennsylvania in East Palestine, Ohio and Beaver County, PA.  [Read More]

During the past few weeks, publications across the commonwealth have chosen to view with rose-colored glasses the past eight years of Gov. Tom Wolf’s tenure in Pennsylvania.  [Read More]

It was the summer of 1776 in New York when Commander in Chief George Washington readied his troops for an attack by the British. The attack came on August 27th, 1776. British General William Howe won that battle, resulting in heavy losses for Washington’s Continental Army.  [Read More]

Reports of murders, robberies, car jackings and property destruction dominate headlines these days as Pennsylvania communities fall deeper into chaos and lawlessness.  [Read More]

Last week, we learned the strength of Pennsylvania’s animal cruelty laws rank 15th nationwide – representing a triumphant climb from the bottom 10 just eight years ago.  [Read More]

By now, just about everyone feels the squeeze of rising utility bills. It’s an inescapable reality, bolstered by ineffective domestic and foreign energy policies, a deepening economic crisis and mounting distrust in our government here at home.  [Read More]

Lately, I’ve heard from distressed constituents who say that, ever year, Pennsylvania courts deem an untold number of senior citizens incompetent, imprison them in far-flung institutions and cut off their communication with the outside world, all for the sake of seizing billions of dollars from the estates they now control.  [Read More]

Pennsylvania earned a dubious distinction recently that underscores the economic pain wreaking havoc statewide for millions of residents struggling to make ends meet.  [Read More]

Educational choice in Pennsylvania was, at one time, a narrow debate over state funding of charter schools versus their traditional district counterparts.  [Read More]

Empty pantries. Unfilled medications. Depleted savings. I recently poured over hundreds of comments like these from my constituents regarding the issue concerning them most: the growing toll inflation takes on their survival. Of the roughly 650 people who responded to my poll, 92% said they are worse off today than they were last year. Another […]  [Read More]

To no one’s surprise, the horrific school shooting in Uvalde, Texas is being exploited to pressure Americans into accepting a false choice: their rights or their safety. Don’t be fooled.  [Read More]

Over the past few decades, it has been amazing to observe the growth of female participation in sports.  [Read More]

The arrival of COVID-19 brought to light several underlying issues in America. But perhaps the issue that has been most exposed is our overreliance on products made outside of our borders.  [Read More]

The Roman philosopher, Cicero, told a story of how King Dionysius answered a courtier, Damocles, who thought that ruling a realm was easy.  [Read More]

Energy costs are exploding across the nation, with oil costing an astounding $120 a barrel.  [Read More]

Since I was elected Senator in 2019, I`ve heard from constituents on issues that span the spectrum of all areas of the state government.  [Read More]

In October 2019, Senate leadership brought SB 421 (later Act 77) to the full floor for a vote. I was in my fourth month as a Senator after a career of serving 30 years in the US Army.  [Read More]

One constant in Harrisburg is that no matter how much more money taxpayers spend on education every year, political activists will say it’s not enough.  [Read More]

Pennsylvania is over 2,000 miles away from border towns like El Paso, Texas and one may assume that an unsecure southwest border does not affect their distant community. That assumption couldn’t be farther from the truth.  [Read More]

The district attorney responsible for the release of a career violent offender charged in the deadly Christmas parade rampage in Waukesha over two weeks ago has long espoused a reckless approach to crime that is now being replicated by prosecutors across America.   [Read More]

Everyone deserves the opportunity to make their own medical decisions.  This is especially true for our brave men and women who wear the uniform in service to our country. The Pennsylvania National Guard has had a rich history serving the commonwealth with dignity. For over 270 years, our brave Guard members have dedicated their lives […]  [Read More]

Dating back to our first days as a colony, Pennsylvania has a long history of responsible gun ownership. The right to bear arms is sacred to many communities throughout our Commonwealth.  [Read More]

Acting Health Secretary Alison Beam has found another “loophole” in the State’s Vital Statistics Law of 1953 in a calculated move to deny lawmakers full disclosure in reviewing the deaths of Pennsylvanians who died from COVID-19.   [Read More]

Pennsylvania is an energy powerhouse.  [Read More]

A nationwide grassroots movement appeared to spring up seemingly out of nowhere in early 2021. A grassroots movement that hasn’t been seen since the days of the tea party in 2010.  [Read More]

Parents gather information and do their utmost to make informed decisions that are in the best interest of their children. They know their children’s strengths and weaknesses best and love their kids more than any bureaucrat.  [Read More]

Anyone who served in Afghanistan feels a pain in their heart as we witness its collapse.  [Read More]

Nationwide inflation is here and no sector of the economy is immune to it. The US Consumer Price Index increased by 0.9% in June, the largest one-month increase in 13 years. Over the past year, prices are now up 5.4%.  [Read More]

A forensic investigation of our election results and processes for the 2020 General Election and the 2021 Primary will go a long way to restore trust in our system.  [Read More]

The attacks on charter schools from the Wolf Administration and their teacher union allies are mounting. Recent “reform” measures being touted seek to cut the funding of charter schools by $395 million.  [Read More]

I recently accepted an invitation to meet with Arizona State Legislators and tour the Maricopa County Audit facility in Phoenix, AZ.  [Read More]

The timing has never been more right for regulatory and permitting reform in Pennsylvania as our small businesses and economy begin to recover from the effects of the pandemic.  [Read More]

Together with Senator Pat Stefano, I am introducing legislation to repeal Act 77.  [Read More]

Pennsylvania is the birthplace of freedom.  [Read More]

One year after COVID shutdown orders radically changed the way we live our lives; Pennsylvania is slowly returning to some semblance of normalcy as the Wolf Administration begins to belatedly relax certain restrictions.  [Read More]

In March 2020, Governor Wolf faced a crucial decision in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. The CDC issued guidance for long term care facilities to all 50 States. “Guidance” is the important word here as this was not a “directive” to each Governor.    [Read More]

Senator Judy Ward, Senator Doug Mastriano, and Representative Stephanie Borowicz As advocates for unborn children, we are proud to jointly introduce legislation to protect unborn babies with beating hearts. Similar to heartbeat legislation passed in 11 states, under Senate Bill 378 and House Bill 904, detection of an unborn baby’s beating heart would prevent an […]  [Read More]

We remember the service and sacrifice of our citizens who faced a massive Iraqi Army 30 years ago this week.  [Read More]

The Wolf Administration has consistently turned to tax and spend policies as a way of addressing issues in Pennsylvania.  [Read More]

The truth will set you free.  [Read More]

Governor Wolf has never met a tax or fee that he does not like.  [Read More]

One of the most important tasks that I have as a State Senator is reviewing the Governor’s selections for state cabinet positions and confirming their appointments.  [Read More]

Along with many Pennsylvanians, I was astounded upon learning that Secretary Levine was promoted into the Biden Administration.  [Read More]

It was the summer of 1776, near New York City, when General George Washington readied his troops for an attack by the British.  As the leading center of commerce, it was imperative that the Continental Army help this vital economic center. British General William Howe arrived prepared— every detail was considered, and the element of […]  [Read More]

There is election fraud in Pennsylvania and denying it won’t make it go away.  [Read More]