As we kick off session for 2026, I wanted to review some of the bills I’ve introduced to address affordability – an issue that impacts many Pennsylvanians, especially young families. By making the Commonwealth more affordable, I also hope to attract new residents who plant roots in our great state.
I had the opportunity to compete in the annual Celebrity Cow Milking Contest at the 2026 Pennsylvania Farm Show. Despite a spill, my team rallied to secure third place.
I had a great time catching up with Pennsylvania’s Secretary of Agriculture, Russell Redding. Tune into our interview to learn more about the 2026 Farm Show and the state’s leading industry.
Earlier this week, I participated in the annual Celebrity Feed Scurry at the Pennsylvania Farm Show! This event that raises money for the Friends of the PA Farm Show Foundation, which funds scholarships for students in agricultural fields.
I had an awesome opportunity to attend a planeside meet-and-greet with two U.S. Navy Blue Angel pilots at Harrisburg International Airport. They will showcase their skills when the Air Dot Show comes back to Central PA on Memorial Day.
I introduced an amendment aimed at improving our criminal justice system to help address root causes of repeat criminal offenders in an effort to reduce recidivism. Sadly, the amendment was tabled on party lines without debate. I'll continue to offer amendments like this one to make our communities safer.
I asked state Treasurer Stacy Garrity about the long-term sustainability of this year’s proposed $51.4 billion budget. More specifically, I asked about the consequences of relying on our reserves to fund it. Here’s the short answer; this budget is paving the way for serious economic burdens by 2028 - burdens that will ultimately fall on the shoulders of our taxpayers. Draining the Rainy Day Fund without necessity is reckless and short-sighted.
During a budget hearing, I asked Attorney General, Dave Sunday, what resources his office needs to continue our fight against human trafficking. Human trafficking is one of the biggest human rights issues of our time, and we must do more to stop it. This fight requires action, not just awareness.
Education funding has a been at the forefront of discussions in Harrisburg. I’m looking out for our region, and I asked the Acting Secretary of Education why our school districts do not receive our fair share of funding as the fastest growing region in the entire Commonwealth. When the Acting Secretary responded that the formula was working as designed, I reminded her that the formula fails to account for population growth and has left taxpayers in Cumberland County holding the bag and facing tax increases year after year. Our seniors in particular cannot afford more property tax increases, and it’s unfair that our districts receive far less from the state than our similarly situated districts in other regions.
Pennsylvania’s roads and bridges are in a state of disrepair. We need to have a broad, comprehensive conversation about long-term sustainable funding that prioritizes mass transit, roads, bridges, ports, railways and airports. Without smart investment, we risk losing businesses, jobs and economic growth, instead of keeping our Commonwealth open for business.
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