Recent News
E-news Updates – April 17, 2025
In this Update: April 19 – Patriots Day Senate Passes Bill Reforming Nomination Process for Agency Heads Voter Registration Deadline is May 5 REAL ID to Replace Driver’s License as Federally Acceptable ID on May 7 Best Wishes for a Happy Easter April 19 – Patriots Day I recently took to the Senate floor to […] [Read More]
E-news Updates – April 10, 2025
In this Update: Senate Passes Bill Benefitting Career and Technical Schools Warren Forest Higher Education Youth Leadership Program Visits the Capitol Program Increasing Digital Connectivity to Provide Laptops School Safety Report Available Now Purple Star Schools Support Military Children Passover Begins on April 12 Senate Passes Bill Benefitting Career and Technical Schools Career and technical […] [Read More]
E-news Updates – April 4, 2025
In this Update: Senate Passes Bill Allowing for Aftermarket Brake Lights Supporting Children of Military Families in School Senate Votes to Strengthen Crime Prevention, Keep Communities Safe Senate Acts Against False Emergency Threats at Schools May 7 is the REAL ID Deadline Free Tax Prep Services Available for Qualified Individuals April is National Donate Life […] [Read More]
Meeting to consider SB 253, SB 323 and SB 396
Senate Finance Committee | Room 8E-A, East Wing [Read More]
Connect With Me
Recently, at PennWest Clarion, I hosted my annual Student Government Seminar where students from all across the 21st senatorial district have the opportunity to be Senator for a Day! I was pleased to have students from Franklin Area, Sheffield, North Clarion, Keystone, Oil City, Redbank Valley, Rocky Grove, Union, and Warren Area High Schools.
I was honored to have former Commonwealth Judge Drew Crompton, who opened the day with a very informative and engaging discussion for our students. We were also joined by many elected officials including PA Attorney General Dave Sunday and Senator Majority Leader Joe Pittman, along with industry leaders and professionals. This day truly offers students the ability to see the ins and outs of the day-to-day of a Senator and the importance of the legislative process. Thank you, to all who came and participated and made it a fantastic event!
The Great Prognosticator has spoken...Six More Weeks of Winter. I hope everyone had a happy Groundhog`s Day yesterday!
Yesterday, I was honored to take the oath of office alongside my colleagues as State senator for the 21st District, a region of Pennsylvania that has long played a unique and vital role in the history of both our commonwealth and our nation. I am incredibly proud to represent those who call it home.
I am honor and humbled to continue serving my constituents of the 21st Senatorial District. Tomorrow at noon the Pennsylvania Senate will convene and swear in its new and returning Senators for the 2025-2026 session. You are able to watch this ceremony here: https://bit.ly/3GSGelB.
This week, I had the fortunate opportunity to meet royalty. Both Butler County’s Fair Queen and Warren County’s Fair Queen traversed across our great Commonwealth to the State Capitol. We toured the Senate Chamber and the Lt Governor’s office while discussing various topics on Pennsylvania’s state government.
We remember the men and women who tragically lost their lives today 23 years ago. In honor, we recognized the heroes of Flight 93 here at the Capitol yesterday!
Happy to attend and speak at the dedication of the Trails at Jake Rocks as the 2024 Pennsylvania Trail of the Year! Located in Warren County, this system of over 35 miles of trails invites experienced mountain bike riders from across the country for a challenging, thrilling wild experience. Thank you to members of the Warren County Visitors Bureau, and the Warren County Chamber of Business and Industry, and all the speakers for their dedicated work.
The PA Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Veterans Temporary Assistance program provides PA #veterans and beneficiaries with financial relief for necessities such as food, shelter, fuel and clothing. Apply at: https://www.dmva.pa.gov/Veterans/Benefits/Pages/VeteransTemporaryAssistance.aspx
Last week, I joined my colleagues from the House Republican Policy Committee at their hearing to discuss the practical uses of brine, a concentrated solution of water and salt that comes from oil and gas wells. We meet at the historic Drake Well Museum and Park in Titusville, PA to hear testimony from experts and county officials on brine spreading’s effectiveness, usefulness, and impact.
This week during session, students from Mars Robotics Association, a youth STEAM promotional group in Mars stopped by the Capitol. It was wonderful to meet with Sophia, who is currently in the robotics program and Lindsey, who is an alumni of the program and returns to assist the students, and has gone on to pursue her studies and passions at Purdue University.
It is great to see the impact that these programs have on the students right here in Western Pennsylvania and how they continue to progress in their studies afterward. Thank you to Dr. Jeff Beckstead and staff, who facilitate the program and encourage their students.
It was great to meet with Lilian and Olivia, along with Jaclyn from the Armstrong, Indiana and Clarion Drug and Alcohol Commission before session this week. Lilian and Olivia were here as Clean Air Champions to express how they feel it is important to have a tobacco free future and the educational services that are available.
This week, I was able to meet with constituents and advocates from the PA Bleeding Disorders Foundation. While they were here we discussed many of the issues that those with bleeding disorders face and some of their priorities.
Thank you to the Butler County Chamber of Commerce and NFIB – Pennsylvania for hosting a small business roundtable discussion recently. Along with my Butler County colleagues, we were able to hear from local small businesses throughout our communities about issues important to them and what we can do to better support them. I am proud to support our small businesses here throughout the 21st district and always enjoy hearing from them.
On Saturday, I joined PA State Rep. Donna Oberlander and the Pennsylvania Athletic Trainers’ Society to honor David Snowberger upon receiving the 2024 Life Saver Award, along with a House and Senate Citation.
In February, at a women’s basketball game at Seton Hill University, a spectator suffered a heart attack while standing on the track above the gymnasium floor. As Assistant Athletic Trainer for Pennsylvania Western University Clarion, Mr. Snowberger and several others ran to the man and performed CPR and used an AED device to revive him. The man was then transported to Independence Health Westmoreland Hospital. Mr. Snowberger has demonstrated an admirable concern for the safety and welfare of his fellow citizens and a willingness to put his concern into action. Thank you, David, for going above and beyond the call of duty to assure the safety of others!
Yesterday, students from the Butler Youth and Government Program stopped by the state Capitol for a tour.
The Pennsylvania Youth and Government program, which is coordinated by the YMCA, was started in the mid-1940’s to offer a realistic simulation of Pennsylvania government. Participants have opportunities to serve as legislators, judges, attorneys, lobbyists and media members.
While the primary goal of this program is the promotion of responsible citizenship, students come away from the program with much more than a greater knowledge of the inner workings of government. Thank you to all the students for stopping by!
This week, I had the opportunity to meet with Dustin McMullen, a biology and pre-med student attending Seton Hill University from the 21st Senate District. During our discussion, Dustin expressed his passion for his studies, his involvement on campus and student life, as Vice-President of Student Government, a resident advisor, a member of track and field, vice-president of the Seton Hill Honor Society and much, much more.
What really stood out, was Dustin’s devotion to his studies and what led him to major in biology and pre-med. He talked about growing up surrounded by the medical field and how both of his parents are emergency medical technicians in the district and that his sister is also pursuing a medical career and the impact that it has had on him. Thank you, to the McMullen family for your dedication to our communities and thank you, Dustin for stopping by!
This week members of the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau converged at the state capitol for their annual Farm Bureau Legislative Day, an occasion for them to meet directly with legislators and share how different economic trends and state policies are affecting Pennsylvania’s largest industry: agriculture.
In the morning, before gathering with hundreds of farmers from across Pennsylvania for lunch, my colleagues and I met with Farm Bureau members from Northwest Pennsylvania, including several from the Butler County, Erie County and Clarion-Venango-Forest County Farm Bureaus. This yearly event, coordinated by Sen. Michele Brooks, is a great opportunity for us to hear directly from farmers who live in NWPA about the challenges and advantages that are unique to the agricultural community in our region of Pennsylvania.
Earlier in the day I also had the pleasure of joining FFA members from across Pennsylvania at their 35th Annual Legislative Breakfast. This event is hosted by the FFA’s State Legislative Leadership Conference, comprised of bright young men and women in agriculture who are laser-focused on honing their leadership and communication skills. It was wonderful to meet with the next generation of Pennsylvania leaders in agriculture!
This week I had the opportunity to meet with students Isabelle Snyder and Michaela Armanini, from PennWest Clarion, who are students of the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders.
Isabelle and Michaela, were here at the state Capitol to present their research on adults with cerebral palsy in Bulgaria. It was a wonderful opportunity to discuss the hands on research opportunities that Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education is able to provide to their students. Joining the students was PennWest trustee, Kathy Pape.
Recently, at PennWest Clarion, I hosted my annual Student Government Seminar where students from all across the 21st senatorial district have the opportunity to be Senator for a Day! I was pleased to have students from North Clarion, Venango Catholic, Rocky Grove, Warren Area, Keystone Senior, Oil City Senior, Redbank Valley, Union, Sheffield Area, and Franklin Area Senior High Schools.
I was honored to have former Senate Secretary and current Vice President and General Counsel of the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry, Megan Martin, open the day for us with a very informative discussion for the students. We were also joined by many elected officials, including PA Treasurer Stacy Garrity and Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman, along with many industry leaders and professionals. This day truly offers students the ability to see the ins-and-outs of the day-to-day of a Senator and the importance of the legislative process. As we gaveled into session, one student, Jackson Dilks, was selected as the student Senate Secretary for the session. Thank you, to all who came and participated and made it a wonderful event!
Recently, I joined Rep. Marci Mustello in presenting House and Senate citations to Chuck Crispin for his 50 years of service to East Butler Borough. Grace, his lovely wife of more than 60 years, was able to join us for the occasion.
In 1978, Chuck became East Butler’s first full-time employee and was very active in building Brandon Park in the 1980s. Throughout his career with the borough he has positively touched the lives of everyone in some manner.
Congratulations Chuck on this hard-earned retirement! We wish you all the best!
I recently joined Rep. Marci Mustello in recognizing Butler County Community College Professor David C. Huseman for his longtime service and dedication to BC3’s students and community. Last year BC3 named its Professor David C. Huseman Center for Economic Education on its main campus in recognition of his longtime commitment to promoting financial literacy, entrepreneurship and economic education. Professor Huseman has been director of the center since its beginning in 1983 and is BC3’s longest-serving employee at nearly 57 years.
Yesterday, I joined my colleagues on the Senate Majority Policy Committee at the Anthony M. Lombardi Education Conference Center located at the Penn Highlands Mon Valley Hospital for a hearing focused on finding solutions to the unique health care challenges facing rural Pennsylvanians.
We heard from medical providers, non-emergency transportation providers, and leading policymakers about how we can improve care and access to care in a financially sustainable way. You can watch the full hearing here ➡ https://policy.pasenategop.com/policy-021424/
A crisp morning has arrived, to provide the Great Prognosticator his due, much to our surprise! No shadow! Spring is on its way! Happy Groundhog Day, everyone!
It was great to have members of the Allegheny-Clarion Valley and Union High Schools Competitive Spirit squad - The Falcon Knights - visit the state capitol on Thursday as they were on their way to Hershey to compete in the 2A Small Varsity Division of the PIAA state championship after winning the District IX championship. Squads from Karns City and Redbank Valley school districts were also competing at the state championship.
