Recent News
E-news Updates – September 5, 2026
In this Update: Shapiro’s Overreach on New State Health Regulations Elderton VFC Anniversary Celebration Indiana County Chamber of Commerce Eggs & Issues Focusing on Affordability and Protecting Vulnerable Populations Historic Settlement with Meta Includes Social Media Protections Help Available Finding a New Job Medicare Questions Answered by PA MEDI Happy Labor Day Shapiro’s Overreach on […] [Read More]
E-news Updates – August 29, 2026
In this Update: Kittanning Senior Expo Dayton Fair Kittanning Township VFD Anniversary Celebration Bill Protecting Fairness in Women’s Sports Awaits House Action Treasury Launches New Financial Education Hub Avoiding Student Loan Forgiveness Scams Job Opportunities for Nurses at PA Veterans Homes Keystone State ChalleNGe Academy Accepting Applications for 2027 Kittanning Senior Expo It was a […] [Read More]
E-news Updates – August 22, 2026
In this Update: Responsible and Transparent Data Center Policies Saltsburg America 250 Celebration and Parade State Funding to Help Keep Allegheny River Locks Open Flag Presentation School Bus Safety Legislation Awaits House Action Schools Can Apply Now for Safety, AED Training Grants Strategies to Prevent Electric Bill Spikes Highlighted at Senate Hearing What to Know […] [Read More]
Responsible and Transparent Data Center Policies
Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman (R-41) issued the following statement regarding responsible, transparent, and effective data center policies in Pennsylvania: [Read More]
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𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐀𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 - 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐚 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐲 𝐅𝐚𝐢𝐫
The Cheese Auction was held Thursday evening at the Indiana County Fair. I am always proud to support the 4-H/FFA youth at this annual event, as they are the future of #agriculture and dairy #farming. It is my honor to carry on the tradition of my good friend, Senator Don White, who started the #scholarship program.
Thank you to all the supporters of the Auction and my colleagues Rep. Jim Struzzi and Rep. Brian Smith.
Congratulations to this year’s ‘Don White Scholarship’ winners;
🏆 Kendra Kirkland from Clymer
🏆 Clare Lydic from Marion Center
Additional congratulations to other fair participants;
👑 Abbi States, Fair Queen
👑 Lilly Mano, Alternate Fair Queen
🐖 Carlie Lydic with Reserve Carcass Swine, from Marion Center
It is wonderful to see the kids have their hard work pay off and to watch them doing such great things within our community!
𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐨’𝐬 𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐨𝐧 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬
Gov. Josh Shapiro and the Pennsylvania Department of Health recently proposed broad new health regulations, which it appears would – among other things – give the state far more power to enter our homes, businesses, schools, and doctor’s offices without a warrant. These latest proposed regulations are being pursued unilaterally by the governor outside of the legislative process – without input being sought from me or my colleagues.
While we’re currently reviewing all the details, there are tremendous concerns – and we are not about to let 502 pages of regulations run people’s lives. We cannot allow any actions like we saw taken by the executive branch during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic to be put in place. The draconian shutdowns and overly restrictive mandates that impeded the lives of every Pennsylvanian during COVID have no place in our state.
The public comment period is open through Sept. 21, and I encourage you to join me and submit your comments to the Independent Regulatory Review Commission by clicking on the link in the comments. Our health and safety can be protected without sacrificing our privacy and freedoms.
Happy Birthday to Senate President Pro Tempore @senatorkimlward !🎉 I’ve been fortunate to know her as both a colleague and a friend for over 25 years. Best wishes for a great year ahead!
𝐄𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐨𝐧 𝐕𝐅𝐂 𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 🚒
Congratulations to Elderton District Volunteer Fire Company for 75 years of service protecting people and property! The VFC members and the local community recently gathered to celebrate the anniversary with a picnic to thank the dedicated #volunteers for their unwavering #service and sacrifice to the #community.
I was pleased to present Fire Chief David Plavi and Elderton VFC members with a Senate citation to recognize this milestone anniversary. Best wishes for many more years of outstanding community service!
𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐅𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐨 𝐇𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐊𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐀𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐲 𝐑𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐤𝐬 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐧
I was pleased to present the Allegheny River Development Corporation (ARDC) with a check for $100,000 to help support efforts to keep locks open on Armstrong County’s portion of the Allegheny River. The funding was approved by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
The Allegheny River is a great resource for Armstrong County, but if the locks on the river don’t remain open, it will have an extremely negative impact on #recreational opportunities and local businesses. I am happy to have worked with PA State Rep. Abby Major to get the ARDC needed funding to benefit recreational boaters, #tourism and the region’s economy.
📸𝑃𝑖𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒𝑑 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑙𝑒𝑓𝑡 𝑡𝑜 𝑟𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 – 𝑆𝑒𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑜𝑟 𝐽𝑜𝑒 𝑃𝑖𝑡𝑡𝑚𝑎𝑛, 𝑀𝑖𝑘𝑒 𝐹𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑖𝑠 (𝐴𝑅𝐷𝐶 – 𝑃𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑡), 𝑅𝑒𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝐴𝑏𝑏𝑦 𝑀𝑎𝑗𝑜𝑟, 𝐾𝑖𝑚 𝐹𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑖𝑠 (𝐴𝑅𝐷𝐶 – 𝐵𝑜𝑎𝑟𝑑 𝑀𝑒𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟) and 𝐷𝑎𝑣𝑖𝑑 𝑉𝑜𝑟𝑝𝑒 (𝐴𝑅𝐷𝐶 – 𝐵𝑜𝑎𝑟𝑑 𝑀𝑒𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟)
𝐃𝐚𝐲𝐭𝐨𝐧 𝐅𝐚𝐢𝐫 🏆
I had a great time visiting the Great Dayton Fair and participating in the Junior #Livestock sale! Here are some of the youth winners and participants I had the pleasure of chatting with:
🐖Braelyn Scott’s 270lb County Bred Pig, placed 3rd in her division; Braelyn is from the Tri -County 4-H club.
🐑Hunter Claypoole’s 154lb County Bred and Home Bred market sheep was the Reserve Champion County Bred. Hunter is from the Triple S 4-H club.
🐐Airiana Stubbs with her Grand Champion Home Bred Goat
🐐Lucy Hankey with her Grand Champion Market Goat
🐐Avri Watkins was excited to tell me all about his goats!
📸Others pictured: Lennox Harkleroad, Lily Lias with her Highlander Cow named Hickory, Dalton Overly, a 4-H member, and Armstrong County Commissioner John Strate who is also a Fair Board member.
Congratulations to all the youth who participated in the livestock sale and showing of their animals at the Dayton Fair. Your time, dedication and commitment to #4H and your animals is recognized and respected - well done!
𝐊𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐕𝐅𝐃 𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 🚒
Congratulations to Kittanning Twp. VFD for 60 years of service protecting people and property! The VFD members recently gathered to celebrate this milestone anniversary with a picnic to thank the dedicated #volunteers for their unwavering #service and sacrifice to the #community.
A sincere thank you to long-time member and President, Steve Baker, and his son, Chief Greg Baker, for inviting me to their celebration. Best wishes for many more years of outstanding community service!
𝐏𝐒𝐄𝐀 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐖𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠
I was pleased to meet with several constituents and members from @psea_org -Central Western Region at my Indiana Office. We discussed ways to strengthen education for #Pennsylvania students.
I appreciated the opportunity to talk about the 2026-27 State Budget, Pre-Act 9 COLA, Cyber Charters, Student Teacher Stipend, Cell Phones, and Education Support Professionals. My thanks to the group for sharing their insights and advocating for policies to support #educators and #students alike.
