On Sunday we passed a balanced, bipartisan state budget with no tax increases and no withdrawals from the state’s Rainy Day Fund. The budget sends more money to schools, and near and dear to me, significant funding for state parks. We’re also sending more funding to mental health services, veterans programs, and seniors programs, as well as rape crisis centers that have been underfunded for years. The budget also includes a monumental victory for retired teachers, police, and firefighters who need a long-overdue cost-of-living increase to help make life more affordable.

I was thrilled to attend the signing ceremony Sunday in Gov. Josh Shapiro’s office, and you can read more about the budget here.

Working smoke alarms can reduce the risk of death in a home fire by 50%. That’s why I’m joining the American Red Cross and Allegheny Valley V.F.C. to install free smoke alarms on Saturday, July 25, in Cheswick, Springdale Township, and Harmarville. To schedule an appointment or learn more, call 412-263-5278.

I will be hosting my annual Kids Safety Event on Saturday, Aug. 1 from 11 AM - 1 PM at Citizens Hose Fire/Rescue/EMS at 965 Burtner Road, Natrona Heights. There will be fun activities for children, safety tips for parents, and resources for families. Kids’ boxed lunches will be provided. I hope to see you there! 

I’m partnering with the Pennsylvania State Police to host a community forum next month on protesters’ First Amendment rights and interactions with law enforcement. These are timely issues, and I’m grateful that the State Police can help increase our understanding of them.

The forum will be held on Thursday, Aug. 20, from 6 to 7:30 PM at the Highlands High School Auditorium. A State Police community ambassador will provide an informative video presentation and lead a question-and-answer session on a range of topics related to interactions between residents and law enforcement.

I hosted a forum on this topic in April, and you can read news coverage about it here.

?To help everyone stay safe when temperatures rise, I want to share some important tips and resources from state and county officials:

• To find a cooling center, residents can call 211 or visit southwest.pa211.org/summer-resources/.
• Older adults seeking a cool place can call Allegheny County’s SeniorLine (412-350-5460) and can also visit Allegheny Connect for a countywide list of senior centers.  

Be sure to check on neighbors, friends, and relatives—especially older adults, those with health conditions, and those without air conditioning—and remember these additional heat-related tips from the Allegheny County Emergency Services:

• Drink plenty of water.   

• Limit time outdoors, especially at midday.   

• Never leave kids or pets in a car.   
• If you need to be outdoors, be aware of the signs of heat exhaustion: dizziness, nausea, headache, or excessive sweating.
• When in doubt, take a break, cool down and seek help.  

I’m offering a new service this year at my Cheswick office. Once a month through September, I will host a representative from Allegheny County Treasurer Erica Rocchi Brusselars’ office from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Residents can take advantage of these special days and hours at my office, located at 1296 Pittsburgh St., to pay county property taxes, apply for the Homestead/Farmstead Exclusion or Senior Citizen Tax Relief programs, or obtain hunting, fishing, or dog licenses.

Mark your calendars with the dates and times on the graphic above!  

Twice a month, a Veterans Service Officer (VSO) will be at my Cheswick office, 1296 Pittsburgh St., to assist veterans with a variety of services. The VSO will be available on the third Wednesday and Thursday of each month.

Call to schedule an appointment at (724) 826-5151.

District Office

1296 Pittsburgh Street

Cheswick, PA 15024

(724) 826-5151

Pennsylvania State Capitol

111 B East Wing
Harrisburg, PA 17120

(717) 705-7141