Epinephrine is the definitive treatment when it comes to reversing life-threatening allergic reactions, and state law authorizes trained staff in schools and other public spaces to administer the drug in a medical emergency.

Last year, the FDA approved a nasal spray form of epinephrine for treatment of serious allergic reactions or anaphylaxis, but our state law currently covers only the injectable form. I recently introduced legislation (H.B. 1043 and H.B. 1044) with bipartisan colleagues to update the law and ensure that Pennsylvanians have access to all FDA-approved formulations of this lifesaving drug. You can read more here.

To ensure that our state Pharmacy Board keeps pace with the complex and rapidly expanding pharmacy practice in hospitals and health care systems, I recently introduced H.B. 980 together with Rep. Andrew Kuzma. The bill, which is now in the House Professional Licensure Committee, would expand the board’s membership to include a pharmacy technician and hospital pharmacist. You can read more here.

Many of you have expressed concern over Pittsburgh Regional Transit’s (PRT’s) recent announcement that funding issues may force the agency to make steep service cuts and fare increases. Please know that I share those concerns, that I have voted repeatedly to increase state funding for PRT in a fiscally responsible way, and that I will continue to support this funding.

You can help by contacting leaders in the state Senate – where the funding issue has stalled – and urging them to support funding for public transit.

PRT is also encouraging people to weigh in by:

• Taking this online survey.
• Completing a paper survey at PRT’s Downtown Service Center, located at 623 Smithfield St., Pittsburgh.
• Calling the public comment inbox at (412) 566-5525.
• Writing to Pittsburgh Regional Transit, Attn: Funding Crisis, 345 Sixth Ave., Third Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15222.
• Attending one of three upcoming public hearings. Visit this page for hearing details and other information.

Visit this page or click on the image at top to read more.

It’s always an honor to recognize our district’s talented students. Last Friday, I visited Avonworth School District to present House of Representatives citations to all the students who won WPIAL championships in Football, Baseball, Boys Wrestling, and Boys Swimming, the PIHL Penguins Cup, multiple Gene Kelly awards, and recognition as part of the PMEA All-State Concert Band.

Congratulations to the students – and to the parents, coaches, teachers, and staff – at Avonworth on these amazing accomplishments in athletics and the arts!

Our Hampton and North Allegheny Speech and Debate teams recently had a chance to show off their amazing skills. North Allegheny (above left) delivered a championshp performance at the Pennsylvania High School Speech League Championships at Bloomsburg University, while members of the Hampton team (above right) shone as well. 

The 21st annual Roundball Classic all-star weekend will be held May 24-25 at North Allegheny and will feature a number of our local student athletes, including

• Rowan Carmichael, Avonworth – Boys Class 4A
• Noah Goetz, Avonworth – Boys Class 4A
• Carter Melzer, North Allegheny – Boys Class 6A
• Emma Obersteiner, Avonworth – Girls Class 3A/A
• Greta O’Brien, Avonworth – Girls Class 3A/A

Congrats on being selected, and good luck at the Roundball Classic! You can read more here.

Earlier this week, I went door knocking in Hampton Township. Visiting residents, listening to their concerns, and figuring out how I can address them is the best part of my job as your State Representative.

Now more than ever, our elected officials have a responsibility to meet with constituents of all viewpoints, rather than avoiding those who may hold conflicting views. As long as I hold this office and responsibility, I am committed to engaging with everyone I represent.

Last weekend, I joined leaders in business, technology, and government to speak with MBA students at Pitt Business - University of Pittsburgh. We discussed how government can foster innovation by increasing channels of legal immigration, partnering with unitiversities to fund scientific research, and ensuring there are coherent policies on taxation, trade, education, business licensing and permitting, and infrastructure.

My staffers and I enjoyed wonderful fish fry lunches at the A.W. Beattie Career Center in McCandless (above) and dinners at the the Saints Martha and Mary Parish in Hampton (below). Wishing a blessed Lenten season to all who observe!

Did you know that just one organ donor can save as many as eight lives, and one tissue donor can help and heal up to 75 people? April is National Donate Life Month, and if you’re not already a donor, it’s a great time to consider signing up to become one!

The arts bring us together and give us different perspectives on the world. I’m proud to be a member of the bipartisan Pennsylvania Arts and Culture Caucus and was pleased to host Pittsburgh-based leaders in the arts for a visit to the state Capitol last week.

I was also honored to join colleagues to recognize the 50th anniversary of the Philip Jaisohn Memorial Foundation. Named for the first Korean immigrant to become a naturalized citizen of the United States and receive a medical degree here, this community-minded organization provides health services, education and leadership opportunities, cultural programs and more to improve quality of life for residents.

If you plan to get a REAL ID in advance of the May 7 enforcement deadline, you may want to check out the above PennDOT events in our area. As a reminder, upgrading to a REAL ID-complaint driver’s license or photo ID is purely optional. (You do not need a REAL ID to drive, vote, access hospitals, visit the post office, or apply for or receive federal benefits such as social security or veterans' benefits.)

Once federal agencies begin enforcing the provisions of the REAL ID Act on May 7, however, this will affect what kind of identification you will need to present for certain activities. Specifically, you will need to show either a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or photo identification card (or some other form of acceptable identification, such as a valid passport or military ID) to board a commercial flight (including a domestic flight) or enter a federal facility that requires ID. Visit this page to learn more.