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In this Update:

• Pennsylvania Marches for Life
• Farm-Related Incident Safety Seminar
• Shapiro’s Troubling Health Regulations: Thousands of Pennsylvanians Weigh In
• Senate Bill Protecting Children from Harmful AI Chats Needs House Action
• Garrity Announces $1,000 Bonus for Families’ Education Savings
• Certified Veteran-Owned Businesses Gain New Opportunities
• Suicide Prevention Month Raises Awareness and Spreads Hope
• Out and About in the 30^th District

Pennsylvania Marches for Life

I was proud to join thousands of pro-life advocates and supporters at the 6^th Annual Pennsylvania March for Life at the Capitol. It is always such a joyful opportunity to see so many defenders of life, including many constituents from the 30^th district, who traveled down for this. We heard from speakers such as former U.S. Senator Rick Santorum; Archbishop Nelson Perez; Michael Geer, President of the Pennsylvania Family Institute; along with many other church leaders and pro-life leaders. The message was clear; we must continue our work to protect the sanctity of life across our Commonwealth and protect each and every woman and child. Thank you to each of you who attended and who provided a voice to the voiceless!

Farm-Related Incident Safety Seminar

Penn State Extension will be hosting a seminar on September 29 from 6:00-7:30 PM at the Needmore Volunteer Fire Company, 8366 Great Cove Road. The seminar will cover how to keep yourself safe while helping the victim of a farm incident, what actions to take and not to take to have a positive effect on the victim’s well-being, how to effectively summon help from emergency services and the importance of seeking additional training, such as first aid, CPR and Stop the Bleed. To register, for this seminar, click here or call 877-345-0691.

Shapiro’s Troubling Health Regulations: Thousands of Pennsylvanians Weigh In

Thousands of Pennsylvanians – ordinary citizens, school officials and many others – have voiced their opposition to Gov. Josh Shapiro’s proposed health regulations which would vastly expand state government’s power over their lives. Thank you to each and every person who took the time to let your voice be heard!

I’ve added my voice to the effort in this letter to the Independent Regulatory Review Commission, which spells out the reasons these regulations must be stopped. Comments were submitted asking the commission to reject the proposal, which would give the state more power to enter homes and businesses without a warrant, speak to students without parents present, access private health records, unilaterally impose mask mandates – and more.

Gov. Shapiro and the state Department of Health should listen to the people and withdraw this 502-page executive branch overreach. Pennsylvanians endured the previous governor’s mandates during COVID lockdowns, and we cannot afford to go back.

Learn more about what’s at stake at this State Health Regulations information webpage.

Senate Bill Protecting Children from Harmful AI Chats Needs House Action

It’s critical that our commonwealth establish commonsense safeguards for children increasingly interacting with AI chatbots. The Senate overwhelmingly passed bipartisan legislation to do just that back in March, but the House of Representatives has yet to consider it.

Senate Bill 1090 would require robust, age-appropriate safeguards to prevent content generation that encourages self-harm, suicide or violence against others, and directs users to appropriate crisis resources whenever high-risk language is detected.

In recent years, vulnerable individuals, including minors, have used AI chatbots to cope with trauma, depression and anxiety, only to have chatbot responses allegedly contribute to deaths by suicide. I urge the House to pass this bill so it can be enacted before the year is out. Read more about this important measure.

Garrity Announces $1,000 Bonus for Families’ Education Savings

Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity is giving families with qualified PA 529 College and Career Saving Program Guaranteed Savings Plan (GSP) accounts a $1,000 bonus contribution, enhancing education savings for about 107,000 Pennsylvania families.

The bonus is being paid for through surplus dollars in the GSP Fund. PA 529 GSP savers with at least a $1,000 account balance, or those with at least a $100 balance with contributions made since 2022, as of July 31, 2026, are eligible for this bonus deposit. Account owners will see this deposit reflected in their third quarter statement.

The PA 529 GSP allows families to save at today’s tuition rates to cover tomorrow’s tuition costs with account growth dependent on tuition inflation. For more information, visit the PA 529 website.

Certified Veteran-Owned Businesses Gain New Opportunities

Pennsylvania veteran-owned small businesses that get certified can be listed on a state database, opening doors to state contracting opportunities.

To qualify for certification, businesses must be at least 51% veteran-owned, meet “small business” revenue and size standards, and hold a valid third-party certification.

The state does not certify a business as veteran owned; it only verifies it. Find out how to obtain certification and third-party verification at the Department of General Services.

Suicide Prevention Month Raises Awareness and Spreads Hope

Suicide Prevention Month is a time to raise awareness, spread hope and encourage discussion of a difficult topic.

Warning signs of suicide include:

• Comments about suicide
• Increased alcohol and drug use
• Aggressive behavior
• Withdrawal from friends and family
• Dramatic mood swings
• Impulsive or reckless behavior

The National Alliance on Mental Illness has more information about risk factors.

The 988 Lifeline provides free and confidential support over call, text or chat for people in distress 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Empathetic, trained professionals provide prevention and crisis resources for you or someone you know.

Out and About in the 30^th District

Melvin Lane Park Groundbreaking

I was thrilled to participate in the groundbreaking for the Melvin Lane Park in Alexandria Borough, Huntingdon County. This park will offer river access, family recreation experiences in a natural setting, and learning opportunities. Thanks to the generous donation of this land, this park will forever preserve this property and honor Melvin Lane and his legacy of conservation.

Bonney Forge 150^th Anniversary

Bonney Forge celebrated its 150^th anniversary at a Business After Hours Event at its valve warehouse in Mount Union, Huntingdon County. Congratulations to this great company on this amazing milestone!

Grand Opening of the “Slinky Center”

The Borough of Hollidaysburg proudly cut the ribbon to celebrate the grand opening of the new “Slinky Center” located inside the historic Reiser House at Canal Basin Park to honor this iconic American toy and the local family that created it.  

While working at a Philadelphia shipyard, mechanical engineer Richard James invented the slinky in 1943. When his wife, Betty James, took over the company in 1960, she moved it to her hometown of Hollidaysburg, PA. Following her death in 2008, her children sorted through the boxes of artifacts dating back decades and decided they should be preserved and shared. Subsequent discussions with Hollidaysburg Borough resulted in the establishment of an exhibit alongside canal basin and railroad history exhibits available to the public.

Rebekah James Morris, daughter of Richard and Betty James, led the ribbon cutting on this new center that showcases the history of the slinky and her family’s legacy. Hollidaysburg is proud to be the hometown of the slinky, “a wonderful toy that’s fun for a girl or a boy,” that is part of happy childhood memories for so many people around the world.

Blair County Chamber of Commerce Dinner

Congratulations to Patty Shaw, CEO of Shirley’s Cookie Company in Blair County, for receiving the Blair County Chamber of Commerce’s Lifetime Achievement for Business Excellence Award! Patty is an amazing member of our community and very deserving of this recognition!

Distinguished Citizen of the Year

Congratulations to local developer Jeff Long, of Sinking Valley, for being recognized by the Kiwanis Club of Altoona as their “Distinguished Citizen of the Year.” Jeff is pictured with his family and past award recipients. 

Mifflin County Farm Bureau Meeting

The Mifflin County Farm Bureau meeting held at Hoss’s in Lewistown. Tim Goss, President of the Mifflin County Farm Bureau led the meeting. Reports were given by several folks including membership, young ag professionals, women’s leadership, promotion and education and policy development.

Juniata River Valley Chamber of Commerce After House

The Juniata River Valley Chamber of Commerce After Hours held at the Mifflin County Historical Society. Guests were given a tour of the historical society’s library where research on a variety of things is done including family tree and genealogy research, sentinel articles and family histories and community activities and pictures. The McCoy House Museum was also opened across the street where folks could once again tour the facility which has many artifacts and history of Major General Frank R. McCoy who took part in the Spanish-American War, and World Wars I and II.

Don’t Forget – Goose Day is September 29^th!

Remember that September 29^th is Goose Day in Mifflin County.  Many events are scheduled for Friday, September 25^th, including a drone show at 9:30 p.m. There will be food and craft vendors throughout the downtown area on that evening as well. Come and get your picture taken with the Goose at the Historic Mifflin County Courthouse.

Hollidaysburg Farm Show

Hollidaysburg Farm Show had a successful week with an increase in entries and attendance. Congratulations to all who make that happen!