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In this Update:

• Honoring All Who Served
• House Continues to Fail Women Across Pennsylvania
• DMVA Now Accepting Grant Applications for Programs Benefiting Veterans
• School Bus Safety Legislation Signed into Law
• Honoring Visually Impaired Veterans with a Capitol Monument
• Out and About in the 30^th District

Honoring All Who Served

Each year on Veterans Day, we pause to recognize and honor the brave men and women who have served in the United States Armed Forces. Their courage, sacrifice and unwavering commitment to our nation have helped protect the freedoms and opportunities we enjoy every day.

As we reflect on the service of our veterans, we are reminded that their dedication extends far beyond their time in uniform. Veterans continue to strengthen our communities through leadership, volunteering and public service. Their example of selflessness and duty inspires us all.

This Veterans Day, let us take a moment to thank the veterans in our families, workplaces and neighborhoods. We are deeply grateful for their sacrifices and for the sacrifices made by their loved ones. Today and every day, we honor their service and remember the enduring impact they have made on our commonwealth and nation.

Thank you to all who have served and Happy Veterans Day!

House Continues to Fail Women Across Pennsylvania

While more states across the nation like Arizona and Washington took measures to ensure the safety of girls and women not only on their playing field but in private spaces, the House of Representatives continues to fail to protect young women here in our Commonwealth.

I was proud to sponsor two bipartisan pieces of legislation this session, Senate Bill 9 and Senate Bill 1293, known as the Save Women’s Sports Act. Both bills would preserve opportunities for female athletes at public schools and colleges but neither have been voted on by the House. Instead, they have used political maneuvering to bounce them from committee to committee, avoiding proper review and a vote on this important issue.

The Save Women’s Sports Act would require public schools and colleges to label sports teams as male, female or coed. The legislation states only biological females can join teams designated for women. The bill would also allow students to take legal action if they are harmed by violations of this rule.

Since 2020, right here in Pennsylvania, men have stolen first place from female athletes 98 times and unjustly took second or third place 76 times. I’ll be working again to pass this commonsense measure in the next legislative session. I will continue to fight for our girls across this Commonwealth to ensure they have an equal chance on their playing field.

DMVA Now Accepting Grant Applications for Programs Benefiting Veterans

Non-profit organizations, veteran service organizations (VSOs) and county directors of veteran affairs can apply now for 2027-28 grant funding through the Veterans’ Trust Fund for programs and services benefiting Pennsylvania veterans.

Eligible non-profit VSOs and organizations with a mission of serving Pennsylvania veterans can request up to $40,000, with priority for projects addressing mental health and behavioral health, transportation or employment.

County directors of veterans affairs or the Pennsylvania Association of County Directors of Veterans Affairs may be eligible for up to $15,000 for new, innovative programs, particularly those focusing on expanded services and direct programming.

Grant applications must be received no later than 2 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 18.

Interested applicants are encouraged to join a Microsoft Teams meeting on Thursday, Nov. 12, at 11 a.m. where an overview of the grant guidelines, timeline and application process will be provided. There will be an opportunity for questions at the end of the meeting. Slides from the meeting will be made available upon request for those unable to attend.

Interested parties can email for more information.

School Bus Safety Legislation Signed into Law

Legislation sponsored by Sen. Lisa Baker and amended by me in the Senate Transportation Committee to strengthen school bus safety has been signed into law as Act 89 of 2026.

The new law, originally Senate Bill 65, strengthens Pennsylvania’s School Bus Stopping Law by increasing the required stopping distance from 10 feet to 15 feet when a school bus is stopped with its red lights flashing and stop arm extended.

The legislation was prompted by growing concerns about school bus stop-arm violations and the need for greater driver awareness. According to PennDOT’s Automated School Bus Enforcement Program, 24,085 violations were recorded in 2023. That number surged to 76,413 violations in 2024.

New penalties were established as well. Drivers who proceed past school buses with flashing amber lights may face enhanced penalties, such as two points on a driver’s driving record. Drivers who fail to stop for school buses with flashing red lights results in criminal penalties and a new fine starting at a minimum of $250, which increases to a minimum of $500 for subsequent offenses. Civil penalties were unchanged and maintain a $300 fine with no impact on a driver’s driving record.

In addition to stronger penalties, Act 89 expands school bus safety education by assigning new responsibilities to PennDOT and school districts. As we considered this legislation in the Senate Transportation Committee, it was clear that improving driver education was essential to better protect children traveling to and from school each day.

The law’s education requirements take effect this December, while the updated stopping distance and enhanced penalties will take effect one year later.

Honoring Visually Impaired Veterans with a Capitol Monument

A Braille Flag monument honoring veterans with visual impairments will be installed at the Pennsylvania Capitol Building under a new law we passed.

The Braille Flag was created to honor the service of veterans who have been left with lifelong visual disabilities. Under Act 110 of 2026, the monument will be made of bronze and include the Pledge of Allegiance in Braille.

The display is sponsored by the Moose Lodge and the American Braille Flag Project, a non-profit organization dedicated to the placement of these flags throughout the country. Read more about Act 110 here.

Out and About in the 30^th District

Juniata River Valley Chamber of Commerce Event

My Lewistown District Office attended the Juniata River Valley Chamber of Commerce Event held at the Sacred Heart School in Lewistown. Sacred Heart is a private school which currently enrolls around 70 students from pre-K through 6^th grade. You can find more information on their website here.

Sweat for Vets

What a great day at the Annual Sweat for Vets Challenge 2026 in Blair County. The community really comes together for this great fundraiser. Sweat For Vets was an effort that began in 2014, when several Army veterans who served together in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom VII returned home and decided to start a fundraiser to raise money for veterans. Major General Antonio “Andy” Munera kicked off the challenge with special remarks.

Fort Roberdeau Veterans Day Event

The team at Fort Roberdeau always does a nice job to recognize our military members for their Veterans Day event. I ran into a friend, Dr. Donald Crider. Dr. Crider is an amazing 101 years old!

Hollidaysburg Halloween Parade

A great time at the Phoenix Fire Department Annual Halloween Parade in downtown Hollidaysburg! I see so many familiar faces and there is always so much excitement!