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In this Update:
Bill to Improve Early Literacy Poised for Enactment
The Senate and House unanimously passed and sent to the governor my bill to give students the best chance at lifelong success through a strong, evidence-based reading program. Senate Bill 801 would provide schools with resources to dramatically improve early literacy in Pennsylvania. First, it would bolster reading instruction by giving schools a comprehensive list of evidence-based reading curricula. Second, it would help schools identify struggling readers early via universal screening by providing a list of high-quality screeners. Third, it would ensure educators are properly trained to use the structured literacy curriculum and screeners by creating a list of high-quality professional development programs. Low literacy scores are a problem that span the geographic and demographic spectrum, with urban cities and rural communities alike struggling to help their students read proficiently at their age level. Studies show that childhood reading difficulties can produce long-term effects and dramatically impact someone’s chances of success. Learn more about this critical legislation here. New Voter FAQ Webpage to Clarify Pennsylvania Election Processes
Civic engagement and secure elections are the bedrock of our Republic. When citizens actively participate and voting is conducted with integrity, we strengthen the foundation of our nation—ensuring that every voice is heard, every vote is counted, and trust in our institutions is upheld. As your state Senator, my goal is to uphold these values. Unfortunately, I regularly receive feedback that individuals do not know where to find trusted, factual, and simply unbiased information regarding our elections. It is my hope this FAQ page will be a source of trusted and impartial information for all Pennsylvania voters, whether you are Democrat, Republican, or Independent. As such, this page does not include my personal policy stances. Should you wish to better understand my perspective as your legislator, you may inquire here. You can access the Voter FAQ webpage here. Prepare Now for the Nov. 5 Election: Election Day on Nov. 5 is approaching. Make sure you’re able to participate by registering to vote no later than Oct. 21. If you’ve moved, this is also a great time to double check that you’re registered to vote at your current address. Anyone who wishes to vote by mail must apply by Oct. 29. You must be a registered voter to submit an application to vote by mail. If you are looking for a way to help your community, learn more about becoming a poll worker here. Thousands of Pennsylvanians are needed to run elections, and poll workers are needed in all 67 counties. Senate Passes Bill to Extend Lemon Law Protections to Motorcycles
The Senate unanimously approved legislation that would extend Pennsylvania’s Lemon Law protections to cover motorcycles. Senate Bill 155 now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration. Pennsylvania’s Lemon Law provides protections for customers who purchase or lease a car that is registered in the commonwealth. The law protects customers who experience defects with their car during the first year or 12,000 miles of leasing or ownership. Manufacturers are given three opportunities within a year to repair the defect. If the problem still cannot be corrected, the customer is eligible for a replacement or refund. The state Lemon Law currently only applies to cars. Local Firefighter Recognized for His National Advocacy
Manheim Township’s fire chief, Scott Little, was recently highlighted as a leader in City and State’s Forty in Their 40s list. Scott has a crew of 110 paid and volunteer firefighters. He focuses on recruitment as there are approximately 20,000 volunteer firefighters in Pennsylvania now compared to roughly 300,000 in the 1970s. He has also fought for funding for equipment that is non-carcinogenic. As a first vice president of Pennsylvania Career Fire Chiefs, next year he’ll lead the national organization’s Eastern division. Since 2008, he has also served with the Pennsylvania Air National Guard; as a first sergeant, he’s on call for everything from urban search-and-rescue to bioterrorism response. People like Scott make me proud to call Lancaster County home. Job well done, Scott! Bill to Improve Elevator Safety Standards Passes Senate
The Senate unanimously passed legislation to improve elevator safety standards in Pennsylvania. The bill now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration. Following the deaths of a correctional officer and an inmate who plunged down an elevator shaft in a violent confrontation, the Elevator Safety Board was established to address critical issues surrounding elevator construction, maintenance, and inspection. The American Society of Mechanical Engineers has revised the national elevator code seven times since 2002, yet Pennsylvania still adheres to outdated standards that don’t reflect current safety practices. The board submitted its recommendations to update these codes to the Department of Labor and Industry in 2020, but the agency has not acted. Senate Bill 1230 requires the Department of Labor and Industry to adopt an updated safety code, effective July 1, 2025. Prior to adoption, the Elevator Safety Board may recommend modifications based upon its professional expertise and industry experience. The legislation would establish timely benchmarks, making sure necessary upgrades will not be delayed further. Advocating for Changes to Help Those with Dyslexia
I had the honor of speaking at an awareness rally at the state Capitol sponsored by the International Dyslexia Association and Decoding Dyslexia PA. A bill I sponsored calls for early identification of students struggling with literacy, which is critical to help people with dyslexia learn to read and write proficiently and ultimately lead productive, fulfilling lives. With 15-20% of the population having some of the symptoms of dyslexia – including slow or inaccurate reading, poor spelling, poor writing, or the tendency to mix up similar words – my bill would benefit many Pennsylvanians. The bill is before the governor for his signature, and I look forward to it becoming law soon. Oct. 25-28 Closure Planned for Route 30/Route 222 Interchange
A closure is planned the weekend of October 25-28 for eastbound and westbound Route 30 and the bridge carrying northbound/southbound Route 222 over Route 30 at the Route 30/Route 222 Interchange Improvement Project in Lancaster County. The closure will be in place so the contractor can set beams on the new bridge that will carry southbound Route 222 to eastbound Route 30. Weather permitting, Route 30 and the bridge carrying northbound and southbound Route 222 over the highway will be closed at 9:00 PM Friday, October 25. The closure is expected to remain in place until 5:00 AM Monday, October 28. The old southbound Route 222 bridge to eastbound Route 30 was demolished last spring. Southbound Route 222 traffic was switched to the northbound bridge over Route 30 so both northbound and southbound Route 222 traffic is running on the northbound bridge. This traffic pattern will remain in place until a new bridge is built. Detours will be in place for the weekend closure. The detour for eastbound Route 30 will use Route 501 (Lititz Pike) south to Route 222 south to Duke Street to Route 23 east to Route 30. The detour for eastbound Route 30 to northbound Route 222 will use Route 272 (Oregon Pike) to Jake Landis Road to Butter Road north to northbound Route 222. The detour for westbound Route 30 will use northbound Route 222 to the Route 272 (Oregon Pike) Exit, Butter Road north to Jake Landis Road west to Route 272 south to southbound Route 222 and westbound Route 30. The detour for southbound Route 222 to eastbound Route 30 will use Route 30 west to Route 501 (Lititz Pike) south to Route 222 south to Duke Street to Route 23 east to Route 30. Learn more about the project here. Celebrating Notable Birthdays at Masonic Villages
Masonic Villages in Elizabethtown recently celebrated residents who have reached the remarkable milestone of 99 years and beyond. Their lives span a century of experiences, wisdom, and memories, and my staff and I were pleased to congratulate them all on this extraordinary achievement. View more photos from the celebration here. All photos courtesy of Masonic Villages Elizabethtown. Hempfield Middle School Students Visit PA Capitol
I had the opportunity to meet with a group of middle school students from Hempfield School District while they were on a field trip at the Pennsylvania Capitol building. After their tour, we discussed the use of lockable smartphone bags to help schools create a smartphone-free environment for their students. Know Your Breast Cancer Risk
Understanding your breast cancer risk is vital for protecting your health. Maintaining a healthy weight, engaging in regular physical activity, and eating a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can lower your risk. Limiting alcohol consumption and avoiding smoking are also important preventive steps. Regular screenings and self-exams are essential for early detection, especially if you have a family history of breast cancer or other risk factors. Discussing your personal risk with a doctor can help you explore further preventive options, such as genetic testing or medications. By implementing these strategies and staying informed, you can take significant steps toward lowering your risk. Learn more about breast cancer risk here.
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