HOW WE VOTED

This week, the House reconvened in Harrisburg. We welcomed a new member, Brandon Dukes from Butler County, and passed numerous measures. The House has passed more than 450 bills this session to fight rising costs, raise workers’ wages and improve healthcare.

Here’s a short synopsis of some of the measures the House passed. We voted to protect patients by requiring notification when AI is used during treatment or insurance decisions and it ensures all final decisions are made by humans (HB 1925). We required safeguards to prevent AI from encouraging or assisting suicide, self-harm or violence, and the measure would direct users to crisis resources (HB 2006). We increased access to healthcare by requiring health insurers to cover fertility preservation services, including after some cancer treatments (HB 2649), and expanded the age groups offered vaccines for flu, pneumonia, and RSV after a hospital stay or as part of their ongoing medical care (HB 2378).

We added a layer of protection for consumers when it comes to utility rates (HB 2184). We also voted to offer schools the option of using a silent panic alarm system as part of their emergency response plans (HB 634).

You can see how we voted on all bills here.

HELP IS AVAILABLE

If your home, property, or business was damaged by the severe storms and flash flooding on Sept. 2–3, 2026, help is available. We know the past few weeks have been difficult for many of our neighbors. Please don't hesitate to reach out and take advantage of the help that's available.

The Shapiro Administration has secured two forms of financial assistance for Millcreek Township residents, and both opened Friday, Sept. 25.

PA Disaster Recovery Assistance Program (DRAP) Grants
The Commonwealth's DRAP program provides grants to eligible homeowners and renters who are uninsured or underinsured and have not received other aid. Eligible households may receive up to $20,000 to:

Repair their home
Cover temporary housing and rental expenses
Replace essential personal property

Grants are intended for households that meet lower-income thresholds. To check if you qualify and to apply, visit pa.gov/ready/drap. The application portal is open and all applications must be submitted by Thursday, Dec. 24, 2026.

Low-Interest SBA Disaster Loans
The U.S. Small Business Administration is offering low-interest loans for homeowners, renters, businesses, and private non-profits:

Up to $500,000 for homeowners to repair or replace their primary residence
Up to $100,000 for homeowners and renters to replace personal property
Up to $2 million for businesses and most non-profits

Loan terms extend up to 30 years, with repayment based on each applicant's ability to repay. Apply online or learn more by calling the SBA Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955 or emailing DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov (reference Pennsylvania Disaster Number PA-20044). The deadline for physical damage loan applications is Nov. 23, 2026. The deadline for economic injury loan applications is June 22, 2027.

In-Person Help in Erie
You can get in-person assistance at the Erie Disaster Loan Outreach Center:

Salvation Army
1022 Liberty St., Erie, PA 16502
Opened on Sept. 25
Hours: M-F 8-5; Sat. 8-2, closed Sunday
Center closes Oct. 9 at 4 p.m.
Visiting in person is not required to apply, but staff are there to help if you'd like assistance.

POLLING LOCATION CHANGES

A quick heads-up for voters in Millcreek and Fairview Townships: two polling locations have changed for the upcoming election.

📍 MILLCREEK District 24

✅ NEW: Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church, 3108 Sterrettania Road

❌ Former: Asbury Woods Nature Center, 4105 Asbury Road

📍 FAIRVIEW District 1

✅ NEW: Saint Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 1070 Dutch Road

❌ Former: Fairview Presbyterian Church, 4264 Avonia Road

CELEBRATING ITALIAN-AMERICAN HERITAGE

Buon Mese del Patrimonio Italiano-Americano!

October is Italian-American Heritage Month! This month, we celebrate the generations of Italian Americans whose hard work, traditions, culture and contributions have helped shape our communities, commonwealth and our country.

FAIRVIEW FALL FEST

Mark your calendars to attend the FREE Fairview Fall Fest on Sunday, Oct. 18. It’s a kid-friendly event with hay rides, free games, trick-or-treating and much more. Learn more here.

CRISSCROSSING PENNSYLVANIA

As chairman of the House Majority Policy Committee, I serve on the House Majority Leadership team. We crisscross the state listening to members of our local communities and working on solutions that make life easier for working families.

The committee has held 84 hearings across 53 neighborhoods so far this legislative session, with 55 different leaders hosting events.

UP NEXT: The committee will travel to Allegheny and Butler counties later this month.

WE ARE READY TO HELP YOU

So far this year my dedicated team has closed 24,200+ cases. We have closed 1,200+ PennDOT cases. We have completed 810+ Property Tax/Rent Rebate applications, with $520,000 expected to be returned to the region in rebates.

If you need help filing your Property Tax/Rent Rebate or other state matters, trust the professionals — we’re here to make it easy.

Stop by our Millcreek office or contact us if you have questions. A member of my team can also be reached at the Fairview Township Building on Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

MY OFFICE CAN HELP YOU

If you need assistance with state programs, my office can help!

Last year, we:

helped 1,200+ people apply for the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program,
resolved 4,500+ issues with PennDOT, and
completed 38,000+ items of casework.

Trust the professionals! Bring your issues to my team, we can help.