HOW WE VOTED

There has been misinformation circulated about votes taken this week when the House returned to session. Let me clear up any confusion: NO VOTE was taken on ending property taxes. The vote in question was a procedural vote on the constitutionality of a legislative measure, not on the amendment itself.

I do not like paying high property taxes. I want them reduced or eliminated as much as anyone. But when that time comes, it must be done responsibly and with a real plan to secure the funding needed to meet the General Assembly's constitutional obligation to properly fund public education.

As a reminder, you can always find how we voted here.

These are some of the bills the House passed this week:

HB 1834 creates safeguards for communities where data centers are being built, including protecting service and rate costs for residential customers;
HB 200 establishes paid family leave, with NO TAX INCREASES for workers;
HB 2189 increases PA’s minimum wage to $11 per hour in 2027, $13 in 2028 and $15 in 2029 with annual cost-of-living changes starting in 2030;
HB 1344 helps protect law enforcement from fentanyl, working with doctors and vets to minimize potential exposure to officers and K9s;
HB 1257 expands property tax relief for disabled veterans;
HB 2024 increases support for veterans who need trauma-informed care;
HB 1800 protects marriage equality;
HB 1191 strengthens rail safety monitoring systems and rail safety workers, because prevention costs taxpayers less than derailment disaster cleanup;
HB 1718 requires insurers to clarify flood insurance needs for homeowners;
HB 2163 improves dental school recruitment;
SB 1218 authorizes temporary two-hour extension of alcohol sales in Philadelphia during the World Cup and America250 events this summer (June 11 to July 20);
HB 802 maintains personal privacy in Right-To-Know Law;
HB 1260 requires large-scale warehouses to be solar-ready to meet increasing energy demands; and
SB 862 helps resolve borough council vacancies more efficiently, allowing better continuity of borough governance.

The House will return to Harrisburg on April 13.

POLICY COMMITTEE ON THE ROAD

The Policy Committee hosted a hearing this week in Harrisburg on wage disparity in higher education. The committee has hosted 56 hearings with 43 hosts across 38 neighborhoods during the 2025–26 legislative session.

As the House Majority Policy Committee Chairman, and a member of the House Majority Leadership team, I travel the state with the Policy Committee to hear from workers, seniors, advocates, business leaders, and officials on emerging topics and initiatives. We examine how policies are helping people across the state or learn how we can pass reforms to help even more people.

UP NEXT: On Monday the Policy Committee will travel to the city of Chester in Delaware County to discuss housing challenges. We meet Tuesday for a hearing in Springfield, Delaware County on private equity’s impact on volunteer firefighters.

PROTECTING PEOPLE & PATIENTS

AI is built to keep you engaged—not to care for your mental health. But more people are turning to chatbots for support, and the consequences can be tragic.

The Policy Committee recently held a hearing on our House bill to put guardrails on AI to protect young people and people in need who haven't yet reached out to a counselor.

Erie’s Dr. Curtis Taylor joined us to discuss the many problems of people turning to artificial intelligence to answer their mental health concerns and questions.

“It’s clear that individuals will continue to confide in AI systems and seek relationship advice or personal reflection. However, there must be a clear regulatory distinction between general advice platforms and licensed counseling,” said Dr. Taylor, a Licensed Professional Counselor in Erie. “AI systems must not market or brand themselves as mental health providers, partner with insurance companies as therapeutic alternatives, or present themselves as substitutes for licensed care.”

Read more here.

WE HAVE TAX FORMS

Tax season is here, and we’ve got you covered. If you file the traditional way, stop by our Millcreek office at Peninsula Plaza, 1101 Peninsula Drive, to pick up state and federal tax forms and schedules.

We’re always happy to help—just swing in and grab what you need!

WORKING FOR YOU

I will always advocate for you and local projects in Harrisburg. Our region is vital to the state’s economy, so I’ve gone to work to secure the state funding we need for local schools, seniors, veterans, improved housing and local businesses. This legislative session, state funding for projects in our region has surpassed $31.5 million.

You sent me to Harrisburg to make sure our region has a voice at the table and receives the funding it needs to thrive.

HELPING SHAPE THE FUTURE FOR WOMEN

For more than 60 years, Pennsylvania has worked to better understand and advance the status of women across our Commonwealth. The Governor’s Advisory Commission on Women launched the start of its forthcoming State of the Woman Report.

Women across Pennsylvania are invited to share their experiences by participating in the State of the Woman digital survey. Your voice will help shape this important report.

In addition to the survey, the Commission will host 13 listening tour stops across Pennsylvania, including one virtual session, to hear directly from women in their communities.

If you’re interested in participating, consider joining one of these upcoming sessions:

🖥️ May 1 – Virtual Session
📍 May 11 – Erie
📍 May 12 – Erie

Your perspective matters, and I hope you’ll take part in helping shape the future for women in Pennsylvania.

DON’T FORGET TO REGISTER TO VOTE

May 4 is the last day to register to vote or update your address. It only takes a few minutes to register. Don't wait, do it today at PA’s Voter Registration Application page.

WE CAN HELP YOU GET YOUR REBATE

Just a reminder, we will once again be helping people apply for their Property Tax & Rent Rebate this year. My dedicated staff and I will be working to help seniors, widows, widowers and people with disabilities apply to receive their rebates.

We will once again travel through the community to help people apply. Whether you used us in the past or need us for the first time, we want to help you. Contact us, and we will let you know how the program works and how we can help!

WE ARE READY TO 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.