Dear Friends,

I hope you have all been well—and I can’t believe it’s almost back-to-school already!

In this week’s e-newsletter, I've included details about our upcoming events, including our E-cycle Event with Senator Santarsiero on Saturday and my Senior Expo on Monday, as well as details pertaining to Gov. Shapiro's latest executive order on data centers.

As always, if you need help with any state-related issue or need to talk with me directly, feel free to reply to this email or call my office at 215-943-7206.

Due to the State Senate’s inaction on the 8 bills already passed by the House of Representatives, Governor Shapiro recently signed an Executive Order restricting data center development in PA.

This has become essential as, despite the PA House passing 8 bills this year to regulate data centers and put protections for communities and guardrails in place, the PA Senate has refused to move any of them, even voting down a data center moratorium bill in Committee. I have heard concerns from neighbors about data centers, and I believe that Governor Shapiro's order is a good first step in protecting Pennsylvanians from the possible risks associated with them. 

The Governor’s Executive Order mandates that any data center developers must:

• Pay the full cost of electricity and infrastructure needed to power their project, without shifting costs to residents.
• Commit to full transparency with local residents and leaders often and early, so that communities can have meaningful conversations about the impact of the project.
• Hire and train local workers and enter meaningful community benefit agreements.
• Meet the highest standards of environmental protection and strict water conservation requirements.

The Executive Order also removes all data center proposals from the state’s Fast Track permitting process and removes the use of nondisclosure agreements for data center projects – paving the way for more transparency and more time for municipalities to consider whether they want to support projects proposed in their communities.

You can read the Executive Order for yourself here.

The cycle of heartbreak is familiar to job seekers everywhere: They see an ad for a role with great pay and potential, spend time customizing a cover letter and resume, hit submit, and then…nothing.

In as many as one in five cases, the company has no real intention of filling the supposed opening. Months later, the same ad might still be up, but the job itself remains a phantom. These so-called ghost jobs are a longtime source of frustration and anguish for people slogging through an increasingly anonymous and impersonal job-search process.

When people are putting the time and effort into applying, there’s a reasonable expectation that there is a job out there. That's why I introduced HB2321, that would require employers to list accurate hiring intentions and establish timelines to remove posts. 

This week Lauren Weber from The Wall Street Journal reported on how legislators like myself are working to solve this crisis, nationwide. Click here to read more.

We are excited to be hosting several events in the very near future, including two over the next week! I hope you'll take advantage of these free services. If you have any questions, please contact my office at 215-943-7206 or simply reply to this email.

As our events get closer, information on dates and times will be released. Here is the list of our planned events to date:

This Saturday, August 29 from 9:00AM – 12:00PM, State Senator Steve Santarsiero and I will be hosting our E-Waste Recycling Event at the Pennsbury HS West Campus.

We can assist in recycling computers, laptops, printers, phones, VCRs, wires, and other small electronics, as well as small random metal items. Please note that monitors, televisions, hazardous chemicals, light bulbs, and materials containing Freon cannot be accepted.

ADDITIONALLY: We will also be collecting food for the Bucks County Opportunity Council. We greatly appreciate whatever you can offer!

I hope you'll take advantage of this opportunity to safely and responsibly dispose of your unwanted electronics. I look forward to seeing you there!

For more information, click here. 

Address: 608 S Olds Blvd, Fairless Hills

We are hosting our annual Senior Expo on Monday, August 31, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Westaby Hall in Fairless Hills. My staff will be there, along with a wide variety of vendors. You can also receive your flu vaccine!

If you are interested in attending or have any questions, please call my office at 215-943-7206.

Safely dispose of your confidential documents at my free Shredding Event on Saturday, September 12, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at 608 S. Olds Blvd., Fairless Hills.

This event is a convenient way to securely shred personal documents and help protect yourself from identity theft. Please note that this event is for individuals only and is not open to businesses.

I hope you'll take advantage of this free service I look forward to seeing you there!

For more information, click here.

Changes to Medicaid, also known as Medical Assistance in Pennsylvania, are coming on January 1, 2027, because of changes to federal law. More information is expected to be released, but here is what you need to know for now:

• Some adults will need to renew their Medicaid Plan every six months instead of annually.
• A new requirement means some adults enrolled in Medicaid will need to participate in work, school, job training, volunteering, or other community activities.

If you receive Medicaid, now is a good time to make sure your mailing address and contact information are up to date with DHS so you don’t miss important notices about these changes.

For more information about the new Medicaid requirements, click here.

Violating PA's school bus stopping law can mean a fine of up to $300, a 60-day license suspension, and 5 points on your license. Learn more at pa.gov/schoolbus. 

Whether you’re just starting out in the workforce, considering a career change, or seeking new skills, PA CareerLink is here to help you land your next role at no cost.

PA CareerLink offers comprehensive job listings across every industry, resume reviews, interview preparation and career counseling, skills training and certifications, and a variety of workshops and job fairs.

Get started by visiting the PA CareerLink website.

The PA Treasury has launched a new online Financial Education Hub, which provides a centralized collection of resources to help Pennsylvanians improve their financial literacy and make informed financial decisions.

The hub covers topics including budgeting, saving, retirement planning, digital assets and cryptocurrency, along with information about Treasury programs such as PA 529, Keystone Scholars, and PA ABLE. Resources are tailored to groups including students, teachers, active-duty military members, veterans, and older adults.

The Financial Education Hub is available at patreasury.gov/financial-education

The Pennsylvania State Police is expanding opportunities for students and aspiring law enforcement professionals through partnerships with colleges and universities. Through the Academy Internship Program, eligible college seniors can complete their final semester at the PSP Academy, earn academic credits, and begin their careers as a trooper after successfully completing cadet training.

Interested students must apply by Sept. 30.

The 2026-27 state budget provides funding for approximately 380 new cadet appointments, reinforcing efforts to strengthen public safety and recruit the next generation of troopers.

Learn more at https://patrooper.com/.

As we approach the General Election on Tuesday, November 3, here are some key dates to remember:

• Monday, Oct. 19 – Last day to register to vote.
• Tuesday, Oct. 27– Last day to apply for an absentee or mail-in ballot.
• Tuesday, Nov. 3 – Election Day: Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. Voters must be in line by 8 p.m. to cast their ballot. Mail-in and absentee ballots must be received by your county election office by 8 p.m.

To find your polling location, update your voter information or for more voter services, visit vote.pa.gov.

Sincerely,

Jim Prokopiak

Pennsylvania State Capitol

121-B East Wing

Harrisburg, PA 17120

(717) 787-1292

District Office

8610 New Falls Road
Levittown, PA 19054

(215) 943-7206

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