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Fighting Crime: Hazleton Hearing Examines Trends & Prevention

As Chairman of the Senate Majority Policy Committee, I recently joined Rep. Dane Watro and Rep. David Rowe to chair a public hearing focused on crime trends, public safety and the challenges facing law enforcement across Pennsylvania.

We heard directly from Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday, local District Attorneys Sam Sanguedolce and Mike O’Pake, local police chiefs, Luzerne County Sheriff Genesis Arias, and community organizations.

There was encouraging news: crime is declining in many areas, fentanyl cases and overdose deaths are down, property crime in our region, and specifically Hazleton, has decreased, and school violence has dropped significantly. We also heard that the Organized Retail Theft Unit, which was created by a law I wrote, has topped more than 100 investigations in its first full year. But there is still a lot of work to do.

We discussed the need to support law enforcement, address blight and other root causes of crime, combat fentanyl and human trafficking, protect victims, and ensure our criminal justice system holds dangerous offenders accountable. We also discussed the urgent need for the PA House to immediately pass Senate Bill 1400, which sets sentencing guidelines for felony murder after the PA Supreme Court ruled that mandatory life sentences for this crime are unconstitutional. You can learn more about this issue here.

I look forward to continuing to work together to make Hazleton and communities across Pennsylvania safer places to live, work and raise a family. Read more about the hearing here.

Why are Electricity Prices Rising, and What Can PA Do About It?

I recently chaired a Senate Majority Policy Committee hearing in Shenandoah to examine a problem that is hitting families and businesses across Pennsylvania: rising electric bills.

The solution starts with a simple principle — we need more energy production, not more restrictions on producing energy.

Pennsylvania has tremendous energy resources, including natural gas, coal, and coal refuse. At the same time, electricity demand is growing. If we continue retiring reliable power plants faster than we build new generation, consumers will continue to face higher costs and greater reliability concerns. That is especially true when neighboring states continue to shut down reliable generation and rely on the same regional PJM electric grid.

We also heard about the important role Schuylkill County’s coal refuse power plants play. These facilities generate electricity while cleaning up mine-scarred land, restoring streams and creating good-paying jobs.

We can meet our growing energy needs and protect our environment. Pennsylvania has made tremendous progress in cleaning up the environmental damage of the past, and we should continue that progress while making sure families can afford to heat and power their homes.

The goal should be clear: more reliable Pennsylvania energy, fewer unnecessary regulations, and more affordable electric bills.

Measure Cracking Down on “CDL Mills” Becomes Law

After the terrible accident which cost State Trooper Mike Pahira his life on I-81 near Minersville in July, many local people have been asking me to strengthen our laws regarding unqualified truck drivers.

Legislation to eliminate unauthorized commercial driver’s license (CDL) schools in Pennsylvania is now law, significantly boosting penalties for these “CDL mills.” Act 50 of 2026 increases the maximum civil penalty for operating an unauthorized CDL school from $2,500 to $25,000, giving the state Department of Education a stronger enforcement tool to stop illegal operations and discourage violations. 

The Senate also passed Senate Bill 1295 and Senate Bill 1296 to reinforce tractor trailer safety in the commonwealth. The legislative package reflects new federal regulations and federal legislation to strengthen commercial vehicle operations following allegations of unqualified truck drivers in the country illegally. Read more about improving commercial vehicle safety here.

My Bill to Remove Employment Barriers for Cosmetologists Signed into Law

My legislation to streamline licensing for the cosmetology workforce has been signed into law by the Governor, a major step in addressing Pennsylvania’s ongoing workforce shortages.

With salons and small businesses across Pennsylvania struggling to find enough licensed professionals, this new law will make it far easier for experienced cosmetologists to continue their careers.  There is no reason why a cosmetologist in good standing should need to start from scratch just because they crossed a state border. This bipartisan law cuts through bureaucracy and supports employers who are desperate for qualified workers

Act 43 of 2026 authorizes Pennsylvania to join the Cosmetology Licensure Compact, an interstate agreement that makes it easier for licensed cosmetologists — who provide treatments for hair, skin and nails — to obtain a multistate license and work in participating states without unnecessary red tape. The bill also ensures cosmetology professionals in active-duty military families face no burdensome licensure requirements in compact states.

With the Governor’s signature, Pennsylvania becomes the 13th state to enter the compact, joining neighboring states Ohio, West Virginia, Maryland, and Delaware.

Reflecting on the 2026-27 PA State Budget

Notes like these from across our district following the passage of this year’s state budget have thanked me for my recent “yes” vote on the state budget in what is usually our most important vote of the year.

While it wasn’t the perfect product (in Harrisburg, there is no such thing!), I was pleased to support a budget that holds the line on taxes and makes meaningful investments to improve aging school buildings, additional support for childcare, and much more!

I received many notes, like this one from Shenandoah Valley, from several local school districts.  Thank you to everyone from across Carbon, Schuylkill, and southern Luzerne counties who contacted me, advocating for these important issues.