As we approach the June 30 deadline for finalizing Pennsylvania’s budget, I remain focused on ensuring that every dollar we allocate reflects the values, needs, and priorities of our communities. Budget negotiations are intensifying, and I am committed to advocating for investments that uplift working families, strengthen public health, and build a more equitable economy.
Summer break is right around the corner, and while school might pause for a few months, the opportunities for learning, discovery, and connection certainly don’t have to stop. As your state representative, I’m committed to making sure families in our community are connected to available resources to ensure they have a safe and fun summer. Thankfully, our region is home to a wide range of free and budget-friendly programs that kids — and adults — can enjoy. I encourage you to take full advantage and share these opportunities with anyone who might benefit.
As a state representative serving Allegheny County, I hear from constituents every day who rely on Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) to get to work, the doctor’s office, school, and to see loved ones. Indeed, members of my own staff rely exclusively on PRT to get them to my office to serve you. Public transit isn’t just another line item in the budget — it’s a lifeline for our communities. And right now, as PRT riders already know, that lifeline is in jeopardy.
It’s almost summer, folks! Sunnier days are on the horizon, and I’m grateful to see neighbors exploring the community, supporting local businesses, and embracing all that District 21 has to offer. While we get ready to swap our winter gear for summer attire, I want to take a moment to highlight some notable services from my office.
Hello, Northsiders! I hope everyone who celebrated had a safe and enjoyable Easter and Passover. I would like to talk to you about the work I’ve been doing in Harrisburg, including legislation for all Pennsylvanians.
Happy spring neighbors! The days are longer, and the weather is warmer — looks like Punxsutawney Phil was not very accurate in his prediction this year. I’m excited for District 21 to enjoy the spring, especially because our office has plenty of services to offer.
As a state lawmaker working to reduce food insecurity in the Commonwealth, I am devastated to see members of Congress supporting a $230 billion cut to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funding in the federal budget resolution that passed the U.S. House in February. Serving as Pennsylvania House chair of the Legislative Hunger Caucus for several years, I have met many families and individuals facing hunger and seen firsthand just how crucial SNAP funding is for over two million Pennsylvanians. Despite the incredible work of food banks, mutual aid organizations, and anti-hunger advocates, far too many Pennsylvanians still struggle to put food on the table. SNAP provides critical assistance to low-income families, helping them afford groceries and maintain a basic standard of nutrition. That is why I am fighting against these monstrous cuts and will continue supporting policies that help ensure everyone can access nutritious meals.
Hello, Northsiders! I would like to share with you a recap of this year’s state budget hearings in Harrisburg and talk a little bit about some of the questions I raised with the heads of state departments and agencies.
Hello, Northsiders! I would like to share with you some information that includes what I hope this year’s state budget looks like and how I’m contributing to transportation improvements here at home in a new role.
As lawmakers embark on a new legislative session in 2025, I am already diving into tackling the issues that matter most to residents of Allegheny County, and Pennsylvanians from every corner of the Commonwealth. As a state representative since 2020, I have become intimately familiar with the challenges my constituents face in the boroughs of Avalon, Bellevue, West View, Ross Township, and parts of Pittsburgh. I’m committed to representing our communities’ values of equality, opportunity, and compassion by crafting practical solutions that focus on investing in working people, protecting the communities we’ve built, and opening doors for those who’ve been left behind. In this column, I outline four pieces of legislation I am planning to reintroduce this session that I believe will improve life for all who call Pennsylvania home.
Hello neighbors, happy February! My team and I have hit the ground running with the start of the new year. At the beginning of January, I was sworn into my second term as your state representative. Taking the oath of office was celebratory and motivating; I remain steadfastly committed to advancing our neighbors’ rights across our vibrant communities.
Hello, Northsiders! I hope everyone who celebrates had a great Christmas, Hanukkah or Kwanzaa! I’m eager to share with you some work I’ve been doing here at home and state grants awarded to Pittsburgh, local educational institutions and countywide.
Hello neighbors, happy new year! I am so thankful to be starting 2025 with the opportunity to continue serving you as your state representative.
Every two seconds, someone in the United States needs a blood transfusion to save their life. That someone might be a child battling cancer, a mother experiencing complications during childbirth, or a car accident victim requiring emergency surgery. Despite these urgent needs, only about 3% of eligible Americans donate blood annually.
As 2024 comes to a close, it’s an important time for state lawmakers in Pennsylvania to reflect on the 2023-24 Legislative Session and begin preparing for the next two-year session. Throughout the 2023-24 Legislative Session, my colleagues and I passed 428 bills in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and delivered billions of taxpayer dollars to improve communities across the Commonwealth. While there will always be areas in which we could have gone further, I’m proud of everything we accomplished in the legislature over the last two years and am eager to dive into another term as a state representative.
Hello neighbors, happy December! The weather has been chilly as of late, so if you have someone in your life who is struggling with paying their utility bill, the LIHEAP (Low-Income Home Energy Assistance program) application is now OPEN until April 5, 2025. Someone from my office would be happy to help you or a loved one apply to lower your energy bill!
Hello, Northsiders! I’m eager to share with you some of the important work I’ve been doing in Harrisburg and here at home.
