Friday, October 9, 2026

My office will be closed Monday, Oct. 12, in observance of Indigenous Peoples Day, a day to honor the rich cultures, histories and contributions of Indigenous communities. We will reopen Tuesday, Oct. 13, for regular business hours, 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

 

Election Day is just around the corner, so check out my voting resources at the end of this newsletter!

Legislative Successes This Week

 

It was a productive week for the House Health Committee I chair, with three of our bills passing the House by wide margins.

 

House Bill 2657, sponsored by Rep. Bridget Kosierowski, would ban the most dangerous forms of kratom and set strict standards for natural kratom so it isn't confused with other products or sold to children. Kratom products are marketed as candy-flavored gummies, sodas and honey sticks, and the Department of Health links kratom to dozens of Pennsylvania deaths over the last two years. Our committee approved the bill unanimously, and the House passed it 202-0.

 

House Bill 1652, sponsored by Rep. Abigail Salisbury, would restore Gaucher disease to Pennsylvania's newborn screening panel. Gaucher is the most prevalent inherited genetic disorder among people of Ashkenazi Jewish descent. A disease that disproportionately affects one community can be hard to diagnose, and too often a diagnosis depends on someone thinking to look for it. A newborn screening gives families and their doctors that information before symptoms appear, opening a critical window for early treatment. This bill exists because parents who lived with this disease fought for it, hoping to spare other families the same struggles. It passed 195-7.

 

I'm also proud that House Bill 2702, which I crafted with Republican Rep. Bryan Cutler, passed 200-3. For nearly 40 years, the Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council (PHC4) has provided independent, nonpartisan data on health care costs and quality. Repeated sunset deadlines have created unnecessary crises that make it hard to retain its experienced staff. This bill removes the sunset provision to give PHC4 the stability that matches the trust we place in it.

 

Standing With Malcolm Kenyatta

 

Republican Rep. Aaron Bernstine stepped down from his committees this week, after bar patrons in Harrisburg witnessed an alleged hateful tirade about my friend and colleague, Malcolm Kenyatta.

Bernstine’s behavior is beneath his office, and the best thing for his constituents and the Commonwealth would be for him to resign from the House. This reported incident is part of a pattern of intolerant, bullying behavior that has always been his calling card. My support of LGBTQ+ kids and their families has long attracted abuse from him.

 

There will always be bullies, but I will never stop standing up for my constituents or colleagues.

"I Voted" Sticker Design Contest
Submissions open through Dec. 31. | Allegheny County

 

Allegheny County students in grades 9 – 12 are invited to design the next "I Voted" sticker, which will be used in county elections beginning in 2027.

 

Look here for contest rules and the submission form.

Are You Prepared for Upcoming Changes in Medicaid Coverage?

 

President Trump’s draconian cuts in Medicaid coverage have created a confusing landscape for Pennsylvanians. It’s hard to know which changes may apply to your household or where to go for information. If you need help with your Medical Assistance coverage, call my office at 412-422-1774, email us or stop by 2345 Murray Ave., and we can help you figure out your next steps.

Pittsburgh Dragon Boat Festival

Saturday, Oct. 10, 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. | Pittsburgh Brewing Company, 150 Ferry St., Creighton

 

The eighth annual festival features dragon boat racing, entertainment, food and family activities, hosted by Pittsburgh Hearts of Steel to benefit local breast cancer survivors. Admission is free for spectators.

 

Learn more here.

OUTfest
Sunday, Oct. 11, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. | Schenley Plaza

 

OUTfest, hosted by the City of Pittsburgh and its LGBTQIA+ Commission, returns for its second year as a free, family-friendly celebration of the community. The day features local DJs, artists, drag performers and musicians, along with free Somatic yoga and movement and Zumba classes.

 

Runners can join a community 2-mile run near the plaza. Schenley Plaza’s backyard games will be on site, and kids can enjoy arts and crafts. Attendees can also meet local organizations that support the LGBTQIA+ community, along with the commission and the city departments that serve it.

 

Learn more here.

22nd Annual Friendship Dinner
Wednesday, Oct. 14, 6 – 9 p.m. | St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral

 

Join the Turkish Cultural Center Pittsburgh and Peace Islands Institute Pittsburgh for the 22nd Annual Friendship Dinner and Award Ceremony, celebrating the cultural diversity that shapes the city.

 

The evening brings together neighbors from across the city's diverse communities to foster mutual understanding, respect and collaboration through good food and shared celebration.

 

Purchase tickets here.

Animal Encounters at the Schenley Park Visitor Center
 Friday, Oct. 16, 2 – 4 p.m. | Schenley Park Cafe and Visitor Center

 

Stop by the Schenley Park Visitor Center for a live animal meet-and-greet presented by local wildlife rescues and other local partners. This program is free and open to all — no reservations required.

 

Learn more here.

2026 General Election, Tuesday, Nov. 3

Polls open 7 a.m. – 8 p.m. Any voter in line by 8 p.m. is entitled to vote.

 

What's on the Ballot

Democrats, Republicans and independents can look up their sample ballots here. If you don’t know your ward or precinct numbers, you can use the registration lookup tool to find them here.

 

Ballot Measure

You will see one measure on your ballot. To learn about it, please refer to the League of Women Voters’ ballot initiative guide.

 

Poll Workers Wanted

Poll workers can earn $150–$175 for serving on Election Day. Apply online here.

 

Voter Reminders

Pennsylvania law requires voters to return their own ballot or officially designate someone to do so. Mailed ballots must be sealed inside the secrecy envelope or they cannot be counted. The outer envelope must be signed and dated.

 

ID Requirements

All first-time voters and anyone voting at a new polling location must show ID. Acceptable forms of ID include a Pennsylvania driver's license, state ID, passport, or other government-issued photo ID. If you do not have a photo ID, you may use other forms of ID such as a current utility bill or bank statement that has your name and address on it. Voters who do not have an acceptable ID may cast a provisional ballot.

 

Check Your Voter Registration

The deadline to register to vote or update your registration is Oct. 19.

 

Registered voters can verify their registration through the Pennsylvania Department of State portal, which also provides Election Day polling locations, mail-in/absentee ballot status and county Board of Elections contact information.

Voting with a Criminal Conviction

Pennsylvania allows individuals with misdemeanor or felony convictions to vote, including those in jail or prison (misdemeanor), on house arrest, probation, parole, in a halfway house or in pretrial detention. No action is needed to restore voting rights after completing a felony sentence. Some voters in these circumstances may need to request an absentee ballot.

 

College Students

Students may register and vote at either their college or home address — but only one. Students registered at home may request a mail-in or absentee ballot sent to their campus address.

 

Mail-in / Absentee Ballots

The deadline to request a mail-in ballot is October 27. Voters should drop off their mail-in ballot as early as possible — it must arrive at the Elections Division by 8 p.m. on Nov. 3 to be counted, regardless of when it was mailed.

 

If you have an emergency between now and Election Day, such as a sudden illness/disability or last-minute travel, you may be able to obtain an emergency mail-in ballot.

 

You can track your ballot here.

 

Allegheny County Ballot Return Sites

Voters who applied for a mail-in or absentee ballot may return it in person to the Allegheny County Elections Division, located in Room 312 of the County Office Building. The office is open Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

 

The Carnegie Library of Squirrel Hill will be open as a ballot return site Friday, Oct. 30, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 31, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Sunday, Nov. 1, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.; and Monday, Nov. 2, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.

 

You cannot vote in person at the Carnegie Library during early ballot return. You may bring your filled-out, signed and sealed ballot, and a county employee will collect it. You may return only your own ballot unless you have been officially designated to return another voter’s ballot.

 

Satellite Voting

Satellite election offices let voters apply for, receive, vote and return mail-in and absentee ballots in one visit.

 

Any Allegheny County voter may use any location, and voters with a completed mail-in ballot can also drop it off there. Satellite, or “over-the-counter,” locations will be at CCAC Homewood, North Park Ice Rink, South Park Ice Rink and the County Office Building. They are open Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 17 – 18 and Oct. 24 – 25, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

 

Accessible Voting

All polling places must have at least one accessible way to vote. Check accessibility options before Election Day here. Permanent absentee ballots are available for voters with permanent disabilities.

 

Provisional Ballots

Voters whose registration cannot be verified at the polls or who do not have an acceptable ID may cast a provisional ballot. Provisional ballots are reviewed by the county Board of Elections after Election Day. Voters can check the status of their provisional ballot by calling 1-877-VOTESPA or tracking it online here.

 

Voter Education Toolkit

Find resources covering election deadlines, how to vote, and Pennsylvania's secure voting systems here.