Pennsylvania health officials announced this week that two Lancaster County residents have died from measles – the Commonwealth’s first measles-related deaths in 35 years.

Neither individual was from our region, but the disease has reached Allegheny County, with UPMC Children’s Hospital confirming a measles case last week. Pennsylvania has reported 393 cases across 28 counties this year.

Both Lancaster County residents who died were unvaccinated. Measles is highly preventable, with two doses of the MMR vaccine proving 97% effective at preventing measles, while one dose is about 93% effective, according to the CDC.

With students returning to school, now is a good time to check your family’s vaccination records and talk with your healthcare provider if you have questions.

Read more about how to protect your children and family on the PA Department of Health website at https://www.pa.gov/agencies/health/diseases-conditions/infectious-disease/measles.

If you or someone in your family receives Medicaid, new federal requirements are coming in 2027 – but they will not affect everyone who receives Medicaid.

Beginning January 1, certain adults ages 19-64 will need to meet a work or community engagement requirement, or qualify for an exemption. The requirement generally means 80 hours per month of work, education, job training, volunteering or a combination of those activities. Adults with a dependent child under age 14 are exempt, along with several other groups.

Some adults will also begin renewing their Medicaid eligibility every six months instead of once per year. Current recipients will not automatically lose coverage on January 1, as the changes will generally be addressed as individuals go through their 2027 renewals.

These work requirements do not apply to children enrolled in Medicaid and they do not apply to Medicare.

The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services will contact people who are impacted. I’ll continue sharing information as implementation nears, but here are some tips to stay ready:

• Update your address in COMPASS at dhs.pa.gov/COMPASS or the myCOMPASS PA app.
• Update your address with the U.S. Postal Service at USPS.com/move.
• Sign up for texts and email alerts from DHS at dhs.pa.gov/text.
• Open any mail from PA DHS right away.

Last week, I let you know about Gov. Josh Shapiro’s executive order establishing new requirements for proposed data centers in Pennsylvania. Among other provisions, developers seeking state permits must first receive local approval and make binding commitments addressing energy affordability, environmental protection, workforce and economic development, transparency, and community engagement. The order also removes AI data center proposals from the state’s Fast Track permitting process.

This week, I want to share that the Governor has launched a new website where Pennsylvanians can provide feedback on data center proposals directly to the commonwealth.

Visit https://www.pa.gov/governor/topics/data-centers to leave your feedback, and I’ll continue watching this issue closely with my colleagues in the House as we work to protect our communities and ensure your voices are heard.

As Pittsburgh Regional Transit begins its fare system update, I want to make sure seniors know they will continue to ride PRT for free with an eligible Senior ConnectCard. Right now, seniors do not need to take any action! I will keep you updated as changes occur.

I also wanted to share an update about the Mt. Lebanon T station, with repair work on the station elevator now underway! Reliable accessibility is critical for people who depend on public transit, and I know there has been concern about the elevator being out of service. Thank you to everyone who contacted my office and made us aware of the issue.

Last week, I visited IUPAT District Council 57, which represents more than 1,500 workers across Western Pennsylvania in painting, glazing, wallcovering, drywell finishing and related trades. The visit was a chance to see firsthand how the union prepares people for skilled careers that offer good wages, benefits, and opportunities to build a future.

Western Pennsylvania was built by skilled workers, and they’re going to be just as important to what we build next. I appreciated the chance to meet with DC 57’s members and leaders and learn more about the work they’re doing throughout the region.

This past Friday, I joined Rep. Emily Kinkead, Pennsylvania Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding and agricultural leaders for Seeds in the City, an annual luncheon and roundtable focused on urban agriculture.

Food access and strong local food systems aren’t just rural issues, they’re important throughout Allegheny County, and urban agriculture is one of the ways communities are thinking creatively about both these issues. Seeds in the City was a great opportunity to hear from people doing this work and find out how to best support it.

September is National Preparedness Month, a reminder that the best time to think about an emergency is before one happens.

My office is providing preparedness brochures to Mt. Lebanon’s Mutual Aid group for distribution at the food pantry they operate at Mt. Lebanon’s Medical Rescue Team South Authority location at 315 Cypress Way. You can also visit my office for information on preparing for emergencies and keeping yourself and your family safe.

Summer has been flying by! This Friday is Mt. Lebanon’s last Final Friday of the season, and I’ll be there for the festivities! Stop by my table, located outside my office at 650 Washington Road, to ask questions, get help with state-related issues, or just say hello!

There is so much more to come in the district in September, including:

• StoryWalk in the Park: Sept. 1-19, Boyce Mayview Park, Upper St. Clair
• Senior Crafts & Coffee: Friday, Sept. 4, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m., Castle Shannon Library
• Art in the Park: Saturday, Sept. 19, 2-7 p.m., Dormont Park
• Mt. Lebanon Partnership Artists’ Market: Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 26-27, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Academy Lot
• Kids’ Paint Out: Saturday, Sept. 26, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Clearview Common, Mt. Lebanon
• PORCHMONT: Saturday, Sept. 26, 5-9 p.m., throughout Dormont

Of course, my first annual Senior Resource Fair & Vaccine Clinic is also taking place in September! I hope you’ll join me for valuable resources, health screenings, a senior town hall and more.

As always, my office is here to help with a wide range of state-related issues, including Property Tax/Rent Rebate applications, PennDOT and driver’s license questions, unemployment compensation, state benefits, disability placards, birth and death certificates, unclaimed property, professional licensing and more.

Give my office a call at 412-343-3870, or stop by in person at 650 Washington Road, Suite 102 in Mt. Lebanon, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

District Office

650 Washington Rd., Suite 102
Mt. Lebanon, PA 15228

(412) 343-3870

Pennsylvania State Capitol

117B East Wing

Harrisburg, PA 17120
(717) 783-1850