Also in this newsletter:

• My First Senior Fair
• PRT Changes
• Outstanding District 42 students

Pennsylvania’s measles outbreak continues to grow, with 497 cases reported across 34 counties as of Aug. 31 – the third-highest statewide total in the nation, trailing South Carolina and Utah.

The Allegheny County Health Department states that there are currently no confirmed cases among county residents, but the disease has been a concern, as a person with measles was recently treated at UPMC Children’s Hospital, and cases have been reported in neighboring counties.

Measles is highly contagious and potentially dangerous, but it is also preventable. Vaccination gives the best opportunity to stop this outbreak and protect those most vulnerable to serious illness. The MMR vaccine provides 97% protection against the disease after two doses. Pennsylvania health officials recommend families make sure children receive their routine vaccinations on schedule, and adults who are unsure whether they are protected should check their vaccination records or speak with a healthcare provider.

With the flu season approaching, this is also a good time to review the vaccinations recommended for you and your family. The Pennsylvania Department of Health recommends adults stay on current annual flu and updated COVID-19 vaccines, along with age-appropriate immunizations such as shingles, RSV, and pneumonia vaccines for older adults.

You can visit the Department of Health website to find more information on measles and more vaccination resources.

My office’s First Annual Senior Resource Fair & Vaccine Clinic will be held Friday, Sept. 25, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Salvation Army located at 1060 McNeilly Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15226.

The vaccine clinic will offer flu vaccines, high-dose flu vaccines, and COVID-19 vaccines for people age 12 and older. Insurance will be billed, and spouses and family members are welcome to register. Advance registration is strongly encouraged so the clinic can plan for the appropriate number of vaccines and staff members. You can register for a vaccine appointment at this link.

I hope you’ll attend, as the fair will also include health screenings, a wide range of senior resources, PRT Senior ConnectCard services, my Senior Town Hall, and a chance to connect with neighbors and friends!

Pittsburgh Regional Transit is accepting public comments on its proposed final Bus Line Refresh network through 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 30.

The proposed changes will affect routes throughout the region. This is an important opportunity for riders to learn how their service could change and make their voices heard before the plan goes to the PRT Board.

Comments may be submitted online, by email at BusLineRefresh@RidePRT.org, or by calling 412-566-5525. Visit the PRT website for more information and to leave your comment.

Join Mt. Lebanon Police Department and Mt. Lebanon School District for the Home Town Torch Run at 9 a.m. on Sept. 18!

The Torch Run brings law enforcement officers, Special Olympics athletes, and neighbors together around a shared message that people with intellectual disabilities deserve every opportunity to participate, compete, and be celebrated.

The run is approximately two miles long, spanning from Washington and Cochran Road to the Mt. Lebanon Public Safety Building and ending at Mt. Lebanon High School. This is a team run instead of a race, so everyone will run together as a group!

You can join as an individual, family, business, or community group to help carry the message of inclusion through our community. You can register at https://give.specialolympicspa.org/event/2026-mt-lebanon-township-hometown-torch-run/e813587 or contact the MLPD Community Outreach Unit at MLPDCOU@mtlebanon.org for more information.

Next week, I’ll be traveling to Philadelphia for a ceremonial session of the House at historic Congress Hall, as we commemorate the 250th anniversary of our nation and Pennsylvania’s Constitution.

I’m especially thrilled that Mt. Lebanon High School senior Catherine Balfe will join me for this trip! Catherine is the winner of my America250PA essay contest, selected for her proposal to provide additional funding to fight food insecurity in Pennsylvania. She’ll join students from across the commonwealth for the Sept. 9th session, as well as other activities marking this milestone. I’m incredibly proud to have Catherine representing our district, and I’m looking forward to experiencing this piece of history alongside her.

More terrific students in the district can be found at Keystone Oaks High School.

This spring, 39 Keystone Oaks students took the AP Precalculus, Calculus AB and Calculus BC exams, and every one of them earned a passing score of 3 or higher. Remarkably, all 12 students who took the AP Calculus BC exam earned a 5, the highest possible score.

As a former teacher and a current Keystone Oaks School District parent, I am so proud of these hardworking students and their dedicated teachers; congratulations to all of you!

For those considering a career in education, applications remain open for the 2026-27 PA Student Teacher Support Program, which provides $10,000 stipends to eligible student teachers completing their required classroom placements. Cooperating teachers who mentor student teachers may also receive up to $2,500.

Awards are made on a first-come, first-served basis, so eligible student teachers should apply as soon as possible.

Pennsylvania’s expanded Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program has now delivered more than $1.1 billion in relief to older residents and people with disabilities since 2023. The maximum standard rebate is now $1,000, and the income limit for this application year is $48,110. Eligible Pennsylvanians have until December 31 to apply for a rebate on property taxes or rent paid in 2025.

My office can help you determine whether you qualify and complete your application; call us at 412-343-3870 or stop by the office for assistance.

A new collection of state grant opportunities is now available for municipalities, schools, nonprofit organizations, businesses and other eligible applicants.

Current opportunities include funding for nonprofit security improvements, creative organizations, regional policing, school safety and mental health initiatives, alternative-fuel projects, and more. Deadlines vary, with several approaching in September and October.

With fall on the way, so are voter registration deadlines! Here are the important dates to remember as the Pennsylvania General Election approaches.

• October 19: Last day to register to vote
• October 27: Last day to apply for a mail-in or absentee ballot
• November 3: Election Day; polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Completed mail ballots must be received by your county election office by 8 p.m. on Election Day. A postmark alone is not enough. You can find more information on the PA Voting & Elections webpage.

My district office will close at noon on Friday, Sept. 4 and remain closed through Monday, Sept. 7, in observance of Labor Day. The office will reopen at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 8.

I wish everyone a safe and restful holiday weekend as we recognize the union members and working people who built our communities and continue to keep them running.

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