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I hope you find my weekly emails informative and helpful. I strive to keep our community up to date about what's going on both here at home and at the state Capitol. That’s why I’d like to remind you that Pennsylvania House rules direct when I can contact you in the period leading up to an election.

We’re nearing the 60-day restricted period that will begin on September 4 and last until the November 3 General Election. If you aren’t opted in, I will be unable to keep you informed about important issues that affect all of us, including:

• Updates on legislation
• News and events in the district
• Government programs and services

Visit this page or click on the image above to opt in and ensure you keep receiving my emails without interruption!

Last week, Gov. Shapiro signed an Executive Order restricting data center development in Pennsylvania. The order mandates that any data center developers must:

• Pay the full cost of electricity and infrastructure needed to power their project, without shifting costs to residents.
• Commit to full transparency with local residents and leaders often and early, so communities can have meaningful conversations about the impact of the project.
• Hire and train local workers and enter community benefit agreements
• Meet the highest standards of environmental protection and strict water conservation requirements.

The order also removes all data center proposals from the Fast Track permitting process and the use of nondisclosure agreements for data center projects – paving the way for more transparency and more time for municipalities to consider whether they want to support projects proposed in their communities.

What we’re doing in the House

The new state budget includes a provision requiring large data centers to report their water and energy use to the state. But there’s much more work ahead to make sure our communities and residents are protected.

This year, my colleagues and I passed a package of bills to make data centers more accountable and give local communities more control over their development. Among other things, those bills would:

• Require developers to meet strict, enforceable standards on utility costs, water use, noise, and environmental strain.
• Prevent data centers from shifting costs onto residents and require them to use in-state “clean firm” energy and contribute to state energy-assistance programs.
• Allow the state to require permits and oversee any data center water use exceeding 100,000 gallons per day.
• Ban non-disclosure agreements between data centers and municipalities.
• Allow local governments to place a 180-day pause on data center applications so officials have time to make the best decision on the community’s behalf.
• End the sales tax exemption for data centers on equipment purchases.

All these bills are awaiting action in the state Senate. Visit this page to add your name and urge the Senate to pass these bills. Our office is considering hosting a town hall meeting on the issue of data centers and their impact on our community. Please take the survey below to let us know your interest.

Would you be interesting in attending a community town hall meeting on the issue of data centers?

It was exciting to tour the construction site for Primary Care Health Services’ new medical center in Homewood! The facility is going to be a gamechanger for residents needing reliable access to quality healthcare and pharmacy services.

And speaking of Homewood, I had a great time Saturday at Bethany Baptist Church’s community day (below) with Tree of Hope Executive Director Adrienne Young!

It’s wonderful to see local industry at work creating jobs and charging our economy. Last week, I joined a tour of the Cardiac Management Solutions facility in Pittsburgh (below) where ZOLL Medical manufactures the LifeVest Wearable Defibrillator.

Our public libraries offer so many great programs! Last week, I joined former state Rep. Martell Covington, the Allegheny County Parks rangers, and some young visitors at the Swissvale library to meet Mr. McSlithers the snake! Check out the websites below to browse amazing arts, crafts, and educational programs for visitors of all ages at the  Braddock Carnegie Library, the Carnegie Free Library of Swissvale, the Wilkinsburg Public Library, and the C.C. Mellor Memorial Library!

Our office attended an informative meeting to hear highlights from DEP Secretary Jessica Shirley and Lt. Gov. Austin Davis (below left) about DEP’s successful efforts to eliminate contamination at a former coke plant site along the Monongahela River and transform the site into a tech hub and community green space. Visit this page to read more about Hazelwood Green and this page to learn of concerts, classes, and other events happening there.

Nonprofit staffers, volunteers, and community changemakers: this is a reminder that registration is now open for the Fourth Annual Nonprofit Symposium! This year’s event at the Monroeville Convention Center (209 Mall Blvd.) will be the largest, most comprehensive symposium to date, with sessions to help you access and maximize state funding, cultivate recurring small donors, manage risk, tell your story, make the most of social media and promote staff mental health and wellness. You can read more about the event here. 

Registration is required, and you can register by visiting this page. Questions? Call our office at 412-273-3400. 

Pittsburgh Regional Transit will hold public hearings from 9 a.m. to noon and 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 25 and again on Thursday, Sept 10 on the bus line refresh proposed final network. Visit this page to explore the proposed final network, complete a comment form, view the livestream of the Aug. 25 hearing, register to speak, and more. 

This is a reminder that on Saturday, Aug. 29 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Greater valley Community Services and partners will host a training on how to stop traumatic bleeding and deal with gunshot wounds. The training is for youth age 25 and under who live in or frequent Braddock and North Braddock. Parents and caretakers are welcome to learn alongside their child. All participants will have the option to receive a free trauma kit. Food will be provided. Please RSVP in advance by texting 412-407-2038 or by visiting this page.

Pennsylvania Resources Council is hosting the Gene Capaldi Lens on Litter photo contest to bring attention to the problem of litter throughout PA. Submit your most eye-catching shot by Oct. 31. Visit this page to learn more.

Local officials and nonprofits – if you’re searching for state grant funding, you can find the latest program openings here, a handy grant-finding tool at this page, and an online copy of the 2026 Pennsylvania Grant and Resource Directory here. Hard copies of the directory will be available for attendees of our upcoming Nonprofit Symposium.

Please remember that our office can help with a wide range of state-related matters – from filing a Property Tax/Rent Rebate or obtaining a Senior ConnectCard, to navigating state benefits and more. Contact us to find out how we can help!

District Office

501 Braddock Ave.
Braddock, PA 15104

(412) 273-3400

Pennsylvania State Capitol

123-B East Wing Main Capitol
Harrisburg, PA 17120

(717) 783-1914