Restricting cell phones in schools, honoring our veterans, and more

Rep. Mandy Steele November 14, 2025 | 9:35 AM

House to discuss restrictions on cell phones in schools

As the sponsor of a bipartisan bill that would restrict cell phone use in schools, I’m looking forward to a joint committee hearing on the issue Monday. The House Education and Health committees will meet at 10 a.m. Monday, and you can watch the discussion here.

My H.B. 1814, currently pending in the Education Committee, would require all public schools to restrict student cell phone possession and use during the school day. Though frequent access to cell phones during the school day can contribute to distractions, cyberbullying, and reduced engagement in the classroom, PA remains one of the states without a statewide standard restricting phone use in schools.

Honoring our veterans at Highlands

I attended a wonderful ceremony this week honoring our veterans by the students at Highlands School District. Some of the students shared stories of incredible courage from the veterans in their lives. The students did a great job!

Celebrating the 250th anniversary of the Marine Corps

I attended an inspiring celebration of the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Marine Corps last weekend at Pittsburgh Brewing Company in Creighton. It’s always an honor to sit with veterans and hear their stories of bravery, wit, and patriotism. I am proud to be an American and I’m proud of the brave fighting forces that defend our great country!

Enacting a responsible, bipartisan state budget

The General Assembly on Wednesday passed a balanced, bipartisan budget plan with no tax increases or reductions in the Rainy Day Fund, and Gov. Shapiro signed it into law. This budget pays our bills, helps every kid in every school, preserves vital services, and prevents layoffs.

This budget spends a little over $50 billion—a compromise between the governor’s original proposal, our House proposal, and a Senate plan to just use last year’s budget. It delivers the important services people need in the face of a totally unpredictable federal government.

The budget includes $800 million in investments in K-12 education and an additional $40 million in special education. For our local school districts, that means an increase of $862,993, or 4.5%, for Highlands; $198,336, or 2.2%, for Fox Chapel; $77,949, or 1.8%, for Allegheny Valley; and $218,688, or 2.3%, for Deer Lakes.

My office is collecting food donations

With more families struggling to put food on the table, my office is serving as a drop-off site for food donations. If you are able, please consider donating non-perishable food items, which we will deliver weekly to food banks and pantries in our area. Stop by any weekday between 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at my Cheswick office at 1296 Pittsburgh St.

Podcasting to discuss Sunday hunting

I enjoyed discussing my bill to allow Sunday hunting, signed into law earlier this year, with the guys from the Accessible Hunter Podcast last week. They’re great guys working for a great cause. And thanks to my Hunter Nation Pennsylvania friend Dan Sneath for joining us. You can check out our podcast by clicking on the above link.