This week, the PA House passed my bipartisan legislation that would create a framework to develop geothermal energy in Pennsylvania. With rising energy costs, this legislation will enable the addition of a new, clean, baseload energy source that will benefit all Pennsylvanians.

The bill will now move to the Senate for consideration.

The House Communications & Technology Committee has advanced my bipartisan legislation that would regulate how artificial intelligence (AI) is used in healthcare to ensure transparency and patient protections.

This includes making it clear to patients and the public when AI is used in healthcare, ensuring that a human decision-maker makes the final, individualized assessment and decision, and preventing violations of privacy, safety, and anti-discrimination laws when AI is used. 

It was an honor to welcome my intern, Pranjal, to the State Capitol to meet Speaker Joanna McClinton and be recognized on the House Floor. Thank you for your hard work in my office on behalf of our community, and best wishes in your studies and future endeavors!

It was great to welcome leaders from across our region, including those from Franklin Park and McCandless, to the Capitol as part of this year’s Leadership Pittsburgh class. Thank you for the thoughtful discussion and the work you do every day in our community.

As an ER doc, I have never seen patients with H. flu meningitis, diphtheria, or other vaccine-preventable illnesses, thanks to immunizations. I was proud to join the American Academy of Pediatrics during their advocacy day to call for Senate passage of HB 1828 to protect insurance coverage of vaccines.

The House passed my bipartisan resolution that recognizes May 2026 as Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month in Pennsylvania.

As a member of the AAPI community, I am grateful to the more than 600,000 Pennsylvanians of Asian and Pacific Islander heritage who contribute so much to our Commonwealth every day, and I am proud that their contributions are being recognized in a bipartisan manner in the General Assembly.

During the Capitol AAPI Heritage Month Celebration, I was proud to join leaders of the Pennsylvania Legislative Asian American Pacific American Caucus to recognize Literacy Pittsburgh for the work it has done to support AAPI and immigrant communities in our region.

AI is rapidly transforming the delivery of healthcare. Whether it will be deployed ethically and for the benefit of all is unclear. I joined leaders from across our region at the AI and Women’s Health Forum at Magee-Women’s Hospital to discuss how we can ensure AI improves the health of all Pennsylvanians.

Nominees for the Gene Kelly Awards, which recognize excellence in Pittsburgh-area high school musical theater, have recently been announced.

Avonworth’s production of The Phantom of the Opera received three nominations, including Outstanding Student Orchestra, Outstanding Actor for Paxon Masters’ portrayal of the Phantom, and Outstanding Actress for Lucy Myers’ portrayal of Christine Daaé.

Hampton’s production of Once Upon a Mattress received two nominations, including Outstanding Production Design and Outstanding Supporting Actor for Nathan Connelly’s portrayal of Sir Harry.

The award ceremony is set for Saturday, May 23, and you can learn more here.

Jason Liu from North Allegheny earned first place in the North American Computational Linguistics Open Competition Invitational, where high school students solve linguistic problems. He competed against thousands of students from across the United States and Canada and will travel to Bucharest, Romania, to compete internationally over the summer.

Pragya Sharma and Arman Benam from North Allegheny won first and third place, respectively, for their essays in the PA Society for Biomedical Research contest. They will be heading to the awards ceremony in Hershey this June.

The boys’ tennis team from North Allegheny won its sixth WPIAL title and will travel to Hershey next week for the PIAA Championship. Best of luck at the championship!

Congratulations to all on your accomplishments!

McCandless will be hosting a memorial ceremony for our local veterans and first responders on Friday, May 22 at North Park at the corner of Ingomar Road and Babcock Boulevard. You can RSVP with here or by emailing Michael.wholihan@mfpaa.org.

The Department of Aging will be accepting submissions for the Older Artists of PA Showcase through May 24. Up to 30 pieces from artists aged 60 and older will be selected for display in the State Capitol during August.

This year, the showcase will specifically highlight older adults living with dementia, recognizing that artistic expression can be a powerful tool for connection, identity, and storytelling. Submissions are encouraged by all eligible artists, including older adults living with dementia and those in congregate care settings. Submissions can be made here.