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In this Update:
Subpoena Warning Uncovers More Unanswered Questions on DOC Prison Closing Criteria
Following through on the public promise I made during the PA Department of Corrections (DOC) “Listening Session,” on the proposed closing of SCI Rockview and Quehanna Boot Camp, last month, I sent the following letter to DOC Secretary Laurel Harry. As a retired corrections officer and the Senate State Government Committee chair, I officially requested the names of all DOC steering committee members who recommended these prison closures; and all supporting documentation of the criteria that was used in determining which correctional institutions to close. Although DOC Secretary Harry heeded the letter’s subpoena warning by meeting my request for information deadline (Friday, May 2, 2025), there are still a number of significant problems with the very limited answers that were finally posted online on May 7. First and foremost, I am still deeply troubled that there are institutions with poorer records regarding recidivism and producing inmates with GED and trainings that prepare an inmate to become productive citizens. The daily cost per inmate at these other institutions is also higher. If the mission of the Department is to correct behavior and produce good citizens; and if they are attempting to save money through this, why close Rockview and the Boot Camp? Additionally, the DOC has failed to produce any comparable data or publicly available spreadsheets that analyze both Quehanna and Rockview’s 5-year estimated deferred maintenance plans, versus the estimated deferred maintenance costs of all other Commonwealth SCIs. On Monday, I was able to get a meeting with Secretary Harry and some of her senior staff along with Senate Majority Leader Pittman. Secretary Harry had a spreadsheet which her committee used in making the determination. I was allowed to look at it briefly but not keep it. The Secretary indicated there was sensitive information that was not for public release. With Senator Pittman’s help, I was able to schedule a meeting with a couple of the steering committee members and was told I’d be able to examine the documents at the DOC later in the week. I will update you on what I’m able to learn in next week’s report, but my initial cursory examination indicates that my thoughts regarding the costs and the success of the programs at Rockview and the Boot Camp compared to several other institutions is correct. As I have repeatedly stated in public and directly to Secretary Harry, my constituents and I no longer have the luxury of believing the Department’s non-factual assertions about the economic necessity or so-called cost-savings driving the decisions to close these correctional institutions. I will learn what I can given the constraints being put on me. During the meeting with the Secretary and Senator Pittman I expressed that now is the time for the DOC to officially hit the pause button on any pre-determined deals and completely reevaluate their specially targeted prison closing criteria which will determine the fate of SCI Rockview and Quehanna Boot Camp. Secretary Harry indicated that the decision will be finalized and announced in the near future. I will continue to fight for these family-sustaining jobs for hundreds of rural citizens, and ultimately public safety. Standing Strong for the Save Women’s Sports Act
With a bipartisan vote of 32-18, on May 6, the PA Senate once again advanced legislation (Senate Bill 9) to protect athletic opportunity, competitive fairness and safety for female athletes across Pennsylvania. The Save Women’s Sports Act would also reinforce the original intent of Title IX by ensuring female athletes are not denied scholarships, placements or opportunities due to unfair competition from biological males. Rather than re-posting my Senate floor remarks to justify my common sense, affirmative vote in favor of the Save Women’s Sports Act, I am submitting the state Capitol interview (linked above), I recently conducted with former UPenn swimmer Paula Scanlan (FOR THE RECORD). Just as she did in a previous edition of the Mission Report Podcast, Paula vividly recounts the emotional and physical trauma endured by her and her female swim teammates, who were forced to undress in front of a biological male “18 times per week.” Women athletes like Paula and Riley Gaines are boldly taking a stand across the nation to protect women’s athletics. I am once again proud to stand with them in the Legislative Arena by supporting the Save Women’s Sports Act! National Day of Prayer, Day of the Bible Celebrated at PA Capitol
“𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐰𝐨 𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐧𝐚𝐦𝐞, 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐦 𝐈 𝐚𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦.” – 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐰 𝟏𝟖:𝟐𝟎 On Wednesday, May 7, our beautiful state Capitol complex was once again filled with glorious sounds of Bible scripture readings, prayers, praise and worship. In the morning, I was humbled to speak at the Pray for PA Rally which turned into a full celebration of God’s goodness as state lawmakers, faith leaders, and Pennsylvania citizens all gathered together to pray and sing praises to Almighty God for all he has done. In the afternoon, we celebrated the National Day of the Bible in a unique way, as Fellowship of Christian Athlete students from Keystone Central High School helped to distribute 253 “Aitken Bibles” to each member of the Pennsylvania Legislature! These are authentic replicas of the Bibles Congress authorized and encouraged The People to read after King George had made it illegal for the King James Bible to be printed in America. That’s right…The American Congress, our Founders, authorized, and encouraged The People of America to read The Bible because it is at the very foundation of our Constitutional Republic! Pastor Steve Skelton, First American Bible Project, also had on-hand one of the original Aitken Bibles, which I was privileged to hold! Bill Strengthening PA’s Sexual Offender Registry Approved by Senate
The Senate unanimously approved legislation last week to better protect children in Pennsylvania against sexual predators. Senate Bill 255 would require a sports official, volunteer or employee of a nonprofit association who is convicted of sexual assault to register as a sexual offender under the Sexual Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA). Under current law, a conviction for this offense does not require registration as a sex offender. Closing this loophole will strengthen SORNA and ensure potentially violent sex offenders can be properly monitored. The bill, which now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration, is part of a larger Senate Republican priority of making commonwealth communities safer. PA Treasury Continues Working to Return Money to the People
More than 40,000 Pennsylvanians may soon find a check in their mailbox for money they didn’t know they had, thanks to legislation passed by Senate Republicans. PA Money Match is a new law that allows Treasury to automatically return certain unclaimed property. The program includes properties valued at $500 or less that belong to a single owner. Those with eligible properties will receive a letter in the mail to confirm their address. About 45 days later, they’ll receive a check for their property. PA Treasurer Stacy Garrity is working to return more than $4.5 billion in unclaimed property, which includes dormant bank accounts, uncashed checks, rebates and insurance payments. The average claim is worth more than $1,000. Because PA Money Match will not automatically return properties exceeding $500 or those that may have more than one owner, you are still encouraged to regularly use Treasury’s website to check if you have unclaimed property.
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