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In this Update

• Public Comments Due Monday to Stop Shapiro Power Grab
• New Legislation to Combat Improper Spending
• “See Tracks? Think Train” Week Promotes Rail Safety
• Homeland Security Grant Webinar Oct. 15

Public Comments Due Monday to Stop Shapiro Power Grab

Gov. Shapiro and the Department of Health recently proposed sweeping new regulations that would vastly expand state government’s power over the lives of Pennsylvanians. This includes expanding the government’s authority to enter private residences and schools without a warrant, access private citizens’ health information, speak with children without parental consent, enforce mask mandates and much more.

Many of these regulations mirror the failed policies of the Wolf Administration during COVID. Like the Executive Branch’s heavy-handed response during the pandemic, this Administration is now attempting to push through these Department of Health changes through the regulatory process – completely bypassing the General Assembly.

More details about what these regulations could mean for Pennsylvanians are available here.

I encourage all citizens to submit public comments on the regulations to the Independent Regulatory Review Commission before the public comment period ends this coming Monday, Sept. 21. Full instructions for submitting comments are available at the commission’s online comment page.

New Legislation to Combat Improper Spending

This week, I joined Treasurer Stacy Garrity, Sens. Chris Gebhard, Kristin Phillips-Hill, and Judy Ward to introduce legislation to combat improper payments in Pennsylvania.

During the press conference, Treasurer Garrity announced that in fiscal year 2025-26, the Treasury prevented $1.4 billion in improper payments, providing taxpayers with more than $75 million in savings. Over the past five years, the number of improper payments totaled nearly $5.5 billion dollars.

The latest edition of the Treasury’s Improper Payment Report can be reviewed here.

Our legislation would require each commonwealth agency to perform a review and assessment of each program that is not already subject to the federal Payment Integrity Information Act of 2019 to determine which programs are vulnerable to improper payments.

An improper payment, as defined by federal law going back to 2002, includes any overpayment, underpayment or payment to ineligible recipients.

At a minimum, we must hold state government to the same level of responsibility which we hold ourselves to in our own personal finances. There is no reason our government should be improperly spending more than a billion dollars every year.

The hardworking people of Pennsylvania would not tolerate this in their homes, and I certainly will not stand for it in Harrisburg.

“See Tracks? Think Train” Week Promotes Rail Safety

Pennsylvania recorded 56 collisions at rail grade crossings last year, resulting in three fatalities and 24 injuries. There were also 34 deaths and 15 injuries involving people trespassing on rail property. Nationwide, a person or vehicle is struck by a train roughly every three hours.

Railroad tracks are private property and should never be used as a walking path, shortcut or setting for photographs. Drivers and pedestrians should always expect a train, cross only at designated crossings and obey warning lights and crossing gates.

“See Tracks? Think Train” Week Sept. 21-27 aims to raise awareness of the danger, reduce collisions, fatalities and injuries at highway-rail crossings and discourage trespassing on or near railroad tracks. You can find more rail safety information here.

Homeland Security Grant Webinar Oct. 15

When a crisis strikes, faith-based communities are often among the first places people turn for help, hope and support.

Houses of worship, nonprofits, schools and community organizations can learn how to play a vital role before, during and after a crisis via a free Pennsylvania Department of Homeland Security webinar Oct. 15.

Participants will gain practical tools and resources to help their organization respond with compassion, coordination and confidence. Learn more at the webinar registration page.