[link removed]

View this email in a browser ([link removed])

In this Update:
* PA State Troopers shot in the line of duty in Franklin County
* No Budget? Ask Josh
* Senate Passes SB784, “Made in America” Bill
* Legislation Introduced to Protect Federal Immigration Enforcement Officers
* Standing Up for PA Taxpayers
* Senate Acts to Waive Interest on Short-Term Budget Impasse Loans
* Measure to Support Mental Health Services with Specialty License Plate Approved by Senate
* Ensuring U.S. and Pennsylvania Flags Are Made in America
* Examining the Use of AI in Education and Workforce Development
* Drought Watch Declared in Western PA
* Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Early Detection Saves Lives

------------------------------------------------------------


** PA State Troopers shot in the line of duty in Franklin County
------------------------------------------------------------

Rep. Chad Reichard and I issued the following statement regarding the Pennsylvania State Troopers who were shot in the line of duty in Franklin County:
Our prayers are with the two Pennsylvania State Troopers who were shot in the line of duty in Antrim Township this evening. I ask the community to join me in those prayers for the troopers and their families.

Too frequently we have seen police officers from across the Commonwealth injured or wounded while serving and protecting us. These incidents are a sad reminder of the dangers our officers face in the service to our communities.


** No Budget? Ask Josh
------------------------------------------------------------

Two months ago, the Republican-led Senate passed a responsible, balanced budget.

It funded our schools, supported our police, helped our veterans, and offered real tax relief for hardworking Pennsylvanians. That budget has been sitting in the House.

House Democrats and the Governor have failed to act, leaving our communities in limbo.

Pennsylvania families deserve leadership, not excuses.

No Budget? Ask Josh.


** Senate Passes SB784, “Made in America” Bill
------------------------------------------------------------

[link removed]

The Pennsylvania Senate today unanimously approved my bill, Senate Bill 784 that ensures every American and Pennsylvania flag purchased by the Commonwealth is made entirely in the United States using American materials.

The measure adds a new chapter to Title 62 (Procurement) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, requiring the Department of General Services (DGS) to procure only flags that are both produced and constructed from materials sourced within the United States. Each flag must also carry a label reading “Made in America.”

The American flag is more than just a symbol — it represents the sacrifices of generations of patriots and the freedoms we hold dear. It’s simply unacceptable that taxpayer dollars are being used to buy flags manufactured overseas, often in nations that do not share our values. Senate Bill 784 restores integrity and pride to this simple but meaningful act of patriotism.

The legislation reflects a growing bipartisan effort to support domestic manufacturing and promote American-made products within state procurement practices. While the fiscal impact on the Commonwealth is expected to be minimal, the bill’s supporters note that it provides a strong signal of commitment to American workers, Pennsylvania businesses, and U.S. industry.

Under Senate Bill 784, all future flag purchases made by the Department of General Services for public display must comply with the “Made in America” standards beginning 60 days after enactment.

This is a commonsense, pro-American, pro-worker bill. It sends a clear message: Pennsylvania stands with the men and women who build, produce, and serve this nation.

The bill now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration.

View my remarks here ([link removed]) .


** Legislation Introduced to Protect Federal Immigration Enforcement Officers
------------------------------------------------------------

Sen. Chris Gebhard and I, have introduced legislation to strengthen penalties for criminals who commit offenses against federal immigration enforcement officers and agents operating in Pennsylvania.

Senate Bill 1021 would ensure that individuals who assault, threaten or obstruct immigration enforcement personnel face consequences that reflect the severity of their crimes.

“Immigration enforcement officers put their lives on the line every day to enforce the law and protect our communities from dangerous criminal activity,” Gebhard said. “They deserve our full support and protection from the escalating threats and violence directed against them.”

Every sovereign nation depends on the rule of law. Immigration enforcement officers are tasked with carrying out that mission on behalf of the American people, yet they are being assaulted, threatened and obstructed at alarming rates. In Pennsylvania, we will not look the other way. This legislation ensures that criminals who target federal officers face justice, and it reaffirms our commitment to law and order.

Nationwide, immigration enforcement officers have faced a troubling rise in violent attacks. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security recently reported an 830% increase in assaults against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers compared to the previous year. Specific documented incidents include:
* More than 1,000 rioters surrounding a federal law enforcement building in Los Angeles, assaulting ICE officers, slashing tires and defacing federal property.
* A July 4th attack on a Texas ICE detention facility which resulted in the charging of 10 suspects with terrorism and aggravated assault on public servants with deadly weapons.
* An ICE officer being dragged 50 yards by a car while arresting a suspect.
* Organized efforts to release personal information of ICE officers and their families, also known as doxxing, putting them at risk from criminal organizations.
* An attack at an ICE facility in Dallas which took the life of one detainee and injured two others.

“These officers have been swarmed by rioters, doxxed online alongside their families, dragged by vehicles while making arrests and attacked at their own facilities,” Gebhard said. “No one should have to fear for their life or their family’s safety simply because they enforce our nation’s laws.”

“Pennsylvania families deserve safe neighborhoods free from the violence of criminal organizations and illegal activity,” Mastriano said. “Immigration enforcement officers play a vital role in keeping dangerous criminals off our streets. By protecting them from threats and attacks, we are also protecting our communities, our children and the future of our commonwealth.”


** Standing Up for PA Taxpayers
------------------------------------------------------------

With the state budget more than 100 days overdue, we are continuing to push for a responsible budget that respects taxpayers and will not lead to massive tax increases just a year or two from now. Unfortunately, Democrats in the House of Representatives have again proposed an irresponsible plan that seeks to spend billions more than taxpayers can afford by using one-time dollars.

The most prudent action for the House to take would be to immediately pass the budget approved by the Senate back on August 12 – that would get money flowing to counties, schools and social service agencies. It’s time to put people above politics. Senate Republican leaders discussed the impasse here ([link removed]) .


** Senate Acts to Waive Interest on Short-Term Budget Impasse Loans
------------------------------------------------------------

Pennsylvania counties, early education programs, rape prevention and domestic violence prevention centers could pay no interest on loans from the Pennsylvania Treasury under legislation approved by the Senate. The bill now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration.

Under current law, the Pennsylvania Treasurer may provide investment loans during a budget impasse but must charge interest on those loans. Treasury’s Budget Bridge Loan program would provide up to $500 million in low-interest loans from the Liquid Asset Pool Investment Fund for county governments, domestic violence and rape crisis centers, Head Start agencies and approved providers under the Pre-K Counts program.

Those investment loans would cover up to 25% of a recipient’s state budget appropriation from the previous fiscal year. Senate Bill 1040 ([link removed]) would authorize the state treasurer to waive interest charges on loans issued during a budget impasse and help prevent additional costs for taxpayers and communities.


** Measure to Support Mental Health Services with Specialty License Plate Approved by Senate
------------------------------------------------------------

Pennsylvania’s lifesaving 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline ([link removed]) would receive new support through the sale of specialty license plates under legislation approved by the Senate.

Under Senate Bill 955 ([link removed]) , $15 from each plate will be deposited into the Mental Health Restricted Account, helping to fund the 988 service. The lifeline offers confidential, one-to-one support from a trained crisis responder. You can read more about this legislation, and the story that inspired it, here ([link removed]) .

The measure was sent to the House of Representatives for consideration.


** Ensuring U.S. and Pennsylvania Flags Are Made in America
------------------------------------------------------------

Reflecting a growing effort to support American manufacturing, the Senate approved legislation ensuring every U.S. and Pennsylvania flag purchased by the commonwealth is made entirely in the U.S. using American materials ([link removed]) .

Senate Bill 784 ([link removed]) requires the Pennsylvania Department of General Services to procure only flags that are both produced and constructed from materials sourced within the U.S. Each flag must also carry a label reading “Made in America.”

The measure not only promotes American-made products within state procurement practices, it prevents the use of taxpayer dollars to purchase flags from nations that do not share the values of Pennsylvania citizens. The bill was sent to the House of Representatives for consideration.


** Examining the Use of AI in Education and Workforce Development
------------------------------------------------------------

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the classroom and how schools are adapting programs to prepare students for changing workforce demands were the topics of a public hearing ([link removed]) held by the Senate Education Committee and the Senate Communications and Technology Committee.

The joint panel heard from educators as well as workforce development and policy experts who discussed the need to embrace AI responsibly, in a manner that retains student critical thinking, ensures ethical and safe use, and prepares students to fill in-demand jobs.

Hearing video and written testimony can be found on the Senate Communications and Technology Committee ([link removed]) and Senate Education Committee ([link removed]) websites.


** Drought Watch Declared in Western PA
------------------------------------------------------------

After lower-than-normal rainfall, more than two dozen, mainly western, Pennsylvania counties are under a drought watch declared by the Pennsylvania Drought Task Force.

Drought declarations are based on the levels of precipitation, stream flows, groundwater levels and soil moisture. Under a drought watch, residents are encouraged, but not required, to voluntarily reduce their water use by five to 10%. A drought warning and drought emergency are more serious.

The Department of Environmental Protection makes its drought declarations ([link removed]) after assessing the departures from normal ranges for three-12 months. For a map that’s updated daily to show the status of all four indicators for each county, see the USGS Pennsylvania drought condition monitoring website. ([link removed])


** Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Early Detection Saves Lives
------------------------------------------------------------

One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. But when detected at its earliest stages, the five-year survival rate for breast cancer is over 90%.

The Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition turned the State Capitol East Wing Fountain pink to mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The action honors survivors, remembers those lost and encourages early detection through annual mammograms. Learn more about breast cancer and the tools available for early detection here ([link removed]) .

divider

For anyone who hasn’t already signed up to receive e-newsletters, you can get on the e-newsletter mailing list here ([link removed]) .

HARRISBURG OFFICE
Phone: tel:7177874651(717) 787-4651 (tel:(717) 787-4651)

CHAMBERSBURG OFFICE
Phone: tel:7172646100(717) 264-6100 (tel:(717) 264-6100)

GETTYSBURG OFFICE
Phone: tel:7173344169(717) 334-4169 (tel:(717) 334-4169)
[link removed] [link removed] [link removed] [link removed]

Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences ([link removed]) or unsubscribe ([link removed])

2025 © Senate of Pennsylvania | [link removed] | Privacy Policy ([link removed])