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In this Update:

• NFIB Names Me a 2026 “Guardian of Small Business”
• Working to Increase Affordability for Pennsylvanians
• Planting Penn’s Peace Tree at Coleman Park
• New Law Cracks Down on Robocalls, Scam Texts and Caller ID Spoofing
• Reading-Berks Association of REALTORS Annual Breakfast
• Key Election Dates to Remember
• National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is Oct. 24
• Understanding Metastatic Breast Cancer
• Local Events

NFIB Names Me a 2026 “Guardian of Small Business”

I was proud to be named a 2026 “Guardian of Small Business” by the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB).

The award is reserved for lawmakers who vote consistently with small businesses on the issues small business owners themselves identify as priorities. With a 100% voting record in support of small business, I’m the only member of the Pennsylvania Senate to receive this distinction this year.

As a small business owner myself, I understand firsthand the challenges facing our Main Street businesses. I’ll keep fighting to make Pennsylvania a place where small businesses can grow, create jobs and expand opportunities. Learn more about the award here.

Working to Increase Affordability for Pennsylvanians

At a time when families continue to feel the strain of inflation, we know state government must look for ways to implement policies and programs to increase affordability. Fighting for the state budget to respect taxpayers and take less of your hard-earned money, enacting the Working Pennsylvanians Tax Credit and the Employer Child Care Contribution Tax Credit Programs, and making homes more attainable are some of the ways we’ve focused on affordability during the 2025-26 legislative session.

The new Working Pennsylvanians Tax Credit provides meaningful relief for working families across the commonwealth. Families that claim the federal Earned Income Tax Credit may also claim the state tax credit equal to 10% of the federal amount. This amounts to hundreds of dollars saved every year for many working families.

We also created the Employer Child Care Contribution Tax Credit Program, which provides incentives for businesses to make contributions of up to $500 annually toward their employees’ child-care costs.

And we took steps to make housing attainable to more Pennsylvanians by passing legislation streamlining municipal approval processes, reducing delays, cutting unnecessary red tape, and creating a Housing Development Regulatory Compliance Officer to serve as a single point of contact and improve coordination in the permitting process.

We’re committed to continuing to implement greater government efficiencies and policies to control the growth of spending and help address affordability for families throughout Pennsylvania.

Planting Penn’s Peace Tree at Coleman Park

This week, I joined members of Penn’s Peace Tree Initiative to plant an eastern white pine at Coleman Park. The planting is part of a statewide effort to plant one tree in every Pennsylvania county.

The tree honors William Penn, our commonwealth’s founder, and commemorates the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding.

Thank you to Abby Ableness for sharing remarks on Penn’s vision of liberty of conscience, peaceful government and just relationships among all people. These principles continue to shape Pennsylvania and our nation today.

New Law Cracks Down on Robocalls, Scam Texts and Caller ID Spoofing

Legislation we unanimously passed enacting stronger protections from deceptive telemarketing practices will take effect Monday, Oct. 19.

Under Act 47 of 2026, Pennsylvania’s telemarketing law will now cover modern forms of solicitation, including text messages, voicemails, ringless voicemails and robocalls. It also establishes stronger rules for when and how telemarketers can contact Pennsylvanians, including:

• Prohibiting telemarketing calls before 9 a.m. and after 7 p.m. and on Sundays.
• Requiring prior express written consent for most robocalls and telemarketing text messages.
• Prohibiting telemarketers from falsely identifying themselves or using deceptive caller ID information, including spoofed numbers.
• Requiring telemarketers to stop a solicitation when a consumer asks them to do so.

The legislation also prohibits the use of AI-generated messages to deceive consumers.

Reading-Berks Association of REALTORS Annual Breakfast

I was glad to take part in a legislative panel at the Reading-Berks Association of REALTORS annual advocacy breakfast.

Thank you to the association for hosting me and for sharing valuable feedback and perspective on the issues affecting our communities and Pennsylvania’s housing market.

Key Election Dates to Remember

Election Day will be here before you know it, and I want to make sure you know the key dates.

• The first step is registering to vote, and the deadline to do that is Monday, Oct. 19.
• If you want to vote by absentee ballot, the deadline to file a request is Tuesday, Oct. 27.
• Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3.

To make sure you’re registered, learn how to request an absentee ballot and find your polling place, visit the state’s elections information webpage.

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is Oct. 24

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, most people who use prescription medication for a nonmedical purpose obtained that medication from a family member or friend. Removing unnecessary medications from the home can help remove this risk.

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is Oct. 24 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., providing a safe, convenient and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs.

Find a local collection site near you at the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration website.

Understanding Metastatic Breast Cancer

Metastatic breast cancer, also known as Stage IV breast cancer, is diagnosed when breast cancer has spread to other parts of the body. While treatments can help control metastatic cancer and allow many people to live longer, Stage IV breast cancer is currently considered incurable.

During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, let’s recognize the Pennsylvanians living with metastatic breast cancer every day. Organizations like the PA Breast Cancer Coalition offer programs specific to individuals with metastatic breast cancer including a Stage IV-specific care package program and patient resources.

Metastatic breast cancer research is essential to developing more effective treatments, improving quality of life and extending the lives of those living with stage IV cancer.

Please consider making a $5 contribution to research when you renew your Pennsylvania driver’s license or vehicle registration online. For more information, visit the PA Breast Cancer Coalition website.

Local Events

Friday, October 16, 9 a.m.: 55th Annual Fall Carriage & Antique Auction
80 Rocherty Rd, Lebanon (Lebanon, PA)

Saturday, October 17, 3-7 p.m.: Fall on the Farm America 250
213 N. Carpenter St, Schaefferstown (Lebanon, PA)

Sunday, October 18, 12-4 p.m.: Living History and Park Walk at Conrad Weiser Homestead
28 Weiser Lane, Womelsdorf (Berks, PA)

Sunday, October 18, 12-4 p.m.: Fall Fun Day at Gretna Glen
87 Old Mine Rd, Lebanon (Lebanon, PA)

Tuesday, October 20, 6-7 p.m.: Trunk or Treat at YMCA
201 N 7th St, Lebanon (Lebanon, PA)

Saturday, October 24, 4:30-7:30 p.m.: 6th & Chestnut Fall Block Party
615 Cumberland St, Lebanon (Lebanon, PA)

Saturday, October 24, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.: Lebanon High School Fall Craft & Vendor Show
1000 S. 8th St, Lebanon (Lebanon, PA)