Accomplishments

Education - Strengthening School Safety

• Chaired the 2013 House Select Committee for School Safety, formed after the 2012 Sandy Hook tragedy, to strengthen school security across Pennsylvania.

• Led bipartisan efforts through public hearings with school officials, law enforcement and parents, delivering a report recommending frequent intruder drills, local safety committees and “choke point” campus designs.
 
• Co-authored House Bill 178, unanimously passed by the House and enacted as Act 55 of 2017, requiring annual school security drills for threats like armed intruders. By replacing one monthly fire drill, this law ensures flexibility and preparedness, safeguarding students and staff statewide.



Seniors – Leading During Pandemic Governance - COVID-19 

• Directed the House Aging and Older Adult Services Committee, appointed in January 2020, to protect Pennsylvania’s seniors during the COVID-19 pandemic as the first committee to resume work in Harrisburg.

• Brought Health Secretary Rachel Levine before six public hearings in 2020 to demand accountability, challenging the secretary’s unprecedented authority – surpassing even the governor’s – to shut down businesses, schools and places of worship, restricting citizens’ lives.
 
• Oversaw a March 2021 hearing on vaccination distribution for the state’s most vulnerable seniors and co-authored letters with House Majority Leader Kerry Benninghoff to press for transparency on regulatory suspensions.

• Advanced House Bills 397, 398, 399 and 400 to combat elder abuse, ensuring robust support through programs like prescription drug assistance and the Property Tax and Rent Rebate Program with bipartisan leadership.



HomeOwners - Restructuring Private Road Maintenance

• Authored House Bill 523, enacted as Act 75 of 2021, to support homeowners by reforming the Private Road Act.
 
• The law requires property owners to share private road maintenance costs when no agreement exists, addressing banking regulations that blocked federally backed mortgages.

• This reform ensures passable roads and easier home financing, benefiting Pennsylvanians, especially in rural areas.



Reducing Redundant Regulation - Reforming Government for the People

• Championed government efficiency by authoring House Bills 754 and 755 to streamline bottled water regulation, ensuring better service for Pennsylvania’s citizens.

• Led efforts to consolidate oversight under the Department of Agriculture, reducing duplicative regulations while maintaining safety standards.

• Secured broad bipartisan support in the House, with both bills earning unanimous approval from the House Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee before advancing to the Senate.

• This initiative reflects a commitment to collaborative, common-sense reforms that simplify government processes for businesses and residents,



Appropriations – Budget

• Served on the Pennsylvania House of Representatives Appropriations Committee for six and a half years, playing a pivotal role in scrutinizing and shaping the state's annual budget.

• Participated extensively in budget hearings, rigorously questioning administration officials on spending priorities and accountability for taxpayer dollars.

• Helped determine funding levels and influenced policy across critical areas including education, transportation, public safety, environmental protection, agriculture and economic development.

• Widely regarded as a serious, detail-oriented and reliable legislator who works effectively across the aisle within the chamber to promote responsible spending and fiscal discipline, ensuring efficient use of resources for the benefit of all Pennsylvanians.