What are your top three legislative priorities in 2025?
One of the most difficult but necessary issues I have taken on is human trafficking awareness. It is not a topic people like to talk about, but after serving for several years, I have learned just how close to home this crime really is. As I became more aware of how children are being targeted, often in their own homes, I knew it was critical to bring this issue to light, not only in the community, but also with legislation to help protect children.
I am the prime sponsor of House Bill 1835, which strengthens penalties related to child sexual exploitation and pornography and ensures real justice for victims. I was shocked to learn that, in many cases, it is often family members taking and sharing inappropriate pictures of their family members. This legislation holds those individuals accountable and will provide stiffer penalties for family members exploiting children.
As a father, protecting our children is a top priority and that includes protecting opportunities for our daughters. Sports teach invaluable life lessons such as discipline, teamwork and sportsmanship, and they also open doors to academic scholarships. For the last 52 years, girls have been given this opportunity due to the adoption of Title IX.
Those opportunities are now threatened by policies that allow biological males to compete in women’s sports. I am proud to be the prime sponsor of House Bill 1849, which requires public schools and public institutions of higher education to designate athletic teams as male, female or coed, and ensure that biological males do not compete on teams or sports designated for females. This legislation is about fairness and safety for our daughters.
Additionally, I continue to tackle the challenges of maintaining our region’s creeks and streams to help prevent flooding and protect lives and livelihoods. During my time serving the 68th Legislative District, our communities have endured the devastation of three separate flood events in the area.
Proper maintenance and management of our creeks and streams can significantly reduce the negative impacts of flooding. I am working toward legislation that ensures our local government and communities have the proper tools to reduce stream pollution, strengthen flood mitigation efforts, and better protect homes, businesses, and farmland throughout our region.
What are the important issues facing your district?
I am often asked what the most important issues are in our district. The truth is, there are many, and it really depends on who you are talking to.
For our farmers, agriculture and related issues are top priorities. For seniors struggling to make ends meet, property taxes are a real concern. For landowners, protecting property rights is essential. For the younger generation and local business owners, economic development and good-paying jobs are key to a strong future for the area. As you can see, people are passionate about many different things. My responsibility as a representative is to hear those concerns, understand different perspectives, and help find solutions that better serve our communities.
What is your favorite vacation destination?
My favorite vacation isn’t so much about the destination as it is about time spent together as a family. That said, my family and I love traveling to Maine. We enjoy our time out on the water, along with hiking and fishing. With four children, there’s always a friendly competition over who catches the biggest fish.
Our summers also revolve around community. All my children participate in the local 4-H, which makes time at the county fair a highlight every year. Each summer, we take our camper to the fairgrounds and spend the week camping alongside other fair goers. It is a special tradition and a wonderful way to support local 4-H members and celebrate the hard work the kids put in all year to reach this point.
How can state government better support local retailers in overcoming today’s challenges and thrive?
State government plays an important role in helping local retailers navigate today’s challenges by providing predictability and stability. Consistent policies and fair regulations allow small business owners to plan and thrive without the uncertainty that too often stands in their way. Pennsylvania needs sound tax policies that make our region attractive for new businesses to relocate and put down roots, while ensuring existing businesses can continue to thrive. As a legislator, I enjoy working closely with young entrepreneurs to offer support and guidance, helping them recognize the opportunities right here at home and encouraging our young people to build their futures locally.
What are your biggest challenges and successes as a legislator?
One of the biggest challenges of being a legislator is balancing 50/50 issues and navigating the will of the people, especially when an issue divides the district. My responsibility is to listen carefully, weigh the facts, respect differing perspectives, and make the most informed decision possible. Even when not everyone agrees with the outcome, people deserve to know their voices were heard and their concerns taken seriously.
What is your favorite food or meal to cook?
The Fourth of July is one of my favorite holidays, and there’s no better way to celebrate than firing up my grill or the smoker. There is nothing quite like a smoked brisket on Independence Day. I enjoy the process just as much as the results and of course the opportunity to bring family and friends together. Good food has a way of bringing people together, and I always look forward to time spent with family and friends over good food.
What do you like to do for fun?
One of my most rewarding and fun hobbies is woodworking. There is something incredibly satisfying about working with my hands and watching a simple piece of wood turn into a functional masterpiece. Much of the furniture in my home is something I built myself, custom designed to fit exactly the right purpose.
When I am away from the house, I love getting out on the dirt roads with friends and riding my dual sport motorcycle. It is the perfect mixture of adventure and freedom.
Of course, my favorite time of all is simply hanging out with my wife of 20 years.
What is your greatest success as a legislator over the past few years?
Protecting our most vulnerable is one of my highest priorities, and whenever I can be a voice for those who cannot speak for themselves, I consider that a win. Several years ago, a grandmother shared the heartbreaking story of her granddaughter who had been abused. At the time, because of her age, the child would have been required to testify in court in front of her abuser — a reality I was not aware of at that time, but it led me to act.
Because of her story, I introduced House Bill 156, now Act 29 of 2021. Prior to this law, out of court testimony provided at a child advocacy center were only permitted for child victims age 12 and under. House Bill 156 increased the maximum age to 16, allowing out of court of testimony from child victims age 16 and under to be presented in court. This change helps protect children who have already experienced trauma by reducing the stress and fear of having to testify face-to-face with their offender. When we support victims through the legal process, we strengthen our ability to hold offenders accountable and keep criminals off the street.
Likewise, I recently introduced House Bill 1835, which provides sentencing enhancements when a defendant is convicted of creating, distributing or possessing child sexual abuse materials that depicts the defendant’s relative. No child should ever endure this kind of abuse and especially not at the hands of a relative.
I will continue fighting to protect children, support victims, and ensure laws reflect our responsibility to defend those who are most vulnerable. ■