Supporting farmers

I am proud to support legislation that helps Pennsylvania farmers thrive and create jobs.

Recently, I was recognized for my support of farmers by the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau and the American Farm Bureau Federation. Marta Gabriel, part of my Lehigh Valley staff, accepted the "Friend of Farm Bureau" award on my behalf. She's pictured above with Houstin Lichtenwalner (left) and Arland Schantz. As a side note, I've known Arland for years. I head out to his farm - Evergreeen Farm in Zionsville - for my Christmas tree each year!

Pennsylvania is an agricultural powerhouse and its farmers play an essential role in feeding America and bolstering the state's economy. I look forward to continuing to work with farmers across Pennsylvania to ensure the government isn't creating roadblocks to their success.

I have been working with law enforcement officials, community leaders, and medical professionals to help stop prescription painkiller and heroin abuse. It is a serious and growing problem in Pennsylvania. In July, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) said heroin overdose deaths are up more than 20 percent in the commonwealth. The DEA and others attributed much of this increase to heroin laced with fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that is 50 times more potent than heroin.

Beaver County got some good news last week when it received two federal grants from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. My office worked with Beaver County Behavioral Health to secure these resources, and I wrote a letter of support.

The funds will help the efforts of community coalitions working to prevent and reduce substance abuse among Beaver County's young people and adults.

All of us - policy makers, medical professionals, law enforcement officers, family and friends - must do all we can to stop drug abuse in our communities and help stem the tide of heroin and opioid abuse that is raging across Pennsylvania and the country. Working together, I am confident we can save lives.

One of the best parts of my job is traveling across Pennsylvania and meeting with constituents of all ages to discuss how we can work together to improve our communities. I am proud to have dedicated staffers that are also engaged in their local communities and work tirelessly to build relationships with individuals and organizations that are working to better the lives of the people around them.

Steve Meredith - a member of my Pittsburgh staff - is a great example of this community engagement. He recently attended the Allegheny Partners for Out-of-School Time's 6th Annual Lights on After School event. This event showcases after school programs that inspire learning, keep kids safe, and help working families. Steve is pictured above with a group of kids who are building a car with K'NEX.