Rep. Robert Freeman

Freeman announced March 24 the House Transportation Committee approved legislation Monday that would expand state law to allow more vehicles to use blue safety lights in order to increase the visibility of roadside assistance vehicles. Current state law only allows vehicles identified as “tow trucks” to operate blue lights while the truck is stationary on the side of the road or highway while responding to a disabled vehicle.

Freeman introduced H.B. 1830 to extend to light-duty service trucks the same ability – as presently provided to tow trucks – to display blue lights on their light bars and taillights while they are stationary on the side of the road rendering assistance.

Freeman learned of the narrow interpretation of state law regarding blue safety lights from the Northampton County AAA Club, which is active in his district. House Bill 1830 moves to the full state House of Representatives.

The Pennsylvania House of Representatives (Feb. 2) unanimously passed legislation written by Freeman that would allow boroughs, third-class cities, and most counties to establish memorials for first responders.

“Currently, these municipalities and counties are allowed to maintain memorials for soldiers. However, there is no clear authorization for first responders’ memorials, which could include firefighters, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, emergency vehicle drivers and police officers,” said Freeman. “First responders are there whenever we need them in an emergency and they deserve to be honored by their communities.”

Freeman’s legislation (H. B. 1738) also would update current language regarding soldiers’ memorials to include men and women who served in the Pennsylvania National Guard or any of the U.S. Armed Forces or their reserve components.

Examples of third-class cities include Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton, Erie, Harrisburg, Hazleton, Lancaster, Lebanon, Wilkes-Barre and York.

The Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs and the Pennsylvania Municipal League support the legislation.

The bill moves to the state Senate for consideration.

State Senator Lisa Boscola

The Pennsylvania State Senate March 24 passed legislation authored by Senator Lisa Boscola (D-Northampton) and Senator Jarrett Coleman (R-Lehigh) that would phase out, and ultimately ban, a toxic chemical additive found in most intravenous (IV) bags and other medical devices.

Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate is a common additive in the production of plastic medical devices meant to increase flexibility and reduce brittleness. However, researchers have found that DEHP leaches into the contents of these medical devices. Senate Bill 804 sets a timeline to phase out DEHP in medical devices in Pennsylvania by 2035. Additionally, the bill prohibits the use of other toxic chemicals, known as ortho-phthalates, as replacements for DEHP.

Healthcare systems across Pennsylvania are already using DEHP-free devices, including St. Luke’s University Health Network in the Lehigh Valley, demonstrating that this transition is both realistic and already underway.

“St. Luke’s does not use IV solution containers that contain PVC or DEHP and we support Senator Lisa Boscola and Senator Coleman’s efforts to make sure all patients across the Commonwealth are similarly protected from these harmful forever chemicals,” said Dr. Jeffrey Jahre, Senior Vice President Medical and Academic Affairs, St. Luke’s University Health Network.

If enacted, Senate Bill 804 would make Pennsylvania one of the first states in the nation to ban DEHP. California and North Carolina each passed similar legislation in recent legislative sessions. Noting Bethlehem’s connection to this issue, Boscola added, “I’m proud that Bethlehem is home to one of only two nationwide distributors of DEHP-free IV bags.”

“Passage of SB 804 by the Pennsylvania Senate is a big step forward for patient safety. We applaud Senator Boscola and Senator Coleman for their leadership on this issue and appreciate all the senators who supported this important legislation. DEHP should have no place in IV bags and tubing used in Pennsylvania,” said Dr. Stephanie Pitts, Vice President, Healthcare Strategy and Innovation, B. Braun. Senate Bill 804 passed the Senate 48:1 and will now be considered by the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.

Boscola announced March 18 that the Pennsylvania Senate has unanimously passed Senate Bill 802, bipartisan legislation she co-introduced with Senator Patrick Stefano (R- Fayette) to allow Pennsylvanians to voluntarily add a communication barrier designation to their driver’s license, state identification card, and PennDOT electronic records.

The bill is intended to improve safety and reduce misunderstandings during traffic stops and other interactions with law enforcement by giving individuals a way to alert first responders that they may have difficulty communicating.

Under Senate Bill 802, individuals may request the designation on their physical driver’s license or identification card and in PennDOT’s electronic records. The bill also permits optional emergency contact information. The designation may be removed and does not disclose a person’s specific medical condition.

Boscola said the legislation grew out of real constituent experiences where routine interactions with law enforcement became unnecessarily stressful or escalated because of communication difficulties.

The bill is the product of bipartisan collaboration. In prior legislative sessions, Boscola and Stefano had separately introduced legislation addressing the issue from different angles. By combining those efforts, they developed a more complete and practical solution.

Following Governor Josh Shapiro’s budget address Feb. 3, Boscola highlighted several areas where the General Assembly can build on existing work to strengthen the economy, protect consumers and support Pennsylvania’s workforce.

Boscola pointed to the governor’s emphasis on economic development and workforce investment, highlighting the recent $3.5 billion Eli Lilly announcement in the Lehigh Valley. The project, supported in part by EDGE tax credits, PA Sites grants, and workforce development funding totaling roughly $100 million, will create 850 permanent jobs and approximately 2,000 construction jobs. It represents the largest economic development investment in Lehigh Valley history and the largest life sciences investment in Pennsylvania.

Boscola also noted the Governor’s continued focus on workforce issues, including the need to address Pennsylvania’s stagnant minimum wage, which has remained at $7.25 an hour. She emphasized the importance of finding a responsible increase that can pass both chambers and be tied to a cost-of-living adjustment.

Building on the workforce theme, Boscola highlighted the governor’s emphasis on professional licensure reform, including faster approval timelines and a directive to identify additional improvements.

Turning to affordability, Boscola welcomed the Governor’s renewed focus on reenacting Chapter 14, the Responsible Utility Customer Protection Act, which expired after legislative inaction in 2024.

“When Chapter 14 expired, families lost critical statutory protections, including safeguards for medically vulnerable households and clear rules around shutoff notices,” Boscola said. “I commend the Governor for re-energizing this issue and engaging utilities on reenacting these protections.”

Boscola also addressed the governor’s comments on managing the rapid growth of data centers, stressing the need to protect ratepayers and preserve local decision-making.

“Data centers bring real economic opportunity, but that growth cannot come at the expense of families and small businesses,” Boscola said. “Ratepayers should not be footing the bill for grid upgrades driven by massive new demand. That is why I am advancing the Protecting Pennsylvanians’ Power Act, to ensure these projects pay their fair share and communities have a voice.”

Boscola concluded by emphasizing the importance of follow-through.

State Rep. Steve Samuelson

Governor Josh Shapiro presented his budget proposal for 2026-27 Feb. 3 and the House and Senate have begun our budget review. I support the significant new investments in education proposed by the governor, including $50 million more for basic education, $50 million more for special education, and $565 million in Adequacy and Equity payments to underfunded school districts like the Bethlehem Area School District. This funding, if approved in the final budget, will be the third payment in our state’s effort to close an education funding gap identified in a 2023 Commonwealth Court decision.

Under the proposed budget, the Bethlehem Area School District would get $5.25 million in additional state funding through basic education, special education and adequacy and equity payments.

State Senator Nick Miller

Miller announced Feb. 12 that $843,740 has been invested to preserve two farms in Northampton County through Pennsylvania’s Farmland Preservation Program.

This program allows the Commonwealth to partner with local governments and nonprofits to purchase development rights, ensuring farmland remains dedicated to agriculture and protected from future residential or commercial development. By selling these rights, farm owners guarantee their land stays in agricultural production for generations to come.

“Our farmers deserve the certainty and support to keep their land in production and continue fueling our local economy,” said Senator Nick Miller. “They are the backbone of our communities, and protecting their livelihoods means protecting our future. As the nation’s leader in preserved farmland, Pennsylvania is reaffirming its commitment to the farmers and agricultural industry that sustain us all.”

Below are the investments:

$843,740 for Northampton County Farms

• Connie A. Muschko and Kay L. Adams, 77-acre crop farm, Lehigh Township

• Connie A. Muschko and Kay L. Adams #2, 23-acre crop farm, Lehigh Township

To learn more about Pennsylvania’s Farmland Preservation Program, visit agriculture.pa.gov.