Latest News from State Capitol and 55th District

August 27, 2026

Administration’s Health Department Proposal is Government Overreach

The oath I took on the House floor in 2023 and again 2025 is simple. It states clearly my obligation to “support, obey and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of this Commonwealth.”

When unelected bureaucrats attempt to bypass the General Assembly and resurrect heavy-handed government mandates, we must draw the line and demand accountability. Major policy decisions affecting personal privacy, parental rights and local economic stability must include the legislative branch.

The Shapiro administration’s Department of Health recently advanced a regulatory package that feels entirely out of touch with the hard-learned lessons of recent history. Instead of respecting fundamental freedoms, these proposed rules threaten to revive the worst aspects of pandemic-era overreach. 

Among the most alarming provisions is the expansion of bureaucratic reach directly into private homes and local classrooms. Making that provision even worse is that state agents would be granted the power to enter school buildings and question minors in private, without the permission of or notification to parents or guardians.

Another provision is the granting of state officials’ access to health records, mandatory reporting of vaccinations into a statewide database and a new mandatory statewide birth defect and anomaly registry, all of which would occur without consent.

Mothers and fathers have an unassailable right to oversee the upbringing, healthcare and well-being of their children. Stripping parental knowledge and consent from school interactions to conduct contact tracing or offer medical treatments runs entirely counter to our values.

If the coronavirus pandemic taught us anything, it is that sound public health policy is no more important than basic civil liberties. This isn’t just rhetoric – it is the voice of the majority of Pennsylvanians, who on two occasions, in 2020 and 2021, approved constitutional amendments to limit executive powers to last no more than 21 days and not be renewable without input from the General Assembly. 

Pennsylvanians approved these amendments on the notion that our governmental system is one of checks and balances. Legislative proposals are required to be considered in the House and Senate, to then be reviewed by the governor to maximize your voice on the issues that impact you and your loved ones. Granting just one of those entities exclusive powers to enter homes, interrogate minors or review medical records, without the input of the other two, is a violation of the strongest American values. 

Furthermore, the emergency declaration process forces any sitting governor to communicate better. If Gov. Josh Shapiro feels an emergency is so pressing and so dangerous to warrant such measures, he should work with the General Assembly – the very people you elected.

When regulations are being considered for implementation, more commonly known as the “rulemaking process,” it is taken up by Pennsylvania’s Independent Regulatory Review Commission (IRRC). Part of the process includes opportunities for public comment.

Sound public health policy must balance safety with basic civil liberties. If you have input you would like to share on this topic, I encourage you to be heard. Written comments must be received by IRRC by Sept. 21. Be sure to include the reference identifiers: Rulemaking #10-242: Communicable and Noncommunicable Diseases; IRRC #3490. Your comments should be emailed directly to irrc@irrc.state.pa.us and you should include the Department of Health at RA-DHCHAPTR27PROPREG@pa.gov.

Here are some additional news topics and reminders I would like to share.

Veterans, Mark Your Calendars for Oct. 31! - If you’re a veteran, be certain to mark your calendar for my annual Veterans Appreciation Breakfast on Saturday, Oct. 31, 8:30-11 a.m. Open to all veterans in the 55th district and one guest each, the event includes retired Rear Adm. Charles Kubic as guest speaker. He served in the U.S. Navy for 34 years and established Kubic Engineer Group in 2012. Register by Oct. 26 by emailing aadams@pahousegop.com, or calling 724-472-4102 or 724-387-9113.

Veterans, Don’t Fall for This Scam - The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is warning veterans and their spouses about a postcard promising extra monthly benefits. But the “Veterans Savings Program” mentioned in the postcard doesn’t actually exist. It’s just a scammer phishing for personal or financial information. 

While the postcard might list the state you’re living in and mention real VA benefits like CHAMPVA or TRICARE For Life, those programs are just being mentioned in an effort to make the mailing look legitimate and trick veterans into sharing personal information like your Social Security number or bank account details.

If you get a postcard like this:
  • Don’t respond. Legitimate VA communications will not pressure you to respond immediately or give sensitive information over the phone.
  • Contact the VA directly if you have questions about your benefits. Always use a number you know is real, never the one on the postcard. Start with the VA Benefits Hotline at 1-800-827-1000.
  • Spread the word. Scammers typically don’t just contact one person. Sharing this advice can help others in your community spot and avoid the scam. Sign up for email updates to get the latest on scams like this one at MilitaryConsumer.gov.

If you spot this or another VA benefits scam, report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and to the VA at VSAFE.gov or 1-833-38V-SAFE.

Keystone State ChalleNGe Academy Accepting Applications - The Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs’ (DMVA) Keystone State ChalleNGe Academy (KSCA) is now accepting applications for its first class of 2027, which begins in January. 

The academy’s mission is to provide 16- to 18-year-old teens in jeopardy of not graduating on time or dropping out of school with a second chance at learning skills such as leadership, self-discipline, health and hygiene, public service, physical fitness and more. There is no tuition cost to attend, and meals, housing, uniforms and school supplies are provided at no charge.

With KSCA’s online eligibility checker at pa.gov/ksca, applicants can quickly confirm their eligibility before completing the full application. Applicants can also request a mailed form by emailing RA-MVPACHALLENGE@pa.gov or calling 717-861-7767 or 717-861-8831.



Representative Jill Cooper
55th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Jordan Frei
724.875.8450
jfrei@pahousegop.com