Brooks was born on December 10, 1969, in Erie, Pennsylvania. She graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a degree in political science.

Michele Brooks

Michele Brooks graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a degree in political science.

Michele Brooks - Ballotpedia

Before her election to the state legislature, Brooks worked as a businesswoman and was involved in local government. In the Senate, she has focused on issues such as healthcare, education, and economic development.

Michele Brooks previously worked in business.

Michele Brooks is a Republican member of the Pennsylvania State Senate, representing the 50th District since 2015. She previously served in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from 2011 to 2015.

Michele currently serves in the Pennsylvania State Senate, representing the 50th District since 2015.

2026 Pennsylvania General Election 

It was gratifying to see legislation I introduced to ensure that Pennsylvania businesses and farmers can take advantage of the economic growth occurring as a result of federal tax changes passed by the Senate. The bill was passed by a vote of 42 to 7 on Tuesday. Senate Bill 1056 reverses the provisions of a controversial state tax bulletin governing Pennsylvania’s treatment of federal tax changes. The legislation will allow Pennsylvania businesses to take advantage of the opportunities given to them at the national level to expand and grow, after the enactment of federal tax reform.

Senate Update: Senate Bill 1056

Senate Bill 1056 reverses the provisions of a controversial state tax bulletin governing Pennsylvania’s treatment of federal tax changes. The legislation will allow Pennsylvania businesses to take advantage of the opportunities given to them at the national level to expand and grow, after the enactment of federal tax reform. Without this legislation, Pennsylvania farmers and businesses would be operating at a distinct competitive disadvantage and would not benefit from federal tax changes when they buy equipment, like other farmers and businesses across the nation. With this bill, farmers and other businesses can purchase much-needed equipment, such as combines, purchased dairy and breeding livestock, grain silos, CNC machining equipment used in high-tech manufacturing, or exploration and drilling equipment used in the natural gas industry, so they can invest in their future and depreciate those capital investments, helping to spur economic growth in our local communities.

I will be among the lawmakers and representatives of local communities who will take part in a June 8 Capitol rally against the Wolf administration’s plan to toll nine interstate bridges. The bridge tolling initiative will cost the average commuter an additional $1,000 per year and was moved through the process without legislative input or approval. Commonwealth Court recently halted the plan, siding with a county and several municipalities that challenged the plan as unconstitutional. The administration has appealed the ruling to the state Supreme Court. The Senate approved Senate Bill 382 with my support to halt the tolling and require more transparency in the Public-Private Partnership process, which produced the tolling plan.

Senate Update: Bridge Tolling and Women’s Sports

To help Pennsylvania move out of a pandemic economy and create jobs, the Senate passed a bill to bring state tax law governing expense deductions in line with federal law. It would eliminate the unequal treatment of small businesses in Pennsylvania. Senate Bill 349 is part of a Small Business Tax Reform Package to help employers recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and mandated shutdowns. The federal Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 raised the federal limit for IRS Section 179 expense deductions from $500,000 to $1 million annually. However, Pennsylvania law limits the deduction to $25,000 for personal income tax purposes, which covers S Corporations, partnerships and individuals. The increase in limits makes it easier for employers to buy equipment and to invest, which promotes job growth in Pennsylvania. Small businesses create 65% of the jobs in Pennsylvania. Passage of Senate Bill 349 is part of a broader recovery effort to rebuild Pennsylvania’s economy. The bill, which I cosponsored, will be sent to the House of Representatives for consideration.

Senate Update: Energy Choice and Small Business Tax Reform

I have joined the state secretary of agriculture in stepping in to try to help Pennsylvania dairy farmers after Dean’s Dairy announced that they will no longer accept milk from many local farmers as of the end of May. Knowing the devastating impact that this decision would have on our hard-working farmers, who have devoted their whole lives to caring for their animals and putting food on our tables, I asked Dean’s Dairy to consider rolling back their decision to not accept local milk, or, at the least, to extend their deadline for our farmers to give us more time to find a solution.

Senate Update: Helping Dairy Farmers and Prison-Closure Legislation

The dairy industry generates more than $12 billion in economic revenue for the state’s economy, and Pennsylvania is one of the highest milk producers in the country. The Center for Dairy Excellence is another valuable resource for farmers. I will continue to work to expedite the development of a self-sustaining dairy economy here in Pennsylvania. As the situation unfolds, I welcome you to support our local dairy farmers by drinking local dairy milk.

Introduced Senate Bill 1056 to let Pennsylvania businesses and farmers use federal tax changes when depreciating capital investments.

Supported Senate Bill 382 to halt proposed interstate bridge tolls and increase transparency in the public-private partnership process.

Co-sponsored Senate Bill 349 to align Pennsylvania small-business expense deductions with federal law.

Plans to work toward a self-sustaining dairy economy in Pennsylvania after seeking assistance for affected local dairy farmers.

- Introduced Senate Bill 1056 to let Pennsylvania businesses and farmers use federal tax changes when depreciating capital investments.
- Supported Senate Bill 382 to halt proposed interstate bridge tolls and increase transparency in the public-private partnership process.
- Co-sponsored Senate Bill 349 to align Pennsylvania small-business expense deductions with federal law.
- Plans to work toward a self-sustaining dairy economy in Pennsylvania after seeking assistance for affected local dairy farmers.

Economy

Brooks Announces $200,000 for HopeCAT Workforce Development Programs Posted on October 9, 2026 HARRISBURG — Sen. Michele Brooks (R-50) announced today $200,000 in state funding to support workforce development programs at the Hope Center for Arts and Technology (HopeCAT) in Sharon. The funding will help HopeCAT maintain and expand career training programs designed to prepare students for in-demand jobs while strengthening the region’s workforce.

Brooks Announces $200,000 for HopeCAT Workforce Development Programs

The funding will help HopeCAT maintain and expand career training programs designed to prepare students for in-demand jobs while strengthening the region’s workforce. “By combining hands-on vocational training in fields like healthcare and the trades, along with valuable youth mentorship, HopeCAT does more than just teach technical skills — they help create sustainable career paths right here in our community,” said Brooks. “Investing in local education pipelines empowers the workforce and fills critical staffing needs for our employers, while helping to sustain and create new jobs. This funding will help ensure Mercer and surrounding counties remain a vibrant place to live and work.”

During a Senate hearing on Lyme disease co-chaired by Sen. Michele Brooks, an emergency room physician and other health experts strongly recommended that parents be notified when a tick is removed from their child in school. This notification would help them monitor their child for Lyme and other tickborne diseases and to seek treatment promptly. In an effort to help combat Lyme and other tick-related diseases in children, Brooks’ legislation, Senate Bill 603, would preserve the tick that was removed from a child during school hours in order for the tick to be tested.

Senate Update: Disability Placards, Lyme Disease and Robocalls

Announced $200,000 in state funding for Hope Center for Arts and Technology workforce development and career training programs.

Sponsored Senate Bill 603 to require schools to preserve ticks removed from children for testing.

- Announced $200,000 in state funding for Hope Center for Arts and Technology workforce development and career training programs.
- Sponsored Senate Bill 603 to require schools to preserve ticks removed from children for testing.

Education

Pennsylvania leads the nation in Lyme disease cases, with children making up the largest demographic affected. Having heard countless stories from constituents – from misdiagnoses and inadequate health insurance coverage for doctor-recommended treatments to a lack of thorough testing and more – I have been committed to proactively finding and sharing solutions to this health care crisis. As chair of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, I held a public hearing to increase understanding of tick-borne diseases, tick testing and mitigation, testing options for physicians and patients, and guidelines for treatment options. Not only do we need to reduce the tick population, I’m also working to increase insurance coverage for broader testing of tick-related diseases.

Senate Update: Lyme Disease and Medically Fragile Babies

Providing Critical Care for Medically Fragile Babies I was happy to introduce Senate Bill 1202, which would require health insurers to cover the use of medically prescribed pasteurized human milk in both inpatient and outpatient settings for children who are less than a year old. The donor milk must be obtained from a milk bank licensed in Pennsylvania. The legislation would help infants who are unable to thrive on commercially available specialty formula or who have medical conditions that require human milk.

HARRISBURG — Legislation to assist EMS agencies by ensuring proper Medicaid reimbursement for calls in which treatment is provided but the patient is not transported to a hospital was approved by the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, according to bill sponsors Sens. Doug Mastriano (R-33), Michele Brooks (R-50) and Lisa Baker (R-20). Senate Bill 1147 would implement a set Medicaid reimbursement rate for treat, no transport calls, bringing financial clarity and predictability to EMS agencies. Current law requires reimbursement based on “reasonable costs,” resulting in varied payment amounts which are frequently less than the average cost for the service.

Bill to Provide Treat, No Transport Reimbursement for EMS Agencies Approved by Senate Committee

“Our EMS providers are always a phone call away when we need them in our most difficult times,” said Brooks. “This legislation underscores the value of their presence in our communities and ensures they are reimbursed for the critical work they do, preserving local residents’ access to lifesaving care.” Senate Bill 1147 would implement a set Medicaid reimbursement rate for treat, no transport calls, bringing financial clarity and predictability to EMS agencies.

Working to expand insurance coverage for broader testing of tick-related diseases.

Introduced Senate Bill 1202 to require insurance coverage of prescribed pasteurized human milk for eligible infants under one.

Sponsored Senate Bill 1147 to set Medicaid reimbursement rates when emergency medical services treat patients without transporting them to hospitals.

- Working to expand insurance coverage for broader testing of tick-related diseases.
- Introduced Senate Bill 1202 to require insurance coverage of prescribed pasteurized human milk for eligible infants under one.
- Sponsored Senate Bill 1147 to set Medicaid reimbursement rates when emergency medical services treat patients without transporting them to hospitals.

Healthcare

As of October 16, 2026, Michele Brooks’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Voting & Elections

Legislation sponsored by Sen. Michele Brooks (R-50) to support local fire departments and emergency service providers was approved today by the Senate Community, Economic and Recreational Development Committee. Senate Bill 330 would require major league and collegiate sports teams who conduct 50/50 drawings at sporting events to devote 5% of the raffle revenues to the Office of State Fire Commissioner’s Fire Company and EMS Grant Program, which will then increase the amount grant dollars distributed statewide to local firefighters and EMS companies.

Brooks Bill Supporting Local Fire Departments and Emergency Service Providers Approved by Committee

Brooks has championed several initiatives that have become law to strengthen fire departments and emergency services. She authored Act 106 of 2019, which enabled volunteer firefighters to complete required training online, allowing them to build critical skills without sacrificing personal vacation time or time with their families. More recently, Act 25 of 2025 allows job training credits to count toward Firefighter I Certification, giving volunteer recruits a more flexible and practical pathway to earning their full credentials.

Pennsylvania moved closer to cracking down on deceptive and nuisance telephone calls with a recent unanimous vote by the Senate to pass legislation introduced by Sen. Michele Brooks to ban the practice of Caller ID “spoofing.” “Specifically, Senate Bill 236 would prevent spoofing and is designed to protect citizens from misleading telemarketing ‘robocalls,’ particularly those that disguise their real phone number by making it look like a local number, increasing the likelihood that the call will be answered,” Brooks said.

Responding to the governor’s sudden call for the possible closure of SCI Mercer and other state prisons last year, I worked with three of my fellow senators to author legislation that factors efficiency, effectiveness and public input into the prison closure process. The Senate passed our legislation, Senate Bill 748, today by a vote of 47 to 1. Senate Bill 748 would better protect our communities and the law enforcement officers who serve them by ensuring that notice and consideration are given before any proposed closure of state correctional facilities, police barracks, and other law enforcement and security structures.

Sponsored Senate Bill 330 to direct five percent of certain sports raffle revenue to fire and emergency medical services grants.

Authored Act 106 of 2019 to allow volunteer firefighters to complete required training online.

Introduced Senate Bill 236 to prohibit caller identification spoofing used in misleading telemarketing robocalls.

Co-authored Senate Bill 748 to require efficiency, effectiveness, and public-input considerations before closing state prisons and other security facilities.

- Sponsored Senate Bill 330 to direct five percent of certain sports raffle revenue to fire and emergency medical services grants.
- Authored Act 106 of 2019 to allow volunteer firefighters to complete required training online.
- Introduced Senate Bill 236 to prohibit caller identification spoofing used in misleading telemarketing robocalls.
- Co-authored Senate Bill 748 to require efficiency, effectiveness, and public-input considerations before closing state prisons and other security facilities.

Public Safety

Senate Bill 275, known as “Energy Choice” legislation, would limit municipal entities from banning a specific type of fuel source for appliances and heating homes or businesses. The language is fuel-neutral and is not specific to one energy source. Pennsylvania’s history of energy choice has resulted in reductions in energy costs as well as emissions. While other states are seeking to ban fuel sources, such as natural gas, Pennsylvania residents have a myriad of energy options from which to choose, helping to keep energy bills lower. By allowing businesses to retain the option to choose energy sources, the bill helps employers stay competitive in an increasingly challenging global market. The bill, which I cosponsored, now moves to the state House of Representatives for consideration.

HARRISBURG — Sen. Michele Brooks (R-50) today announced a combined $812,200 in Community Conservation Partnerships Program (C2P2) funding for four recreation and conservation projects in Crawford County. “From expanding access to trails and parks to supporting stewardship of the French Creek Watershed and protecting natural resources, these projects will have a lasting impact on residents and visitors throughout Crawford County,” said Brooks. “Investing in our community is investing in our region’s future and making it a great place to live, work and raise a family.”

Brooks Announces More Than $800,000 in Recreation and Conservation Funding for Crawford County

Co-sponsored Senate Bill 275 to limit local bans on certain fuel sources used for appliances and building heating.

Supports recreation and conservation projects that expand park and trail access, protect natural resources, and support French Creek Watershed stewardship.

- Co-sponsored Senate Bill 275 to limit local bans on certain fuel sources used for appliances and building heating.
- Supports recreation and conservation projects that expand park and trail access, protect natural resources, and support French Creek Watershed stewardship.

Energy & the Environment

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- Your state senator represents the interests of your district in the Pennsylvania State Senate. The State Senate, along with the State House of Representatives, makes up your state lawmaking body: the Pennsylvania General Assembly. 
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Your representative and state lawmaker in the Pennsylvania Senate.