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In this Update:
Shapiro Presents Unrealistic Spending Plan
On Tuesday, Gov. Josh Shapiro presented a $51.5 billion budget plan that would increase state spending by $3.6 billion, an increase of 7.5% compared to the current year’s budget. During the next five years, using realistic spending and revenue estimates, Shapiro’s spending plans would leave a $27.3 billion hole in the state’s finances. The governor also uses astonishingly high numbers from revenue sources that don’t currently exist: nearly $2 billion a year from the legalization and taxation of recreational adult use marijuana and skill video gaming machines. Interestingly, since last year’s address, the estimated revenues for the new marijuana tax doubled while his projection for skill gaming figure quadrupled without any explanation. This year, we are at a pivotal point in the commonwealth’s fiscal future. Solving Pennsylvania’s problems will take more than wishes and dreams, but rather adult conversations, a realistic approach and a lot of hard work in the coming months. The bottom line is we need a budget that will lead Pennsylvania forward rather than recycle old ideas that lead to bigger government, higher taxes, higher energy costs and the continuation of our younger generation fleeing the state Shapiro’s budget address is only the first step in the process. In the weeks ahead, as a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I will participate in a series of budget hearings to closely examine the spending plan to determine how it can be improved. The hearings will begin Feb. 18 and run through March 6. Adjutant General John Pippy Confirmed by Senate
This week, Adjutant General John Pippy was unanimously confirmed by the Senate as the 55th Adjutant General of Pennsylvania and head of the Department of Military and Veteran Affairs (DMVA). In this cabinet-level position with the DMVA, headquartered at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pippy will be responsible for the command and control of nearly 18,000 Army and Air National Guard members, 2,500 commonwealth employees, the Keystone State ChalleNGe Academy; and six state-owned veteran homes and programs. In the near future, I will be introducing two bills to help Fort Indiantown Gap and ensure veterans and their families have the support and resources necessary to protect our Commonwealth and Country. The first bill would create a non-lapsing fund for Service Member Veterans and their Families Quality of Life programs (SMVF Fund). The legislation would allow the DMVA to lease real estate at Fort Indiantown Gap and use the proceeds to fund these programs. The second bill would allow Fort Indiantown Gap (FIG) police officers to be Act 120 certified under the Municipal Police Officers Education and Training Commission (MPOETC). This would provide parity with every other municipal police department. I look forward to working with his team on getting both bills signed into law this session. Damaged License Plate? Replace It For Free At Our Drive-Thru Event
Damaged plates have loss of reflectivity, peeling, blistering, or discoloration, and are unreadable from 50 feet away. Stop by our drive-thru event on April 5th from 10am-12pm at the Conrad Weiser Middle School, 347 Penn Ave, Robesonia to have your license plate checked. The police will determine if the plate needs replacement and help with appropriate paperwork. There is no fee for this service but registration is required. Once submitted to PennDOT, the new replacement plate will arrive to our district office for pick up. Please contact our District Office at 610-562-3411 to register. Please bring your vehicle registration card. Bill Repealing RGGI Electricity Tax Receives Senate Support
To prevent a new electricity tax, the Senate passed legislation this week repealing Pennsylvania’s participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). RGGI, a multi-state compact, would increase electricity rates for consumers, cut energy and manufacturing jobs and lead to the closure of Pennsylvania power plants. Senate Bill 186 would formally repeal Pennsylvania’s participation in RGGI, ensuring that any decision to impose electricity taxes or emissions programs must go through the legislative process rather than being enacted unilaterally by the executive branch. The bill now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration. Despite bipartisan opposition from the General Assembly, the Department of Environmental Protection and the Environmental Quality Board pressed ahead with regulations to establish a CO₂ Budget Trading Program – effectively imposing a tax on electricity generation. In 2023, the Commonwealth Court ruled that RGGI is a tax and cannot be implemented without legislative approval. However, Gov. Josh Shapiro’s decision to continue to appeal this ruling to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court has prolonged uncertainty for workers and businesses across the commonwealth and deepened concerns about energy grid reliability and affordability. Senate Supports Bill to Combat High Egg Prices, HPAI
In response to recent outbreaks of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) and skyrocketing egg prices, the Senate passed legislation to expand the number of certified poultry technicians in Pennsylvania. It now advances to the governor to be signed into law. At the request of the state’s egg farmers, House Bill 324 would offer flexibility to farmers and their employees to test poultry for dangerous transmittable diseases that have the potential to decimate poultry flocks. This measure would equip trained technicians to more quickly detect HPAI and contain any further spread. It would also update the outdated blood testing provision to modernize and expand testing to more accurately reflect the various types of dangerous transmittable diseases of poultry. House Bill 324 would safeguard the health of poultry flocks and protect the state’s $7 billion poultry industry. Bill to Exempt Newer Vehicles from Emissions Testing Passes Senate
The Senate approved legislation this week to reform Pennsylvania’s outdated vehicle emissions testing program by reducing the number of vehicles covered by the requirement. The bill now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration. Currently, the federal Vehicle Emissions Inspection and Maintenance (I/M) program mandates that motorists in 25 Pennsylvania counties undergo annual emissions testing. Senate Bill 149 would exempt the five most recent model year vehicles from emissions testing requirements. The bill would align Pennsylvania with other states in the federally mandated Northeast Ozone Transport Region. Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey, Rhode Island and Virginia have implemented similar exemptions with EPA approval. Trout Stocking Schedule Announced
Local anglers can find out when their favorite fishing hole will be stocked with trout by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission using the annual Trout Stocking Guides available online now. The commission stocks approximately 3.2 million adult trout in nearly 700 streams and 130 lakes open to public angling each year. These figures include approximately 2.4 million rainbow trout; 693,000 brown trout; and 125,000 brook trout. The average size of the trout produced for stocking is 11 inches in length. Additionally, 72,000 trophy trout, sized from 14-20 inches, are 70% stocked before opening day. The statewide opening day for trout season is Saturday, April 5. Additionally, the Fish and Boat Commission will host Mentored Youth Trout Day on Saturday, March 29. Youth under the age of 16 can join a mentor (adult) angler who has a current fishing license and trout permit to fish for trout the Saturday before the regular opening days. Learn more about the program. Recognizing National Cancer Prevention Month
February is National Cancer Prevention Month, an observance that aims to raise awareness about how impactful cancer can be for those who are affected and their loved ones. It’s also a time to celebrate the significant milestones people in treatment have achieved. While this legislative session has just begun, Senate Republicans last session passed landmark legislation that eliminated out-of-pocket costs for genetic testing of hereditary cancer syndromes and supplemental breast screenings for women at high risk of developing breast cancer. The law, which was the first of its kind in the nation, eliminated costs including co-pays, deductibles, or co-insurance for breast MRIs and ultrasounds for women with high-risk factors. It also eliminated costs for BRCA-related genetic testing and counseling for those women. Local Events
Wednesday, February 12, 8am: Wellspan Good Samaritan-Go Red Event Friday, February 14-15: CLA President’s Day Cherry Pie Sale Sunday, February 9, 9am-5pm: Wilderness First Aid Wednesday, February 12, 6:30pm: Allegheny Woodrats Seminar Saturday, February 1-9: The Great American Outdoor Show Saturday, February 12, 6pm-7:30pm: Youth Vaping Parent Presentation
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