|
|||
|
In this Update:
Collaborating to Build a Vision for Penn State York
I recently participated in a workshop to explore future opportunities for the Penn State York campus. The session provided an overview of the master site development plan process and next steps and shared insights on existing conditions and benchmarking examples. Participants engaged in structured discussions and exercises to identify opportunities, priorities and guiding ideas. Collaborative efforts like this help ensure community stakeholders have a seat at the table to guide the future of this community asset. Zero-Based Budgeting: A Smarter Way Forward for Pennsylvania
To ensure every dollar of taxpayer money is spent wisely, I helped advance zero-based budgeting legislation in Pennsylvania — sponsoring it in the House and co-sponsoring it in the Senate. This approach requires state agencies to justify all expenditures from the ground up each year, eliminating automatic rollovers and reducing waste. Pennsylvania’s 2025-26 budget exceeded revenue by nearly $5 billion, a level of overspending that is unsustainable and puts undue pressure on taxpayers. As Gov. Josh Shapiro unveils his 2026-27 budget today, it is vital the state adopts a responsible spending plan that prioritizes Pennsylvanians, protects taxpayer dollars and avoids unnecessary tax increases. Fluoride Choice Act Puts Families in Control
Recent research has raised serious questions about the safety and necessity of fluoride in drinking water. A 2024 JAMA Pediatrics study linked higher fluoride exposure to lower IQ scores in children. Additionally, a federal court ruling in California found that certain fluoride levels may pose an “unreasonable risk” to children’s cognitive development, prompting the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to launch a comprehensive review. The EPA’s assessment will rely on current scientific data, include expert and public input, and guide potential updates to federal regulations to protect future generations. In response to these findings, I introduced the Fluoride Choice Act. The legislation allows Pennsylvanians to decide whether fluoride is added to their water, giving families the power to make informed choices and prioritizing the health and well-being of children. Hearing Explores AI’s Impact on Pennsylvania’s Biotech Sector
How Pennsylvania can become a leader in harnessing AI to improve lives, fuel the economy and build a sustainable future was the topic of a recent hearing by the Senate Communications and Technology Committee and the Senate Institutional Sustainability and Innovation Committee. In biotechnology, AI is accelerating research timelines, improving drug development, optimizing supply chains and expanding the frontiers of what’s possible in medical and agricultural science. Pennsylvania has roughly 3,000 life science companies with a $61 billion direct economic impact. The hearing, held at Merck & Co. in Montgomery County, heard from representatives of Merck, Johnson & Johnson, the University of Pennsylvania and Carnegie Mellon University, a biotech nonprofit, a health care technology firm and a neuroscientist start-up, among others. You can view the hearing and read testimony here. Keeping Construction Jobs Local
Legislation to boost the hiring of local workers for public works projects was the topic of a hearing held by the Senate Labor and Industry Committee. Senate Bill 1076 is modeled after existing local hire programs in West Virginia, Montana and Illinois, and specifies at least half of workers on state and local projects exceeding $500,000 must be residents of Pennsylvania or a neighboring county. Contractors can seek a waiver if they’re unable to secure local workers even after utilizing a local PA CareerLink® office for recruitment. Testifiers included representatives of local building trades, contractor associations and others. They discussed how a local hire requirement could help address the skilled trade shortage, save taxpayer dollars, promote accountability within the construction industry and more. You can find video of the hearing here. Highlighting Girls & Women in Sports Day
Girls and Women in Sports Day, celebrated Feb. 4, is a powerful reminder of how far women’s athletics have come and why protecting fairness in competition matters. That’s why I co-sponsored the Save Women’s Sports Act (Senate Bill 9), which safeguards the integrity of women’s sports by designating teams as male, female or coed, ensuring biological female athletes have a level playing field. It also allows high school and college female students to take legal action if their rights are violated. The bill passed the Senate in May 2025 and now awaits consideration in the House. I would encourage you to watch my interview with Paula Scanlan, a University of Pennsylvania graduate and Title IX advocate whose experience competing and sharing women’s facilities with a biological male highlights what’s at stake for female athletes. Watch the interview here. PennDOT Roadwork Schedules for Cumberland and York Counties
As we move into the winter months, PennDOT road work schedules are released less frequently. To ensure you stay informed, we will share PennDOT news releases about specific construction projects planned in our senatorial district. Because these updates are issued based on project timelines, the information at the link may not change each week, and it may not include every project or reflect the latest conditions. We hope these updates help you plan ahead, avoid delays and travel safely throughout the season. |
|||
|
|||
Want to change how you receive these emails? 2026 © Senate of Pennsylvania | https://senatorkeefer.com | Privacy Policy |
