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In this Update:
Immediate Funding for Schools, Counties and Hospitals Stalled in House
On Tuesday, August 12, the Senate passed legislation to provide immediate funding for counties, school districts, hospitals, nursing homes, social service providers and other entities across the commonwealth. Senate Bill 160 fully funds these priorities for the 2025-26 budget year at the same level as last year’s funding, allowing the state to begin disbursing nearly $47.6 billion without the need for any new taxes. However, one day later, the Pennsylvania House Rules Committee voted down this critical budget funding. With Pennsylvania facing a structural deficit, we must make responsible cuts now to prevent unnecessary tax increases in the future. Negotiations between the Senate and House are ongoing, and I remain committed to a budget that safeguards taxpayers while holding the line at $47.9 billion. House Blocks Senate Transportation Plan Despite Urgent Needs
The Senate approved a plan to strengthen Pennsylvania’s mass transit systems, improve safety and increase accountability, all without impacting the state’s General Fund. Yet, despite urgent needs, the House Rules Committee blocked this proposal in a 18-15 party-line vote. House Bill 257 uses the Pennsylvania Transportation Trust Fund (PTTF) to provide Philadelphia’s mass transit authority, SEPTA with the full funding it requested. This approach responsibly addresses urgent needs for both mass transit operations and road reconstruction over the next two years without affecting any planned capital projects. You can watch my Senate floor comments on this plan here. I understand the importance of a strong and robust transportation network across our great state. Mass transit is essential for helping Pennsylvania residents get where they need to go, which is why the commonwealth already invests more than $2 billion annually in transit programs statewide. During these financially challenging times, we must think creatively and act responsibly to address our state’s transportation needs while protecting taxpayers. Let’s Talk About the Issues That Matter in PA
This past Friday, I joined The Conservative Voice to discuss pressing issues in Harrisburg, including the state budget, mass-transit funding, government overspending and increasing taxes. We talked about the challenges these issues present and the steps Senate Republicans are taking to protect taxpayers while funding key priorities. You can listen to the full interview here. Upcoming Property Tax Elimination Town Halls
Tired of rising property taxes? You’re not alone and we’re taking action. I’m working with Rep. Wendy Fink and lawmakers across Pennsylvania to push forward the Property Tax Elimination Act (Senate Bill 962), a long-overdue step toward ending property taxes for good. We’re hosting a series of Property Tax Elimination Town Halls to explain the legislation, answer your questions and hear your feedback. These events are a chance for real conversations about real solutions. Upcoming Town Halls – Wednesday, August 20 with Rep. Jamie Walsh:
Additional Dates:
If you’d like to organize a Property Tax Elimination Town Hall in your area, call my office at 717-432-1730. Let’s work together for lasting relief for homeowners across Pennsylvania. New Veterans E-Newsletter: Sign Up and Share Your Input
I’m pleased to announce the launch of a new e-newsletter created especially for the veterans of the 31st Senatorial District. This newsletter will share updates and information, but most importantly, I want it to reflect what matters to you. To help shape the content, I’m asking veterans to take a brief survey to share which topics, resources and news you’d find most helpful. If you’d like to receive the Veterans e-newsletter, you can sign up here. Thank you for your service and thank you in advance for helping us build something meaningful and useful for our veteran community. Public Hearing Examines Data Centers Development in Pennsylvania
As the development of new data centers accelerates across Pennsylvania, the Senate Majority Policy Committee held a public hearing to review the potential impacts for communities and the economy. The hearing brought together economic development organizations, utilities, environmental commissions, municipal associations and other groups for a discussion on the benefits and drawbacks of establishing data centers. Some testifiers discussed the increased local tax revenue these centers would bring, boosting support for schools and fire departments. Others addressed two widely cited concerns with operating data centers – the demands on local electrical grids and watersheds. You can find a hearing summary, testimony and video here. Help PA Celebrate Your Barn
The Pennsylvania State Historic Preservation Office invites you to contribute to the effort of documenting and celebrating the barns that define our state’s rural traditions. Barns represent the agricultural heritage, craftsmanship and local pride found throughout the commonwealth. You can go here to find out how to submit your photos and background information and have your barn added to the Pennsylvania Inventory of Historic Places. PennDOT Roadwork Schedules for Cumberland and York Counties
To help you stay informed and plan your travels, I will be sharing weekly updates on PennDOT’s roadwork schedules for Cumberland and York counties. This information comes directly from PennDOT but may not include every roadwork project or be completely accurate. Updates will be posted every Friday as long as PennDOT provides the information. There may be weeks when no new details are shared. I hope these updates help you avoid delays and make your travel easier.
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