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In this Update:
Senate Approves State Budget That Holds the Line at $47.9 Billion
For the second time this year, the Senate approved a state budget that respects taxpayers and protects the financial stability of our commonwealth while ensuring that counties, school districts and other state government partners receive needed funding. The amended budget bill, Senate Bill 160, holds the line at $47.9 billion, a responsible spending level that continues to meet the Senate Republican requirement of imposing no tax hikes on Pennsylvania families and ensuring Pennsylvania’s credit rating remains strong. Leading by example, the Senate budget plan includes a 5% cut in spending for the General Assembly, reflecting the Senate Republican priority of right-sizing legislative spending. It’s past time for the House of Representatives to follow suit and bring this impasse to an end. It’s Time to Fix Pennsylvania’s Broken Education Funding System
Pennsylvania’s current school funding system is both unfair and unsustainable. Depending on where you live, most school funding comes from local property taxes. Here in South Central Pennsylvania, about 70% of school funding is generated locally, while some districts across the state receive as little as 20% from local taxes and rely on state aid for the remaining 80%. This imbalance stems largely from the outdated “Hold Harmless” policy, which guarantees school districts never receive less state funding than the previous year, even when enrollment declines. As a result, growing districts are shortchanged while shrinking ones continue to receive more than their fair share. The consequences are clear: property taxes have risen sharply in many communities, making homeownership harder for families and forcing some seniors out of their homes. That’s why Rep. Wendy Fink and I introduced the School Property Tax Elimination Act. Our proposal would eliminate school property taxes and replace them with a modest increase in the personal income tax (1.88%) and sales and use tax (2%). This approach creates a fairer system based on an individual’s ability to pay, not the value of their home. If you’d like to learn more, please join us at our upcoming town hall: Nov. 20, 6 p.m. It’s time to modernize school funding, eliminate property taxes, and create a fairer, more sustainable system for all Pennsylvanians. Senate Again Acts to Repeal RGGI Electricity Tax
Bipartisan legislation preventing a new electricity tax by repealing Pennsylvania’s participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) was approved by the Senate. RGGI, a multi-state compact, would increase electricity rates on families and employers, cut energy and manufacturing jobs and cause Pennsylvania power plants to close. Senate Bill 1068 formally repeals 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 governor. The Commonwealth Court has ruled that RGGI is a tax and cannot be implemented without legislative approval. However, the governor appealed the decision to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. His action has deepened concerns about energy grid reliability and affordability, prolonged uncertainty for workers and businesses across the commonwealth – and caused electricity prices to go up for hardworking families. The bill was sent to the House of Representatives for consideration. Today is the Deadline to Apply to Vote by Mail in the Nov. 4 Election
If you plan on voting by mail in the Nov. 4 election, your application for a ballot must be received by your county election office by 5 p.m., today (Tues., Oct. 28). To make today’s deadline, you can apply online or at your county election office. Find details for each along with other useful information here. Military or overseas civilian voters can find information here on how to obtain a mail ballot. County election offices must receive completed mail ballots by 8 p.m., Nov. 4. Auditor General’s Activity Book Contest Accepting Submissions
Pennsylvania students in grades K-12 are invited to help the state Auditor General’s office design the cover of its new Be Money $mart activity book. The book will include coloring pages, word searches, word scrambles, crosswords and budgeting sheets – all focused on financial literacy. The deadline to submit a design online is Oct. 31. The winner’s artwork will be featured on the cover of the new activity book and recognized at the PA Farm Show, and will win their school a visit from Auditor General Tim DeFoor. The activity book will be distributed statewide through libraries, YMCAs and credit unions. PennDOT Roadwork Schedules for Cumberland and York Counties
As we enter the winter months, PennDOT no longer sends weekly roadwork schedules. Instead, we will share PennDOT news releases about specific construction projects planned in our senatorial district. These updates are provided sporadically based on project timelines, so the information at this link may not change weekly. Please note that it may not include every construction project or be fully accurate. We hope these updates help you avoid delays and make your travel easier.
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