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In this Update:
Revealed: Fantasy and Reality of Shapiro’s Budget Proposal
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. Let’s be crystal clear: this type of reckless spending is not only unrealistic but also unsustainable. It places additional burdens on hard-working citizens who are already grappling with the consequences of Shapiro’s erratic energy policies. The governor’s budget plan did not include any new revenues or expenditures related to his new “Lightning” energy plan, leaving Pennsylvanians in the dark about how it would impact their household budgets, grid reliability or the state’s finances. Learn more about my response to Shapiro’s budget address, which is only the first step in the process. In the weeks ahead, the Senate Appropriations Committee will hold 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. Preventing Institutions from Using State Funds for Painful Animal Testing
This week, I was pleased to be surrounded by these amazing dogs and fellow animal advocates! I plan to introduce legislation that would prevent institutions from using state funds to support painful experiments on dogs and cats, as defined by the United States Department of Agriculture. Read the co-sponsorship memo here. Together, we can make a difference for animal rights! Brig. Gen. John Pippy Has My Vote to Serve as the Adjutant General
The Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee this week unanimously advanced the nomination of Brig. Gen. John R. Pippy to serve as the adjutant general of the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. Pippy’s nomination now heads to the full Senate for further consideration. On Sept. 30, 2024, Gov. Josh Shapiro named Gen. Pippy as the acting adjutant general and nominated him to serve in this position, which oversees 18,000 Pennsylvania National Guard members and a complement of 2,500 state employees. He is responsible for overseeing the six state-owned veteran homes and programs providing services to more than 700,000 veterans (fourth highest in the nation), as well as the Keystone Youth Challenge Academy for at-risk youth. Read more about his impressive experience that benefits the commonwealth. The Pennsylvania National Guard is third largest in the nation and has had a storied history. I commend Gen. Pippy for his years of service to Pennsylvania and the nation. I have already worked with him on a number of issues and look forward to his continued leadership for both those serving and for those who served. Read more about his impressive experience that benefits the commonwealth. My Bill Ensuring High Level of Care at State Veterans’ Homes Passes Senate
The Pennsylvania Senate unanimously passed Senate Bill 129, legislation I sponsored with Sen. Lisa Baker (R-20). It now heads to the House of Representatives for its consideration. The bill would enhance the oversight at Pennsylvania’s six state veterans’ homes through their advisory councils as follows:
Our state veterans’ homes deliver an incredible service – providing care to veterans and their families when they need it the most. Yet, it is important that we do our utmost that this standard of care at our veterans’ homes does not diminish. This measure would help ensure exactly that. Learn more. Protecting Pennsylvania’s Food Supply: The Food Purity Protection Act
To protect Pennsylvania families from food filled with hidden substances, I will soon introduce the Food Purity Protection Act. The bill would ensure that Pennsylvania’s food remains pure, natural and free from any unauthorized or inadvertent inclusion of vaccines or vaccine-related substances. This is not just a hypothetical scenario; it’s a growing concern as scientific advancements blur the lines between medicine and agriculture. While biotechnology has its place, our food supply should never become a testing ground for experimental medical interventions. My bill would ban the inclusion of vaccines or vaccine-related substances in food and ensure transparency so Pennsylvanians can be confident in the safety of their food. It would also prohibit the sale, storage, production, transportation or distribution of any agricultural product containing vaccine components, including livestock feed and crops. Read more about my defense of food purity. My Bill Would Protect Women, Follow the Science
To defend women’s rights, I introduced the Two Gender Protection Act that would recognize that women are biologically female and men are biologically male – and require the use of appropriate language. The bill has been referred to the Senate State Government Committee. Senate Bill 213 would mandate that Pennsylvania State Government use “sex” instead of “gender” in official communications and require that all state-issued identification documents accurately reflect a person’s biological sex as identified at birth. Single-sex spaces would be based on biological sex, rather than the socially constructed concept of “gender identity.” In addition to ensuring that privacy is honored in intimate spaces, the bill would also prevent taxpayer funds from being allocated for gender-transition health care. Learn more about my plan to respond to this significant threat to women’s safety and well-being. 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. Senate Republicans raised concerns that the governor’s overly optimistic future revenue projections and wildly inaccurate future expenditure assumptions could eliminate the state’s emergency savings (also known as the Rainy Day Fund) and create the need for a multi-billion-dollar tax increase on Pennsylvania families within a year and a half. Shapiro’s budget address is only the first step in the process. In the weeks ahead, the Senate Appropriations Committee will hold 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. 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. 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.
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