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In this Update:
Fiscally Responsible PA Budget? Just saying it doesn’t make it so!
“Just saying it doesn’t make it so!” Gov. Shapiro’s latest budget plan promises everything but does absolutely nothing to address the Commonwealth’s multi-billion structural deficit. The process of enacting a state budget for fiscal year 2026-27 began LAST Tuesday, and one thing is certain: The $53.3 billion plan presented by Gov. Josh Shapiro would require deficit spending. Shapiro’s proposal would increase state spending by $2.7 billion, a 5.4% increase – which would set up the commonwealth for massive tax increases in the future. In fact, Senate Republicans’ work to limit spending increases and enact pro-growth policies over the past three years was the reason the governor’s budget did not include a broad-based tax increase last year. At our Capitol news conference last week, we took a stand and emphasized our ongoing commitment to protecting Pennsylvania families and taxpayers. My Senate colleagues and I will be working to reduce spending and produce a fiscally responsible 2026-27 state budget, starting with in-depth public hearings by the Senate Appropriations Committee, beginning Feb. 23. Surviving PA’s Rural Health Care Desert
With five of the seven counties I serve being declared a “maternity care desert,” preserving and expanding rural health care access is of paramount importance to me. Pennsylvania is now leading the nation in hospital closures. According to a recent report issued by the Center for Rural Pennsylvania there are currently only 75 hospitals across the Commonwealth still offering labor and delivery services. Rescuing Rural Health Care In the Mission Report Podcast preview clip above, Janice Walters, CEO of the national non-profit Rural Health Redesign Center and I discuss why fixing everything that’s broken due to this “man-made crisis” is not a Democrat or Republican issue, but quite literally a matter of life or death which requires both short-term and long-term solutions. Additional thought-provoking, podcast discussion topics include:
Visit SenatorDush.com any time for exclusive access to every complete episode of the Mission Report Podcast, including my featured conversation with PA Treasurer Stacy Garrity. You can also subscribe and watch on my YouTube channel or listen any time on Spotify. 2026 Adult Trout Stocking Schedule Available
Looking forward to trout season? The 2026 adult trout stocking schedule is now available online from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. It’s searchable by county, lists the waterways in alphabetical order, and indicates stocking dates, meeting locations for volunteers and the species of trout that are planned to be stocked at each location. In 2026, Pennsylvania’s statewide Opening Day of Trout Season will be held on Saturday, April 4. A single, statewide Mentored Youth Trout Day will take place on Saturday, March 28. The commission will stock approximately 3.2 million adult trout in 684 streams and 130 lakes open to public angling, about the same number as previously. Grants to Help Preserve History Ahead of America’s 250th
Communities across our district can apply now for state grants to help preserve historic places, strengthen local revitalization efforts and prepare for the nation’s 250th anniversary this year. The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission will award Keystone Historic Preservation Grants to support projects that identify, preserve, promote and protect historic and archaeological resources. This year’s program prioritizes projects that align with the themes of America250, ensuring Pennsylvania’s rich history is preserved as the nation marks its semiquincentennial. More information is available at Keystone Planning Projects and Keystone Constructions Projects. Career and Technical Education Month
Career and technical education (CTE) prepares students to enter high-demand fields, including health care, manufacturing, public safety, information technology, skilled trades and more. More than 75,000 Pennsylvania students are enrolled in CTE, where they can develop essential skills through a combination of classes and hands-on learning, allowing them to apply academics to real-world problems. Career and Technical Education Month shines a spotlight on the importance of CTE programs, the opportunities they provide in crucial fields and their role in making the commonwealth more economically competitive and a place where young Pennsylvanians can settle and prosper.
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