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In this Update:
Senate Wraps Up First Week of Budget Hearings
During Gov. Josh Shapiro’s annual budget address, he looked straight at Republican lawmakers and said, “Just because you say it, doesn’t make it so.” Over the past week, I participated in Senate Appropriations Committee state budget hearings, where I raised key concerns about the governor’s proposed $53.5 billion spending plan, which would increase state spending by more than $2.7 billion (5.4%) more than the current budget. That rate of deficit spending growth would ultimately take more money out of the pockets of taxpayers at a time when many Pennsylvania families are still dealing with the affordability crisis caused by Biden-era inflation. Last Wednesday, Senate Republican committee members zeroed in on containing the growing cost of Medicaid and other entitlement programs and how to identify and eliminate fraud during the hearing with the Department of Human Services, the highest-spending agency in the state budget. The department is requesting a 6.6% increase for 2026-27. Strategic planning for the future is the key to effective budgetary planning. This principle is clearly established by Article 8, Section 12 of the Pennsylvania Constitution which requires the governor and his agencies to provide a financial plan for not less than the next succeeding five years in fiscal years. These financial plans shall include projected expenditures for capital projects, specifically itemized by purpose and the proposed sources of financing. Every year since I’ve been on the Senate Republican Appropriations Committee, we have asked each agency to show those projections. Based on the video highlights below, every year, we get frustrating excuses and standard “I Don’t Know” responses about why these projections cannot be provided such as “we are flat funded” and the “gist of your question is best addressed” by the budget secretary: Under the governor’s proposed budget, spending for the Department of Environmental Protection would increase by more than $54 million to more than $291 million, $36 million of which is a result of general fund transfers to the Well Plugging Account and the Hazardous Sites Cleanup Fund.
Click here to find recaps of every Senate budget hearing, plus video and a schedule of remaining hearings, which run through March 5. You can also follow along on my home page, YouTube channel, Facebook.com/SenatorCrisDushPA and Linkedin.com/in/SenatorCrisDush. Rescuing Bradford Regional Medical Center
Without question, the most promising development in the aftermath of last week’s budget hearing with the Department of Human Services, was Thursday’s announcement that Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) is negotiating with Kaleida Health to acquire Bradford Regional Medical Center (BRMC). My full statement is below: I’m aware of what LECOM is working toward helping Bradford keep its hospital and The Pavilion skilled nursing facility. Those efforts are critical although I am concerned that, for now, emergency services are not a part of the plan. One of the benefits of communities like Bradford are its community leaders, organizations, businesses as well as state and federal legislators who are willing to work together to come up with a solution on that front. Given our experiences with Kaleida, I’m hesitant to express my thoughts on what the final agreement will be. That stated, the experiences I’ve had since taking office gives me confidence that there is a commitment throughout the Bradford area to restore a vibrant hospital for Bradford and surrounding communities. I’m committed to doing whatever is in my authority to do in partnering with all of them. Watch: https://senatordush.com/2026/02/25/budget-hearing-qa-human-services-part-2-2/ Read more: Lexcom to Acquire BRMC Campus, Skilled Nursing Facility Why I Support the One Big Beautiful Bill Experience PA Elk Country with Nationally Recognized Distance Learning Opportunity
The geographic and funding constraints that many of our school districts are now facing often limit students and their families from experiencing the Elk Country Visitor Center’s outstanding educational programs, in person. Fortunately, our friends at the Keystone Elk County Alliance’s (KECA) Conservation Education Department established a comprehensive, hands-on Distance Learning program in 2013. This multi-sensory learning experience fully meets PA State Academic Standards and blends seamlessly into classroom curriculum. KECA Conservation Education staff members teach live via online video conferencing and green screen technology. Video conferencing programs such as ZOOM, require a computer or laptop with an internal or external webcam, a microphone, or speaker, and an active internet connection. Best of all, this distance learning opportunity can be adapted for ANY AGE and covers elk history, elk ecology, and the current status of the PA elk herd as well as many other topics. Additionally, the KECA Conservation Education Department ships a trunk that contains a pelt, antler, jaw, skull and hoof of an elk, as well as other animal parts and lesson plans to participating schools approximately one week in advance. KECA also takes care of all the shipping costs thanks to their generous sponsors. Again, this Distance Learning program is great for “students” of all ages, as KECA has presented this completely interactive curriculum to boy scouts, girl scouts, sportsmen’s clubs, libraries, civic groups, home school groups and assisted living facilities! Reaching thousands of students in all 67 PA counties as well as 19 other states, including this outstanding instructor testimonial from a southwestern Pennsylvania science teacher: “This winter, Keystone Elk Country Alliance provided a distance learning Zoom session for my classes. Before the meeting, they sent a box of materials, including an elk skull, hide, and antlers. I was very impressed with the knowledge of the presenters, as well as their ability to make the experience engaging and hands-on. This is truly an amazing organization, and the best part was that the entire program was offered free of charge!” To organize your PA Elk Herd distance learning opportunity, please contact KECA’s Conservation Education Department via email at ConEd@KECAUS.com or phone at 814-787-5173. To learn more about the Conservation Education Department visit https://experienceelkcountry.com/education/distance-learning/. Hearing Explores Ideas to Combat State Housing Crisis
Efforts to make housing more attainable for working families were reviewed during a Senate hearing with local government officials, housing advocates, builders and developers. The Senate Majority Policy Committee heard how housing shortages drive up costs for Pennsylvanian families and stall economic growth. Among the solutions explored were infrastructure partnership programs to help lower upfront development costs, state tax credits, development incentives and bond financing specifically targeted to middle-income housing development, and more. Forming a robust strategy to increase housing supply, lower costs and stimulate economic activity is a key focus for the Senate this year. Video of the full hearing and written testimony can be viewed here. Record-Breaking Unclaimed Property Returns to PA Residents
Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity announced that the Pennsylvania Treasury Department returned more unclaimed property in 2025 than ever before: $334.1 million. Unclaimed property can include dormant bank accounts, abandoned stocks, uncashed checks, and more. Property is always available for the rightful owner to claim. Tangible property – often the contents of forgotten safe deposit boxes – may be auctioned after three years, but proceeds remain available to claim perpetuity. Among the reasons for the record property returns was the General Assembly’s passage of a law that allows Treasury to automatically return unclaimed property valued up to $500. In the program’s first year, nearly $50 million was returned this way. To see if any unclaimed property is available for you, visit patreasury.gov/unclaimed-property.
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