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In this Update:
State Budget Update: We Need To Get This Right
The PA Senate reconvened for session in Harrisburg this week. Standing up for families and protecting taxpayers remains the focus of Senate Republicans as our work to complete the 2025-26 budget continues. Better aligning revenues with expenditures remains our top priority. The biggest sticking point at the negotiating table remains closing Pennsylvania’s $3 billion structural deficit that could double to $6 billion if spending is left to grow unchecked—all of which the governor still refuses to publicly acknowledge or compromise on. Unfortunately, his accomplices in the one-seat, PA House Democrat majority are still unanimously supporting the governor’s Billions in unsustainable spending proposals—including chauffeuring another state government bailout of the South East Pennsylvania Transit Authority (SEPTA) to the tune of about $350 Million. Unlike the federal government, the state cannot print money and we need to have some serious discussions to address how Pennsylvania’s entire government is going to be funded moving forward. Again, please keep all of us who are working on these issues, Democrats and Republicans, in your prayers. We need to get this right! Kinzua Bridge Skywalk Reopening for Fall Foliage Viewing Season
The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) announced this week that the Skywalk at Kinzua Bridge State Park will temporarily reopen, beginning Aug. 8, giving visitors a chance to experience breathtaking views of the Kinzua Valley during peak leaf-peeping season. The park’s world-class, interactive visitor center and PA Wilds Conservation Gift Shop remain open year-round, while the Skywalk and Kinzua Creek Trail have been closed for ongoing viaduct rehabilitation. For fall leaf viewing season, the Skywalk and trail are scheduled to open from Aug. 8 through Oct. 31, 2025. After that, both areas will close again so contractors can resume work on the structure. A second temporary reopening is already planned for Fall 2026. Kinzua Bridge State Park offers visitors a unique opportunity to walk out and peer down for stunning views of the Kinzua Valley on a viaduct that was reimagined as a skywalk after being partially toppled by a tornado. Fall is the park’s busiest season, and parking fills quickly—especially on weekends. Visitors are encouraged to come midweek and arrive early. Once parking capacity is reached, no additional vehicles will be allowed in, and roadside parking is prohibited unless posted otherwise for safety. Expanding Access to Lifesaving Naloxone, Making Prescription Drug Costs More Transparent Legislation has been signed into law to give EMS personnel permanent authority to leave behind naloxone, commonly known as Narcan, at the scene of an overdose. This will offer families a critical tool to prevent future emergencies. Act 34 of 2025 ensures that families and caregivers are equipped to respond immediately to another overdose if needed. It also improves transparency and access within Pennsylvania’s health care system by:
New Law Will Improve Stroke Care Across PA Strokes are the fifth-leading cause of death in the U.S. Legislation passed by the Senate and signed into law aims to save lives by providing critical information to health care providers. Senate Bill 411, now Act 24 of 2025, will establish a statewide stroke registry, administered by the state Department of Health, to deliver resources to emergency medical service providers, hospital stroke teams and other health care providers to ensure high quality stroke care for patients. It includes a confidentiality clause ensuring any submitted registry data will not include an individual’s confidential or personally identifiable information. Legislation to Address Pennsylvania’s Shortage of CPAs Signed into Law
A Senate measure aimed at alleviating the growing shortage of certified public accountants (CPAs) in Pennsylvania has been signed into law, to ensure the commonwealth has enough of these professionals so critical to the everyday economy. Senate Bill 719, now Act 27 of 2025, provides an alternative pathway to CPA licensure by allowing candidates to qualify with 120 credit hours of education and two years of professional experience, rather than the current 150-credit-hour requirement and one year of experience. Candidates must still pass the CPA exam to be licensed. The new pathway is designed to reduce financial and time burdens on aspiring accountants without compromising professional standards. The law also streamlines the process for qualified out-of-state accountants to practice in Pennsylvania without obtaining a separate state certificate or permit. Watch Out for Scammers Posing as State Employees
Older Pennsylvanians are being targeted by emails from scammers posing as state employees requesting payments necessary to access a non-existent inheritance. In an incident reported to commonwealth officials, an older Pennsylvanian received an email from a generic account resembling an official state email address and claiming to be a representative of a credit union. Don’t respond or click on any links! Report any incidents like this by phone at 1-866-PAComplaint or online. July is Independent Retailer Month Independent Retailer Month reminds us to shop at independent business, appreciating their positive social and economic impact in our communities. Independent retailing can be many types of businesses. For example, a franchise store is often a local independent retail business. Please keep these employers in mind when making your purchases this month and all year.
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