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In this Update:
Senate Takes Action to Cancel Shapiro’s Heartless Budget Impasse Hostage Crisis
Funding for our counties, early education, rape and domestic violence prevention programs would continue – with no interest costs – under legislation we passed in the Senate on Oct. 8, while a state budget is finalized. Covering up to 25% of a recipient’s state budget appropriation from the previous fiscal year, Senate Bill 1040 would authorize the state treasurer to waive interest charges on loans issued during a budget impasse and help prevent additional costs for taxpayers and communities. As the state budget impasse enters its fourth month, the governor is continuing to hold funding for our most vulnerable citizens hostage in order to leverage the legislature into passing his unsustainable $51.5 billion budget plan that would irresponsibly increase state spending by $3.6 billion, an increase of 7.5% over last year’s budget. When you are heartless, like Josh Shapiro and Tom Wolf before him, it’s easy to unconscionably use vulnerable people in need as bargaining chips. When you care about people, you look for solutions like the “Bridge Loans” that Treasurer Stacy Garrity previously came up with for Head Start. Acting on an idea offered by County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania on Sept. 29, Senate Bill 1040 builds on the Treasurer’s success by providing a similar loan-interest safety net to other eligible government entities and independent agencies caring for the citizens we serve. While we are stuck dealing with this impasse, this measure that strikes the perfect balance between compassion and fiscally responsible common sense is the smartest way to overstep the roadblocks that have been repeatedly thrown in front of us in trying to get the state budget done. I commend Senate Republican leadership for introducing and rapidly advancing this legislation to implement loan interest forgiveness for counties, rape and domestic violence services and Head Start. Senate Bill 1040 is now awaiting consideration in the House of Representatives. While the governor’s consumed with confiscating more money from our pockets to bailout Philly/SEPTA and House Democrats seem only to be interested in criminalizing our God-given right to possess firearms, I am pleased to report that Treasurer Garrity and Senate Republicans care deeply enough to come up with real solutions to end Shapiro’s heartless budget impasse hostage crisis. Bucktail Students Nominate Hynerpeton for PA State Fossil
Last Tuesday, as Chairman of the Senate State Government Committee, I convened a voting meeting to successfully advance legislation—brought to my attention by a very ambitious group of Bucktail High School students—which I introduced to officially change Pennsylvania’s state fossil to the Hynerpeton Bassetti (Senate Bill 829). Cleverly nicknamed Harry the Hynerpeton—as an actual costumed mascot created by Bucktail High School Ecology Club members—the Hynerpeton Bassetti was a powerful four-limbed, pre-historic creature that was described as a “fish with fingers.” Its appearance resembled a large salamander, with fins that had protruding fingers coming from them. In 1993, paleontologists Ted Daeschler and Neil Schubin were working on an archaeological dig at the Red Hill fossil site along Route 120, not far from North Bend and Hyner Run State Park (northern Clinton County), when they discovered the fossilized shoulder girdle of a previously unknown creature, that they named Hynerpeton.
I congratulate all the dedicated Bucktail High School students who have worked together to get this landmark legislation—recognizing a milestone achievement in local archaeology and a fossil that is exclusively unique to Pennsylvania— “teed up” for future consideration on the floor of the Pennsylvania Senate. I look forward to welcoming and cheering on each of these students, and especially, Harry the Hynerpeton, when they come to the PA Capitol to make even more history in the very near future. Read more here. Standing Up for PA Taxpayers
With the state budget more than 100 days overdue, we are continuing to push for a responsible budget that respects taxpayers and will not lead to massive tax increases just a year or two from now. Unfortunately, Democrats in the House of Representatives have again proposed an irresponsible plan that seeks to spend billions more than taxpayers can afford by using one-time dollars. The most prudent action for the House to take would be to immediately pass the budget approved by the Senate back on August 12 – that would get money flowing to counties, schools and social service agencies. It’s time to put people above politics. Senate Republican leaders discussed the impasse here. Ensuring U.S. and Pennsylvania Flags Are Made in America
Reflecting a growing effort to support American manufacturing, the Senate approved legislation ensuring every U.S. and Pennsylvania flag purchased by the commonwealth is made entirely in the U.S. using American materials. Senate Bill 784 requires the Pennsylvania Department of General Services to procure only flags that are both produced and constructed from materials sourced within the U.S. Each flag must also carry a label reading “Made in America.” The measure not only promotes American-made products within state procurement practices, it prevents the use of taxpayer dollars to purchase flags from nations that do not share the values of Pennsylvania citizens. The bill was sent to the House of Representatives for consideration. Examining the Use of AI in Education and Workforce Development
The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the classroom and how schools are adapting programs to prepare students for changing workforce demands were the topics of a public hearing held by the Senate Education Committee and the Senate Communications and Technology Committee. The joint panel heard from educators as well as workforce development and policy experts who discussed the need to embrace AI responsibly, in a manner that retains student critical thinking, ensures ethical and safe use, and prepares students to fill in-demand jobs. Hearing video and written testimony can be found on the Senate Communications and Technology Committee and Senate Education Committee websites. Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Early Detection Saves Lives
One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. But when detected at its earliest stages, the five-year survival rate for breast cancer is over 90%. The Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition turned the State Capitol East Wing Fountain pink to mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The action honors survivors, remembers those lost and encourages early detection through annual mammograms. Learn more about breast cancer and the tools available for early detection here.
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