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In this Update:
Shapiro Presents Unrealistic Spending Plan
Senate Republicans will closely examine Gov. Josh Shapiro’s 2025-26 budget plan during the next several months to find improvements that will ensure greater long-term fiscal stability for the commonwealth. The $51.5 billion budget proposal Shapiro debuted today will increase state spending by $3.6 billion, an increase of 7.5% over the current year’s budget. During the next five years, Shapiro’s spending plans will leave a $27.3 billion hole in the state’s finances. The governor’s unrealistic revenue predictions, and wildly inaccurate future expenditure projections, will 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. 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 will impact their household budgets, grid reliability or the state’s finances. While Gov. Shapiro’s budget proposal is mostly unrealistic, I was encouraged when he highlighted our state’s shortage of health care professionals. He touted my legislation to afford nurse practitioners full practice authority to increase access to much needed quality medical care. My Senate Bill 25 would allow qualified certified registered nurse practitioners (CRNPs) to practice primary health care within their scope of practice independent of a physician after fulfilling a three-year, 3,600-hour collaborative agreement with a physician. Current law requires nurse practitioners to practice under two collaborative agreements at all times. Twenty-seven states, the District of Columbia, and VAs across America already allow for full practice authority. In the weeks ahead, the Senate Appropriations Committee will hold a series of 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. Save Women’s Sports Act
A group of female Republican senators introduced legislation – the Save Women’s Sports Act – barring men from competing in women’s sports and ensuring that women’s athletics are protected. Senate Bill 9 would ensure that school athletic teams designated for women are exclusively for biological females. By maintaining separate, sex-specific teams, the bill protects athletic opportunities for women while upholding the intent of Title IX, which was established to eliminate discrimination and ensure equal access to sports for female athletes. This week on National Girls and Women in Sports Day, President Donald Trump signed the Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports executive order. This action reinforces the importance of fairness and equal opportunity in women’s and girls’ athletics. The executive order was absolutely a triumph for women and girls all over our great country. However, because executive orders can be changed or eliminated at any time – especially when a new president takes office – my colleagues and I remain dedicated to pursuing the permanency of incorporating the change into Pennsylvania law. In recent years, there has been an increasing intrusion of men into women’s sports, resulting in the loss of scholarships, podium placements and precious opportunity for young girls nationwide. For example, Lia Thomas infamously won gold in the 2022 NCAA swimming championship, stealing the gold from the female swimmers who had sacrificed years of their lives for such an opportunity. Since 2020 in Pennsylvania, female athletes have lost medals or placements 66 times across track, swimming, fencing and more. The legislation is currently in the Senate Education Committee. Upon passage in the Senate, like it did in the 2021-22 session as Senate Bill 1191, it would move to the House of Representatives for their consideration. Focus on the 46th
This week I visited the new North Franklin Township municipal building on Franklin Farms Road and it is really wonderful. After receiving a tour of the new facility, I was pleased to present township officials with a $351,900 grant check from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Community Conservation Partnership Program. This funding will be used to help develop Waterside Park, which is 89 acres of greenspace, including two reservoirs and a section of Chartiers Creek. Plans include fishing spots, pickleball courts, multiple trails, a kayak launch, and playgrounds. A lovely part of the project that is already underway is renovation of the township’s historical Water Filter Building across the parking lot from the municipal building. Once completed, this will serve as a year-round community space. Pictured with me from left to right is Bob Sabot [Board of Supervisors Chair], Erin Dinch [Director of Planning and Development], and Mike Quinn [Board of Supervisors]
Congratulations to the North Strabane Township Fire Department in Washington County for receiving a $200,000 low-interest loan via the State Fire & EMS Loan Assistance Program administered by the Pennsylvania Office of the State Fire Commissioner. The loan will be used towards purchasing a 2013 Toyne Spartan pumper fire truck. This program provides fire and EMS companies loans for the purpose of purchasing and modernizing apparatus, facilities, and equipment. Senate Supports Bill to Combat High Egg Prices, HPAI
In response to recent outbreaks of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) and skyrocketing egg prices, the Senate passed legislation to expand the number of certified poultry technicians in Pennsylvania. It now advances to the governor to be signed into law. At the request of the state’s egg farmers, House Bill 324 would offer flexibility to farmers and their employees to test poultry for dangerous transmittable diseases that have the potential to decimate poultry flocks. This measure would equip trained technicians to more quickly detect HPAI and contain any further spread. It would also update the outdated blood testing provision to modernize and expand testing to more accurately reflect the various types of dangerous transmittable diseases of poultry. House Bill 324 would safeguard the health of poultry flocks and protect the state’s $7 billion poultry industry. 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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