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In this Update:
Senate Finishes Review of Shapiro’s Massive Spending Proposal
The Senate Appropriations Committee concluded the third week of its examination of Gov. Josh Shapiro’s budget proposal, which totals $51.5 billion and would increase state spending by 7.5% over the current year’s budget. Despite a huge increase overall, Shapiro proposes cutting important initiatives that serve Pennsylvanians and the employers that provide their jobs. The Department of Agriculture hearing focused on Avian Influenza, including its threat to the state economy and the effect it has already had on egg prices. Despite these serious problems, Shapiro proposed cutting the funding for programs to fight Avian Influenza by $25 million. The governor’s proposed cuts to agriculture threaten a top industry in Pennsylvania that supports more than 593,000 jobs. The committee discussed another shocking decision by Shapiro at the Department of Community and Economic Development hearing. He wants to cut $15 million earmarked for highly successful workforce development programs. The programs meet the needs of Pennsylvanians and prepare them to fill roles for in-demand industries. Making cuts that impact the ability of people to secure family-sustaining jobs and contribute to our economy doesn’t make sense. During the Department of Corrections and Pennsylvania Parole Board hearing, committee members discussed the financial impacts of prison closures. The Shapiro Administration wants to close two prisons and two community corrections centers. Yet, Shapiro still wants to increase overall spending for the state correctional institution system by $143 million to a total of $3.3 billion. Then, he uses completely unrealistic spending estimates and claims there won’t be any increases for the next four budget years. It’s his attempt to make it look like his budget balances for the next four years – nothing more than a budget gimmick that masks the true challenges in the years ahead. The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) and Office of the State Fire Commissioner hearing highlighted Shapiro’s poor budget projections for PEMA. His budget would slash funding for the agency by nearly $13.5 million, a reduction of 29%. Among the proposed cuts was the elimination of $6 million for Urban Search and Rescue, an initiative the governor just signed into law in October 2024. At the Department of Human Services (DHS) hearing, committee members shared concerns about Shapiro’s plan to increase DHS spending by approximately $2 billion, a jump of more than 10% compared to this budget year. In addition to the rapid growth of the department, discussion also covered excessive Medicaid expenses for GLP-1 medications like Ozempic for weight loss and a waiver that allows able-bodied Pennsylvanians without dependents to receive food assistance without meeting work requirements. At the hearing for the Budget Secretary and Executive Offices, members highlighted the Shapiro Administration’s unrealistic new revenues; suppression of future human services and education costs; and overstatement of baseline revenue growth. Using realistic projections for revenue and expenditures, Shapiro’s budget would eliminate the state’s $3 billion fund balance and take an additional $1.6 billion from the state’s emergency savings, also known as the Rainy Day Fund. Having completed the official review of Shapiro’s budget proposal, the Senate will use its findings from the hearings to craft its own spending plan, with the goal of enacting a final 2025-26 state budget. Find video and recaps of every budget hearing at PASenateGOP.com. Focus on the 46th
State grants totaling $700,000 for road improvements have been awarded to the 46th District through the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA). The Greene County Commissioners will receive $350,000 for the Progress Avenue Redevelopment Project. It will offset costs for offsite traffic improvements on State Route 21 in Franklin Township. As part of the Paving the Path to Economic Prosperity Project, Greene County will bring the county’s first Chipotle and its second Starbucks. These widely recognizable name brands will draw travelers to the project site across from the current Greene County Airport. Increased traffic to the site necessitates offsite traffic improvements that are part of the Progress Avenue Redevelopment Project. The grant will help to prepare the site for construction, make the appropriate offsite improvements and complete geotechnical, environmental, engineering and architecture work. Hopewell Township will receive $350,000 for road stabilization of a landslide on Cherry Road in Washington County. Funding will be used to reconstruct and restore the roadway. The township will install a soil nail and reinforced shotcrete wall approximately 53 feet in length along the outboard slope of the road. The grants were awarded by the CFA through its Multimodal Transportation Fund, which supports projects that ensure a safe and reliable system of transportation for Pennsylvania residents.
Recently I visited wonderful Center Township in Greene County to meet with (pictured left to right) Paul Cook, Supervisor; Dan Stoneking, Supervisor; Harry Gillispie, Supervisor; and Dawn Horr, Secretary/Treasurer – and celebrate their state funding that will in part deliver $850,000 for a sanitary sewer extension project. This will improve the community by lowering the cost for an infrastructure project that is quite expensive. The $100,000 from DCNR’s Community Conservation Partnership Program will rehabilitate Center Township Community Park located off of State Route 21. Congratulations.
It was wonderful catching up with David Jones, Executive Director of the Greene County Health & Wellness Foundation (GCHWF). David and the GCHWF Board of Directors do a wonderful job supporting community organizations that reach the underserved. One of their biggest projects is the amazing 60,000-square-foot EQT Rec Center located just off of I79, east of Waynesburg. Everyone should be utilizing this fantastic facility and all of the programs they offer! Visit their Facebook page or you can go to their website to sign up for a membership by clicking this link. Beware: Rise in Scams Involving Bitcoin ATMs
Attorney General Dave Sunday is warning Pennsylvanians that scammers are now using Bitcoin ATMs, or “BTMs,” to gain access to other people’s money. This scam starts with messages that sound urgent, like “protect your money” or “take care of any criminal charges.” Unsuspecting consumers may also be persuaded to act because scammers have personal information, such as their bank or financial situation. After coercing a consumer into making large cash withdrawals, the cyber criminals tell the consumer to deposit the funds into a BTM. Following that deposit, the criminals ask the consumer to scan and send a QR code, which gives the criminal access to the funds. It also, in most cases, makes it impossible to get the money back. Financial scams typically start with a telephone call, text message, email, social media message or an alert on your computer. Avoid falling prey by never responding directly to unexpected calls or withdrawing cash in response to an unexpected call or message. Learn more ways to protect yourself from scammers. Open Now: PennDOT Survey About Your Transportation Needs
Motorists are encouraged to share feedback regarding their transportation needs and concerns with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) via its Transportation Survey before April 30. Responses will impact the 12-Year Program, which lists statewide planned projects and assigns funding to them. You may also call 717-783-2262 to request a paper copy or to complete the survey over the phone. Before filling out the survey, you may wish to review the 2025 Transportation Performance Report. Recently released by the State Transportation Commission (STC), the report contains information about how Pennsylvania’s transportation system performed in the last two years. There will also be an online public forum on Thursday, April 10, featuring a presentation from Secretary of Transportation Michael Carroll, as well as a live question-and-answer session with PennDOT personnel and STC members. Register for the forum and submit your transportation questions for the Q&A session by filling out the registration form or emailing them to RA-PennDOTSTC@pa.gov. New Recommendations for PA Poultry Producers to Prevent Spread of HPAI The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture has issued new recommendations for poultry producers to combat the spread of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). The department is recommending heightened biosecurity focusing on preventing contact of poultry with wild birds and dairy cattle. It also recommends maintaining poultry indoors if possible during this period of heightened risk. HPAI has been circulating in the wild bird population in the United States and was identified in commercial poultry in early 2022. In addition, 17 new cases have been confirmed in dairy herds in four states in the past 30 days. No cases have been reported in PA dairies to date. Poultry producers can find more information and contacts for assistance here. Daylight Saving Time Begins This Weekend
Daylight Saving Time begins this Sunday, March 9, at 2 a.m. While cell phone and computer clocks usually change automatically, most people move their standard clocks and appliances ahead one hour on Saturday night. It’s also a good time to check smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. If the devices are more than a decade old, experts suggest upgrading to 10-year, sealed battery alarms. They don’t require any battery replacement throughout their lifetime. However, it’s still a good idea to press the test button on the alarms at least once a month. Find more tips here.
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