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In this Update:
Key Points from This Week’s Senate Budget Hearings
Efforts to trim the governor’s $53.3 billion proposed state budget – which would spend $2.7 billion (5.4%) more than the current budget – got underway this week with Senate budget hearings. Members of the Senate Appropriations Committee focused 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 requests a 6.6% increase for 2026-27. The committee also questioned officials from the Department of General Services (DGS) and the Pennsylvania State Police about missing revenue, funding projections, cracking down on new, more sophisticated fake IDs and more. DGS seeks an 11.8% spending increase for 2026-27 and the State Police’s proposed budget is more than 9% higher than the current fiscal year. You can go here to find recaps of every budget hearing, plus video and a schedule of remaining hearings, which run through March 5. Rare Disease Day in Pennsylvania
As Co-Chairs of the Rare Disease Caucus in the Senate, Senator Maria Collett and I introduced a Senate Resolution in recognition of Rare Disease Day in Pennsylvania, this Saturday, February 28. Across our Commonwealth, approximately 1.2 million residents are living with a rare disease, or 1 in 12 individuals. Among those living with a rare disease, roughly 50% are children. This resolution marks an opportunity for a global day of recognition for individuals and families living with rare diseases. A rare disease is any disease, disorder, illness or condition affecting fewer than 200,000 people in the United States. Recent survey findings show from more than 1,200 Pennsylvanians that nearly half have waited two or more years for a diagnosis, more than 70% were not given information about patient advocacy support, and over 80% report personal financial costs related to care. Through bipartisan legislation in 2017, the Rare Disease Advisory Council was established to study incidence and status of rare diseases in Pennsylvania and serve as an advisory body to the General Assembly and state agencies. Rare Disease Day is an opportunity to recognize the resilience of the rare community and to raise awareness about the unique challenges they face. 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. Free Webinars Help Families Plan for Higher Education
For students and parents needing help with college financial aid, the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency offers free webinars on applying for aid and reviewing offers, options for non-traditional students and other important topics. Upcoming webinars include:
Check the full list here for dates and times. The page includes past webinar recordings for topics you might have missed. Share Your Thoughts with the Highway Safety Survey
Pennsylvania motorists have until Saturday to provide input on traffic safety and driving behaviors through an anonymous online survey. The aim is to understand attitudes on state Department of Transportation safety measures and reduce crashes and fatalities. The survey takes about five minutes to complete. The number of people who lost their lives on Pennsylvania highways decreased to 1,127 in 2024, the second lowest since record keeping began in 1928. While 2025 fatality data is not yet complete, preliminary numbers indicate crash fatalities have again decreased. 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. Saturday is School Bus Driver Appreciation Day
School bus drivers play a critical role in the safety and well-being of students, but shortages of these vital workers can disrupt schedules and learning. Thank you to all the men and women performing this critical task in our area. Individuals interested in becoming a school bus driver can visit the commonwealth’s Become a School Bus Driver webpage or the School Bus Hero website to learn more. Out and About in the 30th DistrictKickin’ Kater Market Ribbon Cutting The Juniata River Valley Chamber of Commerce recently held a ribbon cutting for the grand opening of the Kickin’ Kater Market & Take-Out Kafe located in downtown Lewistown.
Visit to Hollidaysburg Area Junior High School This week I had the pleasure of visiting the junior high at the Hollidaysburg Area School District alongside my colleague, Rep. Scott Barger, where we received a very warm welcome during the student breakfast period! The school is participating in the Office of the Governor of Pennsylvania’s breakfast challenge, which encourages schools to promote their daily free breakfast program and ensure students start their day ready to learn. We also had the opportunity to tour the new Tiger TV studio and do an interview with the Tiger media team!
Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art Mardi Gras Event A great time at the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art (SAMA) Mardi Gras “Cash Bash” at the Bavarian Hall in Altoona. Dr. Keith and Renee Parowski were named King and Queen of the event.
Duncansville Fire Company Spring Dinner What an honor to speak at the Duncansville Fire Company’s Spring dinner. Chief Bill Lloyd spoke to the group, and President Rod Estep was the emcee of the event. A good time was had by all!
The Mifflin County Academy of Science & Technology February is Career and Technology Education Month, and it was such a joy to spend it with the folks at The Mifflin County Academy of Science & Technology, along with Reps. David Rowe and Kerry Benninghoff. The Academy’s annual CTE event provides the opportunity to hear from students, teachers and administrators about the wonderful things happening there! After the tour, which was led by Director Laura Hicks, we enjoyed a 3-course meal that was prepared by students of the culinary arts class, led by Instructor Travis McCullough. The delicious meal featured ingredients and foods sourced from right here in Juniata County. The Mifflin County Academy of Science & Technology truly showcases the wonderful opportunities that career and technology education provide for our students.
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