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In this Update:
Pro-Growth 2025-26 State Budget Now Complete
The message is clear – Pennsylvania is open for business! On Wednesday, Senate Republicans advanced a bipartisan state budget that makes Pennsylvania’s economy more competitive, funds essential services, reforms our welfare system and prevents a $1 billion tax on electricity. The newly enacted budget, approved with strong majorities in both the Senate and the House, cuts nearly $1.4 billion in spending from the governor’s original proposal and incentivizes job growth across the commonwealth by implementing key reforms to the permitting process and maintaining important tax cuts. While no budget is perfect, this budget package – which contains several important policy changes to promote economic growth and fund essential services – sends a clear message that Pennsylvania is open for business. The budget we passed will fund our schools and counties, while keeping energy costs low and reforming our welfare system. And we did all of this while not touching our Rainy Day Fund or raising taxes. The repeal of RGGI will prevent a disastrous cap-and-tax program from increasing energy bills across Pennsylvania, and the permitting reform measures will cut red tape and create a more business-friendly environment. This budget also continues to cut the Corporate Net Income Tax, to help make the commonwealth a destination for business. As part of the $50.1 billion budget agreement, the regulation mandating Pennsylvania’s participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) – a multi-state pact that would have added more than $1 billion dollars in new electricity taxes on Pennsylvania families and job creators – was eliminated. In addition, critical reforms to Pennsylvania’s permitting process will make our state more competitive economically by requiring a wide variety of environmental permits to be deemed approved after a certain period, ensuring applicants know the time frame for consideration of their application and can appeal any permits that are denied. Other key components of the budget include reforms to limit cost increases in human services programs; rebasing spending on some line items to reflect actual expenditures to use taxpayer dollars more efficiently; and protecting the state’s emergency Rainy Day Fund by slashing the governor’s proposed spending level and using approximately $3 billion in lapsed funding to fill budget gaps. The budget continues policies championed by Senate Republicans to make Pennsylvania more competitive for business development and job growth, including continuing the phase-down of the Corporate Net Income Tax and preserving the increase to the Net Operating Loss deduction. The agreement includes new money to promote student achievement and empower families, including an expansion of the state’s popular Educational Improvement Tax Credit program to support more school choice opportunities for families in disadvantaged schools. Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful – Litter Hawk Youth Award Program
Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful is once again announcing the Litter Hawk Youth Award Program, a recognition program for students in kindergarten through 6th grade. Each participant will complete a fun, grade-level-specific project that inspires environmental stewardship and creativity. This year’s theme is Celebrate America250 – Keep It Beautiful. For more information on the Litter Hawk Youth Award Program, click here. Legislation Advances Cracking Down on AI-Generated Child Sexual Abuse Material
Legislation to better protect young people against the serious threats posed by child abuse materials generated using artificial intelligence (AI) is advancing in the Senate. The Senate Judiciary Committee approved Senate Bill 1050, which would require mandated reporters to report all instances of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) they become aware of, including those produced by a minor. This applies to teachers, child care workers, health care providers and other individuals responsible for caring for children. There has been a startling increase in the amount of AI-generated CSAM being created and shared in recent years, including troubling cases in school settings. Law enforcement officials and child advocacy organizations shared their support for the measure during a public hearing of the Senate Majority Policy Committee. Keystone Scholars Offers November Incentive to Start Saving for College
State Treasurer Stacy Garrity announced a statewide incentive for Keystone Scholars this month which will give children a head start on education savings. Families who claim their child’s $100 scholarship from Keystone Scholars in November and open and link their own companion PA 529 College and Career Savings Program account will get an additional $50. Keystone Scholars provides a $100 scholarship for every child born in Pennsylvania since 2019. This money grows alongside the child and will be available to use after their 18th birthday to help pay for costs associated with four-year degrees, community college, technical training, apprenticeships and credential programs. To learn more, visit pa529.com/keystone. State Police Will Help Ensure Your Child Car Seat is Properly Installed
Throughout November, certified Pennsylvania State Police technicians are setting aside dates to help ensure child car seats are safe, secure and properly installed. Caregivers will receive instruction on the proper installation and have seats installed, learn how to properly harness a child in a seat and check seats for recalls. Find the nearest free car seat check here. If none are scheduled locally or you can’t make it, check your local state police station for free monthly child seat fittings. Oh Say, Can You Sing? The PA Farm Show National Anthem Contest
Think you’ve got what it takes to sing the National Anthem at the Farm Show? The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture is looking for singers to kick off each day of the 2026 edition of the nation’s largest indoor agricultural exposition. Submit your original video entry by Nov. 24 to be considered. Winners will be selected by fan voting on Facebook. You must be available at least one day of the Farm Show, which runs from Jan. 10 through Jan. 17. You can find details about eligibility, video requirements, voting and how to apply here. Out and About in the 30th DistrictGenesis Women’s Clinic Tour The Senate Maternal and Infant Health Caucus, which I chair, visited Genesis Women’s Clinic in Phoenixville to get a tour of their facility and learn more about the important work they do for women. Through their confidential and free services, these women can find the hope and healing they need to pursue the best future for them and their baby. Also on the tour were Senators Phillips-Hill and Pennycuick, and Representatives Twardzik, Gleim and Scheuren.
Juniata County Association of Township Officials Recently, Juniata County held its 89th Annual Juniata County Association of Township Officials event at the Friendship Fire Company in Port Royal.
Tyrone Veterans Day Parade I was honored to ride with friends in the Tyrone Veterans Day parade this past weekend. Driving is Randy Diehl and wife Kay along with Kay’s brother, Albert “Skip” Steinbeiser, who was Grand Marshall of the parade.
Pheasant Stocking I had a terrific time pheasant stocking with the Pennsylvania Game Commission and Senator Wayne Langerholc, Jr. in Prince Galitzin.
Stuckey Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Ribbon Cutting Stuckey Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram celebrated a ribbon cutting for a new dealership location in Huntingdon, followed by a Huntingdon County Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours event. Congratulations to the Stuckey family on this beautiful new facility!
Grace Pointe Community Church Veterans Event So nice to be at Grace Pointe Community Church to celebrate their veterans.
Altoona Veterans Day Parade The Altoona Veterans Day Parade and recognition ceremony afterwards is always a terrific time honoring our local veterans. Joe Keirn was the keynote speaker and discussed some area veterans and their contributions. I was able to present certificates to Blair County Catholic War Veterans Council and Central PA National Guard Association, thanking them for hosting the veterans parade every year!
Congratulations, Eagle Scout! Congratulations to Logan Horne of Southern Huntingdon Scout Troop 22 for receiving the rank of Eagle Scout. Logan’s Eagle Scout project was installing a flag deposit box and landscaping at the Madden-Wennick American Legion Post 518. Logan’s project is a reflection of the continued commitment to his community and service that he has shown as a scout!
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