Recent News
E-news Updates – June 21, 2025
In this Update: State Budget Update Indiana Wins State Championship! Senate Votes to Combat Overregulation Bill Targeting Rise of Deepfake Scams Approved by Senate PA Now Has Concealed Carry Reciprocity with Virginia Funding Available for Community Groups Providing Veteran Suicide Prevention Services Celebrating National Dairy Month in June State Budget Update We are actively engaged […] [Read More]
E-news Updates – June 14, 2025
In this Update: Realizing the Promise of Pennsylvania Leechburg Borough Celebrates 175th Anniversary ALS Association Day on the Hill Letโs Talk Transit Facts Maximum Wage โ Family Sustaining Jobs Senate Approves Bill to Secure and Modernize PAโs IT Infrastructure Bill to Expand Naloxone Access, Support EMS Providers Passes Senate Senate Committee Votes to Expand No-Cost […] [Read More]
E-news Updates – June 7, 2025
In this Update: Fiscal Stability for Pennsylvania PA Bankers Association Advocacy Day PA Chamber of Business and Industry Roundtable Visitors Welcomed in Harrisburg Senate Votes to Preserve Prescription Assistance for Seniors Bill to Strengthen Enforcement of PFA Orders Passes Senate Senate Approves Bill to Improve Access to Stroke Resources Hand-held Cell Phone Ban […] [Read More]
PA Senate Leaders Issue Statement on Pennsylvaniaโs Fiscal Stability
Pennsylvania Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward (R-39), Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman (R-41) and Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Scott Martin (R-13) issued the following statement today in reaction to the Shapiro Administration announcement of the refinancing of approximately $1.159 billion in General Obligation refunding bonds, touting responsible financial management: [Read More]
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๐๐๐ง๐๐ญ๐ ๐๐๐ฌ๐ฌ๐๐ฌ ๐๐ข๐๐๐ฌ๐๐ฏ๐ข๐ง๐ , ๐๐ข๐ฉ๐๐ซ๐ญ๐ข๐ฌ๐๐ง ๐๐ซ๐๐๐ฌ๐ญ ๐๐๐ง๐๐๐ซ ๐๐ฆ๐๐ ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ข๐ฌ๐ฅ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง
With broad bipartisan support, the #pasenate approved legislation to strengthen Pennsylvaniaโs no-cost #breastcancer screening law by ensuring diagnostic imaging is fully covered, removing financial barriers for patients. Thank you to @senatorkimlward and Senator Frank Farry for championing this legislation.
Senate Bill 88 builds on the success of Act 1 of 2023, which provided no-cost preventive screenings for those at high risk. The new measure ensures individuals who receive abnormal results from supplemental screenings โ such as MRIs or ultrasounds, already covered under Act 1 โ can now access necessary follow-up diagnostic imaging at no cost. The bill also broadens eligibility beyond high-risk patients to include those at average risk, bringing #pennsylvaniaโs law in line with guidance from the federal Health Resources and Services Administration.
While 26 other states have followed Pennsylvaniaโs lead in offering no-cost supplemental breast screening since the passage of Act 1, Pennsylvania remains the only state without guaranteed coverage for diagnostic imaging.
Senate Bill 88 closes this gap, ensuring patients can access the full continuum of care without financial burden.
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On Tuesday morning I sat down with Pennsylvania Cable Network to disucss the 2025-26 state #budget and key issues surrounding it.
#Pennsylvania is facing a multi-billion-dollar structural deficit. If we donโt figure out how to start right sizing our expenditures to match our revenues, we are going to have a fiscal calamity in a few short years.
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๐ข๐ฌ๐๐๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฒ ๐๐๐ฌ๐ฉ๐จ๐ง๐ฌ๐ข๐๐ฅ๐ ๐๐๐๐-๐๐ ๐๐ญ๐๐ญ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐๐ ๐๐ญ
Pennsylvanians deserve an honest accounting of the stateโs financial position and a clear picture of what the governorโs spending plans would mean for hardworking #families throughout the Commonwealth. Gov. Shapiroโs budget proposal this year totals nearly $51.5 billion โ an increase of $3.6 billion from the current yearโs budget โ and does not include a realistic path to close the stateโs multi-billion-dollar structural deficit.
We continue to engage in substantive work to reach consensus on a fiscally responsible 2025-26 state budget. Our @pasenategop vision for #pennsylvania remains focused on pro-growth initiatives that respect #taxpayers and their hard-earned money.
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We are actively engaged in our work to complete a fiscally responsible 2025-26 state budget, but in this current fiscal year #Pennsylvania is faced with a $3 billion structural deficit. I am encouraged that all parties understand we have a structural deficit and know we must figure out a way to deal with it.
The functional reality is that once an agreement on a budget framework is reached, there is a substantial amount of time needed for all pieces to be implemented. Given there is not yet an agreed-to framework, there is not enough time to have a budget in place by June 30th. Our work on the #budget continues and there is an opportunity in the several days and weeks after June 30th to put a product together without any discernable impact.
Senate Republicans are focused on completing a budget that respects #taxpayers and addresses the needs of organizations and individuals who rely on state resources and services.
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Congratulations to Indiana on the incredible PIAA Class 4A #baseball championship win! Our community is so proud of your determination and drive throughout the season! #indianaproud @indianaareasd
Making sure working families have access to good, family sustaining jobs is key to helping our commonwealth grow and thrive.
Maximum wage jobs continue to be our focus and is why we value permitting reform and other efforts, such as stopping the RGGI Electricity Tax.
Implementing policies which help to create more maximum wage jobs will help to grow our economy.
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I was honored to be invited to take part in an ecumenical prayer service to kickoff Leechburg Boroughโs weeklong 175th Anniversary celebration.
Leechburg was founded in 1850 by David Leech. Mr. Leech built one of two canals which connected the Harrisburg area with Pittsburgh and transformed the area into a small industrial center. Throughout its rich history, the Borough has been blessed with dedicated civic leaders who have helped it to grow and flourish.
My thanks to Mayor Doreen Smeal and a team of volunteers who worked hard to put together numerous events & activities for all ages throughout the week. Best wishes for another 175 years!
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Transit already receives billions in state tax dollars annually. Yet on top of that, they are asking for a quarter billion more this year.
We know the value of transit โ but the infrastructure of roads & bridges across PA is also a vital consideration.
