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In this Update:
Pittman Statement: Shapiro’s Lawsuit on Election Prices Rings Hollow
Over 13 months ago the Commonwealth Court ruled the RGGI Electricity Tax violates our state Constitution. Yet Governor Shapiro refuses to accept the decision and continues to waste more taxpayer dollars appealing the decision to the Supreme Court. If the governor is truly committed to protecting consumers, he should start by dropping his own lawsuit in defense of a program destined to increase the cost of electricity by nearly a half billion dollars annually. Simply voicing support for an ‘all-of-the-above’ energy strategy while actively thwarting meaningful progress to move Pennsylvania forward by miring the energy marketplace in the six-year debate over the RGGI Electricity Tax is detrimental to the future stability of our Commonwealth’s energy grid. Pennsylvanians have no doubt been forced to deal with the realities and pressures of higher energy costs, which cannot stand. A strong, reliable, and cost-effective energy portfolio across our Commonwealth requires embracing an all-encompassing strategy when it comes to the generation and distribution of power. Throughout the 2023-24 Legislative Session our Senate Republican Caucus prioritized advancement of meaningful legislation to help address rising costs for consumers of electricity. It is unfortunate that many of the measures were not supported by the Shapiro Administration. Pennsylvania being a leader in electricity production is key to energy independence and national security. With the new two-year legislative session about to begin, we have a renewed opportunity to lessen the pressures from higher electric bills. Our Senate Republican Caucus will continue to be staunch advocates for working families who are feeling the stresses of inflation. Responsible enactment of energy policies which balance development of our God-given natural resources with environmental needs remains our focus. Click here for more information on bills passed by the Senate during the 2023-24 Legislative Session, to help alleviate the cost of energy for Pennsylvanians. PA Farm Show Runs Jan. 4-11
As a state where agriculture is one of the top industries, Pennsylvania is proud to host the largest indoor agricultural exposition under one roof in the nation. The Pennsylvania Farm Show runs from Jan. 4-11 in Harrisburg. The Farm Show features nearly 6,000 animals, competitive events and 250 commercial exhibits. There are also educational and entertaining events – and of course the famed Food Court. Admission is free, and parking is $15 per car. Agriculture in PA employs nearly half a million people and contributes $132.5 billion to the state’s economy annually. Orthodox Christmas on January 7
To all our friends and neighbors celebrating Orthodox Christmas on Tuesday, blessings for a joyous and peaceful holiday! Family-Sustaining Jobs Give Pennsylvanians Great Opportunity
Access to family-sustaining jobs give Pennsylvanians the opportunity to thrive, so Senate Republicans focused on creating an environment to attract and retain great employers. That’s why we worked to continue the phase-down of the jobs-killing Corporate Net Income Tax and began eliminating the start-up penalty that thwarts entrepreneurship. We also funded scholarships to encourage young people to fill high-demand job openings and enacted the Max Manufacturing Initiative so Pennsylvania can produce high-value products and create family-sustaining jobs. Because high energy prices mean fewer jobs, we fought the RGGI electricity tax and streamlined the permit-review process for job creators. The budget we passed ensures business sites are prepared to welcome new jobs and created new Keystone Opportunity Zones to bring new businesses to underutilized parcels of land. Read more about how we have protected PA jobs. Senate Republicans Vote for Healthy Communities
To support families, Senate Republicans passed bills in the 2023-24 legislative session that foster healthy communities. Landmark legislation eliminated out-of-pocket costs for breast cancer screening and testing for women at high risk – the first bill of its kind in the nation. Pennsylvanians also have greater access to licensed addiction treatment programs because of a bill we passed. From babies who are just a few days old to people who have lived a long life, new laws help Pennsylvanians with the medical care they need. Struggling babies now have critical access to life-saving care provided by medically prescribed pasteurized human donor milk. Another new law prevents senior citizens using Pennsylvania’s prescription drug programs from losing their benefits due to a Social Security cost-of-living increase. Learn more about our efforts to improve health care, including tackling health care staffing shortages, improving patient care options and reducing administrative burdens for health care providers. Home Heating Assistance Takes the Chill Out
Residents struggling with their home heating bills may apply for assistance from the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) through April 4. LIHEAP is a federally funded program that helps individuals and families pay their heating bills through home heating energy assistance grants. It also provides crisis grants to help in the event of an emergency or if a resident is in danger of losing his or her heat due to broken equipment, lack of fuel or termination of utility service. The income eligibility guidelines for LIHEAP are $22,590 for an individual, $30,660 for a couple and $46,800 for a family of four. Find limits for other family sizes here. Residents may apply for LIHEAP online or by contacting their local county assistance office. Free Drug Overdose Prevention Supplies Available
Naloxone and drug-checking strips designed to detect xylazine and fentanyl are available at no cost through the Pennsylvania Overdose Prevention Program. The program’s goal is to improve community-based distribution and harm reduction efforts while focusing on individuals who face the greatest risk of experiencing overdose. Organizations can use an interactive map, which can be filtered by product, distribution methods and trainings offered. It will display contact information for getting supplies. If organizations aren’t able to get supplies using the map, they’re encouraged to use this form.
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