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In this Update:
Pennsylvanians Deserve the Truth about Electricity Costs
This week, Gov. Josh Shapiro made multiple announcements about the cost of electricity in Pennsylvania. One of those claims is that customers will save billions of dollars through an agreement he made with PJM, a regional transmission organization that coordinates the movement of wholesale electricity in all or part of 13 states and the District of Columbia. I spoke on the Senate Floor about this announcement, which does nothing to make energy less expensive in Pennsylvania. You can watch the full video of my remarks here. The claim of $21 billion in savings is something consumers of electricity will never see materialize because rates will continue to rise even under this agreement. Senate Republicans have 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 during the last two years. We will continue working to enact energy policies which reduce costs for hardworking Pennsylvanians, ensure the future stability of our power grid, and help expand access to good, family sustaining jobs here in Pennsylvania. Senate Acts to Fight Waste, Fraud and Abuse in Public Assistance Programs
This week, the Senate passed three bills to stop waste, fraud and abuse in Pennsylvania’s Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) and Medical Assistance program (Medicaid). The bills will be sent to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for consideration. Senate Bill 155 would prevent deceased people from receiving benefits by requiring the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) to check death certificates at the Bureau of Vital Statistics against recipients of public assistance. A state audit previously found 2,324 deceased public assistance recipients received benefits totaling $700,000 in a 12-month period. Senate Bill 156 would require DHS to compare wage records held by employers and the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue with public assistance recipients quarterly to prevent fraud. From 2019-23, the Pennsylvania Office of State Inspector General filed more than 2,900 criminal complaints of welfare fraud, with more than $15 million owed in restitution. Senate Bill 157 would update the Public Assistance Integrity Act to require DHS to issue a yearly report on its efforts to ensure lottery winners are not receiving cash benefits. The Public Assistance Integrity Act, a bipartisan initiative signed into law in 2018, closed a loophole that did not require lottery winnings to be considered as income when determining eligibility for benefits. Recognizing National School Choice Week
Every child in Pennsylvania deserves the opportunity for a quality education. National School Choice Week is a time when we recognize that students succeed in different environments. During this session we will continue to examine ways to best support students in their learning environments, while also placing a significant value on empowering parents when it comes to the education and well-being of their children. $350,000 Awarded for Local Projects
State funding totaling $350,000 has been approved for local economic development and recreational projects in Indiana County. You can read the full press release Rep. Jim Struzzi and I distributed about the grants here. I’m proud to advocate for this funding and commend area leaders for recognizing the significance of these projects and seeking out assistance from the state level. Support for these local projects will go a long way to help ensure the ongoing vibrancy of our community. Investing in recreational and conservation initiatives is an important way to enhance quality of life and to help foster greater economic growth within our region. Three grants are being awarded by the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) Greenways, Trails, and Recreation Program (GTRP). The Borough of Indiana is receiving two of the grants: $44,912 for expansion and rehabilitation at McGregor Park and $31,308 to replant and revitalize Vinegar Hill. The Indiana County Conservation District (ICCD) will also receive a grant in the amount of $23,780 toward the ICCD Canopy Walk and Trail. The GTRP is part of Act 13 of 2012, which established the Marcellus Legacy Fund and allocates funds to the CFA to plan, acquire, develop, rehabilitate, and repair greenways, recreational trails, open spaces, parks, and beautification projects. In addition to the CFA awards, Center Township received $250,000 in funding through the Department of Community and Economic Development for the FMC Sports Complex, a vital part of the area community. This funding will improve park safety and help with field maintenance, prolonging the field’s lifespan and benefiting local athletes, residents, and children. The FMC Sports Complex hosts various baseball tournaments, including regional PIAA events, showcasing our community’s talent and spirit. Bill Enabling World Cup Team Doctors to Practice in PA Receives Senate Support
With World Cup soccer set to come to Philadelphia, the Senate approved legislation enabling international team doctors to treat their players in the commonwealth. The bill now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration. Philadelphia will host the FIFA Club World Cup this summer and the FIFA World Cup in 2026. In both of those contests, athletes will be supported by their traveling team doctors. Under current law, each international doctor would be required to obtain a medical license from the Pennsylvania State Board of Medicine to treat players, even for just a single match. Senate Bill 184 would exempt international team doctors from needing to obtain a Pennsylvania medical license to care for their athletes. Much like how the law treats team physicians licensed in other states, international doctors would be limited to treatment of just their players and would be prohibited from practicing in all health care facilities in the commonwealth. New Law Conveniently Returns Money to Pennsylvanians
Money you weren’t expecting may soon be coming your way! The Pennsylvania Treasury Department sent the first batch of letters this week to people who have unclaimed property, thanks to legislation passed by Senate Republicans. The new law, PA Money Match, allows the Pennsylvania Treasury to automatically return certain unclaimed property. Eligible properties must be valued at $500 or less and belong to a single owner. Those with eligible properties will receive a letter in the mail to confirm their address. After doing so, they will receive a check for their property in about 45 days. Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity announced this week that the first round of PA Money Match has the potential to return more than $2 million to more than 8,000 Pennsylvanians – and more will be coming later this year. Treasury is working to return more than $4.5 billion in unclaimed property, which includes things like dormant bank accounts, uncashed checks, rebates, insurance payments and more. Check if you have unclaimed property, and contact my office if you need any assistance in filing a claim. Game Commission Provides Avian Influenza Information
Earlier this year, the Pennsylvania Game Commission announced that highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) was the cause of death for wild waterfowl in northeastern Pennsylvania. To best protect the health of wildlife, domestic animals and humans, the Game Commission asks the public to assist them by doing the following:
Because HPAI impacts more than just wildlife, please also report any sick or dead domestic bird to the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture at 717-772-2852. Anyone who isn’t feeling well after having contact with sick or dead birds is encouraged to contact their primary care physician or the Pennsylvania Department of Health at 877-724-3258.
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