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In this Update:

• Westmoreland County Visits
• Watch the Full Episode of The Volpe Report
• Pennsylvania Must Rein in Spending
• The Best of the Nest Episode – Watch Now
• Senate Finishes Review of Shapiro’s Massive Spending Proposal
• Beware: Rise in Scams Involving Bitcoin ATMs
• Open Now: PennDOT Survey About Your Transportation Needs
• Pittman and Bashline Announce $1.4 Million in State Grants for Armstrong County
• New Recommendations for PA Poultry Producers to Prevent Spread of HPAI
• Daylight Saving Time Begins This Weekend

Watch the Full Episode of The Volpe Report

Thank you to Chuck Volpe for sitting down with me recently to discuss several issues currently impacting our state. Check out the latest episode of The Volpe Report Here.

Pennsylvania Must Rein in Spending

This week I issued the following statement in response to Gov. Shapiro’s latest Executive Order regarding state government employment:

“We must be thoughtful and deliberative when looking to fill state positions. Hiring the most qualified individuals should always be our focus, which does not require any Executive Order. Cutting waste, fraud and abuse from government is something an overwhelming number of taxpayers have been vocal about supporting across all levels of government.

“The ongoing debate in Washington, D.C. at the federal level looks to provide long-term stability for our nation, while also serving to further underscore the need for Pennsylvania government to rein in spending at the state level. As details are being closely examined, it is clear Gov. Shapiro’s 2025-26 budget proposal increasing spending by $3.6 billion from the current year’s budget is not a realistic path to close the state’s multi-billion-dollar structural deficit.”

Senate Finishes Review of Shapiro’s Massive Spending Proposal

The Senate Appropriations Committee concluded the third week of its examination of Gov. Josh Shapiro’s budget proposal, which totals $51.5 billion and would increase state spending by 7.5% over the current year’s budget. Despite a huge increase overall, Shapiro proposes cutting important initiatives that serve Pennsylvanians and the employers that provide their jobs.

The Department of Agriculture hearing focused on Avian Influenza, including its threat to the state economy and the effect it has already had on egg prices. Despite these serious problems, Shapiro proposed cutting the funding for programs to fight Avian Influenza by $25 million. The governor’s proposed cuts to agriculture threaten a top industry in Pennsylvania that supports more than 593,000 jobs.

The committee discussed another shocking decision by Shapiro at the Department of Community and Economic Development hearing. He wants to cut $15 million earmarked for highly successful workforce development programs. The programs meet the needs of Pennsylvanians and prepare them to fill roles for in-demand industries. Making cuts that impact the ability of people to secure family-sustaining jobs and contribute to our economy doesn’t make sense.

During the Department of Corrections and Pennsylvania Parole Board hearing, committee members discussed the financial impacts of prison closures. The Shapiro Administration wants to close two prisons and two community corrections centers. Yet, Shapiro still wants to increase overall spending for the state correctional institution system by $143 million to a total of $3.3 billion. Then, he uses completely unrealistic spending estimates and claims there won’t be any increases for the next four budget years. It’s his attempt to make it look like his budget balances for the next four years – nothing more than a budget gimmick that masks the true challenges in the years ahead.

The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) and Office of the State Fire Commissioner hearing highlighted Shapiro’s poor budget projections for PEMA. His budget would slash funding for the agency by nearly $13.5 million, a reduction of 29%. Among the proposed cuts was the elimination of $6 million for Urban Search and Rescue, an initiative the governor just signed into law in October 2024.

At the Department of Human Services (DHS) hearing, committee members shared concerns about Shapiro’s plan to increase DHS spending by approximately $2 billion, a jump of more than 10% compared to this budget year. In addition to the rapid growth of the department, discussion also covered excessive Medicaid expenses for GLP-1 medications like Ozempic for weight loss and a waiver that allows able-bodied Pennsylvanians without dependents to receive food assistance without meeting work requirements.

At the hearing for the Budget Secretary and Executive Offices, members highlighted the Shapiro Administration’s unrealistic new revenues; suppression of future human services and education costs; and overstatement of baseline revenue growth. Using realistic projections for revenue and expenditures, Shapiro’s budget would eliminate the state’s $3 billion fund balance and take an additional $1.6 billion from the state’s emergency savings, also known as the Rainy Day Fund.

Having completed the official review of Shapiro’s budget proposal, the Senate will use its findings from the hearings to craft its own spending plan, with the goal of enacting a final 2025-26 state budget. Find video and recaps of every budget hearing at PASenateGOP.com.

Beware: Rise in Scams Involving Bitcoin ATMs

Attorney General Dave Sunday is warning Pennsylvanians that scammers are now using Bitcoin ATMs, or “BTMs,” to gain access to other people’s money. This scam starts with messages that sound urgent, like “protect your money” or “take care of any criminal charges.” Unsuspecting consumers may also be persuaded to act because scammers have personal information, such as their bank or financial situation.

After coercing a consumer into making large cash withdrawals, the cyber criminals tell the consumer to deposit the funds into a BTM. Following that deposit, the criminals ask the consumer to scan and send a QR code, which gives the criminal access to the funds. It also, in most cases, makes it impossible to get the money back.

Financial scams typically start with a telephone call, text message, email, social media message or an alert on your computer. Avoid falling prey by never responding directly to unexpected calls or withdrawing cash in response to an unexpected call or message. Learn more ways to protect yourself from scammers.

Open Now: PennDOT Survey About Your Transportation Needs

Motorists are encouraged to share feedback regarding their transportation needs and concerns with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) via its Transportation Survey before April 30. Responses will impact the 12-Year Program, which lists statewide planned projects and assigns funding to them. You may also call 717-783-2262 to request a paper copy or to complete the survey over the phone.

Before filling out the survey, you may wish to review the 2025 Transportation Performance Report. Recently released by the State Transportation Commission (STC), the report contains information about how Pennsylvania’s transportation system performed in the last two years.

There will also be an online public forum on Thursday, April 10, featuring a presentation from Secretary of Transportation Michael Carroll, as well as a live question-and-answer session with PennDOT personnel and STC members. Register for the forum and submit your transportation questions for the Q&A session by filling out the registration form or emailing them to RA-PennDOTSTC@pa.gov.

New Recommendations for PA Poultry Producers to Prevent Spread of HPAI

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture has issued new recommendations for poultry producers to combat the spread of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI).

The department is recommending heightened biosecurity focusing on preventing contact of poultry with wild birds and dairy cattle. It also recommends maintaining poultry indoors if possible during this period of heightened risk.

HPAI has been circulating in the wild bird population in the United States and was identified in commercial poultry in early 2022. In addition, 17 new cases have been confirmed in dairy herds in four states in the past 30 days. No cases have been reported in PA dairies to date.

Poultry producers can find more information and contacts for assistance here.

Daylight Saving Time Begins This Weekend

Daylight Saving Time begins this Sunday, March 9, at 2 a.m. While cell phone and computer clocks usually change automatically, most people move their standard clocks and appliances ahead one hour on Saturday night.

It’s also a good time to check smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. If the devices are more than a decade old, experts suggest upgrading to 10-year, sealed battery alarms. They don’t require any battery replacement throughout their lifetime. However, it’s still a good idea to press the test button on the alarms at least once a month. Find more tips here.

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