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In this Update:
Leadership Pittsburgh XLI Session – Indiana County
Leadership Pittsburgh hosted ‘The Regional Economy Part II: Indiana, PA’ this week in various locations throughout the community. The day-long event was co-presented by First Commonwealth and S&T Banks, encouraging regional leaders, investors and financial professionals in attendance to explore collaborations and economic opportunities in Indiana County. I was honored to be invited to address the group during the lunch portion of the program, held at the Jimmy Stewart Airport Hangar. It was my pleasure to convey the importance of collaborations along with highlighting Indiana County’s many strengths – particularly energy production – and the positive impact Indiana has on the regional economy. My thanks to the co-hosts, local businesses and all who helped welcome the group to Indiana. A special thank you to Jenn Beer, President and CEO of LPInc. and Laurie Kuzneski, Director of Client Development at Kuzneski Insurance Group and a graduate of the XXXIX cohort class of Leadership Pittsburgh’s program. Diocese of Greensburg – Catholic Schools Breakfast
I had the pleasure of recognizing four exceptional educators and numerous students at the Diocese of Greensburg annual breakfast, presenting each with a Certificate of Achievement. The prestigious Golden Apple Award was presented to three teachers and one principal this year. Two of these amazing educators are from my Senatorial District and two are from Sen. Kim Ward’s Senatorial District. 🍎 Mrs. Janet Arone – St. Bernard Regional Catholic School Congratulations and thank you all for your commitment & dedication to helping students! Realizing Benefits of Cyber Charter School Reforms
An Op-Ed by Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman Last year Pennsylvania taxpayers again invested historic levels of funding in public education and for the third consecutive year, the state budget included more than a billion dollars in new funding for K-12 schools. As part of the upcoming state budget for fiscal year 2025-26, we will once again evaluate the investment of Pennsylvania tax dollars across all educational opportunities, with the vast majority of students receiving their education in a traditional brick and mortar public school. However, here in Pennsylvania there is also a demonstrated need and place for cyber charter schools, private schools and even home schooling. Empowering parents to have a say in the best educational path for their children must continue to be at the forefront of discussions. Regardless of the total dollars invested in education, it is parents who have the ultimate responsibility for selecting the most beneficial educational track, to address the unique needs of each child. While cyber charter schools have established their place, criticisms surrounding accountability and funding have merit, which is why as part of last year’s state budget we worked to bring more accountability to cyber charter schools and align school districts tuition payments to more accurately reflect the student population served. Providing $100 million in cyber charter reimbursements for school districts was a key element to last year’s budget, along with a formula change that, beginning January 1 of the current year, reduces cyber charter school special education costs by approximately $190 million annually. The additional subsidy and formula savings will directly assist nearly all school districts across Pennsylvania in restraining the overall cost of cyber charter education, allowing more funds to be available for student needs and prevent additional tax increases at the local level. During a recent Senate Appropriations Committee budget hearing, Department of Education Acting Secretary Carrie Rowe stated the Department believes the total savings to school districts because of reduced cyber charter expenses directly helps address the Commonwealth Court ruling requiring the Governor and General Assembly to come up with improved methods of supporting educational opportunities for all students in this Commonwealth. Addressing the broad directive by the court through saving school districts money is a win for schools and a win for taxpayers. We also expanded ethics and transparency standards for cyber charter administrators and trustees, including filing financial statements and prohibiting conflicts of interest. In addition, a prohibition was placed on advertising as “free” with reporting requirements for total expenditures for advertisements and sponsorships of public events and requirements added to ensure cybers do weekly wellness checks on their students. It is encouraging to see positive benefits and real savings occur because of cyber charter changes made last year, however there is an opportunity for more to be done. Review of cyber charter reserve accounts, more accuracy in calculating tuition costs and meaningful truancy reforms, are all areas worthy of discussion as we debate the 2025-26 budget. Cyber charter schools should remain a viable choice for parents to consider as a key part of supporting increased access to educational opportunities. Ensuring their viability can be achieved while further building on the important reforms we enacted just a year ago. Achieving the right balance to foster parental empowerment, at a fair cost to taxpayers, is possible and remains the goal of Senate Republicans. Budget Hearings Reinforce Need for Greater Financial Accountability
After three weeks of detailed public hearings examining Gov. Josh Shapiro’s $51.5 billion budget plan – which would increase state spending by an eye-popping 7.5% compared to the current fiscal year – it is clear that his priorities are very different than those of Senate Republicans. Shapiro’s unsustainable spending plan would quickly drain every dollar in the state’s bank accounts – including our entire $7.3 billion in emergency savings in the Rainy Day Fund – within two years. This is especially troubling at a time when respected, nonpartisan sources like the Independent Fiscal Office are warning that Pennsylvania faces serious financial challenges. Notably, not even Shapiro’s own team claims that the astronomical cost of his proposed budget can be paid for without higher taxes. Senate Republicans will fight for taxpayers throughout this year’s state budget negotiations. We will continue to work toward a responsible state budget that promotes economic growth, job creation and fiscal stability for the commonwealth. Grow PA Scholarship Grant Applications Available Now
The Grow PA Scholarship Grant Program – created by Senate Republicans as part of this year’s state budget – offers grants of up to $5,000 per year for in-state students who pursue a degree or certification for an in-demand occupation. The application period for grants is open now, with funding awarded on a first come, first served basis. To qualify for the grant, applicants must agree to live and work in Pennsylvania in that occupation after graduation. Grant recipients will be required to live and work in Pennsylvania for 12 months for each year they receive the grant. Failure to meet this requirement will result in the grant converting to a loan requiring repayment. Courses of study that qualify for the grant include agriculture, computer science, business, education, special education, STEM education, engineering, nursing, allied health, criminal justice and other programs as approved by the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA). Learn more or apply here. Free Trees to Help Public Replace Invasive Plants
Non-native trees and shrubs can have negative ecological and economic impacts on nearby natural areas. Some of those plants include callery pear, tree-of-heaven, Norway maple, burning bush, Japanese barberry and butterfly bush. The Pennsylvania Invasive Replace-ive Program is a new initiative that will give homeowners and others the option to remove invasive trees and shrubs from their property and replace them with native trees. Doing so will reduce the likelihood of these species moving into neighboring properties, parks and forests. Property owners are encouraged to remove one or more invasive species and receive up to five free, healthy, native, young replacement trees. Learn more about how to participate. Please note that the Carlisle plant replacement program is already at capacity. License Plates Support Women Veterans
You can support women veterans in Pennsylvania by purchasing a license plate recognizing the importance of the brave women who have served in our military. When you purchase the Honoring Our Women Veterans Registration Plate or the Honoring Our Women Veterans Motorcycle Registration Plate, a portion of the fee will be used to support programs assisting the approximately 63,000 female veterans in Pennsylvania. The motorcycle version of this registration plate is new, having been introduced in December. You do not need to be a veteran to purchase either of these plates. If you are a veteran, you may want to consider purchasing either the Women Veteran Registration Plate or the Women Veteran Motorcycle Registration Plate. Applicants for these plates must submit a legible photocopy of their Form DD-214 or the front and back of their DD2(RET). Learn more about these license plates and several other new plates available for veterans. Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
A celebration of country and heritage, St. Patrick’s Day became an official religious holiday in the early 17th century. It commemorates the arrival of Christianity in Ireland. “May your blessings outnumber the shamrocks that grow, and may trouble avoid you wherever you go.” – Irish blessing
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