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Is this Update:
Employers, Trade Unions and Lawmakers: New Permitting Reforms, Stopping RGGI Will Boost PA Economy
Trade unions, employers and energy producers joined lawmakers at the Capitol to celebrate new reforms cutting red tape and blocking the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) electricity tax – moves that will unleash Pennsylvania’s economic potential and help create jobs. Both reforms were enacted with the 2025-26 state budget. Pennsylvania’s permitting process has been a deterrent to businesses moving to or expanding in Pennsylvania, costing our state countless jobs. The new law cuts red tape, establishes clear timelines for permit reviews and creates a real-time online tracking system. In addition, key permits will be deemed approved if a state agency moves too slowly. Participating in RGGI, a multi-state electricity tax Gov. Tom Wolf attempted to implement via an illegal regulation and which Gov. Josh Shapiro pursued through the courts, would have increased electricity rates for families and businesses, eliminated energy and manufacturing jobs, forced Pennsylvania power plants to close and created serious threats to grid reliability. “After six long years the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative will no longer be a part of Pennsylvania politics and our energy future in Pennsylvania. This is great news for hardworking Pennsylvanians all across the state,” said Shawn Steffee, business agent, Boilermakers Local 154 Pittsburgh and president, South Central Building Trades Council. Read more reaction to these reforms here. Veterans Breakfast in Punxsutawney
PA State Rep. Brian Smith and I had the great honor and pleasure to host our annual veterans breakfast at the VFW Post 2076 last week. This is a small token of our thanks and appreciation for the many sacrifices veterans have made while valiantly serving our country. Thank you to all who attended – we enjoyed spending the morning with you! Face the State Video
The 2025-26 state budget has been completed and it was great to talk to Joel D. Smith on Local 21 CBS News, WHP Harrisburg‘s Face the State program about how we have protected taxpayers by using the money we found sitting in the couch cushions of the bureaucracy. The newly enacted budget is a product of divided government, but at the end of the day PA Senate Republicans achieved significant policy wins which we believe will change the economic trajectory of this Commonwealth, and are the ultimate answer to our structural deficit. Armstrong County Memorial Bridge Dedication It was my great honor to participate in the ceremonial dedication of the George W. McAuley, Jr. Memorial Bridge recently. George was a great public servant and good friend to many. The bridge carrying his name is identified as Bridge Key 56035, carrying U.S. Route 422 over State Route 2005 and Cherry Run in Plumcreek Township, Armstrong County. Mr. McAuley was born December 19, 1962, to George W. McAuley, Sr., and Lulu (Hartman) McAuley. George, Jr. graduated from Kittanning High School and Lenape Technical School in 1980, before earning a degree in civil engineering from The Pennsylvania State University in 1984. For 33 years, George had a distinguished career with the Department of Transportation. During that time, he served as a professional engineer and as an Assistant District Executive overseeing various operations in the department’s District 10. Additionally, he briefly served as the acting Director of the Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Project Delivery. In December 2016, Mr. McAuley became the department’s Deputy Secretary for Highway Administration and was appointed the Executive Deputy Secretary of Transportation on January 7, 2020. Mr. McAuley played an instrumental role in the advancement of Pennsylvania’s Rapid Bridge Replacement Public-Private Partnership contract to deliver 558 bridges Statewide, the first of its scope in the United States. In addition to his work at the Department of Transportation, Mr. McAuley was an active member of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials and served as chair of its Innovation Initiative as well as chair of the National Cooperative Highway Research Program. Sadly, on February 28, 2021, George McAuley passed away at 58 years of age, leaving behind his loving wife of 35 years, Stephanie (Willyard) McAuley, and their daughter Megan. Mr. McAuley’s distinguished service at the Department of Transportation has improved highway safety in this Commonwealth and is deserving of this recognition. KDKA Radio Interview
It was great to talk with Colin Dunlap from 100.1 FM and AM 1020 KDKA Radio about the excitement of economic growth and new jobs within our region from the revitalization of the Homer City Generating Station. You can listen to this short interview here. AI and Children: Legislation to Keep Kids Safe
The Senate approved legislation to better protect young people against the increased threats posed by child sexual abuse materials (CSAM) generated using artificial intelligence (AI). Senate Bill 1050 would require all individuals classified as mandated reporters to notify authorities of all instances of CSAM they become aware of, including those produced by a minor. A mandated reporter includes teachers, childcare workers, health care providers and others responsible for caring for children. The bill was sent to the House of Representatives for consideration. The Senate previously passed key legislation to combat the issue of sexually explicit materials created through AI by passing Act 125 of 2024 and Act 35 of 2025, which addressed deepfakes and sexual deepfakes. In addition, Senate Bill 1090, the Safeguarding Adolescents from Exploitative Chatbots and Harmful AI Technology (SAFECHAT) Act, was approved by the Senate Communications and Technology Committee. Read about that measure here. New Law Will Preserve Prescription Access for Seniors
Legislation to prevent thousands of Pennsylvania seniors from losing access to life-sustaining prescription medications is set to become law following final passage by the Senate. House Bill 923 would extend the practice of excluding Social Security cost-of-living adjustments when calculating income eligibility for the PACE and PACENET programs. The exclusion, currently set to expire at the end of 2025, will be extended through Dec. 31, 2027 when the bill is signed by the governor. Without the extension, 10,039 PACENET enrollees would lose their coverage. Additionally, 12,594 PACE enrollees would move to PACENET, losing their lower copayment and their PACE-paid Part D premium. Bill to Ensure Disabled Veterans Receive Free Hunting Licenses Passes Senate
The Senate passed legislation that would close an unintended gap in Pennsylvania’s existing free hunting license program for disabled veterans. Under current law, only veterans who suffered injuries during combat and were deemed 100% disabled by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs are eligible for free hunting licenses. Partially disabled veterans may purchase discounted licenses. Those who suffered service-connected injuries outside of combat — in training, non-combat operations, peacetime duties or other hazardous activities — are not currently eligible for a discount. Senate Bill 1020 would expand eligibility so that all 100% disabled veterans qualify for a free hunting license, regardless of how or where their service-connected injuries occurred. It would also maintain discounted licenses for partially disabled veterans. The bill was sent to the House of Representatives for consideration. Attorney General’s New Elder Exploitation Section Expands Protections for Older Pennsylvanians
An expansion of protections and services for seniors, focused on deterring financial theft and holding offenders criminally responsible, was announced with the launch of the Office of Attorney General’s Elder Exploitation Section by Attorney General Dave Sunday. The section will primarily focus on cases involving financial exploitation, deception and theft from older residents — typically perpetrated by relatives, caregivers or appointed conservators and powers of attorney. These are complex cases, involving meticulous review of financial records and other documents. Municipal police departments may not have the resources required to take on these investigations. The Elder Exploitation Section will have the resources, and expects referrals to come from police departments, county, state, and federal agencies and other sources. National Diabetes Awareness Month
Diabetes affects about 38 million Americans, including adults and youth. A disease that occurs when your blood sugar is too high, diabetes can damage the eyes, kidneys, nerves and heart, and it is linked to some types of cancer. The good news is that taking charge of your health may help you prevent diabetes health problems. Find out more here.
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