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Capitol Report
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#Listrak\DateStampLong#
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The latest news from the State Capitol
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Please do not reply directly to this email, as it returns to an unmanned account.
You are welcome to contact me through this link.
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Upcoming District Events
Friday, September 6 – Senior Expo
Thursday, September 12 – Concealed Carry Seminar
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2024-25 State Budget Update
Just shy of two weeks past the June 30 deadline, the General Assembly has approved, and the governor signed into law, a state budget for the 2024-25 fiscal year.
The plan will spend $47.6 billion, a $2.7 billion, or 6%, increase over the prior fiscal year. It is approximately $740 million less than what Gov. Josh Shapiro sought when he unveiled his budget proposal back in February.
Unfortunately, this spending exceeds by about $3.3 billion what the Commonwealth is anticipated to collect in revenues over the coming fiscal year. That means it requires spending some of the state’s reserve funds to balance, which is not sustainable and is highly likely to lead to a tax hike in the near future.
It includes significant increases in funding for education, including PreK-12 schools, community colleges, PA State System of Higher Education universities and student grants through the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency.
You can read my full statement here.
To learn more about the state budget, visit PAHouseGOP.com/budget2024.
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District Happenings
The first Saturday in July is the annual flag raising at the Greene Dreher Historical Society. I was honored to present the Pennsylvania flag, the Patriotic Order Sons of America presented the American flag, and Cub Scout Pack 129 led us with the Pledge of Allegiance. It was a beautiful ceremony!
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Helping First-Time Homebuyers
Working to boost opportunities for homeownership in the Commonwealth, I recently joined a majority of members in the state House in approving a bill that would create a savings program to help first-time homebuyers.
House Bill 126 would establish the First-Time Homebuyer Savings Account Program and an associated fund that would be overseen by the state Treasury. It would work similar to 529 savings accounts currently being used to help people save for higher education tuition and expenses for people with disabilities.
Under the bill, funds set aside by future first-time homebuyers may be used as a deduction on state income tax. If the account holder uses the money for other purposes, it would become taxable income.
House Bill 126 is pending action in the state Senate.
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Protecting Property Owners Against Squatters
Legislation that would make it easier for property owners to get unauthorized occupants – or squatters – out of their properties has been approved by the General Assembly and is awaiting the governor’s signature to become law.
Senate Bill 1236 aims to provide more certainty and clarity for homeowners, landlords and law enforcement officers who must deal with squatters by codifying existing case law on the subject.
Currently, property owners face an exhausting and often painful journey to reclaim their properties. The requirement to issue a “notice to quit” to individuals who have no legitimate claim on a property burdens property owners financially and emotionally.
The bill passed both the House and Senate unanimously.
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Celebrating PA as Birthplace of American Democracy
The quintessential symbol of the Commonwealth and our nation’s independence – the Liberty Bell – will soon be featured on a new Pennsylvania license plate and on welcome signs at state-border entry points.
The new plates and signs reflect the Commonwealth’s key role in our nation’s history, as well as its role in marking the nation’s 250th birthday in 2026.
The license plates will not be available until next year, but you can sign up now to receive an email update when the new license plates are ready to order in spring 2025. Military, special organization, special fund and specialty plates without legislatively mandated designs will also be updated with the new design.
When the plates become available, fee information will be included with replacement instructions on PennDOT’s website and will vary based on plate type and any optional personalization. The department and its partners will use all existing standard issue license plate inventory before transitioning to the new plate design.
The new welcome signs have already been installed in eight locations: on U.S. 15 in Adams County; Interstate 295 in Bucks County; Interstate 90/the Ohio line in Erie County; Interstate 70 in Fulton County; Interstate 80 in Monroe County; Route 449 in Potter County; Interstate 81 in Susquehanna County; and Route 1015 in Tioga County. Another 29 signs will be installed in the coming months.
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PBDA Accepting Applications for Program to Provide Laptops
The Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority (PBDA) has announced the application period is open for its Digital Connectivity Technology Program. Through the new program, the PBDA will purchase and distribute $20 million in laptops for eligible public-facing institutions such as libraries, municipalities, workforce training organizations, not-for-profit organizations and other community anchor institutions that can offer internet access to individuals who lack the technology.
Online applications can be made through the PBDA website until Monday, Aug. 19.
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PGC Seeks Help Counting Turkeys
The Pennsylvania Game Commission again is seeking input from the public in surveying wild turkeys this summer. The Pennsylvania Wild Turkey Sighting Survey is open now through Aug. 31.
Participation is important for turkey population management. Survey data allow the agency to determine total wild turkey productivity and compare long-term reproductive success within Pennsylvania and across states, as this is a standard methodology used across the country. Data also are used in the turkey population model to track population trends.
Turkey sightings can be reported through the Game Commission’s website. The agency recommends saving this link to your favorites for quick access to report turkey sightings. The mobile app is no longer available.
On the website, participants are requested to record the number of wild turkeys they see, along with the county, township, wildlife management unit (WMU), date and contact information if agency biologists have any questions. Participants may also simply drop a “pin” on the map for the location data to automatically populate. Location data are used only for the survey, not for law enforcement and are not shared.
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