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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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Governor’s Proposed $51.47 Billion Budget More Than PA Can Afford
The 2025-26 state budget process got underway this week when Gov. Josh Shapiro delivered his budget address before a joint session of the General Assembly on Tuesday. You can read my reaction here.
His $51.47 billion proposal represents an increase of $3.57 billion, or 7.5%, over the current year’s spending. With revenues projected to increase by just 2.8%, Shapiro’s plan would fully deplete the state’s surplus funds and would again dip into the Rainy Day Fund, as well as require revenue from new taxes on things like recreational marijuana and skill games.
This approach is unsustainable. We should instead focus on policies that grow the economy and create family-sustaining jobs. There is great growth potential in our energy industry alone.
The budget address is just the first step in the annual state budget process. The House and Senate Appropriations committees will each conduct hearings taking a closer look at the details of the plan. The House hearings get underway on Tuesday, Feb. 18, with the Department of Community and Economic Development, and the Department of Revenue.
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District Highlights
What a wonderful event! Milford Winter Festival, Milford PA hosted a terrific Mac ‘N Cheese and Chile Contest. I had fun sampling all the entries - great food and great fellowship!
Congratulations to the newest Eagle Scout in the 139th, Daniel Kozlak, Jr. In addition to his work and leadership in scouting, he is a great community asset volunteering for many local organizations, such as the Delaware Township Recreation Department and American Legion Post 851. For his Eagle project, Daniel led preservation efforts at The Columns Museum which consisted of sealing the foundation against water intrusion. Staff member, Jill Gamboni, presented a PA House of Representatives Citation to Daniel. Well done!
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Policy Hearings Highlight Potential of PA’s Energy Industry
While the governor continues his push for new taxes on the state’s energy production, the House Republican Policy Committee recently heard from numerous testifiers about the damage these taxes would do to the energy industry, consumers and the economy as a whole.
The committee held a series of hearings, titled “Stopping New Energy Taxes,” in Westmoreland and Schuylkill counties last week, and at the state Capitol in Harrisburg on Monday, to hear from business and industry leaders, as well as community leaders, about how the governor’s push for a carbon tax would scare away potential investment in Pennsylvania; increase the cost of utilities; and perpetuate the unreliable energy supply.
My fellow House Republicans and I are committed to fighting against these taxes and instead advancing policies that will help grow our energy economy.
Click here for video of the hearings.
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Think Spring! Trout Stocking Schedule Available
The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) announced its 2025 trout stocking schedule is now available onlineand on the FishBoatPA mobile app.
The PFBC will stock approximately 3.2 million adult trout in 691 streams and 130 lakes open to public angling. Stocking is set to begin the week of Feb. 17 in advance of the statewide Mentored Youth Trout Day on Saturday, March 29, and the statewide opening day of trout season on Saturday, April 5.
The 2025 adult trout stocking schedule is searchable by county; lists the waterways in alphabetical order; and indicates stocking dates, meeting locations for volunteers and the species of trout that will be stocked at each location.
Click here for additional details about stocking or visit www.fishandboat.com.
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Community Conservation Partnerships Program Now Accepting Grant Applications
Communities across Pennsylvania can now apply for state grants to fund parks, recreation and conservation projects, as the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) opens its latest round of Community Conservation Partnerships Pogram funding. Applications are open now through April 2 at 4 p.m.
Eligible applicants include local governments and recreation and conservation nonprofit organizations. The grants fund projects such as park and recreation projects, conservation planning, trail planning, land and river conservation, community and streamside tree planting, and more.
Grant applications are only accepted through DCNR’s Grants Customer Service Portal.
Before starting an application, potential applicants should contact a regional advisor who serves the county where their project will be located. Contact information is available on the Regional Staff Assignment map (PDF).
A grant application overview is availble here.
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Students Invited to Participate in Lyme Disease Awareness Campaign
Pennsylvania students in first through sixth grades are invited to enter the 2025 Lyme Art Contest by creating a short video or poster focusing on the theme: “Protect. Check. Remove.”
The annual contest helps students, Scout troops and community youth programs learn how to prevent Lyme disease by educating them about ticks, including where they live, how to prevent bites and how to remove ticks that do bite.
Pennsylvania has one of the highest annual counts of Lyme disease cases in the nation, which further emphasizes the importance of teaching children about tick awareness and prevention measures.
The deadline for entries is Friday, March 14, at 5 p.m. Click here for details.
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