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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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Don’t Forget, Senior Expo is Thursday!
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Legalizing Recreational Marijuana Wrong Move for PA
Click here to watch my thoughts about this bill.
A massive bill to legalize marijuana for recreational use in the Commonwealth was approved by the House this week on a party-line vote of 102-101. I voted no.
The 173-page bill was just introduced Sunday, May 4, and was fast tracked through the House Health Committee Monday. It was quickly brought up for a final vote in the House on Wednesday. This allowed very little time for lawmakers to review the bill or work to improve upon it via the amendment process.
More importantly, it allowed virtually no time for the public – the people who would be most deeply impacted by this proposal – to see the bill, understand its implications and share their comments or concerns with the legislators they elected to be their voice at the state Capitol.
The public health impacts of marijuana use are well documented. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, three in 10 people who use marijuana become addicted/develop cannabis disorder, and for those who use marijuana before the age of 18, the risk is even higher; marijuana use directly affects the brain and the effects may be permanent (memory, learning, attention, decision making and reaction time); and marijuana users are more likely to develop chronic mental disorders, including schizophrenia.
Legalizing recreational marijuana significantly increases the risks to children through secondhand smoke and accidental contact or ingestion, particularly through edibles.
Even supporters of legalization have concerns about House Bill 1200, as it would empower the existing Liquor Control Board (LCB) to regulate and sell recreational marijuana to adults at state-run stores similar to those that sell alcohol.
A primary motivator for the rush to legalize recreational marijuana is the upcoming 2025-26 state budget deadline on June 30. The budget proposed by Gov. Josh Shapiro in February relies on more than $500 million in revenue from taxes and licensing related to recreational marijuana sales. However, the LCB has said the bill would cost $260 million to get up and running, and they would not sell cannabis out of existing state stores. The fiscal note estimates initial costs upwards of $400 million. The math just doesn’t work.
We should not be risking the health of our residents to balance the state budget.
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Hosting the 139th at the Capitol
Last week, I had quite a few visitors from the District visit me in Harrisburg.
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Boosting Accountability for Higher Education Funding
A council created last year to establish a new funding model for state-related universities in the Commonwealth has unanimously approved its report and recommendations to improve accountability in higher education funding.
Under Act 90 of 2024, the Performance-Based Funding Council was charged with developing a new funding model using performance-based metrics designed to increase degree attainment, encourage affordability, meet workforce needs and grow the economy. If adopted, the model would apply to new funding for Penn State University, the University of Pittsburgh and Temple University.
The full report is available for review here.
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Peace Officers Memorial Day
Thursday, May 15, marks Peace Officers Memorial Day.
First established by President John F. Kennedy in 1962, the day is designed to pay tribute to the brave local, state and federal peace officers who have died or been disabled in the line of duty. The day falls during National Police Week, which this year is being marked from May 11-17.
We are blessed by the men and women who have taken an oath to serve and protect, and particularly by those who have sacrificed their lives to protect public safety.
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District Happenings
I was excited to attend two great events recently in our District. One was the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors’ Legislative Reception, and the other to celebrate Honesdale Lions Club’s 100 years of service to the community!
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Keystone State ChalleNGe Academy Now Accepting Applications for Summer 2025 Class
Since 2022, the Keystone State ChalleNGe Academy (KSCA) has been transforming the lives of teenagers using a military academy style training model to provide structure and discipline.
KSCA is a joint effort between the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and the National Guard Bureau, in consultation with the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
Applications may be submitted now through July 12 for the 22-week class that begins in July.
The program is open to 16- to 18-year-old Pennsylvania residents who are at risk of not graduating from high school, no longer attending any school or have not received a high school diploma or equivalent certificate. Applicants must be willing to be drug free, free of felony convictions and voluntarily commit to the program. If selected, students will attend the residential phase at Fort Indiantown Gap in Lebanon County.
For detailed eligibility requirements and to begin the application process, click here. You may also request a mailed application or ask questions by contacting the academy via email at RA-MVPACHALLENGE@pa.gov or by calling 717-861-7767.
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Bike Safely!
May is National Bicycle Safety Month. The Pennsylvania Vehicle Code considers "pedalcycles" as vehicles. That means bicyclists must follow traffic laws, such as obeying all traffic signals and riding in the same direction as traffic. If you ride in violation of the traffic laws, you greatly increase your risk of a crash and will likely be found at fault in the event of an accident.
Here are some additional safety tips for cyclists:
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Always wear a properly fitted bicycle helmet. |
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Use proper hand signals when turning or stopping to communicate with drivers. |
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Wear bright or reflective clothing to help drivers see you. |
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Regularly maintain your bike to keep it working smoothly. |
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Equip your bike with reflectors, a white headlight, and a bell or horn. |
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Ride a car-door width away from parked vehicles. |
Motor vehicles must allow 4 feet of distance when overtaking a bicycle and travel at a careful and prudent speed. It is the motorist’s responsibility to provide the distance, not the cyclist. For more bicycle safety tips, please visit www.penndot.pa.gov/safety.
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