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In this Update:
Bipartisan State Budget Finalized
The Senate approved a 2024-25 state budget last evening that creates new job opportunities for state residents, includes no new taxes, and addresses the economic and demographic challenges the state faces in the years ahead. In split government where Democrats control the administration and the House, and Republicans control the Senate, bipartisanship is necessary to move government forward. The final spending plan is $740 million less than Gov. Josh Shapiro’s original proposal, and it includes key measures to boost the economy by removing barriers for businesses to relocate to or expand in Pennsylvania. It controls spending and ensures new education expenditures required by law are driven out fairly in a way that protects taxpayers and benefits more Lancaster County schools. Lawmakers also addressed the persistent problem of permitting delays that have chased jobs and investment to other states. A new Streamlining Permits for Economic Expansion and Development (SPEED) Program will be created to establish permit review timelines by the Department of Environmental Protection and conservation districts. Additionally, a new permit tracking system will be implemented, and applicants will now have the option for third-party review of air, earth disturbance and water permit applications. Significant resources are included to empower parents and families to make the best decisions regarding the educational needs of their children. Learn more about education funding and other budget highlights. My Proposal to Limit Student Smartphone Use During School Set for Enactment
The General Assembly passed my proposal to improve students’ mental health and academic performance by giving schools the resources they need to effectively limit student smartphone use during the school day. Specifically, Senate Bill 700 included my proposal to amend the School Safety & Mental Health grant program to allow for the purchase of these smartphone bags as an eligible use of the funding. This funding is a huge opportunity for any school district looking to address one of the major root causes of the mental health crisis plaguing our kids – smartphones and social media. Since the early 2010s, there has been a steep decline in mental health in children, and their academic performance is suffering. This decline directly correlates to the rise of smartphones and social media apps. Senate Bill 700 also requires schools to develop and adopt an official policy to prohibit the use of cellphones during the school day in exchange for the grant funding to purchase the smartphone bags. While this requirement and the funding tied to it are currently voluntary for school districts, moving forward I plan to pursue a statewide prohibition on cellphone use during school hours. Learn more about my initiative to create smartphone-free schools in Pennsylvania and the research supporting it here. Program Connecting Veterans with Benefits Receives Senate Approval
The Senate this week unanimously approved legislation to establish in law the PA VETConnect program to help Pennsylvania veterans access programs, services, and benefits in their communities. Senate Bill 447 would establish in law the PA VETConnect program, which is administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and helps the commonwealth’s more than 700,000 veterans access services in their communities. The database of resources enables local veteran advocates – including staff at county veterans affairs offices – to point veterans to information, resources, programs, and services in their area and across the commonwealth. Senate Votes to Expand Authority of Hospice Licensed Practical Nurses
The Senate unanimously approved Senate Bill 1080 to enable licensed practical nurses (LPNs) working in a hospice setting to make death pronouncements, saving money and limiting unnecessary emotional distress for the patient’s family. Pennsylvania law currently allows registered nurses (RNs), medical doctors, physician assistants, and coroners to make death pronouncements. Many hospice facilities across Pennsylvania face workforce shortages. Giving LPNs the authority to make death pronouncements can help hospice facilities address their staffing issues. Congratulations to Two Championship Knightmare Rugby Teams
Congratulations to The Knightmare Rugby Football Club Girls’ and Boys’ Rugby Teams for both winning state titles this spring! The Knightmare Rugby Football Club Girls Rugby Team won the 2024 PA State Division 1 High School Club Girls’ Rugby Championship. The team captured the gold medal by defeating Downingtown with a score of 49 to 17. This marks the team’s fourth consecutive state title. The Knightmare Rugby Football Club Boys’ Rugby Team won the 2024 Pennsylvania State Division 2 High School Club Boys’ Rugby Championship. The win against the Blackthorn Rugby Club with a score of 31 to 17 earned the team’s second consecutive state title. Special thanks to my son Jack for helping present these impressive young athletes with their official PA Senate citations commending them for their terrific wins. My Staff Volunteered at Columbia Dream Center
My staff and I recently volunteered to serve lunch and pack food boxes for local families in Columbia at the Columbia Dream Center, a nonprofit dedicated to serving Columbia and the surrounding area by providing food, shelter, clothing, and resources. Learn how you can volunteer to give back to your community. To view more photos from our staff volunteer day, check out my Instagram post here. Ephrata Resident Interns at State Capitol
Pennsylvania Senate Republicans are proud to welcome Ephrata resident Austin Thompson as an intern in the Computer Services Department this summer. He will help to make upgrades in offices around the Capitol and prepare new laptops for employees as we phase out old technology. Austin will be a sophomore majoring in cybersecurity at Messiah University in the fall. He attended Ephrata High School, where he helped in the school’s IT office before graduating. Online Dashboard Shows Tick Hot Spots
Tick season is in full swing, but there are ways to continue to enjoy the many benefits of the Great Outdoors while minimizing the risk of becoming a victim of a tickborne disease. Pennsylvanians should take precautions every time they spend time outside as the state leads the nation in the number of Lyme disease cases. A new Pennsylvania Department of Health online dashboard shows where ticks are prevalent and the latest data on tickborne disease activity, such as Lyme disease. Tick bites can be limited using preventative measures. Treat clothing and gear with products containing 0.5% permethrin. Use Environmental Protection Agency-registered insect repellents. Walk in the center of trails and avoid wooded and brushy areas with high grass and leaf litter. When returning indoors, check your clothing, gear, and pets for ticks. Shower within two hours and check your body using a full-length mirror.
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