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In this Update:
PA Senate Completes Work on Empowering, Pro-Family, Pro-Growth Budget
The Pennsylvania Senate approved a fiscally responsible 2024-25 state budget that is honest with taxpayers, 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. The new state budget finds a responsible middle ground between community demands for expanded services and funding and the taxpayer interest in avoiding state overspending. There has been a concentrated effort to differentiate between meeting defined public needs and putting money toward untested or extravagant fixes. The $47.59 billion spending plan is $740 million less than the proposal Gov. Josh Shapiro presented in February, and also adds $740 million to the state’s Rainy Day Fund, a key priority of Senate Republicans to prevent painful tax hikes or service cuts in future years. Overall state spending increases by far less than what the governor sought. The general feeling was that it was too much all at once for plans that were insufficiently detailed and justified. The budget includes key measures to boost Pennsylvania’s economy. The plan continues to phase out the Corporate Net Income Tax, a critical barrier to business expansion in the commonwealth. It also begins the process of eliminating the Start-Up Penalty that makes it more difficult for businesses to relocate to Pennsylvania. 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. A common complaint of job creators and advocates of community development projects is the extensive time and associated cost required by the permitting process. Important reforms are included with the budget that will keep projects on track. The plan also increases K-12 education funding by more than $1 billion, one of the largest funding increases in Pennsylvania’s history. New funding for the Basic Education subsidy ($285 million), Ready to Learn Block Grant program ($526 million) and school facility improvements ($100 million) will help meet Pennsylvania’s Constitutional mandate to provide a thorough and efficient system of education. Senate Republicans fought to ensure these dollars are allocated fairly in a manner that benefits students throughout the commonwealth, not just those students who attend a small number of select schools. Additional funding is also included for:
School districts will also see reduced cyber charter school special education costs of approximately $34.5 million by transitioning to a state-funded reimbursement system that preserves educational options for families. An additional $25 million is also included for career and technical education programs to ensure more young people are prepared for the challenges of today’s workforce. Community colleges will receive a 6 percent increase. From the beginning, everyone realized that spending for public education was going to rise substantially after the state formula was ruled unconstitutional. However, there are many components to the education budget and care is taken to ensure that school districts with failing enrollments do not take a big hit all at once. To achieve both equity and effectiveness across our public schools, a series of policy and management changes must be implemented in tandem with funding reforms. Significant new resources will also be available for transportation infrastructure. The budget continues the process to phase out the State Police from the Motor License Fund and includes an additional $80.5 million in one-time dollars, making more resources available to help repair our roads and bridges. Additional funding is also included to empower law enforcement and ensure healthier communities. New funding is included for county mental health ($20 million) and rate increases for nursing facilities ($134 million), intellectual disability/autism services ($278 million) and LIFE providers ($16.7 million). Funding is also included to ensure nursing facilities receive reimbursement for care from day one ($11 million increase) and for a new initiative to provide intellectual disability/autism services to an additional 1,500 Pennsylvanians ($76 million). Across human services, we receive regular reports of people in need having to wait to access crucial programs, assistance and treatments. More money for programs such as county mental health, nursing care and intellectual disability/autism services will help reduce waiting lists and provide care earlier than is normal now. The budget also continues Senate Republicans’ record of leadership on improving water quality by including $50 million for the Clean Streams Fund. The program, created in 2022, has supported the agriculture community in making significant improvements to water quality in communities throughout the state. Funding is also included to continue to deal with the threat of avian influenza, including a new Agricultural Innovation and Development program funded at $10 million. The Attorney General’s Office will also receive nearly $5 million in new funding to improve the safety of our communities through new law enforcement initiatives targeting human trafficking ($1 million), organized retail theft ($2.7 million) and appointing a special prosecutor for crimes on SEPTA properties ($1.2 million). You can view a full tracking run of the budget 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. 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. Promoting Safe Driving Habits
Recognizing this week as Operation Safe Driver Week, which aims to reduce driving behaviors, here are some helpful tips so we can all enjoy the roadways safely. Speeding has been a factor in more than a quarter of crash deaths since 2008. Nearly half of passenger vehicle occupants killed in 2019 were not wearing seatbelts. Distracted driving is another behavior that puts people at risk. The AAA Traffic Safety Culture Index revealed that 88% of drivers believe distracted driving has outpaced all other traffic-related issues as a growing safety concern. In June, the Senate passed legislation, now law, limiting the use of handheld cellular and other devices while driving. Bill Expanding First Responder Service Dog Fee Exemptions Receives Senate Approval
The Senate approved Senate Bill 82 to extend license fee exemptions to service dogs integral to fire departments, sheriff’s offices and rescue services. This exemption currently applies only to municipal and state police departments. The bill was sent to the governor to be signed into law. Service dogs detect threats, aid in search and rescue missions, and provide critical support during medical emergencies. The exemption from licensing fees aims to minimize financial barriers for agencies relying on these highly trained animals. Additionally, the measure addresses challenges created by a revision to the state’s dog law that prohibited out-of-state residents from boarding their dogs in Pennsylvania-based kennels. Senate Passes Bill Discounting Hunting and Fishing Licenses to Volunteer Firefighters
The Senate approved a bill that would enable volunteer firefighters to obtain discounted hunting licenses and fishing licenses in Pennsylvania. Resident adult hunting licenses cost $20.97 and fishing licenses cost $27.97. The legislation would reduce the cost of each to $1 for volunteer firefighters who served at least the previous 12 months in the commonwealth. Pennsylvania in the 1970s had as many as 300,000 volunteer firefighters. There currently are approximately 38,000 volunteer firefighters in the commonwealth. Scenes from the 20th District Featured Photo: Svecz Road, Herrick Township
This week’s featured photo from the Scenes from the 20th District Photo Gallery was submitted by Roseann Swegel of Susquehanna County. “Fall Scene on Svecz Road, Herrick Township” captures the beauty and unique character of the community. Use the online submission form to showcase your photography skills and submit your best photographs that highlight the natural landscapes, community events, historical landmarks and everyday life within the district.
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