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Let’s Talk About Affordability and Why Electricity Costs Remain High

In the video above, I provide a detailed overview of Pennsylvania’s electricity landscape. Across my district, I am consistently asked why electric bills continue to rise. It is a complex issue, so I wanted to break down the factors driving these costs in a clear and easily understandable way. This is an important conversation because when energy costs rise, the cost of nearly everything else rises with them.

Energy costs are a significant part of our broader affordability challenges. That is why I have worked to advance numerous bills in the Senate aimed at lowering costs for Pennsylvania families. Many of these proposals have been passed by the Senate and are now awaiting consideration in the House of Representatives.

I voted to:

• Cut the Gross Receipts Tax on electricity, establish a sales tax holiday on school supplies, expand educational opportunities for families, and eliminate a tax exemption for data centers (HB 1667).
• Expand access to affordable and attainable housing (SB 1236, SB 1279, and SB 1281).
• Reduce college costs by expanding Dual Enrollment opportunities (SB 974).
• Eliminate unnecessary vehicle emissions testing requirements (SB 1298).
• Promote energy development to help lower utility costs for consumers (SB 704).
• Streamline state government and reduce unnecessary costs to taxpayers (SB 755).
• Strengthen oversight of taxpayer-funded programs and protect public dollars from fraud and abuse (SB 362 and SB 1372).

I encourage you to contact your state representative and ask them to prioritize legislation that will deliver meaningful financial relief to Pennsylvania families and our communities.

Education Funding and Property Tax Relief

Last week, I provided a detailed review of education funding across our district and explained why increased state support for our schools should translate into meaningful property tax relief for local residents.

As your state senator, one of the most important tools I have to help reduce the burden on local property taxpayers is increasing the state’s share of education funding. When I help deliver additional state dollars to our school districts, I believe it is incumbent upon our local school boards to use those increases responsibly and reduce millage rates whenever possible.

The state does not set your local school property tax rate—those decisions are made by your locally elected school board. However, I have advocated and delivered strong and appropriate state investments in our schools so that a greater share of education costs is supported by state tax dollars rather than placed on local property owners.

For a detailed overview of this work, how the school funding process works, and funding trends for each school district in the 40th Senatorial District, please click here.

Throwback Thursday: Promoting Financial Literacy

This week for Throwback Thursday, I highlighted legislation I enacted in 2019 to strengthen financial literacy education for Pennsylvania students. Act 91 of 2019 allows students who successfully complete a financial literacy course to apply those credits toward their graduation requirements.

Financial literacy provides young people with practical skills they can carry throughout their lives, helping them better understand budgeting, saving and other important financial decisions.

For a full list of bills I have enacted throughout my service in the legislature, click here.

Fun at the West End Fair!

I always enjoy spending time at the West End Fair.

Aside from the West End Fair Luncheon, I also visited with Kevin and Kathy Bond and met their beautiful Texas Longhorn, Kyle, whose horns measure an impressive 86½ inches! It was also wonderful chatting with the fair queens and catching up with so many familiar faces.

The West End Fair is a wonderful celebration of our agricultural heritage and the people who make our community special. Thank you to everyone who works hard each year to make the fair such a success!

Serving the Community in Lake Ariel

This past weekend, I joined Rep. Jeff Olsommer for our community shredding and recycling event at Evergreen Elementary in Lake Ariel. More than 80 vehicles came through to safely dispose of documents and recyclable materials.

Thank you to everyone who participated and helped make the event a success. I also want to extend a special thank you to the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office and Lake Ariel Volunteer Fire Company for their assistance and support throughout the event.

It was another great opportunity to provide a helpful service while visiting with residents from throughout the community!

Scenes from the 40th District

This week’s photo is courtesy of Samantha of East Stroudsburg, with this sweet photo of a fawn resting in the brush! This picture has been shared on my social media and posted to the 40^th Senatorial District Photo Gallery.

I am inviting residents of the 40^th Senatorial District to share their photography and help capture the beauty and character of our community. Whether it’s a stunning landscape, a lively community event, or a cherished historical landmark, I encourage you to submit photos that highlight the unique aspects of our district, which includes parts of Lackawanna and Wayne counties, and all of Monroe County.

Click here to submit your work and learn more.