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Balancing Priorities: Enacting the 2025–2026 State Budget
The Pennsylvania General Assembly has enacted a $50.09 billion General Fund budget for the 2025–2026 fiscal year. While this is a larger overall budget number than I would have preferred, the final agreement came in $1.4 billion below the Governor’s original proposal, reflecting a willingness to compromise and an effort to keep expenditures more closely aligned with revenue projections. As I’ve said consistently, our state budget should not exceed our state revenue. Spending more than we bring in may set the stage for future tax increases and fiscal instability. Unfortunately, our cost to carry budget is approximately $49 billion, which reflects a need for stronger reforms as we move forward. To help offset this cost to carry number and current state revenues, the Senate conducted a line-by-line review of agency budgets, identifying lapsed and unused funds that could be responsibly redirected to prevent deeper financial strain. Importantly, this measure preserves the state’s Rainy Day Fund. You can read more about the importance of this fund here. That said, we must focus on growing Pennsylvania’s economy. Without expanded economic activity — through job creation, business development, and population retention — the burden on taxpayers will continue to grow. Economic growth is not only the foundation for a balanced budget, but it’s also essential to expanding opportunity, attracting investment, and maintaining the quality of services Pennsylvanians depend on. One major policy shift in this budget is the formal withdrawal from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) – a program enacted via executive order, never approved by the legislature, and recently struck down by the Commonwealth Court as an unconstitutional energy tax. RGGI was projected to increase electricity prices by up to 30 percent, placing an unsustainable burden on working families and creating deep uncertainty for the energy sector and businesses. Rescinding Pennsylvania’s participation in RGGI restores predictability, protects ratepayers, and reopens the door to energy investment and job creation and creates certainty. Another key advancement is the reform of Pennsylvania’s complex and burdensome permitting process, which currently includes over 164,000 regulatory restrictions. These reforms will expand expedited permitting across agencies, implement online tracking systems, and automatically approve permits when agencies fail to meet deadlines. Cutting red tape and improving transparency are essential steps toward creating a more business-friendly environment. These changes will help spur investment, reduce project delays, and support local job creation – further reinforcing our goal of long-term economic health. This year’s budget reflects the realities of divided government, with both sides making compromises to fund essential services while advancing meaningful policy changes. As always, I remain committed to protecting taxpayers, promoting smart government, and supporting the long-term wellbeing of our Commonwealth. Reinvesting in Our Homes Without a Tax Penalty
This week, the Senate Urban Affairs Committee unanimously advanced my legislation, Senate Bill 979, the “Reinvestment in Housing Act”. This bill is aimed at supporting responsible homeownership and revitalizing our communities across Pennsylvania. Too often, homeowners who make improvements to their property are met with an unintended consequence – a property reassessment that increases their tax bill. This can discourage people from making the very upgrades that keep neighborhoods strong. Senate Bill 979 addresses this. It ensures that modest investments in your home, those equal to or less than 20 percent of your home’s current assessed value, will not trigger a property reassessment. This allows Pennsylvanians to maintain and improve their homes without fearing a sudden tax increase as a result. There are safeguards in place to make sure the policy is used responsibly. The home must be a primary residence, the owner must have lived there for at least five years, and the benefit can only be used once during the lifetime ownership of the property. This bill is about making sure families aren’t penalized for taking care of their homes. Senate Bill 979 now moves to the full Senate for consideration. Protect Yourself and Your Loved Ones from Scams
Our office has recently been made aware of several alarming scam attempts in our region, including one involving a local resident who was nearly tricked into handing over $16,000 in cash. The scammer claimed to be a bail bondsman and falsely told the victim that her daughter had been arrested following a traffic accident. The call included personal details, a fabricated story, and even someone impersonating the daughter in distress. The impersonator pleaded for help and insisted she “not tell anyone.” Fortunately, this individual trusted her instincts and was able to verify that her daughter was safe before handing over any money. But not everyone is as lucky, and these scams are becoming more convincing with the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and easily accessible personal information online. Tips to Protect Yourself:
If You Believe You’ve Been Targeted:
Scammers are becoming more sophisticated, but we can stay one step ahead by staying informed and spreading awareness. Please share this message with your family, friends, and neighbors. Please especially share with older adults who are frequently targeted. Scenes from the 40th District
This week’s photo winner is Heather of East Stroudsburg with more local wildlife closeups! These photos has been shared on my social media and posted to the 40th Senatorial District Photo Gallery. Interested in showcasing your photography skills? I am inviting residents of the 40th 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. A Wonderful Veterans Appreciation Luncheon
Sunday was one of my absolute favorite days of each year as I hosted my annual Veterans Informational and Appreciation Luncheon at Trout Lake! It was wonderful to spend the day with so many veterans from across our district to share stories, say thank you, and recognize the sacrifices they and their families have made on behalf of our country. Special thanks to the wonderful staff at Trout Lake, our guest speaker Justin Wunderler (Veterans Service Coordinator at New Vitae Wellness and Recovery), and my amazing staff that organized our event! As a reminder, I issue a monthly Veterans E-Newsletter. This is one more way I hope to stay connected with you and ensure that your voices, experiences, and needs are heard in Harrisburg. Thank you for your service, your sacrifice, and your continued contributions to our communities. If you want to sign up to receive this e-newsletter monthly, click here. AI and Children: Legislation to Keep Our Kids Safe
The Senate approved legislation to better protect young people against the increased threats posed by child sexual abuse materials (CSAM) generated using artificial intelligence (AI). Senate Bill 1050 would require all individuals classified as mandated reporters to notify authorities of all instances of CSAM they become aware of, including those produced by a minor. A mandated reporter includes teachers, childcare workers, health care providers and others responsible for caring for children. The bill was sent to the House of Representatives for consideration. The Senate previously passed key legislation to combat the issue of sexually explicit materials created through AI by passing Act 125 of 2024 and Act 35 of 2025, which addressed deepfakes and sexual deepfakes. In addition, Senate Bill 1090, the Safeguarding Adolescents from Exploitative Chatbots and Harmful AI Technology (SAFECHAT) Act, was approved by the Senate Communications and Technology Committee. Read about that measure here.
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