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In this Update:
Senate Republicans Announce Priorities and Principles for 2023-24 Session
With the two-year legislative session getting into full swing, I joined my fellow Senate Republican leaders this week in announcing Senate Republican priorities and principles for 2023-24. Our legislative efforts will be focused on protecting jobs, empowering families and defending freedoms. Protecting Pennsylvania jobs requires a comprehensive approach that includes ensuring energy independence, promoting workforce development and continued improvement of our infrastructure. Empowering Pennsylvania families means providing healthy and safe communities, addressing mental and behavioral health needs, and guaranteeing access to high-quality educational opportunities. Defending freedom means keeping government out of the lives and pockets of citizens as much as possible, and instilling confidence in the electoral process. Senate Republicans will build on our successful efforts last session that were focused on:
Senate Republican leaders discussed our 2023-24 priorities and principles here. Veterans Survey Extended to March 17
I am currently conducting a survey to allow veterans and their families to share their thoughts on the availability and accessibility of veterans’ benefits. In order to allow more veterans to participate, I have extended the survey through March 17. To complete the survey, please visit https://redesign.senatorscottmartinpa.com/legislative-survey/. Committee Votes to Eliminate Costs for Genetic Testing and Breast Cancer Screenings
Legislation I’m co-sponsoring to eliminate all out-of-pocket costs for genetic testing of hereditary cancer syndromes and supplemental breast screenings for women with a high lifetime-risk of developing breast cancer took two important steps toward Senate passage this week. Senate Bill 8 is a bipartisan, first-of-its-kind, comprehensive breast cancer screening and testing bill. The legislation was approved by the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee, and the Senate Appropriations Committee – which I chair – and is poised for consideration by the full Senate. Genetic testing often leads to early cancer detection or preventive treatments and procedures. It not only informs the tested individual, but also provides vital information to family members who may have a high likelihood of inheriting a gene mutation. Senate Votes to Restrict Diversion of Transportation Funding
The Senate passed legislation this week to ensure transportation funding is not diverted out of the Motor License Fund, ensuring more money is available to support Pennsylvania’s transportation infrastructure. The Motor License Fund receives revenue from transportation charges, including the gas tax, vehicle registration fees and driver license fees. However, hundreds of millions of dollars from this fund are diverted to the Pennsylvania State Police for statewide highway patrol operations. Senate Bill 121 would cap transfers out of the fund in future years until transfers end entirely by 2028-29. The bill would ensure Pennsylvania State Police still receives reliable, sustainable funding from other sources. Senate Urges President Biden to Restart Keystone XL Pipeline I joined with Senate colleagues in passing a resolution calling on President Biden to allow completion of the Keystone XL pipeline to create nearly 60,000 jobs and strengthen our energy independence in uncertain times. Senate Resolution 9 urges the president to restart and expedite the completion of the Keystone XL pipeline, which had its permit canceled through an executive order on his first day in office. A report from the U.S. Department of Energy showcased that the construction of the pipeline would have generated between 16,149-59,468 jobs annually and contributed $3.4 billion to the United States Gross Domestic Product. The resolution will now be transmitted to President Biden and members of Congress, including the entire Pennsylvania Congressional delegation.
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