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In this Update:
Pro-Growth 2025-26 State Budget Now Complete
The bipartisan state budget approved by the Senate and the House this week will help improve the quality of life in our communities by pursuing pro-growth strategies that will create more economic opportunities for Pennsylvanians. The plan utilizes billions in lapsed funding in state agencies and special funds being hoarded by the administration; protects families and job-creators from the devastating consequences of Shapiro’s proposed $1.2 Billion Dollar RGGI electricity tax; and incentivizes job creation across the commonwealth by implementing key reforms to the permitting process and maintaining our goal to keep making our tax structure more competitive. Though there’s much I am not happy with in this budget fiscally, there are significant wins to unleash this state to help address our economic and demographic challenges. Legislation Advances Cracking Down on AI-Generated Child Sexual Abuse Material
Legislation to better protect young people against the serious threats posed by child abuse materials generated using artificial intelligence (AI) is advancing in the Senate. The Senate Judiciary Committee approved Senate Bill 1050, which would require mandated reporters to report all instances of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) they become aware of, including those produced by a minor. This applies to teachers, child care workers, health care providers and other individuals responsible for caring for children. There has been a startling increase in the amount of AI-generated CSAM being created and shared in recent years, including troubling cases in school settings. Law enforcement officials and child advocacy organizations shared their support for the measure during a public hearing of the Senate Majority Policy Committee. ICYMI: Pennsylvania’s Clean Water Comeback
Pennsylvania has made tremendous progress in recent years to support clean water, including the creation of the Clean Streams Fund in 2022. This progress includes the upper portion of the Chesapeake Bay earning its highest grade in the past 20 years last year in terms of water quality. I recently detailed this progress in an op-ed I co-authored with my colleague Senator Gene Yaw. Keystone Scholars Offers November Incentive to Start Saving for College
State Treasurer Stacy Garrity announced a statewide incentive for Keystone Scholars this month which will give children a head start on education savings. Families who claim their child’s $100 scholarship from Keystone Scholars in November and open and link their own companion PA 529 College and Career Savings Program account will get an additional $50. Keystone Scholars provides a $100 scholarship for every child born in Pennsylvania since 2019. This money grows alongside the child and will be available to use after their 18th birthday to help pay for costs associated with four-year degrees, community college, technical training, apprenticeships and credential programs. To learn more, visit pa529.com/keystone. State Police Will Help Ensure Your Child Car Seat is Properly Installed
Throughout November, certified Pennsylvania State Police technicians are setting aside dates to help ensure child car seats are safe, secure and properly installed. Caregivers will receive instruction on the proper installation and have seats installed, learn how to properly harness a child in a seat and check seats for recalls. Find the nearest free car seat check here. If none are scheduled locally or you can’t make it, check your local state police station for free monthly child seat fittings. Oh Say, Can You Sing? The PA Farm Show National Anthem Contest
Think you’ve got what it takes to sing the National Anthem at the Farm Show? The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture is looking for singers to kick off each day of the 2026 edition of the nation’s largest indoor agricultural exposition. Submit your original video entry by Nov. 24 to be considered. Winners will be selected by fan voting on Facebook. You must be available at least one day of the Farm Show, which runs from Jan. 10 through Jan. 17. You can find details about eligibility, video requirements, voting and how to apply here.
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