Senators Recognize National School Bus Safety Week
Sen. Judy Ward (R-30), Sen. Scott Martin (R-13) and Sen. Lisa Baker (R-20) held a news conference about the importance of school bus safety at the State Capitol in Harrisburg. [Read More]
Senate Approves State Budget that Funds Essential Services Without Raising Taxes
For the second time this year, Senate Republicans approved a state budget that respects taxpayers and protects the financial stability of our commonwealth while ensuring that counties, school districts, and other state government partners receive needed funding, said Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward (R-39), Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman (R-41) and Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Scott Martin (R-13). [Read More]
Op-Ed: Pennsylvania’s Clean Water Comeback
In the face of recent headlines about the Chesapeake Bay’s lagging progress, Pennsylvania’s Susquehanna River stands out as proof that strategic, local-first investments can yield measurable results. [Read More]
Senators Introduce Legislation to Address Rise of AI-Generated Child Sexual Abuse Material
Senators Tracy Pennycuick (R-24), Scott Martin (R-13) and Lisa Baker (R-20) have introduced a bill to better protect young people against the serious threats posed by child abuse materials generated using artificial intelligence (AI). [Read More]
Senate Passes Bill to Waive Interest on Short-Term Budget Impasse Loans
Pennsylvania counties, early education programs, rape prevention and domestic violence prevention centers could pay no interest on loans from the Pennsylvania Treasury under legislation approved by the Senate today, according to Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward (R-39), Majority Leader Joe Pittman (R-41) and Appropriations Committee Chair Scott Martin (R-13). [Read More]
Senate Republicans to Introduce Legislation Providing Loan Interest Forgiveness to Counties and Head Start
Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward (R-39), Majority Leader Joe Pittman (R-41) and Appropriations Chair Scott Martin (R-13) announced their intention to introduce legislation forgiving the interest on loans following the announcement by State Treasurer Stacy Garrity to help Head Start providers and counties during the state budget impasse. [Read More]
Senator Martin Calls for Accountability from Governor Shapiro on Energy Policy
Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Scott Martin (R-Lancaster) issued the following statement today in reaction to Governor Shapiro’s comments yesterday on energy policy: [Read More]
Senator Martin: SEPTA Funding Request Vindicates Senate Republican Transit Approach
Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Scott Martin (R-Lancaster) said today that SEPTA’s request to use existing funding from the $2.5 billion Public Transportation Trust Fund to avoid service cuts uses key elements of a solution identified last month by Senate Republicans. [Read More]
Senator Martin Calls on Governor Shapiro, PA Democrats to Stop Playing Politics on Transit
As lawmakers continue to work to finalize the state budget, Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Scott Martin (R-Lancaster) today called on Governor Josh Shapiro and Pennsylvania Democrats to stop playing politics on the mass transit issue. [Read More]
Pennsylvania Legislators Lead Effort to Protect Kids from Online Exploitation
A group of Pennsylvania legislators is taking action to address the alarming rise in online child exploitation by introducing a resolution that designates the week of August 17 through 23, 2025 as “Social Media Safety and Parental Awareness Week” in Pennsylvania. [Read More]
Senate Republican Leaders: Senate Advances Responsible Budget Bill, Transportation Funding Legislation
Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward (R-39), Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman (R-41) and Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Scott Martin (R-13) announced today that counties, school districts, hospitals and others would receive critical funding from the commonwealth immediately under a budget bill approved by the Senate. [Read More]
Senator Martin Will Host Senior Expo on August 14 in Lancaster
More than 50 exhibitors will be available to offer information on programs and services for older community residents at Senator Scott Martin’s (R-Lancaster) Senior Expo next week in Lancaster. [Read More]