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In this Update:
Senate Approves Critical Budget Implementation Bills
Yesterday, we passed two critical budget implementation bills, Senate Bill 757 and House Bill 1300. These key pieces of legislation contain the necessary implementation language which allows Pennsylvania to delegate the remaining budgetary funds for many key priorities including a two-year tuition freeze for PASSHE schools, reauthorizing assessments and payments for hospitals and increases to EMS reimbursement rates. We have worked tirelessly over the last several weeks to negotiate and craft these bills to ensure it is beneficial to all Pennsylvanians. Throughout the entirety of this year’s budget process, my colleagues and I have stood firm and remained committed to keeping our government functioning and making sure we had a funding package that will better assist our schools, state entities, and critical services and programs. Now that our Chamber has taken the initiative to vote on and pass these bills, it is currently in the hands of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and their responsibility and duty to get them to the finish line and conclude this long budget process. Read more here. Fair Time Fun in the Community
Over the last week, I got to enjoy the company of our community while visiting the Hookstown Fair and the Big Knob Grange Fair! It was great getting to visit the many vendors and see the many winning 4-H, agriculture, and craft displays. Pictured above on the left is this year’s Hookstown Fair Queen Lexi Davis and on the right are Dave and Kathy Druschel who were named Big Knob Grange Fair’s “Friends of the Fair”. Pre-Register for Our Free Senior Expo Sept. 29
Don’t forget to pre-register for our Senior Expo! You can contact our Cranberry District Office at 878-978-2575, our Rochester District Office at 724-774-0444, or go online to https://redesign.senatoreldervogel.com/senior-expo-constituent-registration/. We will have FREE food and drinks, and the following will also be available to seniors free of charge:
There will also be many local and state organizations present during the expo to provide important information about available senior-focused services and programs. Beaver County Welcomes Monroy Supermarket to the Area
Congratulations to Mr. Nery Monroy on the grand opening of his supermarket in Beaver County! I was pleased to attend the ribbon cutting ceremony for Monroy Supermarket this past Friday and present Mr. Monroy with a Senate Citation recognizing this great achievement! Committee Advances Bill to Move Up 2024 Primary Election
Bipartisan legislation to give Pennsylvanians greater say in the 2024 presidential election by moving up the primary election date was approved by a Senate committee this week. The bill advances to the full Senate for consideration. The Senate State Government Committee passed Senate Bill 224 to move up the primary election by five weeks to March 19, 2024. This change will likely place the Pennsylvania primary election on the same day as Arizona, Florida, Illinois and Ohio. In many presidential elections, the outcome is largely decided before Pennsylvania voters have a chance to cast a ballot. Moving up the spring election date gives voters in the fifth-largest state a better chance of weighing in on the presidential primary. Tax Collections Show Effectiveness of Reducing Taxes
Each month, the Senate Appropriations Committee prepares an update about the state’s financial health. The most recent report shows that total General Fund revenues were $185.3 million, or 6.9%, higher than last year at this time. Corporate Net Income Tax (CNIT) collections were $31.3 million, or 20.8%, higher than July 2022 collections. The increased collections demonstrate the effectiveness of reducing Pennsylvania’s CNIT rate, which started with the 2022-23 state budget. This year’s budget continues the phase-down of our CNIT rate, which will take Pennsylvania from one of the highest tax rates in the country to one of the lowest. The full update, including the monthly revenue report, is available here. State Police Remove College Credit Requirement for Cadets
Pennsylvania State Police are removing the college credit requirement for residents who want to serve as state troopers. The previous educational requirement of 60 college credits has been in place since the 1990s. Under the change, cadet applicants must possess a high school diploma or GED certificate and a valid driver’s license from any state. Cadets also undergo 28 weeks of comprehensive training. The number of state police applicants has dropped significantly in recent years. Waiving the college degree requirement on a trial basis for this next period of cadet applications is aimed at helping the PSP attract and retain talent. The change will be re-evaluated pending the results of multiple application cycles. The 2023-24 state budget includes funding for four new state police cadet classes to train 384 new troopers. For information on becoming a Pennsylvania State Police trooper, visit patrooper.com. Avoid Holiday Traffic With 511PA
You can log onto www.511pa.com to check current traffic impacts from construction, traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to live traffic cameras across Pennsylvania. The service is free and available 24 hours a day. 511PA is also available through a smartphone app, by calling 5-1-1 or by following regional Twitter (X) alerts accessible on the 511PA website. In other PennDOT news, driver license and photo centers will be closed Saturday, Sept. 2, through Monday, Sept. 4, for Labor Day. Customers may still obtain a variety of driver and vehicle products and services online through PennDOT’s website. Happy Labor Day
I hope you have a great holiday weekend and relaxing Labor Day. I’m working with my colleagues to improve opportunities for workers and the families they support. Too many Pennsylvania citizens are fleeing the state for better jobs in other parts of the country. To reverse this troubling trend, the budget bill passed by the Senate and signed into law continues to improve our tax structure to create jobs, prioritize workforce development and support career and technical education. I’ll keep you updated on our efforts throughout the year. |
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