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In this Update:
Majority Policy Committee to Examine Protections Against Harmful Artificial Intelligence Tools
At the request of Sen. Tracy Pennycuick (R-24), the Senate Majority Policy Committee will host a hearing on how to protect our children from those who seek to exploit them through AI on Monday, Nov. 10. With the growth of AI, so grows the threat of harmful content affecting our children. Sen. Pennycuick has been at the forefront of this issue and as Chair of the Communications and Technology Committee, advanced several pieces of legislation to ensure the safety of our young people. Sen. Pennycuick, Sen. Martin, and Sen. Baker have also introduced Senate Bill 1050 to require mandated reporters (teachers, childcare workers, and health care providers) to report all instances of AI-generated child sexual abuse material. Expected panelists for this conversation include cyber experts and local school officials. Senate Passes Corrections Officer Staffing Legislation
The Senate has passed my bill, Senate Bill 111, with strong bipartisan support to help address the staffing crisis in Pennsylvania’s correctional institutions. Introduced at the request of the PA State Corrections Officers Association, this bill removes an outdated residency requirement so qualified candidates from nearby states can help fill critical vacancies—while keeping hiring preference for Pennsylvania residents. The bill now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration. Senate Advances Fiscally Responsible Budget for Second Time
After considerable debate, the PA Senate has again passed a temporary budget in Harrisburg to ensure counties, school districts and others receive much needed funding while bipartisan negotiations continue. It’s past time for the House leadership to bring this bill to a vote. If they do, I am convinced it will pass with a big majority in the House of Representatives and be sent immediately to the Governor for his signature. I was pleased to support this legislation, in committee and on the Senate floor, on behalf of my constituents in Carbon, Luzerne, and Schuylkill Counties. A state budget that fully funds essential services without massive tax hikes is possible if Harrisburg shows fiscal restraint—it is, by far, our most important vote of the year. We have once again sent the House of Representatives a budget bill to do that. House Leadership and the Governor could end the budget impasse in one day with one vote. Discussing Cell Phones Policies in Our Public Schools
Recently, I attended a Senate Education Committee hearing on cell phone policies in our public schools. During the hearing, I shared concerns from my recent visit to the Panther Valley School District, where this same issue was discussed. I agreed with Aaron Chapin of Hazleton, President of the Pennsylvania State Education Association, who represents more than 177,000 educators statewide—his organization supports restricting student cell phone use in public schools. He explained that cell phones have become a major factor in classroom distractions, cheating, bullying, and safety concerns—a growing issue students and educators across Pennsylvania are facing. Senates Passes Sweeping Permitting Reform
As part of our budget negotiations in Harrisburg, the Senate passed Senate Bill 6 with strong bipartisan support. This legislation is a sweeping permitting reform measure aiming to bring greater accountability, transparency and efficiency to how state agencies handle permit applications. Senate Bill 6 sets clear timelines for state agencies to review permit applications, creates a permit tracking system and ensures applicants receive timely, consistent answers not endless delays. Senate Advances Legislation to Repeal RGGI
As part of our efforts to resolve the state budget impasse, the Senate again voted in a strong, bipartisan fashion, to repeal the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) electricity tax, which has caused electricity prices to skyrocket for PA families and businesses. I agreed 100% with my neighbor in the Senate, Lisa Boscola, on the dire need to repeal RGGI. Boscola, a Democrat who represents Lehigh and Northampton counties, praised this effort on the floor of the Senate, stating “RGGI is a relic. It does not reflect the realities of today’s grid or today’s cost. It’s time to move on and put Pennsylvania back in control of our energy future.” This vote sends a clear message to Governor Shapiro: It’s time for PA to get out of RGGI! Senate Votes to Eliminate Unnecessary Boards and Commissions
Legislation to streamline state government operations by eliminating outdated, unnecessary and inactive boards, commissions and advisory committees was passed by the Senate. Senate Bill 755 would eliminate 13 government entities that are expired, dormant, no longer have any members or are unnecessary. Examples include the Greater Pennsylvania Council that has been long dormant; the Senior Citizen Advisory Committee, whose duties were all assumed by a different committee; the High-Speed Intercity Passenger Rail Commission, which expired in 1987; and the Climate Change Advisory Committee, which has produced no specific beneficial outcomes while continuing to expend taxpayer dollars. Many of the commonwealth’s nearly 400 boards, commissions and advisory committees do not publicly share information about their duties, meetings or other activities, raising concerns about transparency. The bill was sent to the House of Representatives for consideration. Senate Passes Telemarketer Registration Act
The PA Senate passed Senate Bill 992, sponsored by Sen. Michelle Brooks (R–Mercer), to modernize Pennsylvania’s Telemarketer Registration Act and strengthen consumer protections against scammers and deceitful telemarketers. This legislation updates state law to keep pace with new technology, including new limits on robocalls, new penalties and a ban on using AI or fake caller IDs to deceive consumers. This bill now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration. Senate Moves to Cut Costs and Increase Oversight of State-Owned Aircrafts
Last week, after a lengthy debate, the Senate passed Senate Resolution 89, sponsored by Sen. Jarrett Coleman (R-Lehigh), calling for a comprehensive review of all state-owned aircraft to find ways to improve efficiency, enhance safety, and cut costs — particularly when it comes to the Governor’s use of state planes, which has been the subject of several TV news accounts. Senator Coleman noted that the Governor has been using State Police aircraft VERY frequently —including sixteen private flights, including at least one to New Jersey, since August. The Governor has come under scrutiny for the high cost of utilizing this service, especially as compared to his predecessor. Sen. Tracy Pennycuick (R–Montgomery) also raised an important point: the Commonwealth owns numerous aircraft including the State Police, PennDOT, and the Attorney General’s Office. We owe it to the taxpayers to ensure these resources are not wasted. We must do better for the taxpayers. Bill Requiring Parental Notification of School Weapons Incidents Set to Become Law
Legislation requiring school districts to notify parents and school employees of any incidents involving possession of weapons on school property is set to become law. Under current law, school districts are not required to inform parents or guardians about incidents when a weapon is brought onto school grounds or to related activities. The changes in Senate Bill 246 apply to public, nonpublic and private schools. The bill, which first passed the Senate in May, received strong bipartisan support from the General Assembly and now awaits the governor’s signature. Tomorrow: Election Day
The 2025 Municipal Election is coming up tomorrow, Tuesday, November 4. County, municipal and school board positions will be on the ballot, along with statewide judicial elections. Voters will fill one open position each on the Commonwealth and Superior courts and consider the retention of three Pennsylvania Supreme Court justices—Christine Donohue, Kevin Dougherty, and David Wecht – and two appellate court judges – Alice Dubow and Michael Wojcik. The PA Supreme Court race is drawing significant statewide attention. While proponents of the three justices argue that they deserve additional 10-year terms, others are proposing “no” votes on their retention due to a series of court decisions regarding covid-era restrictions and other controversies. The choice is ultimately up to the voters on November 4. For more information about voting in the Commonwealth, including how to check your registration and voting location, visit www.vote.pa.gov.
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