HARRISBURG – Sen. Gene Yaw (R-23) today reflected on a productive year in the Pennsylvania Senate and shared his vision for 2026.
“I’m proud of the work we’ve done this year to support and advocate for the people of the 23rd District,” Yaw said. “We delivered real results in 2025, and we’ll build on that progress in 2026 with practical, commonsense policies that reflect on the needs of our communities.”
In 2025, Yaw, who serves as chairman of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, championed several landmark initiatives that reinforced Pennsylvania’s leadership in energy policy. Bipartisan legislation he sponsored to improve electric load forecasting was signed into Pennsylvania law as part of the 2025-26 state budget, along with his legislation to repeal the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) electricity tax.
Recognizing the growing demand for electricity from data centers and emerging technologies, Yaw introduced a major overhaul of the EDGE tax credit program to encourage investment in baseload power generation. He also led efforts to create an Independent Energy Office to provide transparent, nonpartisan analysis of energy policy.
Beyond energy policy, Yaw secured millions in funding for infrastructure, education, public safety and community development across Bradford, Lycoming, Sullivan, Tioga and Union counties. Thanks to Yaw’s support, over $1.1 million in state funding was awarded to local municipalities, fire and EMS departments and health service organizations for critical flood recovery efforts in response to the severe damage caused in Tioga and Lycoming counties by Tropical Storm Debby in August 2024.
Among the awards, Crary Hose Company received $250,000 for the construction of a new fire station outside the floodplain to ensure long-term protection for emergency personnel and equipment.
Yaw also secured funding for local law enforcement to strengthen public safety and modernize operations. The Mifflinburg Police Department received nearly $150,000 for the purchase of body worn cameras and automated license plate readers.
Over $9.5 million was awarded to projects across the region this year through the Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP), including $1.2 million for the Pennsylvania College of Technology Foundation to upgrade lab spaces and offer scholarships to active military and veteran students. Yaw was instrumental in the expansion of the NAP, which was included in the 2024-25 state budget.
Yaw also helped secure nearly $85,000,0000 for various internet providers throughout the region to expand broadband access and bridge the digital divide, a long-time priority of his. He also introduced legislation to ensure Pennsylvania is making the most of the federal broadband infrastructure dollars its receiving.
Most recently, Yaw announced nearly $5 million was awarded to local projects through the Commonwealth Financing Authority. Among the awards, Montgomery Water Authority in Lycoming County received $946,300 for its water main replacement project, Tioga County received $265,280 for flood mitigation in Mansfield and Eagles Mere Borough in Sullivan County received $250,000 to renovate and expand the Eagles Mere Volunteer Fire Company.
Notably, Yaw and his House colleagues worked with Lycoming County Commissioners, the local Chamber of Commerce and FAMVEST to bring destination retail super store Bass Pro Shops to Muncy Township, which is expected to open in January 2027 and employ an estimated 150 people.
Yaw supported a number of Senate Republican Caucus initiatives focused on protecting taxpayers, making our communities safer, supporting veterans and law enforcement, eliminating waste in government, bringing more jobs to our state and strengthening the commonwealth’s fiscal position.
His work this year earned statewide recognition, including the 2025 Karl Brown Award for Ag Conservation Leadership, the 2025 W. Howard Hartman Little League Friendship Award and the 2025 Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry Leadership in Energy Service Award.
Looking ahead to 2026, Yaw outlined an ambitious agenda focused on strengthening Pennsylvania’s energy sector, keeping the economy competitive, modernizing regulations and ensuring rural communities get their fair share.
Yaw will continue his work on grid reliability, pursuing incentives that bring new dispatchable generation online and keep the lights on during periods of peak demand. Yaw also said he will press forward in the fight to protect small businesses and veterans’ organizations from crushing taxes on legal skill video games, along with other pro-jobs, pro-growth policies.
Yaw’s modernization agenda will focus on practical updates that reduce red tape and reflect how people live and work today. He’ll seek to update the Board of Vehicles Act to clarify modern sales and services practices.
To improve access to mental healthcare, particularly in rural areas where provider shortages are dire, Yaw will look to grant prescriptive authority to psychologists under a structured training and collaborative framework. This change is designed to expand treatment options and reduce waiting times for patients. He’ll again move to codify Pennsylvania’s Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment (POLST) so patients and families have clear, portable and respected end-of-life directives across care settings.
Public safety will also remain a priority for Yaw. He’ll continue work to address PFAS contamination by limiting the use of legacy firefighting foams, supporting transitions to safer alternatives and ensuring departments have training and resources to make the switch. Additionally, he’ll push for reforms to stream maintenance that empower local governments to perform routine clearing and stabilization, reducing flood risks and protecting property without unnecessary permitting hurdles.
In addition to his legislative priorities, Yaw will continue his leadership roles with the Pennsylvania College of Technology, the Center for Rural Pennsylvania and the Chesapeake Bay Commission. Through these positions, he will champion policies that prioritize workforce development, strengthen rural communities, improve water quality and protect natural resources.
“I believe Pennsylvania is the best place to live in this country and I want to see it grow and prosper,” Yaw concluded. “We have more work to do and I’m looking forward to a productive year ahead.”
For more state-related news and information, constituents can visit Yaw’s website at www.SenatorGeneYaw.com or follow him on Facebook and X @SenatorGeneYaw.
CONTACT:
Elizabeth Weitzel
717-787-3280