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More Information on the 2025-26 State Budget

As many of you know and have read, the legislature and governor approved a $50.09 billion budget for fiscal year 2025-26. The compromise avoids new broad-based taxes and preserves the Rainy-Day Fund.

A few key highlights, which I have heard from many of you about over the past few months:

Protects the State’s Rainy-Day Fund

Lawmakers rejected the governor’s earlier proposal to tap emergency reserves, safeguarding the fund and Pennsylvania’s credit rating.

Competitiveness & Tax Policy:

The budget continues the Corporate Net Income Tax reduction, blocks combined reporting and advances permitting reforms to boost transparency and speed up approvals.

 Energy & Regulation:

Pennsylvania will exit the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) and halt new energy taxes – helping stabilize electricity costs, protect energy jobs and encourage long-term investment.

Also enacted was bipartisan legislation I sponsored to improve electric load forecasting, the process by which future demand on the power grid is accessed.

 Education & School Choice:

Public education funding rises by $849 million to $17.7 billion. Cyber charter costs are reduced by $178 million, and EITC expands by $50 million to support low-income families and school choice.

Workforce Development:

Investments continue in career and technical education, apprenticeships, and school-employer partnerships to close the skills gap and support family-sustaining careers. Among them, the Pennsylvania College of Technology will receive a 5% funding increase to support in-demand and waitlisted programs.

Human Services & Aging:

Cost controls in Medicaid and SNAP yield savings within a $1.1 billion funding increase. Additional support for Area Agencies on Aging expands in-home care and reduces waitlists.

While the 2025–26 budget avoids immediate tax hikes, its reliance on one-time funds leaves Pennsylvania fiscally vulnerable. I will continue to advocate for responsible regulation of skill games, which could generate sustainable revenue. We’ll continue to focus on boosting competitiveness, supporting families and protecting taxpayers from future tax increases.

ICYMI: Talking Skill Games on PCN

Last week, I joined PCN’s On the Issues segment to discuss bipartisan legislation I sponsored to protect small businesses and veterans’ organizations from crushing taxes on legal skill video games.

We covered what legal skill games are, why they matter to small businesses and how they’re shaping conversations in Harrisburg.

Watch HERE.

WLCC Holds Annual Legislative Breakfast

The Williamsport Lycoming Chamber of Commerce held its annual Legislative Update on November 20^th. It was great to connect with many chamber members, local business leaders and fellow elected officials about the issues most important to them and what we’re working on in Harrisburg.

American Power Play Award

I’m incredibly honored to have been recognized by American Power Play for leadership in energy.

American Power Play is a nonpartisan movement advocating for energy policies that prioritize affordability, reliability and American energy independence – values I’ve long championed. I’m grateful for this award and proud to stand alongside those working to secure our energy future.

Local Students Visit the Capitol

Thank you to the students from Don Gill Elementary School in Wellsboro, along with Tioga County Commissioner Marc Rice and their teacher, Jennifer Sporer, for stopping by the Senate Floor during your recent visit to the Capitol!

Nominate a Hero for the 2026 Citizen Honors Awards

The Congressional Medal of Honor Society is accepting nominations for the 2026 Citizen Honors Awards, recognizing extraordinary Americans who exemplify courage and selfless service.

Categories include heroism, youth service, and community impact. Honorees will be celebrated in Washington, D.C. on March 25, 2026.

🗓️ Nominations close: December 1, 2025
🔗 Learn more and submit a nomination HERE.

PERC Expands Propane Autogas Vehicle Inspection Grant Program

The Propane Autogas Vehicle Inspection Grant Program, offered by the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC), is providing schools across the country with valuable training and resources needed to prepare students to work on propane autogas buses, trucks, vans and more.

This innovative grant program provides United States educational institutions with up to $7,500 in funding to integrate propane-specific curriculum and equipment into their existing automotive training programs.

The application window is open through Dec. 19. Learn more and apply HERE.

PennDOT Driver License, Photo Centers Closed for Thanksgiving Holiday

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced all driver license and photo centers, including its full-service center in Harrisburg, will be closed Thursday, November 27 and Friday, November 28, 2025, in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. 

Customers may still obtain a variety of driver and vehicle products and services, including all forms, publications, and driver training manuals, online through PennDOT’s Driver and Vehicle Services website.

PA Tradition: Statewide Firearms Deer Season Begins Nov. 29

Pennsylvania’s statewide firearms deer season runs from Nov. 29 through Dec. 13 and includes two Sundays, Nov. 30 and Dec. 7. More than half a million hunters are expected to take part in this traditional outdoor recreation and essential wildlife management.

If you’re taking to the field, please consider participating in the Hunters Sharing the Harvest program, which lets hunters donate deer – at no cost – at any one of more than 100 licensed butcher shops across 56 counties. Venison is then processed for distribution statewide through regional food banks in partnership with Feeding Pennsylvania and Hunger-Free Pennsylvania.

Last year’s donations led to a record 283,789 pounds of venison, which equated to about 1.1 million servings of lean, nutritious meat for food-insecure individuals and families.

Shop Local on Small Business Saturday

Small Business Saturday will be held Saturday, Nov. 29, spotlighting the role that small businesses play in our communities.  

The holiday season is a wonderful time to shop small. More than 1.1 million small businesses in Pennsylvania benefit their local economies and employ 2.5 million people.

Do you have an entrepreneurial spirit? The state offers helpful information for people who are considering starting or expanding their business. Learn more about writing a business plan, registering your business and choosing a business structure.

Happy Thanksgiving!

On Oct. 3, 1863, months after the Battle of Gettysburg and with victory in mind, as well as its cost, President Abraham Lincoln issued a proclamation encouraging Americans “in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea, and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next as a Day of Thanksgiving and prayer.”

Thanksgiving has been celebrated officially in the United States ever since.

I hope you and your loved ones have a happy Thanksgiving filled with love, gratitude and hope.

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