Yaw, Senate Republicans Urge PJM to Protect Competitive Energy Market
Sen. Gene Yaw (R-23), chairman of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, along with several members of the Senate Republican Caucus, today sent a letter to PJM Interconnection urging the mid-Atlantic grid operator to reject recent recommendations that would overhaul their competitive market structure and prioritize wind and solar projects ahead of the planned phase-out of federal tax incentives. [Read More]
Robinson, Bartolotta Honor First Responders and Survivor in Charleroi Trench Collapse Rescue
Sens. Devlin Robinson (R-37) and Camera Bartolotta (R-46) joined Reps. Dan Miller (D-42) and Natalie Mihalek (R-40), first responders and members of Pennsylvania Urban Search and Rescue Strike Team 1 (PA-ST1) today to honor the heroes involved in the lifesaving rescue following the Charleroi trench collapse this summer. [Read More]
Lawmakers Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Prohibit Student Cellphone Use in Pennsylvania Schools
Citing the steep decline in youth mental health and academic performance during the past decade, Sens. Devlin Robinson (R-37), Vince Hughes (D-7), and Steve Santarsiero (D-10) today announced the introduction of bipartisan legislation requiring Pennsylvania schools to adopt policies prohibiting student cellphone use during the school day. [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]
House Democrats Take Budget Steps Backwards
Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman (R-41) issued the following statement today on the state budget: [Read More]
Farry Bill Targeting Catalytic Converter Thefts Passes Senate
The Senate has unanimously approved legislation sponsored by Sen. Frank Farry (R-6) to help address the surge in catalytic converter thefts across Pennsylvania. [Read More]
Pennycuick Measure Expanding College Aid for Foster Children Approved by Senate
Legislation sponsored by Sen. Tracy Pennycuick (R-24) to attract college students to Pennsylvania by expanding financial aid for foster children was approved by the Senate today. [Read More]
Phillips-Hill Bill Creating Mental Health License Plate Passes Senate
The state Senate approved legislation to create a specialty license plate supporting mental health resources, according to the bill’s sponsor, Sen. Kristin Phillips-Hill (R-York). [Read More]
Joint Senate Hearing Explores Artificial Intelligence in Education and Workforce Development
The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the classroom and how schools are adapting programs to prepare students for changing workforce demands were the topics of a public hearing Monday held by the Senate Education Committee, chaired by Sen. Lynda Schlegel Culver (R-27), and the Senate Communications and Technology Committee, chaired by Sen. Tracy Pennycuick (R-24). [Read More]
Senate Passes Bill to Ensure U.S. and Pennsylvania Flags Are Made in America
The Senate today unanimously approved Senate Bill 784, legislation sponsored by Sen. Doug Mastriano (R-33) that ensures every U.S. and Pennsylvania flag purchased by the commonwealth is made entirely in the U.S. using American materials. [Read More]