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In this Update:
Raiding the Rainy Day Fund? Taxpayers Deserve Better
Governor Shapiro’s proposed $53.3 billion budget for 2026-27 isn’t a serious plan to govern, it’s a campaign speech dressed up as a budget. His spending plan exceeds existing revenues by $6.8 billion. To cover that shortfall, Governor Shapiro is counting on new taxes and legalizing marijuana—and plans to pull $4.6 billion from the Rainy Day Fund. If those new taxes and other changes don’t materialize, the hit to our reserves could climb to the full $6.8 billion. Spending at this level would wipe out the Rainy Day fund by the end of 2027. Once that fund is gone, taxpayers will face two bad options: higher taxes or painful cuts to essential services. No family would call it responsible to spend more than they earn and drain their emergency savings just to make ends meet. Government shouldn’t either. Pennsylvanians deserve a budget that lives within its means, plans for the future, and protects what matters most—not one that gambles away our financial stability for political points. My colleagues and I are committed to reducing spending and delivering a fiscally responsible plan. Public hearings by the Senate Appropriations Committee begin Feb. 23, and we will fight for a budget that puts taxpayers first. You can learn more about the budget here. Back to Basics: Reducing Classroom Distractions
When I was in high school, you wouldn’t be caught dead with a cell phone in your hand. If you had one, you kept it hidden and maybe tried to sneak a quick text under your desk. If you were caught, you were in trouble. At the time, it felt frustrating. Looking back, though, maybe that was the medicine we needed. Phones are distractions. And the social media platforms inside those phones? They’re not just distractions, they’re dangerous for kids. Making sure the time kids spend in school is free from these distractions is critical. It allows them to focus on learning and get back to basics. That’s especially important when public schools in my district are still failing to teach kids to read and write. I hear from parents every day who say they’ve asked their school boards to act, and they’re ignored. Because of that inaction, this issue has become necessary for us to address in Harrisburg. That’s why I supported Senate Bill 1014, bipartisan legislation to prohibit student cellphone use during the school day. This is about protecting kids and giving them the best chance to succeed. The measure now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration. 2026 Adult Trout Stocking Schedule Available
Looking forward to trout season? The 2026 adult trout stocking schedule is now available online from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. It’s searchable by county, lists the waterways in alphabetical order, and indicates stocking dates, meeting locations for volunteers and the species of trout that are planned to be stocked at each location. In 2026, Pennsylvania’s statewide Opening Day of Trout Season will be held on Saturday, April 4. A single, statewide Mentored Youth Trout Day will take place on Saturday, March 28. The commission will stock approximately 3.2 million adult trout in 684 streams and 130 lakes open to public angling, about the same number as previously. Grants to Help Preserve History Ahead of America’s 250th
Communities across our district can apply now for state grants to help preserve historic places, strengthen local revitalization efforts and prepare for the nation’s 250th anniversary this year. The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission will award Keystone Historic Preservation Grants to support projects that identify, preserve, promote and protect historic and archaeological resources. This year’s program prioritizes projects that align with the themes of America250, ensuring Pennsylvania’s rich history is preserved as the nation marks its semiquincentennial. More information is available at Keystone Planning Projects and Keystone Constructions Projects. Career and Technical Education Month
Career and technical education (CTE) prepares students to enter high-demand fields, including health care, manufacturing, public safety, information technology, skilled trades and more. More than 75,000 Pennsylvania students are enrolled in CTE, where they can develop essential skills through a combination of classes and hands-on learning, allowing them to apply academics to real-world problems. Career and Technical Education Month shines a spotlight on the importance of CTE programs, the opportunities they provide in crucial fields and their role in making the commonwealth more economically competitive and a place where young Pennsylvanians can settle and prosper.
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