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In this Update:
State Budget Process Begins Next Week
Next week, the Pennsylvania Senate will return to legislative session, and on Tuesday, the Governor will give his 2026–27 budget address to a joint session of the House and Senate. This marks the beginning of the state budget process and sets the stage for weeks of review and discussion about priorities that affect families, schools, seniors, public safety, and taxpayers. Following the budget address, the Senate will begin budget hearings, where state agencies and officials testify publicly and answer questions about spending plans and program performance. I serve on the Senate Appropriations Committee, and these hearings are an important part of how we examine proposals, ask tough questions, and work toward a responsible budget. If you would like to follow along, the Senate Appropriations Committee posts the budget hearing schedule online, along with updates as they become available. Love Where You Live Promotion Encourages Shopping and Dining Local in Danville
The Danville Business Alliance has launched Love Where You Live, a month-long Shop and Dine Local promotion running February 1 through February 28 to support Danville businesses and reward residents for shopping locally. Customers can enter to win a local gift card bundle by making a purchase at any participating business, then scanning the in-store QR code and entering their name and email. Each receipt counts as one entry, and residents may enter multiple times throughout the month. Participating businesses include Bason Coffee, Blue Brew LLC, Cole’s Hardware (Danville), DASH Meal Solutions, Koji, Old Forge Brewing Company, Rock God Brewing, Scott’s Floral, The English Garden, The Kiddie Korner Boutique, Troop 47 Trading Co., Watch Me Bloom, and more. The winner will be announced in early March. For details, follow the Danville Business Alliance on social media or look for the Love Where You Live flyer at participating businesses. Legislative Roundtable on Intellectual Disability and Autism Services
I recently took part in a legislative roundtable hosted by Shared Support in coordination with PA Advocacy and Resources (PAR), focused on Intellectual Disability and Autism Services. I appreciated the chance to hear directly from individuals with lived experience, their families, and the staff who provide these vital supports every day. These conversations are important because they help inform practical policy and highlight what families and providers need to better serve our communities. I also appreciated Representative Stender and Representative Flick joining the discussion. Thank you to Maxine Williams and the Shared Support team for hosting and to everyone who took time to share their perspectives. Regional/Rural Active Transportation Workshop Set for March 20 in Milton
Residents, local officials, and community partners are invited to attend a Regional/Rural Active Transportation Workshop on Friday, March 20, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit (CSIU), 90 Lawton Lane, Milton. This free workshop is offered through the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s WalkWorks Program, in collaboration with PennDOT Connects and the Local Technical Assistance Program. The event will focus on what active transportation is and why it matters, including how communities can plan, fund, build, and activate infrastructure that helps people walk and bike safely to everyday destinations. Registration is free and required. Parking is available and lunch will be provided. While the workshop runs all day, participants also have the option to attend only the morning session or lunch and the afternoon session, depending on their schedule. For more information and to register, go to their website here. Hearing Explores AI’s Impact on Pennsylvania’s Biotech Sector
How Pennsylvania can become a leader in harnessing AI to improve lives, fuel the economy and build a sustainable future was the topic of a recent hearing by the Senate Communications and Technology Committee and the Senate Institutional Sustainability and Innovation Committee. In biotechnology, AI is accelerating research timelines, improving drug development, optimizing supply chains and expanding the frontiers of what’s possible in medical and agricultural science. Pennsylvania has roughly 3,000 life science companies with a $61 billion direct economic impact. The hearing, held at Merck & Co. in Montgomery County, heard from representatives of Merck, Johnson & Johnson, the University of Pennsylvania and Carnegie Mellon University, a biotech nonprofit, a health care technology firm and a neuroscientist start-up, among others. You can view the hearing and read testimony here. Keeping Construction Jobs Local
Legislation to boost the hiring of local workers for public works projects was the topic of a hearing held by the Senate Labor and Industry Committee. Senate Bill 1076 is modeled after existing local hire programs in West Virginia, Montana and Illinois, and specifies at least half of workers on state and local projects exceeding $500,000 must be residents of Pennsylvania or a neighboring county. Contractors can seek a waiver if they’re unable to secure local workers even after utilizing a local PA CareerLink® office for recruitment. Testifiers included representatives of local building trades, contractor associations and others. They discussed how a local hire requirement could help address the skilled trade shortage, save taxpayer dollars, promote accountability within the construction industry and more. You can find video of the hearing here. State Law Requires Removing Ice and Snow from Vehicles
It’s a chore, but removing ice or snow from your vehicle not only improves safety, it’s the law. Under state law, drivers must remove ice or snow from vehicles, including the hood, trunk and roof, within 24 hours after a snow or ice event. It is also illegal to drive with snow and ice obstructing your vision through the front, side or rear windows. It’s a $50 fine for failing to reasonably clear your vehicle and up to $1,500 if dislodged snow/ice causes serious injury or death. The fines were set under “Christine’s Law,” named for Christine Lambert, who died on Christmas Day 2005 when ice from a tractor trailer crashed through her windshield. Celebrating National School Choice Week
The week of Jan. 25-31 is designated as National School Choice Week, recognizing the importance of empowering parents and families to choose educational options that meet each student’s unique learning needs. As Chair of the Senate Education Committee, I believe we should keep students at the center of our education decisions and support approaches that help every child succeed. School choice programs like Pennsylvania’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit program, which was expanded this year to help more families in disadvantaged schools, are one way we can give students access to the opportunities that best fit them. Education is not a one-size-fits-all experience. National School Choice Week is a reminder that when families have access to a broader range of educational options, it can help students thrive and encourage innovation across our education system. DEP Recommends Testing Your Home for Radon
Radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. To help mark Radon Action Month, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is encouraging Pennsylvanians to test their homes for radon. DEP recommends all homes, schools, public and private buildings get tested. Radon test kits are available at many home improvement and hardware stores, as well as from state-certified radon laboratories. Call DEP’s Radon Division at 717-783-3594, or the Radon Hotline at 800-237-2366, for help with interpreting test results and what follow-up action may be necessary.
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