Dear Neighbor,

This week, my colleagues and I return to the state Capitol for what we hope is the final push toward approving a state budget for the upcoming fiscal year. I have always believed that budgets are more than just numbers—they’re a reflection of our values and priorities.

Therefore, as we enter the last stretch of the budget season in Harrisburg, I want to be clear about my top priorities and what I am continuing to fight for -- namely, putting the needs of Pennsylvanians first:

We need to strengthen, not slash, public education. It is the best possible investment we can make in our future. That is why I’m working to increase funding for K-12 schools, public universities, and career and technical education so that all students can get the quality education they deserve, teachers get the support they need, and local taxpayers aren’t left picking up the tab.

That includes long-overdue and much-needed reforms to cyber charter school funding, which will provide immediate relief to overburdened local taxpayers and allow our school districts to keep more of their own money. 

While the Trump Administration and federal lawmakers are actively pulling back support for clean energy projects, I am continuing to push forward with legislation to spur investment in a true “all-of-the-above” domestic energy strategy—bringing down energy costs, creating good jobs, and keeping Pennsylvania at the forefront of innovation. I’m working with stakeholders on all sides to develop policies that will significantly reduce carbon emissions in both transportation and home heating while keeping consumer prices low and rewarding innovation and market competition.

This legislation includes support for both vehicle electrification as well as biofuels for hard-to-electrify vehicles. Support for biofuels as a transitional fuel will create real financial opportunities for Pennsylvania farmers, while also reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving our air quality.

We cannot leave our rural communities behind. That is why I am continuing to fight for targeted investments and tax credits for small businesses, infrastructure, agriculture, and high-tech job creation to keep our towns strong and our young people rooted here in central PA.

In addition, I fully support Governor’s Shapiro proposal to more than double the funding for the widely successful Ag Innovation Fund in this year’s budget. As the prime sponsor of the legislation that established this first-of-its-kind fund, I am always proud to back the largest economic engine powering Pennsylvania: agriculture. 

Federal threats to Medicaid and reproductive healthcare funding put lives at risk—especially in rural and underserved areas where hospital closures and nursing home shortages are already a crisis. I am committed to protecting access to care for everyone, regardless of income or Zip code and am doing everything I can to prevent these devastating cuts from going through.

As an example, I recently joined my colleague state Rep. Lisa Borowski in championing passage of the Healthcare Facilities Protection Act in the PA House. The legislation now awaits further action in the PA Senate, and we remain hopeful that we can finally get it done this year. 

I am also absolutely committed to fighting for individual rights, protections, and freedom and not allowing us to go backward, no matter what is happening at the federal level. 

There is a lot of good progress in Harrisburg, but I also need to be fully transparent and honest with you -- we are facing extremely concerning threats from Washington. Proposed federal cuts to education, infrastructure, environment, health care, and economic development can and will do real harm to families, rural communities, students, and those already struggling to make ends meet. At the same time, many of our fundamental freedoms and rights are under attack. This is a pivotal moment.

Please know that I will do everything in my power in Harrisburg to try and fill these gaps but there is no denying that if these go through, tough choices will have to be made at the state level. We cannot make up the difference. Therefore, I implore you to contact your federal elected officials today and share your thoughts and concerns with them.

In the meantime, know that I am standing up in opposition to such drastic cuts and working toward a state budget that reflects the best of who we are—and who we want to be.

Thank you, as always, for your continued engagement and support. And please reach out if you have thoughts about other critical investments you want to see in Pennsylvania. Feel free to reply to this email or call my office anytime at 814-308-0569.

Sincerely,

Paul

Pennsylvania State Capitol

103-B East Wing
Harrisburg, PA 17120

(717) 772-0750

District Office

216 W. Hamilton Ave.
State College, PA 16801

(814) 308-0569