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In this Update:

• Senate Votes to Cut Taxes and Put PA Families First
• Senate Votes to Protect Victims and Communities
• Reducing the Backlog in PA Rape Kit Testing
• Providing Discounted Fishing and Hunting Licenses to Law Enforcement
• Beware of Scam Targeting Veterans and Military Families
• Your Input Wanted on Statewide Transportation Improvement Program
• Around the Capitol

Senate Votes to Cut Taxes and Put PA Families First

The Senate approved legislation to decrease costs for Pennsylvania families by cutting taxes on electric bills and school supplies, strengthening the state’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program and eliminating the current sales tax exemption for data centers.

The proposal would eliminate the gross receipts tax on electric bills and require utility companies to pass the reduction on to consumers, saving ratepayers more than $1.7 billion over the first year. It would also implement a two-week sales tax holiday in August for school supplies, such as book bags, crayons, textbooks and tablets.

The highly successful EITC program, which provides scholarships to help families send children to schools that best meet student needs, would receive an additional $25 million under the legislation.

House Bill 1667, as amended by the Senate, would also eliminate the existing sales tax exemption for data centers.

The Senate action aims to provide greater affordability at a time when hardworking Pennsylvania families are feeling the strain of rising costs. The bill now moves to the House of Representatives.

Senate Votes to Protect Victims and Communities

The Senate approved legislation to update Pennsylvania’s sentencing laws for second-degree murder following a recent Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling. The bill now advances to the House of Representatives, which must act quickly.

Without legislative action, Pennsylvania’s existing sentencing structure for second-degree murder would be invalidated, creating uncertainty for victims, prosecutors and the courts. More than 1,150 individuals currently serving sentences for second-degree murder could be affected.

Under Pennsylvania law, second-degree murder, often called felony murder, applies when someone dies during the commission of certain serious crimes, even if the defendant did not directly cause the death. In March, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled that the automatic life-without-parole sentence for second-degree murder was unconstitutional. The ruling takes effect July 24.

Senate Bill 1400 creates a new sentencing framework that complies with the court’s ruling while ensuring those involved in serious crimes remain accountable. The bill allows judges to consider an individual’s role in the crime when determining a sentence, while maintaining strong penalties for offenders and protections for victims. Read more about this effort to safeguard communities here.

Reducing the Backlog in PA Rape Kit Testing

For years, Pennsylvania has worked to reduce the backlog of untested rape kits and to ensure survivors of sexual assault are treated with the urgency and dignity they deserve.

We passed a 2024 law to move forward with a statewide sexual assault evidence tracking system so survivors can better understand where their kit is in the process.  During the implementation of the system, inconsistency on collection of kits were found from one jurisdiction to another. 

Senate Bill 1212 establishes a clear, statewide expectation that sexual assault evidence that has been collected should be treated consistently. The measure was sent to the House of Representatives for consideration. Read more about the latest action to reduce the backlog in rape kit testing here.

Providing Discounted Fishing and Hunting Licenses to Law Enforcement

In gratitude for the service of police officers across our commonwealth, the Senate approved legislation to provide current and retired law enforcement with discounted hunting and fishing licenses.

Under Senate Bill 469, law enforcement officials would be able to acquire each license for $1.

It may be a small gesture, but discounted licenses can help the men and women patrolling our communities take a break from a stressful job and enjoy the outdoors. As chair of the Game and Fisheries Committee, I was glad to support and move the legislation. The measure now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration. Read more about Senate Bill 469 here.

Beware of Scam Targeting Veterans and Military Families

Unfortunately, there is a new scam targeting veterans and military families. Postcards that look official are being sent to veterans, claiming they are entitled to “extra VA benefits” or additional payments, including CHAMPVA, TRICARE, and dental coverage, regardless of a disability rating. These scammers are NOT affiliated with the Veterans Administration (VA), regardless of what they say. Should you receive such a postcard, please disregard it. Learn more about the scam and how to protect yourself from the VA.

Your Input Wanted on Statewide Transportation Improvement Program

The 2027 Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP), a list of transportation projects identified for funding statewide, is available for public review and comment through June 30.

The STIP is made up of 24 regional Transportation Improvement Programs and a variety of additional programs. It is updated every two years after the regional programs are submitted and approved, and will be adopted as part of the 12-Year Program update by the State Transportation Commission in August.

You can review the plan and submit your comments here.

Around the Capitol

It was a busy week at the Capitol, with a number of meetings and events scheduled in addition to legislative session. I enjoyed catching up with a number of constituents and local business owners.

Those seeking to be nominated and confirmed to commonwealth commissions and boards frequently meet with legislators to discuss their qualifications. This week, I had the pleasure of meeting with Penn State Dickinson Law Professor Andrea Martin, as she has been nominated to serve as a member of the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission. Andrea is incredibly impressive, as is the depth, breadth, and impact of her work addressing antisemitism. I thoroughly enjoyed our discussion and look forward to supporting her nomination.

I was honored to join my friends from Asian Indian Americans of Central Pennsylvania at the state Capitol to celebrate America’s 250th birthday. It was a vibrant and patriotic celebration highlighting the diversity, hard work and deeply held values that give our community and country so much strength.

To celebrate National Dairy Month, Painterland Sisters brought their delicious, high protein, organic skyr yogurt to the PA State Capitol. It was a blast to spend time with Stephanie Painter and her team as they served up yogurt processed in the heart of the 34th Senate District.

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