New Fiscal Year, No Budget

July 1, 2025

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New Fiscal Year, No Budget

The 2025-26 fiscal year starts today, and once again, the Commonwealth does not have a budget in place to guide spending over the next 12 months.

The reason? Gov. Josh Shapiro and majority Democrats in the House are continuing the push the governor’s $51.47 billion proposal that increases spending by $3.57 billion, or 7.5%, over the prior year’s spending. Is this really the best way to help our Commonwealth thrive?

I say “no.” We should instead be working on ways to stimulate economic growth and keep spending in check. That’s why I am supporting the Pennsylvania Prosperity Plan, a culmination of House Republican ideas that would:

	•	Unleash Pennsylvania’s energy industry: House Republicans believe our best solution to avoiding the fiscal cliff is to grow our economy, particularly in the energy industry.
	•	Support efficient government: Government works best when it is efficient. We need to focus on stopping government waste, fraud and abuse.
	•	Support student-centered education: Education is a vital tool in increasing economic power. By focusing on the individual needs of students and training students for the jobs of today and tomorrow, we can build a world-class, home-grown workforce.

New Business to Take Over Blossburg Foundry!

I was happy to learn last week Rytoriacap Inc. (Rytoria) has acquired ASC Engineered Solutions’ foundry and facilities in Blossburg. The announcement comes about five months after ASC announced it would close the facility.

I joined with many county, state and federal elected officials in our region to express how encouraged we are by this investment in our area. Rytoria clearly recognized the great things we have to offer, including a well-trained workforce with a strong work ethic and an outstanding quality of life. We hope this is another step toward continued growth in Blossburg and beyond.

We also commend leaders at ASC for their proactive approach in finding a buyer for their local facility and for maintaining regular communication with us and other community leaders along the way. We succeed when we work together.

Rytoria is headquartered in Yoe, York County, and specializes in recycling and processing non-ferrous and ferrous metals, including aluminum, copper and brass. Through its subsidiary Fagor Regen Aluminum in Yoe, PA, the company manufactures high-purity aluminum ingots used in automotive and general manufacturing industries.

Impact Fees Bring More than $12 Million to 68th District

More than $12 million is on its way to communities in the 68th Legislative District from natural gas impact fees.

The impact fee plays a vital role in helping our communities address the impacts of drilling while also benefitting from the jobs the industry creates. I am pleased to see this funding coming back home.

Under Act 13 of 2012, 60% of impact fees collected are distributed to the counties and municipalities where drilling takes place, while 40% goes to the Marcellus Legacy Fund, which also supports counties.

Tioga County was awarded $2.1 million in impact fee revenue, while the county’s municipalities will collectively receive more than $3.8 million. Bradford County was awarded more than $3.9 million while Bradford County municipalities within the 68th District will collectively receive more than $2.8 million.

Detailed information about impact fee distributions is available at www.puc.pa.gov.

Solving PA’s Child Care Challenges

Click here to view video.

The availability of affordable, quality child care is a significant challenge facing many families across the Commonwealth. Overregulation of the industry is a big reason why.

I took part in a House Republican Policy Committee hearing last week during which we took testimony from business leaders and child care providers. All agree Pennsylvania’s child care regulations are not only excessive, but they also lack flexibility and common sense.

A great example of that is addressed in my exchange with the testifiers. When a child care provider takes its kids to a public swimming pool, they have to hire their own lifeguard to go with them…to a public pool where lifeguards are already on duty. This is just one of many examples offered during the hearing.

Ensuring our children are safe is always a top priority but we can do that without driving much-needed child care providers out of business. In addition to my Q&A, I encourage you to watch the full hearing here.

Wellsboro Trailhead Complex Update

Our region has so much to offer when it comes to outdoor recreation! Despite a chilly and wet start to the season, we will soon see lots of cyclists and hikers hitting the local trails, enjoying the scenery and fresh air.

While inclement weather has slightly delayed the opening of the new Wellsboro trailhead complex, we are optimistic that it will open by the end of the summer. This complex will serve as a visitor’s center, providing information and local resources. The trail extension itself is scheduled to open in October, conveniently connecting visitors to lodging, retail and dining options. We are excited about the completion of this trail extension and the benefits it will bring to both residents and visitors.

The Pine Creek Trail begins just north of Wellsboro, runs south through Pine Creek Gorge and ends at Jersey Shore. The final section will link the trail to PA Grand Canyon. Imagine cycling from Wellsboro all the way down to Jersey Shore! I encourage you to explore these and other recreational opportunities throughout the Northern Tier.

Happy Independence Day!!

Click here to view video.

Many of us enjoy celebrating our nation’s independence by watching public displays of fireworks, or by setting off our own.

If you choose to set off your own fireworks, be smart, be careful and be considerate of your neighbors. The U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission offers the following safety tips for using fireworks:

	•	Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy in case of fire or other mishap.
	•	Never allow children to play with or ignite fireworks, even sparklers.
	•	Light fireworks one at a time, then move back quickly.
	•	Never point or throw fireworks at another person.
	•	Never pick up or try to relight fireworks that have not fully ignited.
	•	Never use fireworks after consuming alcohol or other substances that impair judgement or the ability to act quickly.

For details about the state’s fireworks laws, click here.

If you are traveling over the holiday, check out www.511pa.com. Free and available 24 hours a day, the site provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to more than 1,000 traffic cameras. 511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following regional twitter alerts accessible on the 511PA website.

PennDOT will close its driver license service centers on Friday, July 4. Customers may still obtain a variety of driver and vehicle products and services, including all forms, publications and driver training manuals, online through PennDOT’s Driver and Vehicle Services website, www.dmv.pa.gov.

Additionally, my offices in Wellsboro, Troy and Harrisburg will close at noon on Thursday, July 3, and will remain closed on Friday, July 4.

Have a safe and happy July Fourth!

Fish for Free on Independence Day!

On Friday, July 4, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) will host a Fish for Free day to allow anyone (resident or non-resident) to legally fish on all Pennsylvania waterways. No license is required, but all other fishing regulations still apply. This is a great way to expose the next generation of anglers to the outdoors! More information about fishing in Pennsylvania is available here.

Inheritance Scam Alert!

State officials are urging you to stay vigilant after a scam was reported involving someone posing as a Commonwealth employee.

The reported scam uses a fake email to target older Pennsylvanians and request money through licensed financial institutions to receive a fake inheritance. In the recently reported incident, the victim was asked to pay upfront fees in order for the inheritance to be released – the fees would total hundreds of thousands of dollars over nearly a one-year period.

To protect yourself:

	•	Don’t respond to suspicious emails or texts.
	•	Don’t trust messages about winning money or getting an inheritance from someone you do not know.
	•	Do not feel pressured to act quickly or in secret.
	•	Check email addresses. Scammers can spoof emails, sending an email that looks like it is from a trusted source. Official emails from Pennsylvania state agencies always end in @pa.gov.
	•	Watch out for fake websites. Official state websites end in pa.gov and will always display the Commonwealth logo with the text “Official website of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania” on the top left corner of a web page.
	•	Know that Pennsylvania agencies will not threaten immediate legal action or license suspension without proper notice.

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