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Supporting Fiscal Responsibility in the State Budget
It’s been more than 100 days since the start of the 2025-26 fiscal year, and the state still does not have a budget in place.
To put it simply, many of the budget plans we have seen thus far spend more than we will collect in revenue this year, ultimately leading to a significant tax increase in the near future. My fellow House Republicans and I are advocating for a plan that spends within our means, and the Republican-controlled Senate sent us such a budget bill earlier this summer.
I was proud to vote in support of that fiscally responsible budget plan in the House last week. It could have gone immediately to the governor to end the budget impasse, but the vote failed along party lines.
I could not support the $50.25 billion plan advanced by House Democrats, as it represents at least $5 billion in spending beyond anticipated revenues for the year. All parties need to face our fiscal realities and pass a budget that respects the taxpayers who foot the bill.
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Outlining Our Budget Priorities for PA
Last week, House Republican leadership held a press conference amid the ongoing budget negotiations to highlight what we believe should be prioritized to best position Pennsylvania for success in the future.
During the event, House Majority Leader Jesse Topper provided an update on the status of the discussion and outlined key policy priorities aimed at positively impacting all Pennsylvanians, including unleashing the Commonwealth’s vast energy potential, advancing student-centered education, and promoting an efficient government that works for the people
Watch the press conference above.
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Helping Our Energy Industry Reach its Full Potential
House Republicans believe if we truly want fiscal responsibility and sustainable budgets, we must focus on economic growth.
First and foremost, we need to get government out of the way of our energy industry to allow it to reach its full potential and ensure we have an affordable, reliable energy supply. Last week, I joined many of my colleagues in signing onto a resolution that would discharge from committee a bill to get Pennsylvania out of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). Without legislative authority, former Gov. Tom Wolf entered us into this interstate compact that has negatively impacted new energy projects in the Commonwealth. RGGI is bad for consumers and bad for our economy.
Senate Bill 186 passed the Senate in early February with bipartisan support. It was then referred to the House Environmental and Natural Resource Protection Committee, where it has been ignored ever since.
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Improving Child Care for Working Families
The House recently approved, with my support, a bill that helps make child care more accessible to working families.
House Bill 1108 includes language to address the child care cliff, which previously forced parents to choose between earning a slightly higher salary or maintaining access to child care. Often the higher earnings were not enough to make up for the loss of subsidized child care.
The bill also brings Pennsylvania into compliance with federal rule changes regarding the copayment amounts.
The bill now goes to the Senate for consideration.
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This Week: Concealed Carry Seminar
Don’t miss this opportunity to learn about PA’s firearm laws and gain insight on how to safely interact with police when carrying a firearm. You will also learn the legal aspects of the state’s Castle Doctrine, which allows a homeowner to use deadly force, if necessary, when threatened by an armed intruder.
Register at RepOwlett.com to reserve your seat or call the Wellsboro office at 570-724-1390 or the Troy office at 570-297-3045.
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Senior Expo
The Senior expo is less than two weeks away. Join us for the opportunity to gather information, ask questions and connect with nearly 80 exhibitors from government agencies, health care and long-term care service providers, insurance and financial services, and more. No registration required.
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Voter Registration Deadline Oct. 20
The 2025 Municipal Election is coming up on Tuesday, Nov. 4. Municipal and school board positions will be on the ballot, along with statewide judicial elections. Voters will fill one open position each on the Commonwealth and Superior courts and consider retention of three Pennsylvania Supreme Court justices and two appellate court judges.
If you are not already registered to vote, the deadline to do so is Monday, Oct. 20. You may register in person at your county elections office, by mail or by visiting the state’s online voter registration website.
To be eligible to vote, you must be a citizen of the United States for at least one month before the election; a resident of the election district in which you register to vote for at least 30 days before the election; and at least 18 years of age on or before the date of the election.
The last day to apply for a mail-in or civilian absentee ballot is Tuesday, Oct. 28. Completed ballots must be returned by 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 4.
For more information about voting in the Commonwealth, including how to check your registration and voting location, visit www.vote.pa.gov.
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