Senate Education Committee Examines Cell Phone Use and Policy in Pennsylvania Schools
The Senate Education Committee, chaired by Senator Lynda Schlegel Culver (R-27), held a public hearing today to examine how Pennsylvania schools are managing student cell phone use and to explore whether statewide policy guidance is needed to address classroom disruption, learning, and student safety. [Read More]
Mastriano Resolution Recognizing U.S. Navy’s 250th Birthday Unanimously Approved by Senate
A resolution introduced by Sen. Doug Mastriano (R-33), a retired U.S. Army colonel and chair of the Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee, to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the establishment of the U.S. Navy was unanimously adopted by the Pennsylvania Senate today. [Read More]
Senate Committee Approves Phillips-Hill, Rothman Measure to Streamline Permitting Process
Legislation sponsored by Sens. Kristin Phillips-Hill (R-York) and Greg Rothman (R–Cumberland, Perry and Dauphin) to bring greater transparency, accountability, and predictability to state government’s permitting process was approved by the Senate Intergovernmental Operations Committee. [Read More]
Baker Bill Protecting Privacy of Lottery Winners Passes Senate
The Senate today approved legislation sponsored by Sen. Lisa Baker (R-20) to protect the privacy of Pennsylvania Lottery winners who receive prizes of $100,000 or more. [Read More]
Senators Introduce Legislation to Address Rise of AI-Generated Child Sexual Abuse Material
Senators Tracy Pennycuick (R-24), Scott Martin (R-13) and Lisa Baker (R-20) have introduced a bill to better protect young people against the serious threats posed by child abuse materials generated using artificial intelligence (AI). [Read More]
Yaw, Senate Republicans Urge PJM to Protect Competitive Energy Market
Sen. Gene Yaw (R-23), chairman of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, along with several members of the Senate Republican Caucus, today sent a letter to PJM Interconnection urging the mid-Atlantic grid operator to reject recent recommendations that would overhaul their competitive market structure and prioritize wind and solar projects ahead of the planned phase-out of federal tax incentives. [Read More]
Robinson, Bartolotta Honor First Responders and Survivor in Charleroi Trench Collapse Rescue
Sens. Devlin Robinson (R-37) and Camera Bartolotta (R-46) joined Reps. Dan Miller (D-42) and Natalie Mihalek (R-40), first responders and members of Pennsylvania Urban Search and Rescue Strike Team 1 (PA-ST1) today to honor the heroes involved in the lifesaving rescue following the Charleroi trench collapse this summer. [Read More]
Lawmakers Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Prohibit Student Cellphone Use in Pennsylvania Schools
Citing the steep decline in youth mental health and academic performance during the past decade, Sens. Devlin Robinson (R-37), Vince Hughes (D-7), and Steve Santarsiero (D-10) today announced the introduction of bipartisan legislation requiring Pennsylvania schools to adopt policies prohibiting student cellphone use during the school day. [Read More]
Senate Passes Bill to Waive Interest on Short-Term Budget Impasse Loans
Pennsylvania counties, early education programs, rape prevention and domestic violence prevention centers could pay no interest on loans from the Pennsylvania Treasury under legislation approved by the Senate today, according to Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward (R-39), Majority Leader Joe Pittman (R-41) and Appropriations Committee Chair Scott Martin (R-13). [Read More]
House Democrats Take Budget Steps Backwards
Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman (R-41) issued the following statement today on the state budget: [Read More]