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In this Update:
First-Ever PA Senate Second Amendment Caucus Assembled
In the interest of offering my Senate colleagues greater opportunities to become actively involved in protecting and strengthening lawful firearms ownership, this week I announced the formation of the first-ever PA Senate Second Amendment Caucus, which I am honored to serve as Chairman. The foundational mission statement of the Senate Second Amendment Caucus is Article 1, Section 21 of the Pennsylvania Constitution in which The People of Pennsylvania flatly states: “The right of the citizen to bear arms in defense of themselves and the state shall not be questioned.” Clearly, the safety and welfare of our citizenry cannot be guaranteed by criminalizing our most fundamental freedoms, disarming law-abiding citizens in “gun free zones” or allowing the tyrannical confiscation of legally owned firearms. Our sacred, Constitutional right to arm and protect ourselves, our loved ones, and our property is non-negotiable, and we must defend it. In addition to myself, the following state Senators are inaugural members of the PA Senate Second Amendment Caucus: Sen. David Argall (R-29), Sen. Ryan Aument (R-36), Sen. Lynda Schlegel Culver (R-27), Sen. Kristin Phillips-Hill (R-28), Sen. Scott Hutchinson (R-21), Sen. Wayne Langerholc (R-35), Sen. Doug Mastriano (R-33), Sen. Tracy Pennycuick (R-24), Sen. Greg Rothman (R-34), Sen. Pat Stefano (R-32), Sen. Elder Vogel (R-47), Sen. Judy Ward (R-30) and Sen. Gene Yaw (R-23). For more information, including the upcoming 2023 State Capitol Right to Keep and Bear Arms Rally, follow the links below: https://senatorcrisdushpa.com/…/senator-dush-assembles…/ https://senatorcrisdushpa.com/secondamendmentcaucus/
Senate Republicans Work to Strengthen Pennsylvania
As the 2023-24 legislative session is in full swing, my colleagues and I are working to protect Pennsylvania jobs, empower Pennsylvania families and defend Pennsylvania freedoms. These initiatives are reflected in our agenda, and many relevant bills have already passed. Protecting jobs requires a multifaceted approach that includes energy independence, workforce development and infrastructure advancement. Families, not government, are the heart of our commonwealth. To empower families, we must provide healthy and safe communities, address mental and behavioral health needs and guarantee access to high-quality schools. Defending freedom means keeping government out of citizens’ lives and pockets as much as possible and allowing them to be confident in the election process. To do that, we want to reduce the tax burden, cut government red tape and improve election integrity. Hearing Explores Workforce Challenges in Rural Pennsylvania
The Senate Majority Policy Committee held a public hearing in Williamsport to explore workforce challenges in rural Pennsylvania. The hearing focused on population decline and labor and housing shortages, and their economic impact on communities and businesses. The Center for Rural Pennsylvania submitted data that showed the stagnation of Pennsylvania’s rural population, primarily due to more deaths than births, and a steady rural labor force decline, which predates the COVID-19 pandemic. Additional testifiers included Acting Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry Secretary Nancy Walker, area business leaders and others. You can view the hearing and written testimony here. Open Road Tolling Coming to PA
Open road tolling is coming to eastern Pennsylvania in 2025 and western Pennsylvania in 2026. It will save the PA Turnpike more than $75 million a year. Open road tolling is a cashless, free-flowing mode of collecting tolls without traditional toll plazas or tollbooths. Tolls are charged electronically as customers drive at highway speeds without slowing down or stopping beneath overhead structures between interchanges. It allows new access points to be added more easily and at a lower cost, enhancing mobility and reducing traffic. Find maps and learn more here. Monthly Appropriations Update Hints at Moderation of State Revenues
Each month, the Senate Appropriations Committee prepares an update about the state’s financial health. The most recent report shows that tax revenues in April were $15.3 million below estimate, indicating a potential moderation of state revenues. Personal Income Tax collections were also below estimate: $322 million, which is 10% lower than projected. For the 2022-23 Fiscal Year, revenue collections remain $1.2 billion higher than estimates, driven largely by corporation taxes that are nearly 19% above projections. I’m concerned, as is the Republican caucus, that this is the beginning of the trend we had seen and prepared for when we put money into the Rainy Day Fund over the past two years. We have still not brought the Rainy Day Fund up to the national average and yet there are people who want us to spend that money rather than keep it properly invested and prepared for use in the event tax revenues are not meeting the needs to pay our bills in the near future. The full update, including the monthly revenue report, is available here. Win $5,290 to Celebrate 529 Day
May 29 is 529 Day, and the Pennsylvania Treasury Department is celebrating with the opportunity to win financial awards for new PA 529 College and Career Savings Program Guaranteed Savings Plan (GSP) account owners. The PA 529 GSP allows you to save at today’s tuition rates to meet tomorrow’s tuition costs. PA 529 plans have state and federal tax advantages and can be used for a wide variety of qualifying technical, collegiate and apprenticeship educational expenses. One new PA 529 GSP account owner will be awarded a $5,290 GSP contribution – enough to cover a year of tuition at a Pennsylvania Community College. There will also be 10 additional regional winners across the state who will each receive a GSP contribution of $2,529. To be eligible for awards, open a new PA 529 GSP account with at least $10 before May 31. Beneficiaries must be Pennsylvania residents and may not already be the beneficiary of an active PA 529 GSP or PA 529 Investment Plan account. Additional conditions apply; read the official rules here. National Safe Boating Week: May 20-26
National Safe Boating Week reminds all boaters to brush up on boating safety skills and prepare for the boating season. In recognition of Safe Boating Week, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission is offering free events to introduce people to boating, paddling and kayaking. Learn more here and then get your friends and family members to visit the lakes, rivers and creeks of the 25th Senatorial District.
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