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In this Update:
2025-26 Chairmanship: Senate Majority Policy CommitteeI was again appointed by President Pro Tempore Kim Ward (R-39) to serve as the chairman of the Senate Majority Policy Committee for the 2025-26 legislative session. In this role, I will continue my tenure as a member of the Senate Majority leadership team, the first senator from the 29th district in Schuylkill, Carbon, and Luzerne counties to serve in Senate leadership since the 1860s. Chairing the Majority Policy Committee allows me to examine a great variety of legislative ideas through public hearings and careful review, including the shortage of quality housing, the spread of blight, and the impact of crime on our largest cities and smallest neighborhoods. When I previously chaired this committee, we crisscrossed the state, holding hearings on the impact of covid-19 lockdowns on employers and schools, waste and abuse in state welfare programs, and repeat DUI offenders. I also chaired ten public roundtables on school safety, hearing from parents, students, and educators. Since then, Pennsylvania has invested hundreds of millions of new dollars into school security enhancements and student mental health support. Improving Pennsylvania Schools, from Pre-K to Grad SchoolWhile I’m excited to chair the Majority Policy Committee once again, it means that I will no longer helm the Senate Education Committee. I’m proud of the work we’ve done to improve our schools from Pre-K to grad school throughout the past two years. I will continue to serve as a member of the committee next session. Here are just a few of the new laws we passed during the 2023-24 legislative session. Investing in Pennsylvania’s FutureTo make higher education more affordable, Grow PA was signed into law earlier this summer – a package of bills to recruit the best talent to Pennsylvania schools. Grow PA programs specifically target industries that will grow the state’s economy and focus on the key jobs we need to fill now, in the trades and in many other professions. Grow PA also promotes more collaboration between Pennsylvania colleges and universities. I spearheaded this effort because ALL of our colleges and universities need to plan for a challenging future and better prepare our students for in-demand careers here in Pennsylvania. This year’s bipartisan state budget also increased funding for career and technical centers by $25 million – an increase of 21%, with additional funding for Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology in Lancaster and the Pennsylvania College of Technology in Williamsport. Improving Early LiteracyLegislation to give students the best chance at lifelong success through a strong, evidence-based reading program was signed into law in October of 2024. Senate Bill 801, sponsored by Sen. Ryan Aument (R-Lancaster) and Sen. Anthony Williams (D-Philadelphia) would provide schools with resources to dramatically improve early literacy in Pennsylvania. First, it would bolster reading instruction by giving schools a comprehensive list of evidence-based reading curricula to consider using. Second, it would help schools identify struggling readers early via universal screening by providing a list of high-quality screeners. Third, it would ensure educators are properly trained to use the structured literacy curriculum and screeners by creating a list of high-quality professional development programs. Low literacy scores are a problem that spans the geographic and demographic spectrum, with urban and rural communities struggling to help their students read proficiently at their age level. Studies show that childhood reading difficulties can produce long-term effects and dramatically impact someone’s chances of success. Addressing Cell Phone Use in SchoolsThere has been a lot of discussion lately – in schools, in the media, and in the state legislature – about the negative impact of cell phone use on our children. This year’s bipartisan state budget included legislation introduced by Sen. Ryan Aument which made funding available for schools to purchase lockable smartphone bags. Students would deposit their mobile devices in these bags until the end of the school day. Studies have shown a clear correlation between the rise of cell phones, the decline of student performance, and the rising youth mental health crisis. Many have called for restrictions or outright bans on cell phones in schools, to allow students to focus on their studies and interact with their peers. On the other side of the issue, some parents and administrators have raised concerns about how locking up cell phones will restrict the ability of students to call 911 during an emergency. The results of this program will help guide us as we consider how best to protect our students from the distractions and harms posed by social media and constant access to cell phones. Reducing Barriers for Teachers Moving to PennsylvaniaWhat has changed the most, since my late father read to these students as a student teacher in 1957? With educator shortages now continuing to plague parts of the state, we need to do everything we can to make it easier for qualified people to become teachers in Pennsylvania. I introduced legislation to reduce barriers for teachers moving to Pennsylvania by allowing qualified teachers from other states to obtain certification here more easily, which was signed into law in December of 2023. Legislation introduced by Sen. Michele Brooks (R-Mercer), which was signed into law in July of 2024, creates new pathways for experienced professionals to secure certification to work as an instructor at a career and technical center, reducing waitlists at these centers. If we don’t ensure we have enough teachers, we’re failing the next generation of Pennsylvanians. |
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