DV Journal

State Sen. Tracy Pennycuick (R-Montgomery), a U.S. Army combat veteran, will host her third annual Women Veterans Celebration at the Capitol on June 10 to honor and recognize the service of women veterans across the commonwealth. The event was established following the passage of Pennycuick’s 2022 legislation designating June 12 as Women Veterans Day in Pennsylvania, ensuring that the contributions of women in the military receive the recognition they deserve. Women veterans from all military branches are encouraged to attend and participate in this special tribute.

Army Veteran Tammy Barber-Kamer attended the Women Veterans Celebration last year and plans to attend again this year.

Barber-Kamer likes “she is celebrating women. It gives me a chance to gather with other women who might have had the same experiences, and we get to share our experiences. She acknowledges the sacrifice we made for our country.”

Pennycuick said, “As a Pennsylvania state senator and a United States Army combat veteran, I am committed to ensuring that my colleagues—and all of Pennsylvania—recognize the vital role women play in our military.”

Barber-Kamer, who was also in the Army Reserve, served in Iraq for a year in 2010 and 2011 during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Barber-Kamer, a sergeant major working in logistics, served in three Iraqi cities: Bagdad, Tikrit, and Balad, which they dubbed “mortar-itaville” because of the constant incoming mortar fire.

Iraq was “hot, dusty and very eye-opening,” she said.

Following in the footsteps of her older sister, Connie, who urged her to enlist, Barber-Kamer signed up at 26, when she was married and the mother of two children. Service is a family affair. Her younger brother, Ricky, served, too, and she was surprised to run into him when she exited a latrine in Kuwait. She also ran across a grandniece serving in the Air Force in Iraq.

The Scottdale resident retired after 24 years as a corrections officer. Barber-Kamer and her second husband have 10 grandchildren between them.

Still serving others, Barber-Kamer volunteers as an honor guard member for veterans’ funerals, she said.

“It’s my belief every individual coming out of high school should join the service for a couple of years,” she said. “They would get discipline, integrity, morals.”

As of 2023, 18 percent of those serving in the military were women, according to the Department of Defense’s latest statistics.

The Women Veterans Celebration has continued to grow. Due to the overwhelming number of sign-ups last year, the 2025 Women Veterans display at the Capitol will be digital, allowing an even larger audience to view and celebrate these remarkable women. A virtual display will also be available online and go live on Monday, June 9 at www.senatorpennycuick.com.

Women veterans featured in last year’s display and wish to participate again may simply update their previous submission here. New participants can share their service stories by completing the required submission form. The deadline to submit entries is Friday, May 9.

“I am honored to continue this tradition and to provide a platform where the incredible women who have served our country can be celebrated,” said Pennycuick. “This celebration is an important opportunity to honor the remarkable contributions women have made throughout our nation’s history. I look forward to continuing to recognize their exceptional service and steadfast commitment.”

On Oct. 26, 2023, SEPTA bus driver Bernard Gribbin was shot dead as he sat behind the wheel of his bus in Germantown. Police arrested a female passenger shortly afterward.

A bill named for Gribbin, sponsored by local state Sen. Joe Picozzi (R-Philadelphia), recently passed the Pennsylvania Senate 48 to 1. It creates a new offense for interference with the operation of a public transit vehicle. Offenders causing serious bodily injury or death would face a felony of the first degree, while interference resulting in bodily injury, or the fear of imminent harm would be classified as a felony of the third degree.

In remarks before the Senate, Picozzi said the “senselessly murdered” Gribbin, a retired Army combat engineer, had worked for SEPTA for 12 years and was “beloved” by his riders.

Those who harm transit workers can also cause accidents in the process, harming members of the public, he added.

SEPTA, the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transit Authority, supports the bill. The legislation sends a strong message that violence against public transit operators will not be tolerated, and those responsible for putting others’ safety at risk will face severe consequences, according to the agency.

Sen. Frank Farry (R-Bucks), who also sponsored the measure, said, “Our transit workers deserve to be safe in their workplace. This bill would not only provide the necessary protections for our hardworking transit employees who provide a critical service to our community and are vital to Pennsylvania but also protect the passengers and other commuters on the roadway.”

Sponsor Sen. Tracy Pennycuick (R-Montgomery) said, “Transit operators across Pennsylvania deserve a safe workplace. In the Southeast, SEPTA operators have faced a rise in assaults and violent incidents. We must take stronger action to protect these workers and ensure that public transit remains safe for both employees and passengers.”

Sen. Tina Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia) said, “Our transit workers keep Pennsylvania moving, yet too many face threats and violence on the job. No one should fear for their safety while simply doing their job,” she continued. “Bernard Gribbin’s tragic death is a stark reminder of the urgency to act. This legislation will give transit workers the protections they deserve and send a clear message—violence against them will not be tolerated.”

The bill is now in the House.

Picozzi also brought the Senate Majority Policy Committee to Kensington for a discussion with the Philadelphia police. Long known as a haven for drug addicts and drug dealers, the City of Philadelphia, under Mayor Cherelle Parker, is taking steps to improve the area.

The state senators then toured Riverview Wellness Village, a nearby recovery-based housing center that Parker created. Riverview provides housing and special services to help those suffering from drug use build sustainable habits for long-term recovery. They are now in the process of adding more beds and workforce development initiatives.

“Public safety is my number one priority, and we are appreciative to our city law enforcement who provided firsthand witness to the challenges they face,” said Picozzi. “It was important for me to share those realities with my colleagues as we explore ways to help keep everyone safer.”

Committee Chair Sen. Dave Argall (R-Carbon) said, “The brave officers we met with yesterday deserve more than just our thanks – they need more support. Sen. Picozzi stressed throughout this visit that the Philadelphia Police and Mayor Parker have made strides toward reducing crime within the city, but they need more help. The persistent deterioration of neighborhoods that we witnessed is completely unacceptable.”

Should Pennsylvania join 36 other states that require voters to show identification in order to vote?

State Sen. Tracy Pennycuick (R-Montgomery/Berks) thinks so.

Pennycuick is introducing legislation calling for a constitutional amendment to enhance Pennsylvania’s election security by requiring voters to present photo identification when voting in person.

Voter ID requirements are common throughout the country. Pennsylvania is among the 14 states that do not mandate any documentation in order to vote. A strict voter ID law was enacted in 2012, but the state Supreme Court struck it down, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

Only first-time voters must provide documentation, either photo or non-photo identification, says the Pennsylvania Department of State. 

Not good enough, says Pennycuick.

“As a constitutional amendment, it’s the people of Pennsylvania who are going to decide if voter ID is an important component of our election system,” said Pennycuick. “Voters support this commonsense requirement, IDs are not difficult to obtain, and there is no evidence requiring an ID when voting in person negatively affects turnout.”

Requiring voter ID receives wide-ranging support in Pennsylvania. A June 2021 poll from Franklin and Marshall College found 74 percent of respondents, including 77 percent of independents, favor identification requirements.

Democrats in the state House, however, oppose an ID mandate.

“Any attempt to disenfranchise voters through a constitutional amendment is a non-starter for House Democrats,” said Elizabeth Rementer, press secretary for House Majority Leader Matt Bradford (D-Montgomery) in a statement last year.

Voter ID laws stop multiple types of fraud, such as impersonating another registered voter, preventing noncitizens from voting, and stopping out-of-state residents or someone registered in multiple jurisdictions.

While many people scoff at voter fraud, in January, a federal judge sentenced a 62-year-old Huntington Valley man to probation and fines after he was caught registering to vote in Montgomery County, Philadelphia, and Florida.

In December, Delaware County authorities arrested a woman who was part of the New Pennsylvania Project, charging her with forgery, tampering with public records, and knowingly registering voters who were not eligible.

“Requiring valid ID to vote provides a commonsense security measure to assure that voters cast their own ballots. In Pennsylvania, enshrining it in our constitution is one of many election integrity safeguards that we need. While the majority of Pennsylvanians support voter ID requirements, I have no doubt the Left will launch an all-out assault against these reforms,” said Linda Kerns, a Republican election lawyer based in Philadelphia.

Kerns was among the RNC lawyers who were actively preventing voter fraud and other issues during the 2024 election. Republicans had to go to court to force Democratic elected officials in Bucks and Montgomery Counties to follow state law regarding undated mail-in ballots.

Constitutional amendments must pass both the House and Senate in two consecutive legislative sessions to be placed on the ballot.

“We are pleased to see growing support, with more sponsors joining the effort each day. We are also carefully gathering feedback from stakeholders. As the language has not yet been introduced, we have not received any clear opposition at this time,” said Pennycuick spokesman Matt Szuchyt.

The state Senate Monday adopted a measure urging Congress to provide lifesaving therapy to Americans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

The resolution, sponsored by Sen. Tracy Pennycuick (R-Montgomery), calls on Congress to pass the Treatment and Relief through Emerging and Accessible Therapy for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Act, also known as the TREAT PTSD Act.

It would require the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense to provide veterans suffering from PTSD with access to a lifesaving therapy known as stellate ganglion block (SGB). SGB works by applying an injection into the bundle of nerves that send signals of fight or flight to the body. The treatment relieves feelings of stress quickly for those with PTSD and provides them with a renewed chance to heal. The procedure has been used for nearly 100 years for pain conditions, including shingles and phantom limb pain.

“Our veterans who suffer from trauma deserve the best available care,” said Pennycuick, a U.S. Army combat veteran. “The battle isn’t over for them. Congress must approve the TREAT PTSD Act to provide this critical therapy and send the message that we’re not leaving any of our fighting men and women behind.”

PTSD is more common among veterans than civilians. At some point in their life, 7 out of every 100 veterans (or 7 percent) will have PTSD. In the general population, 6 out of every 100 adults (or 6 percent) will have PTSD in their lifetime. PTSD is also more common among female veterans (13 out of 100, or 13 percent) versus male veterans (6 out of 100, or 6 percent), according to the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Pennycuick (R-Montgomery) said she is “passionate” about finding treatments for PTSD because she’s been diagnosed with it herself.

“I’m a veteran who has PTSD,” said Pennycuick. “You never get rid of PTSD. You can get better and get stable.”

The Veterans Administration is very slow to approve treatments.

“The VA list of drugs, its formulary has not changed since the Vietnam War,” she said. So many veterans have turned to nonprofits for help.

“If veterans are suffering and if a treatment can help, why aren’t we doing it?” she asked. “If it’s a possibility for treatment, we need to look into it. We need to look at everything that’s on the table.”

The federal legislation, H.R. 3023, is before the U.S. House Subcommittee on Health.

Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Bucks) and Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D-Chester) are cosponsors of the legislation.

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Pennsylvania lost 10,408 residents between July 2022 and July 2023, the U.S. Census said.  After the 2000 Census, Pennsylvania lost a congressional seat because so many residents sought their fortunes elsewhere.

Hoping to reverse this trend, on Tuesday the Republican-led state Senate nearly unanimously passed a bipaartisan package of bills dubbed “Grow PA.”

“Everyone knows we have a declining population in Pennsylvania, and our workforce is shrinking as Pennsylvanians age,” Sen. Tracy Pennycuick (R-Montgomery) told DVJournal. “So we came together, and leadership did a great job of putting this together.”

Elizabeth Stelle, director of policy analysis for the free market think tank, agreed.

“The Commonwealth Foundation applauds Pennsylvania Senate Republicans—and state Sen. Scott Martin (R-Lancaster) in particular—for its leadership in advancing much-needed higher education reform in the commonwealth. The passage of Grow PA illustrates the Senate Republican’s commitment to supporting our students and future workforce,” Stelle said.

“Grow PA’s reforms provide student-centered funding, ensuring financial aid benefits students directly. From technical programs and community colleges to four-year universities, Grow PA funds students regardless of their choice of higher education. It prioritizes student choice—not bureaucracy—and allocates resources to the fields of study our state needs the most,” she said.

“Grow PA links accountability and results, tying scholarship grants to student success in high-demand fields, such as health care and agriculture. This approach makes higher education more affordable and aligns educational programs with the demands of our state’s key industries. As a result, students graduate better prepared, collect less student debt, and have a greater chance to secure gainful employment.”

The Grow PA Scholarship Grant Program will offer grants of up to $5,000 per year for in-state students who attend college in Pennsylvania, pursue a degree in a high-demand industry, and agree to live and work in that industry in Pennsylvania after graduation.

Students who receive grants would be required to live and work in Pennsylvania for at least 15 months for each year they accept the grant. Otherwise, the grant is converted into a loan.

A Grow PA merit scholarship program also attracts high-performing out-of-state students to a Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) school.

Another bill would expand the Ready to Succeed Scholarship Program, which provides scholarships to promising students to cover the cost of post-secondary education. The bill would increase household income limits from $126,000 to $175,000 and allow students with at least a 2.5 GPA to qualify.

Pennycuick was the lead sponsor of a bill to help foster children.

The measure would expand the Fostering Independence Tuition Waiver Program, which waives higher education tuition and fees for foster children in the foster care system and adopted children. Under the bill, the program would include eligible nonresident students for undergraduate courses at PASSHE schools.

“Many young, talented individuals are simply in need of a chance to succeed. This is especially true for foster care children, who often face significant barriers when seeking access to postsecondary education,” said Pennycuick. “Let’s give foster care kids across the nation the opportunity they seek right here in Pennsylvania.”

She hopes those former foster children will continue to live as contributing members of Pennsylvania society.

“We’ve got phenomenal schools in Pennsylvania,” she said. “We have some top-notch universities. I think it’s a great way to grow Pennsylvania and bring kids that need an opportunity here.”

Another bill would impose performance-based metrics to funding for state-related universities, including the University of Pittsburgh, the Pennsylvania State University, and Temple University.

Stelle added, “Grow PA links accountability and results, tying scholarship grants to student success in high-demand fields, such as health care and agriculture. This approach makes higher education more affordable and aligns educational programs with the demands of our state’s key industries. As a result, students graduate better prepared, collect less student debt, and have a greater chance to secure gainful employment.”

The bills will now be taken up by the House.

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The Bucks County Emergency Services Center CAD system spent nine days offline last month after hackers crashed it. Delaware County had a security breach in 2020. Hackers targeted the Aliquippa Water Authority in western Pennsylvania in November and disabled pressure monitoring equipment.

And over the weekend, Pennsylvania’s court system was hit with a disabling cyber attack.

In response to these and other threats to public agencies, the Senate Communications and Technology Committee and Senate Local Government Committee met with representatives of municipal governments, industry, and academia last week to discuss threats to vital systems and infrastructure.

“An unfortunate reality of our world is that no organization is immune to a cyberattack,” said Sen. Tracy Pennycuick (R-Montgomery/Berks), who chairs the Communications and Technology Committee. “The havoc and serious damage that these incursions can have on local governments, public authorities, and the people they serve are not only disruptive but also present a direct threat to public safety.”

Sen. Frank Farry (R-Bucks), who also serves as fire chief of the Langhorne-Middletown Fire Company, said the Bucks County CAD system automatically dispenses first responders to addressees.

“Our dispatchers literally had to do it manually,” said Farry. “They did a fantastic job.” But it was not as fast as the CAD system and also impacted record-keeping, he said.

Executive Director of IT and Chief Information Officer for York County, Joe Sassano, said the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania (CCAP) is working with counties to address the growing threat.

“In York County, cybersecurity needs have driven most of our IT-related projects and, subsequently, most of our IT budget for the last several years,” Sassano said. “CCAP, counties, other local government organizations, and state agencies are already working together closely to improve security definitions and implement vital cybersecurity initiatives, conducting reoccurring quarterly meetings, an annual cybersecurity conference, security resources, and other projects.”

“The weak spot, we found, is the human element,” said John Berti of the Pennsylvania Municipal Authorities Association and the Wyoming Valley Sanitary Authority. Wyoming Valley implemented a “KnowBe4” security awareness service to help employees prevent email cyberattacks, he said.

Unisys, a corporation based in Blue Bell that provides security consulting services, sent two representatives to the hearing.

Unisys Regional Director John Alwine said many counties, cities, and other municipal entities “have learned the cost of not doing cyber security” and then trying to do damage control.

“The legislature and administration must seek out increased coordination amongst state IT users, foster greater recognition of security risks for state agencies, hold government IT leaders accountable in establishing a security path forward, and provide the resources necessary to implement such a strategy,” Alwine said.

Unisys Managing Principal Clifford Shier said, “There is a need for a statewide baseline.” The state, counties, and municipalities are all connected, as well as various vendors that log into systems.

Also, entities need to know what they have.

“Identification of what you have is key,” said Shier. He has “heard many times (someone) didn’t know this end-of-life piece of equipment is on (their) network or where (their) data was.”

Because protection may not be perfect and hackers, including hostile governments like Iran, try to break in, they must also plan for recovery.

“There will be a time you need to recover,” said Shier. “Don’t get rid of backups.”

Alwine said, “We need to develop a plan, fund it, execute it, and update it on a continual basis.”

Sen. Tim Kearney (D-Delaware), minority chair of the Local Government Committee, said, “It’s important for our communities to stay on top of this issue.”

“It’s going to require people to agree to the baseline (of security measures),” he said, and called on people to work together on the issue for  the “public good.”

“Somebody in York County might have an effect in Delaware County. We, as a society, have trouble with that. My county had a security breach, ransomware. They had insurance for it. They tried to keep it as quiet as possible. Nobody wants to talk about it,” Kearney said.

The Communications and Technology Committee recently approved a bill to protect information on state-owned devices from downloading and using TikTok. The full Senate passed that bill.

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Hoping to incentivize employers to hire Pennsylvania National Guard members, state Sen. Tracy Pennycuick (R-Montgomery/Berks) introduced a bill to provide a $1,000 tax credit to employers who hire them.

“The Pennsylvania National Guard is recognized as one of the finest National Guards in the nation, and it’s largely made up of part-time members who work full-time jobs,” said Pennycuick, a U.S. Army combat veteran. “Giving employers an incentive to hire Guard members boosts access to workers with unique skill sets and makes serving in the Guard more attractive to Pennsylvanians.”

Recruitment and retention numbers for the Guard have dipped in previous years, presenting a manpower challenge as the Guard works to remain mission-ready for its dual state and federal responsibilities. Since most Guardsmen serve “part-time,” a key consideration for these dedicated and skilled individuals is obtaining full-time employment while they serve.

There are more than 700,000 veterans and approximately 18,000 members of the Pennsylvania National Guard in the Keystone State. National Guard members are “citizen soldiers” often called up in emergencies in their home states. They usually drill once a month and undergo training for two weeks yearly.

The governor or the president can call upon the National Guard to help with various situations.

Newly-elected Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker has mulled the idea of asking the National Guard to deal with the open-air illegal drug market that plagues Kensington. However, according to reports, Gov. Josh Shapiro is not likely to go along with that idea.

Under the legislation, a $1,000 tax credit would be available if a business hires an active member of the Pennsylvania Guard or if a current employee enlists or re-enlists in the Guard. The tax credit can offset income tax or corporate net income tax liabilities.

Delaware Valley state Sens. Maria Collett (D-Montgomery), Katie Muth (D-Chester/Montgomery), and Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery) are co-sponsors of the bipartisan bill.

“With the second largest National Guard in the nation, it’s clear that Pennsylvanians are committed to service,” said Collett. “Employers across the Commonwealth are in desperate need of a dedicated workforce that has the leadership, skills, and character developed by those who serve in our Guard. That’s why I am proud to sponsor SB 985 with Sen. Pennycuick to incentivize employers to hire even more of our Guard members.

“Whether through a deployment or their employment, this bi-partisan legislation underscores how important our National Guard members are to the safety, security, and strength of Pennsylvania,” said Collett.

(From a  press release)

State Sen. Tracy Pennycuick (R-Berks/Montgomery) recently hosted her first Veterans Appreciation Breakfast on Saturday, November 4 at Upper Perkiomen High School, as a way to say “thank you” to all our local heroes.

Several hundred were in attendance, which included veterans, veterans’ guests, exhibitors, and guest speakers. Veterans from every American conflict, from the Korean War to Operation Inherent Resolve, were in attendance. Dr. Jim Arcieri of Community Bible Fellowship Church, recited the blessing and benediction and the keynote speaker was state Rep. Timothy J. O’Neal (R-Washington Co.).

“We can never truly thank our veterans enough for their service to our country and community,” said Senator Pennycuick. “This event is a small token of gratitude that carries a big message: we wouldn’t be the nation we are without our veterans. I am pleased so many of our veterans were able to participate and be recognized for their heroic acts.”

Sen. Tracy Pennycuik talks with a veteran.

Veterans also enjoyed patriotic songs performed by the Upper Perkiomen High School Women’s Choir and the National Anthem performed by Upper Perkiomen High School student, Autumn Alderfer. Attendees were also able to obtain veteran identification cards from the Montgomery County Recorder of Deeds.

Various organizations were available to provide veterans with various information and services including: Montgomery County Recorder of Deeds, Montgomery County Veterans Affairs, Norristown Vet Center, PA Department of Military and Veteran Affairs, Tails of Valor, Paws of Honor Program, Inc., The Korean War Memorial America-Korea Alliance Peace Park, Valley Forge Military Academy & College, Veterans Brotherhood, Vets For Vets Healthcare, state Rep. Milou Mackenzie (R-Bethlehem), state Rep. David Maloney (R-Berks), and state Rep. Donna Scheuren (R-Gilbertsville).

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On Aug. 25, a 17-year-old student came to the Cheltenham/Abington football game with a gun tucked into his waistband. That same evening, a teenager was gunned down at a football game in Choctaw, Okla.

State Sen. Mike Regan introduced a ripped-from-the-headlines bill on Tuesday to address fears inspired by stories like these. Senate Bill 907 would require school districts to employ an armed, trained, and vetted security person at every school during school hours.

“Students want to know their schools are safe, and parents want to know their children will come home at the end of the school day. The safety of students, teachers, and school staff should be a top priority. Students deserve a safe environment where they can learn and grow, and teachers should not have the sole responsibility for protecting our kids,” said Regan (R-Cumberland/York).

Abington Police Chief Patrick Molloy said the quick thinking and skill of two of his school resource officers allowed the gun-carrying Cheltenham student to be arrested without incident and before anyone got hurt.

“Thank God for a mother who wanted to remain anonymous, saw the gun in the kid’s waistband,” he said.

He said the youth at the Abington field allegedly had a ghost gun with 30 rounds and two extended magazines with a laser affixed for accuracy.

“God knows what he was up to. But the actions and the planning of those two officers to take him into custody, with very few people even knowing it and escorting him out of there, was remarkable,” said Molloy.

School resource officers have extra training and “want to be with the kids,” he said.

“It takes a special kind of cop that wants to do that,” said Molloy. “I think that’s how we should be recruiting. We should do everything we can. My officers are highly trained. One of them is a SWAT officer. He’s in the school all day. They have all kinds of tools on their belt, but the biggest tool is their ability to communicate and de-escalate.”

“In 30 years, we’ve had school resource officers in Abington Township, and we’ve had no major uses of force,” he added.

Regan’s legislation also aims to enhance safety at school extracurricular activities. It would allow school boards to station armed school security personnel on school grounds during extracurricular events outside regular school hours.

Part of the bill would require any armed school safety personnel to comply with vigorous training and certification requirements, including lethal weapons training and student interaction training.

Sen. Tracy Pennycuick, who represents parts of Montgomery County, applauded the initiative.

“It is unacceptable that our nation’s schools, teachers, and students have become targets for those seeking to perpetrate violence,” Pennycuick said. “Having professionally trained school safety personnel on campus is a commonsense step we can take to better secure our institutions and ensure that there is an extra layer of security keeping our kids safe. Our children are our most cherished treasures, and I applaud my colleague, Sen. Regan, for advancing this important proposal.”

Sen. Jarrett Coleman (R-Bucks/Lehigh) supports efforts to improve and increase school safety but also has not had a chance to read the bill and can’t comment specifically, a spokesman said

But some senators have reservations.

During a podcast interview with DVJournal, Sen. Anthony Hardy Williams (D-Delaware/Philadelphia) said that while he hadn’t seen the bill, he did have some concerns about the concept.

“I don’t know the bill,” said Williams. “I don’t know the limitations or parameters. I don’t know who gets to be armed, or how much training they have. Many of the police officers who do school policing are not necessarily candidates that have graduated from the law enforcement schools.”

He pointed to the death of 8-year-old Fanta Bility who was hit by gunfire from three now-former Sharon Hill officers. They reacted to shots fired by two teenagers who were fighting down the block and fired into people leaving a game.

“Unfortunately, I have to say this, you know, we had police officers that were not trained at a sporting event that led to significant tragedy and the death of a child in Delaware County,” said Williams. “So just having someone there without proper training does not guarantee anyone’s safety.”

Regan argues the state must step up.

“We require our children to attend school; therefore, it is incumbent upon us to do everything we can to secure them while they are there,” Regan said. “Failure to enact this bill would leave our schools, teachers, and students more vulnerable to attack. That is too great a risk that we just cannot take.”

Since 2018, the General Assembly has appropriated $800 million in grant funds to help districts pay for school safety and security upgrades. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, about half of the commonwealth’s 500 school districts have taken advantage of that funding to put armed officers in schools.

“Many school districts haven’t done what is considered by school security experts as the most effective method of deterring acts of violence, and that is putting an armed, trained, and vetted officer in every building. The time to fix that is now, before another school falls victim to a heinous act of violence,” Regan said.

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Once again, it’s summer, and Pennsylvania is without a new state budget. It’s a story we hear all too often in our state’s capital. I want to take the opportunity to explain why I am a firm supporter of the 2023-24 spending plan that passed the Senate in late June.

The $45.5 billion spending proposal that passed in both chambers has a lot to like. It contains no broad-based tax increases, fully funds state government’s core responsibilities and obligations, and puts money away to prevent future tax increases. It is an expression of our priorities that puts Pennsylvania in a strong position.

The budget provided more funding to help law enforcement keep our communities safe, funds four new State Police cadet classes, and places State Police funding on a more stable footing by moving it from Transportation to the General Fund. This move will free up additional dollars to be devoted to our state’s roads and bridges – nearly $500 million more by 2026.

Equally as important, $500 million was added to our state’s Rainy-Day fund, which is crucial for funding vital services and preventing tax increases during economic downturns. It wasn’t long ago that the Rainy Day fund balance stood near zero, putting our state’s financial future at risk.

But above all else, I firmly support this budget because of the significant new funding for schools. The budget includes more than $1 billion in new funding for public education, including historic levels for basic education, special education, and early learning programs. It also contains significant new funds for career and technical institutes, which play an invaluable role in preparing young people for promising in-demand careers.

These investments build on the previous General Assembly increases for basic education, which increased by $1.05 billion over the last two fiscal years.

This budget puts Pennsylvanians first and was a product of robust negotiations with Gov. Josh Shapiro and included bipartisan compromises on both sides of the aisle on key priorities important to Republicans and Democrats.

Unfortunately, the agreed-upon budget passed by the Senate ran into opposition from special interest groups, which led to Gov. Shapiro announcing he would line-item veto a key budget provision, one he highlighted in his campaign for governor.

That is the Pennsylvania Award for Student Success (PASS) program. This $100 million program, representing 0.2 percent of our budget, is designed to provide a lifeline for students trapped in Pennsylvania’s worst-performing schools. The program is simple: a student attending a school performing in the lowest 15 percent of achievement and living in a household 250 percent or below the federal poverty level ($75,000 for a family of four) can qualify for a scholarship to go to another better-performing school.

The program levels the playing field and gives families the ability to decide what is best for their children. But best of all, it allows thousands of children to escape failing schools and the opportunity to obtain a high-quality education.

Most importantly, the program does not take a single dollar of state support away from public education.

Every day that passes is one less day a child in a failing district has to receive a high-quality education. It is time that we provide hope for these families.

This is a concept that Gov. Shapiro has repeatedly supported and was a central element of his campaign message to the people of Pennsylvania. Unfortunately, his reversal on this important educational program leaves the previously reached budget compromise in jeopardy.

House Democrats followed his lead and only passed the spending plan part of the budget, with the promise from the Governor that he would veto the PASS program.

The PASS program is worth fighting for because it has the potential to provide hope and lift children out of poverty without impacting state funding for education.

I agree with the governor when he said Senate Republicans must “give more than they’re used to,” and House Democrats cannot “expect to get everything they’ve wanted over the last decade in one budget.” I believe the Senate Republicans have lived up to their side of this equation, having compromised and included many programs, such as indigent defense, whole home repair, and level-up funding, important to Democrats.

It is my hope that Gov. Shapiro will change course and again support this pivotal program so that we can finish the 2023-24 budget. We have an obligation to ensure that this budget works for all Pennsylvanians, especially for those left behind in failing schools.