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| Capitol Report |
#Listrak\DateStampLong#
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The latest news from the State Capitol
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Please do not reply directly to this email, as it returns to an unattended account.
You are welcome to contact me through this link.
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State Budget Delivers Education Investment, Major Energy and Benefit Integrity Reforms
The budget delivers the most important energy reforms we have secured in years. I voted for it because it ends the RGGI energy tax, accelerates new generation through strict permitting deadlines, strengthens human services integrity, and increases education investments to prepare students for long-term success.
Unlocking Pennsylvania’s Energy Future: Exiting RGGI and Eliminating Regulatory Delays
For years, I have made clear that Pennsylvania must grow its electricity capacity if we expect to meet rising demand. Only recently have we seen this pricing reality reflected in our electricity bills. This budget delivers the reforms we have long needed. We removed the unconstitutional energy tax, known as the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), which blocked new electric generation and discouraged private investment. Our exit from RGGI means we will again open Pennsylvania's energy production to lead the country in electricity generation. That is a huge economic win for the Commonwealth and especially our electricity consumers. As I will discuss below in the third part of my energy articles, our consumer electricity costs are dramatically higher right now because anticipated need grossly outweighs the available supply. It is simple economics: high demand versus low supply equals higher price. We must have more electricity generation as fast as possible to address electricity affordability. Ridding our state of RGGI involvement will help immensely. The Governor agreed. The Senate and House Democrats agreed. In fact, the portion of the budget which cancelled our participation in RGGI passed the House 189-14 with only four Democrats voting No. That is an amazing bipartisan statement about unlocking our energy future.
We also enacted significant permitting reforms to require timely decisions from regulators. No longer will state agencies be able to kills new generation plants through inaction. You have certainly seen the Governor’s social media claiming that we have streamlined regulatory approvals to make Pennsylvania open for business; the reforms in this budget make that claim true and, again, passed by overwhelming bipartisan majorities in both the Senate and House. These changes support reliable, affordable energy for families and create the conditions for new generation to move forward. Pennsylvania can now compete for the economic opportunities tied to the need for electricity.
Public Safety: Fighting Felons in Possession of Guns
As I have written to you many times over the years, in my first budget (2021), I secured $1.5 million for county participation in the federal “Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). In short, it is a federal and state crime for a previously convicted felon to be in possession of a gun. The federal sentences on prior-felon gun possessions are severe, and there is no parole in the federal system. Having been a federal PSN (gun) prosecutor in both Denver and Philadelphia, I know this program well, and it works.
My program provides Philadelphia and Delaware counties funding to hire more assistant district attorneys to work as deputized Special Assistant United States Attorneys (SAUSAs) in federal court specifically to prosecute previously convicted felons found in possession of guns.
In 2022, the funding was increased to $3 million and continued at that level in succeeding years. I am proud to announce that the program funding was continued in this budget, bringing the total invested to over $13 million.
The objective is to find prior-convicted felons in possession of guns and get them off the streets. It is undeniable that violent crime is overwhelmingly committed by prior felons with guns.
The success of this program is undeniable. The Lieutenant Governor is the head of the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency. In response to a request from me, he provided the following statistics of our program as of May 2025.
• We have hired 10 SAUSAs to prosecute prior-convicted felons in possession of guns.
• On 254 arrests, there have been 156 indictments and 101 convictions.
• Sentences run from probation to 252 months in federal prison.
• 596 guns have been seized from prior-convicted felons.
I am very proud of this program, its success and for its continued funding by the General Assembly.
Education Funding: Continued Historic Investments
Education funding in this budget again increases in several important categories. Recall that I reported earlier this year that the Governor’s proposed budget actually decreased net funding for Garnet Valley School District. It was the only school district in the Commonwealth with an appreciable decrease in funding (about $90,000). (There was one other school district with a two dollar ($2) total decrease.) I am happy to report that I was able to secure a net increase in funding for Garnet Valley. In fact, all three school districts in the 160th District received an increase in state funding.
The budget strengthens structured literacy, so students build foundational reading skills. Again, by overwhelming bipartisan votes, we are doubling the amount for scholarships for economically disadvantaged schools (EDS). EDS scholarships increase by another $50 million, giving families in those areas a chance to further the use of the Educational Improvement Tax Credit for school choice. This is a significant agreement with the House Democrats and the Governor.
This is not simply a budget for the current fiscal year. It represents meaningful reforms that strengthen Pennsylvania’s economic position and support families, workers, and students. I am proud to support this budget and proud of the progress it brings to the people of Chester and Delaware Counties.
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Energy Update: Ending RGGI and Reopening Pennsylvania for Energy Growth
Over the last two weeks, we have discussed how your electricity bills have been impacted by the capacity market and why, as a matter of economics, we must increase electricity supply immediately. In short, our capacity market is reflecting through price the anticipated need for substantially more electricity than we currently generate. Because we are short on electricity, through simple demand-supply economics, price is going up. We are already seeing that in our electric bills.
Note: let’s take a pause to dispel a myth. Even though your electric bills come from your utility (for most of us, PECO), they do not set either the energy or capacity prices. They are obligated to pass those prices directly to you with no interference and no markup. In fact, even the Pennsylvania Utility Commission encourages consumers to shop for their electricity on the retail market. And even that payment is placed on your utility but does not actually go the utility.
We left off last week with a promise to talk next how policy decisions impact your electricity costs. I had some insight that we might address in the budget that very issue. And we did.
This next discussion simplifies a complicated market predicated on load forecasting, but the simplification will help with understanding. Like many items on the futures commodity market, futures prices respond to news. Perhaps you remember the 80s move “Trading Places”? The pivot in that movie was the release of the crops report for oranges, which had an immediate impact of the commodity futures price on oranges.
Energy works roughly the same way. Long-term wholesale contracts for energy mitigate future costs and the capacity market is trying to anticipate the electricity load need. And it all responds to news, especially as it relates to production and cost.
The news of the day is that Pennsylvania will no longer put an estimated $1 billion tax on electricity generated in the Commonwealth using natural gas. The General Assembly and the Governor ended Pennsylvania’s participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) with astounding bipartisan votes. In fact, only one senator and one representative in the total of Delaware and Chester counties voted against exiting RGGI. That is an amazing statement about Pennsylvania’s energy and economic future.
Let’s again, quickly dispatch one silly argument already being made in retort: “well, there was never really a tax, so we didn’t do anything.” While it is true that the executive orders of Governors Wolf and Shapiro were tied up in the courts as being an unconstitutional tax without legislative approval, that policy decision to enter us into a cap-and-trade tax lingered like a dark cloud over the Commonwealth. This is called regulatory risk in the business world and prevented (as a business decision) new gas-fired generation from coming online, which is now among the cleanest and cheapest power we may create.
Ending RGGI opens the door to new investment. It signals to the energy sector that Pennsylvania is no longer penalizing power generation. Companies may now evaluate projects based on market fundamentals rather than a tax deterring investment in our state. This correction alone gives us a fighting chance to increase generation before demand overwhelms the grid. That means jobs, revenue, and endless future business opportunities in Pennsylvania.
Most importantly, this is positive energy news. That means the markets should respond. Which in turn, should we get electricity generation which follow these policy moves, you should get relief on your electricity bills.
That is the calculus made by the Governor and Senate and House Democrats and Republicans.
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Meeting with RobotLAB in Chester County
At the Chester County Chamber of Business and Industry Legislative Forum, I met Andy Hunsecker and Sam Paranjpe, owners of RobotLAB in Chester County. This week, I had the privilege of seeing their operation.
RobotLAB sells robots used in the service industry, maintenance and facilities management, personal care, and security. I saw several of the robots operating, and they are quite impressive. Autonomous cleaners can maintain large public areas and support efforts to keep facilities sanitary. Service robots can deliver food or guide customers in restaurants and retail spaces. Personal-care robots can assist seniors and individuals with disabilities. The company also offers security robots that can patrol properties, monitor activity, and support public-safety operations.
Meeting with business owners and learning how their industries work remains an essential and fun part of my job. I thank Andy and Sam for the tour RobotLAB and for the work they are doing in our community.
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Support for Family Caregivers
November marks National Family Caregivers Month. I want to recognize the Pennsylvanians who quietly step forward to care for parents, spouses and loved ones. Nearly one quarter of adults in our Commonwealth provide unpaid care that allows family members to live with dignity at home and in their communities.
AARP reports that family caregivers provide $22 billion in unpaid support each year in Pennsylvania. Their work includes daily tasks such as bathing, dressing, meal preparation, transportation, medication management and the many responsibilities that come with caring for someone who depends on you.
The Pennsylvania Department of Aging created the PA CareKit earlier this year. The CareKit offers practical tools, checklists and guidance for new and experienced caregivers. You may access it here.
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Around the District
Tree Clearing Continues on Creek Road in Chadds Ford Township
PennDOT continues tree clearing on Creek Road in Chadds Ford Township as part of a local safety improvement project.
Crews will work from Monday, November 17, through Friday, December 5. They will close a lane on Creek Road between U.S. 1 (Baltimore Pike) and Upper Bank Drive on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Puzzle Palooza Team Registration Still Open
Westtown Township has limited space remaining for its annual Puzzle Palooza event on Thursday, November 20, 2025, from 6 to 8 p.m. Teams will compete to complete jigsaw puzzles as quickly as possible in this lighthearted community challenge. Those interested are encouraged to register soon before the remaining team spots are filled.
Photo Credit: Facebook
Cookbook Club to Celebrate the Season at Oakbourne Mansion
The Westtown Township Cookbook Club invites residents to a community tasting night at Oakbourne Mansion, 1014 South Concord Road, West Chester, on Thursday, December 4, 2025, from 6 to 8 p.m. Participants will prepare and bring a recipe from this month’s featured cookbook, Celebrate with Babs by Barbara Costello.
Guests will share their dishes in a festive setting while enjoying conversation with fellow cooking enthusiasts. Dishes already planned include spinach and cheese bake, corn pudding, sweet potato balls, holiday mixed greens salad, and cranberry fluff. A copy of the featured cookbook is available for browsing at the Township Office.
Attendance is free, but registration is required here.
Photo Credit: Facebook
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Bravo Zulu
*The BZ pennants are hoisted as a part of Navy/Marine Corps custom to communicate “GOOD JOB!”
Rustin Football Victory
Rustin earned a decisive 42–7 playoff victory over Kennett last Friday. The Golden Knights will face Chester this Saturday in the semi-finals of the District 1 championship. Well done, Rustin, and best of luck this weekend.
Photo Credit: Instagram
Rustin Field Hockey Honors
Congratulations to the Rustin players who earned All-Ches-Mont American League honors in field hockey.
First Team – Defense: Sophia Canterino (Junior)
Second Team – Attack: Emily Parkinson (Senior)
Second Team – Midfield: Riley Dean (Sophomore)
Honorable Mention – Hailey Smith (Junior)
Honorable Mention – Anna Melisi (Freshman)
Photo Credit: Instagram
Rustin Track and Field
All-Ches-Mont teams were announced. Congratulations to Sophia Hnetinka (First Team), Luke Haulihan (Second Team), Gracie Impriano (Honorable Mention), and Colin Finnegan (Honorable Mention) for their selections. Their hard work and dedication earned this recognition.
Photo Credit: Instagram
Rustin Women’s Soccer
Rustin Women’s Soccer Team captured another Ches-Mont American title. This year’s All-Ches-Mont honorees were also announced.
First Team – Jenna Kraft, Ava Pascarella, Natalie Duffie, Zoe McGraw
Second Team – Molly Bryan, Sydney DeMarco, Sara Giodano
Honorable Mention – Charlotte DeStefano, Amelia Barborini
Well done.
Photo Credit: Instagram
Garnet Valley Field Hockey Honors
Congratulations to the Garnet Valley Field Hockey team on an outstanding season and to all of this year’s All-Central League honorees.
First Team: Lexi Migliocco, Regan Leydig
Second Team: Addison Troy
Honorable Mention: Morgan O’Donnell, Maggie Hilden
I also want to offer a correction to last week’s E-Blast to ensure every student-athlete receives proper recognition. Congratulations to Addison Troy, Lane DerOhannessian, Maggie Hilden, Lexi Migliocco, Regan Leydig, and Alyssa Henderson on being selected for the Delaware County Field Hockey Senior All-Star Game. Well done to all!
Photo Credit: Instagram
Garnet Valley Volleyball
Garnet Valley Volleyball team announced their All-Central League selections. Congratulations to the athletes.
First Team – Abigail MacMillan, Reagan Hill, Janani Muniswamy
Second Team – Brianna Acker
Honorable Mention – Cara Furchner
Photo Credit: Instagram
Unionville Field Hockey Honors
Congratulations to Unionville’s All-Ches-Mont honorees in field hockey.
First Team – Bella Rossman, Avery Hoffman, Chloe Almedia
Second Team – Riley Koetz, Mady Hoffman
Honorable Mention – Claire Terranova, Kyra O’Donnell
Well done to all for representing Unionville with excellence.
Photo Credit: Instagram
Unionville and Garnet Valley Fall Signing Day Recognitions
Congratulations to the senior athletes from Unionville and Garnet Valley who participated in National Signing Day. Eleven Unionville seniors and twenty-one Garnet Valley seniors took part in this milestone event. I commend each of these students for their dedication and hard work. I wish them continued success in their academic and athletic pursuits.
Photo Credit: Instagram
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| Office Locations |
| District Office: |
| One Beaver Valley Road | (intersection of Route 202 & Naamans Creek Road) Chadds Ford, PA 19317-9012 | Phone (610) 358-5925 | FAX: 610-358-5933 |
| Capitol Office: |
| 3 East Wing, P.O. Box 202160, Harrisburg, PA 17120-2160 | Phone: 717-783-3038 | FAX: 717-787-7604 |
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