February 7, 2020 - Senator Regan

Week of February 3, 2020

In this Edition:

Regan Insight Following Governor’s Budget Address
31st District Spotlight: Camp Hill Girls’ Soccer; Killiann George – FFA Treasurer
Weekly Review of Senate Legislative Action
Senate Appropriations Budget Hearings Begin February 18th
Regan Year-in-Review Looks Back on 2019 Legislative Accomplishments

Regan Insight Following Governor’s Budget Address

To clarify a statement in the above video: 95% of firearms used in the commission of a crime are possessed illegally.

On Tuesday, Governor Wolf presented his 2020-2021 budget proposal in a joint session of the Senate and House of Representatives.

While I am still reviewing and analyzing the specifics, based on his budget address and the general concepts that he is proposing, I am both pleased and concerned. We do have hard-hitting issues facing Pennsylvania that need to be addressed, and our state government can and should play a role in combatting matters such as mental health and illegal guns.

The main question with respect to the budget though, is how much of taxpayer dollars can we dedicate to initiatives that target these issues while still funding everyday state government operations, our 500 school districts, and human services programs?

Although the Governor indicated in his address that his proposal does not include any new taxes, he has lofty and costly ideas that come at the expense of things like cutting $45 million in school safety funds, which I will be advocating to restore.

Over the next weeks and months we will be working in the legislature to pass a budget that serves Pennsylvania without digging a financial hole for our future. As a fiscal conservative, I remain steadfast in being a good steward of your taxpayer dollars, and I welcome your input as the budget process moves forward.

31st District Spotlight

Camp Hill Girls’ Soccer

On Monday, I had the pleasure of introducing the Camp Hill Girls’ Soccer team for their success in clinching the PIAA Class 1-A State Championship in November. The team not only maintained a perfect season going 25-0, they brought home the school’s first title for girls’ soccer, and they did so on the 25th anniversary of Girls’ Soccer at Camp Hill. Congratulations to these young ladies and their coaches! I’m so proud of their accomplishment and commend their parents for being so supportive.

Killiann George, FFA Treasurer

On Wednesday, the State Officers of the Pennsylvania FFA Association were at the Capitol, and I had the pleasure of meeting Killiann George, a graduate of Cumberland Valley High School who is currently serving as the Association’s Treasurer.

Click here to watch Senator Elder Vogel, Chairman of the Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee, introduce the FFA Officers on the Senate floor.

Weekly Review of Senate Legislative Action

For a full recap of all legislative action taken by the Senate this past session week including bills sent to the House for consideration or to the Governor for signature, as well as legislation voted on in committees, click here.

Senate Appropriations Budget Hearings Begin February 18th

Beginning on Tuesday, February 18th, the Senate Appropriations Committee will hold three weeks of hearings with the heads of state agencies to ask questions regarding each department’s portion of the Governor’s proposed 2020-2021 state budget.

While I am not a member of the Appropriations Committee, as Chairman of the Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee, I will have the opportunity to participate in the hearing with the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.

Click here for more information throughout the budget hearing process.

Regan Year-in-Review Looks Back on 2019 Legislative Accomplishments

Many great things happened in 2019, and I am pleased to provide you with my Year-in-Review newsletter, which highlights new laws I was proud to champion that enhance school safety and provide assistance to our servicemen and women and their families. Click here to read about these and other important issues I will continue to work on in 2020.