PA Senate Floor Journal — 2026-07-12

The Chair wishes to announce the President pro tempore has made the following appointment: Mr. David K. Cuff as a member of the Philadelphia Regional Port Authority. Senator PICOZZI, from the Committee on Urban Affairs and Housing, reported the following bill: SB 1346 (Pr. No. 1747) An Act amending the act of July 31, 1968 (P.L.805, No.247), known as the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, in general provisions, further providing for definitions; in subdivision and land development, further providing for contents of subdivision and land development ordinance; and, in zoning, further providing for ordinance provisions and providing for accessory dwelling units.

The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Allegheny, Senator Costa. Senator COSTA. Mr. President, I request legislative leaves for Senator Cappelletti and Senator Comitta.

The Journal of the Session of June 2, 2026, is now in print. The Clerk proceeded to read the Journal of the Session of June 2, 2026. Senator LANGERHOLC. Mr. President, I move that further reading of the Journal be dispensed with and that the Journal be approved. Will the Senate agree to the motion? The yeas and nays were required by Senator LANGERHOLC and were as follows, viz: JULY 12, YEA-50 Argall Baker Bartolotta Boscola Brooks Brown Cappelletti Coleman Collett Comitta Costa Culver Dush Farry Flynn Fontana Gebhard Haywood Hughes Hutchinson Kane Kearney Keefer Kim Langerholc Laughlin Malone Martin Mastriano Miller Muth Pennycuick Phillips-Hill Picozzi Pisciottano Pittman Robinson Rothman Santarsiero Saval Schwank Stefano Street Tartaglione Vogel Ward, Judy Ward, Kim Williams, Anthony H. Williams, Lindsey Yaw NAY-0 A majority of the Senators having voted "aye," the question was determined in the affirmative.

The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Lehigh, Senator Coleman. Senator COLEMAN. Mr. President, I rise in opposition to this Senate bill. You know, over the past 10 years, Allentown School District, a district that I represent, has received almost $100 million in additional funding and, during that same time period, their performance only gets worse--has not gotten better, only gets worse. Yet, we are sending them even more money, even more rewards for that declining performance. Mr. President, make it make sense. Some of the other districts in the district I represent, including Parkland School District, East Penn School District, Southern Lehigh School District, Quakertown [Community] School District, the Pennridge School District, and others, Northwestern [Lehigh] School District, only get a fraction of what Allentown School District gets, and their taxpayers are being punished while their tax dollars are being disproportionately sent to the Allentown School District. You know, I think of the quote from Narcotics Anonymous about addicts who, insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting another result. Mr. President, stop the insanity. I ask for a negative vote.

The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Allegheny, Senator Costa. Senator COSTA. Mr. President, I was not intending to speak on this measure, nor were many other folks, I believe, but I feel compelled to speak a little bit about, I think, what the gentleman was referring to as it relates to the adequacy funding and tax equity funding that is appropriate here, again, in this third year we are able to be successful in. The reason that we have some of the challenges that school districts face is because of the historic underfunding of our school districts for many, many years, and that is precisely what the Commonwealth Court decision stated and made certain that we took upon ourselves the opportunity to create an adequacy and tax equity program that allowed for distribution of resources to allow those school districts that were struggling to lift themselves up, lift themselves up to be able to provide the education experience for the students that was necessary and adequate and equal and fair across this Commonwealth. That is what the school code does in many respects as it relates to the particular portion of the resources that are making their way through the school funding program. I ask my colleagues for an affirmative vote. Thank you.

The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Lehigh, Senator Coleman, for a second time. Senator COLEMAN. Mr. President, I think a colleague referenced a court decision. I do not recall seeing in the court decision a certain amount of money that needs to be sent. I do not remember them tagging a certain dollar amount, because they did not. What is it going to take in Allentown, [$]100 million? We give them [$]100 million, a billion, [$]2 billion, [$]3 billion? I mean, where is the end? We cannot even define what the number is, but we are addicted to sending schools more money without increasing performance. It makes absolutely no sense, and it is time to stop this. Thank you, Mr. President.

Senator Coleman seeks to be recognized. This is the third time for the Senator to be recognized. Does the Senate object to the Senator proceeding for a third time? The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Allegheny, Senator Costa. Senator COSTA. Mr. President, I object. I am not going to let a Member get up and continue to disparage a school district. I am sorry, that is my position. I personally object. The Members can decide what they want to decide.

To clarify for Senators, the vote is on Senator Hutchinson's motion to allow Senator Coleman to speak for a third time. And the question recurring, Will the Senate agree to the motion? The yeas and nays were required by Senator HUTCHINSON and were as follows, viz: YEA-27 Argall Baker Bartolotta Brooks Brown Coleman Culver Dush Farry Gebhard Hutchinson Keefer Langerholc Laughlin Martin Mastriano Pennycuick Phillips-Hill Picozzi Pittman Robinson Rothman Stefano Vogel Ward, Judy Ward, Kim Yaw NAY-23 Boscola Cappelletti Collett Comitta Costa Flynn Fontana Haywood Hughes Kane Kearney Kim Malone Miller Muth Pisciottano Santarsiero Saval Schwank Street Tartaglione Williams, Anthony H. Williams, Lindsey JULY 12, A majority of the Senators having voted "aye," the question was determined in the affirmative. And the question recurring,

The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Lehigh, Senator Miller. Senator MILLER. Mr. President, you know, I serve on the school board for the Allentown School District. I serve on the Basic Ed[Education] Funding Commission that traveled throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. We know what the majority report was. We know what the court ruling was, a 786-page ruling by the Republican judge outlining the need to equitably and adequately fund our school districts. Now, if the gentleman from Lehigh County would show up to the school district, he may understand that there are real challenges with putting kids in a building from 1874--that is more than 150 years old--that is filled with lead, that is filled with asbestos, that lacks air conditioning. We know the impact that that has on the child's success rate. It is not a reality that you cannot fund that to build the new building. We have to protect taxpayer dollars, yes; we have to be strategic in how we make those investments. But to not show up for that school district and disparage them on the Senate floor when these kids deserve this investment, they deserve the opportunity to be successful with programs that prepare them for the workforce of tomorrow--to stand there and say, Mr. President, that, you know, we are failing these kids or this is not a good investment, I think, is just extremely inappropriate, especially for someone who represents the school district and fails to show up for that school district when they call on them to be there for these kids. Thank you, Mr. President.

The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Philadelphia, Senator Anthony Williams. Senator A.H. WILLIAMS. Mr. President, I am a person who has been identified as a member of my party as an outlier when it comes to how we approach the problems of public education and education in general. I was not planning to speak, but I want to be very clear, the frustrations with the gentleman outlined people like me, and, most importantly, people in my constituency, people in Philadelphia and Delaware County who feel that the schools are not serving the children, have the same level of frustration. But to vote negatively upon a budget on the day of the budget when we have negotiated how we are going to fund our public schools is not the place nor time. It is--if you believe in educational equity and school choice for those who are, unfortunately, trapped in schools that do not necessarily work--it is not to stand on the floor and make a nice hollow commentary about how we love teachers and how we respect them because, frankly, that is what we are paying for. We are not paying for luxuries, we are not paying for people to go on vacation, we are not paying for, you know, travels, and, certainly, the systems which we are funding are not necessarily effectively meeting the needs and demands of families and children. But this is not the time to turn our backs on what is necessary, and that is to pay for the repairs of those buildings, that is to pay for, you know, technology. That is to pay for, frankly, the teachers who choose to remain in these challenged districts a wage that represents the value that we believe in them. So, you can stand on the day of and holler at the sun or the moon or the stars, but I would encourage any Member who believes that to get involved in the fight that I have been engaged in all year round: to speak loudly for the voices before the negotiations occur to say we need to make sure that we acknowledge that not all children are captured in wonderful school districts, and, frankly, those who are captured in communities that they cannot afford to move out probably do not have the greatest school. So, one size does not fit all. I acknowledge that, and I fight for that, but I do not do it voting against revenue for those school districts that are troubled and challenged for generations. I do not vote against resources in schools that children who are in those underperforming schools need a teacher, need a science teacher, need books, need technology. That is suggesting someone pull themselves up by the bootstraps without boots, without straps. It is opposite in its thought process and logic, and, so, I stand here representing those of us who believe that the system needs to change radically, I stand here representing those families who believe that they should have options, I stand here representing a school system that needs to listen to those concerns, but I also stand acknowledging that we have a responsibility, those of us who are elected to these Chambers, to make sure that these systems are funded and then we hold them to account. Thank you, Mr. President.

Senator Pittman requests a temporary Capitol leave for Senator Kim Ward. Without objection, the leave will be granted. And the question recurring, The yeas and nays were taken agreeably to the provisions of the Constitution and were as follows, viz: YEA-45 Argall Baker Bartolotta Boscola Brooks Brown Cappelletti Collett Comitta Costa Culver Dush Farry Flynn Fontana Gebhard Haywood Hughes Kane Kearney Kim Langerholc Laughlin Malone Martin Miller Muth Pennycuick Phillips-Hill Picozzi Pisciottano Pittman Robinson Rothman Santarsiero Saval Schwank Street Tartaglione Vogel Ward, Judy Ward, Kim Williams, Anthony H. Williams, Lindsey Yaw NAY-5 Coleman Hutchinson Keefer Mastriano Stefano A constitutional majority of all the Senators having voted "aye," the question was determined in the affirmative. Ordered, That the Secretary of the Senate return said bill to the House of Representatives with information that the Senate has passed the same with amendments in which concurrence of the House is requested. HB 2400 CALLED UP OUT OF ORDER HB 2400 (Pr. No. 3765) -- Without objection, the bill was called up out of order, from page 1 of the Third Consideration Calendar, by Senator PITTMAN, as a Special Order of Business. HB 2400 (Pr. No. 3765) -- The Senate proceeded to consideration of the bill, entitled: An Act to provide appropriations from the General Fund for the expenses of the Executive, Legislative and Judicial Departments of the Commonwealth, the public debt and the public schools for the fiscal year July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027, and for the payment of bills incurred and remaining unpaid at the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026; to provide appropriations from special funds and accounts to the Executive and Judicial Departments for the fiscal year July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027, and for the payment of bills remaining unpaid at the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026; to provide for the appropriation of Federal funds to the Executive and Judicial Departments for the fiscal year July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027, and for the payment of bills remaining unpaid at the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026; and to provide for the additional appropriation of Federal and State funds to the Executive, Legislative and Judicial Departments for the fiscal year July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026, and for the payment of bills incurred and remaining unpaid at the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025. Considered the third time and agreed to, And the amendments made thereto having been printed as required by the Constitution,

The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Lancaster, Senator Martin. Senator MARTIN. Mr. President, I rise in support of this budget General Appropriation Act. When you look at what the Commonwealth has been facing as we entered this year, we were staring down a budget proposal of about $53.3 billion. A budget proposal that looked to take about $4.6 billion out of the Rainy Day Fund, which would be a one-time withdrawal and would have to be replaced next year, and you are entering into a discussion amongst divided government. I can stand here today, having been intimately involved in this entire process, going back to not only the budget proposal, through budget hearings, through the consistent feedback, through all the challenges that we know have to be addressed or remedied, and I look at the document that is before us and say that this is a product of divided government. There are things that I think we all can recognize as being very positive, but I am also sure that there are things in here that some of us would prefer not to be in it, and that would be coming from both sides of the aisle. As someone who has spoken often about our changing demographics here in this Commonwealth as we age rapidly, as we continue to see less and less young people graduating out of our K through 12 system, these are all legitimate topics that have an impact on the implementation of the funds that we appropriate. There are things I am not happy about that are in here, but there are things that I am. But the core thing to talk about here is the Commonwealth's fiscal stability, because without fiscal stability within this Commonwealth, then no matter what issue is important to you or your district or as to what program you think is worthy of funding or not being funded, it is all at risk if you do not have a solid fiscal foundation. This budget does not withdraw the Rainy Day Fund. So, what does that mean to all of us? That means we are not all gathering here next year and deciding which major tax that we need to implement in order to fill that gap at a time when we desperately are looking to grow. What else does it mean? Especially coming off one of the last bond refinances where the Commonwealth was moved away from our outlook being positive to now not being positive, it is important to show that we are committed to lowering the cost of debt here in JULY 12, the Commonwealth. You do not accomplish that if you start to drain that Rainy Day Fund. This budget also does not put any new taxes on the citizens of Pennsylvania. As a matter of fact, what it continues has been our effort in recognizing that in order to become a State that is actually growing, that we need to attract growth. And for anyone who has been here long enough to recognize, when you go from the second-highest corporate net income tax in the nation to a plan to put us into a more competitive space, this budget contains that phase down and continues on that journey. This budget actually reduces the Governor's spending by about $1.1 billion while also restoring various legislative priorities that historically have been important to many people in this body regardless of party. Something that is often greatly overlooked is the fact that our job today is not just to approve a spending plan; our job is, from this moment forward, to have accountability into how those dollars are spent. And for anyone who has watched over the last 2 years, we have been able to negotiate over $4.5 billion, $4.5 billion, which is almost 10 percent of our entire State budget amount, in previously lapsed funding, monies that we have approved in the past that have never been spent that have been squirreled away in various appropriation line items or special accounts throughout the Commonwealth's budget. That is a huge win for Pennsylvanians. I am happy about that but, at the same time, I can tell you there are many more opportunities in this space. And it is tough to ever want to go back to the Commonwealth's taxpayers when we know that their previously hard-earned resources are sitting in different accounts. This budget also improves the Commonwealth's structural deficit and its imbalance by nearly $1.5 billion this year. It limits administrative spending. It actually uses one-time revenues to do the responsible thing by paying down debt. And whether you are in the private sector, whether you are a household family, or whether you are State government, paying down debt helps bend that long-term cost curve. It leads to better fiscal health. But this Commonwealth also makes investments. It makes investments in education; it protects, it protects parental empowerment in our EITC Program for our families to be able to choose what they believe is the best interest of their individual children. This budget provides increases in investments for nursing homes. This budget heard loud and clear the crisis that is facing our rape crises centers all across this Commonwealth, and it acknowledges that problem. It says we see you, we see what is going on with the impact, and we want you to be able to stand there strong for those people who are facing those crises. This plan, because of our hard work, has shown great transparency on the Commonwealth's Motor License Fund and incorporates new transparency measures on the Public Transportation Trust Fund so that those transit agencies on the outside see what those real dollars are that a lot of them have not been getting for capital projects. But, more importantly, it takes a multibillion-dollar balance that is in our Motor License Fund and drives out $775 million of new projects on 3- and 4digit roads across this Commonwealth to improve our infrastructure. We also made an additional investment in something that does not often enough get the due that it needs, and that is the fact that when you are losing your young people or you want to attract new young people or you need people in high-demand jobs, we have successfully together, unanimously as a House and Senate and signed by a Governor, a Grow PA [Scholarship Grant] Program to lower student debt, to get our students into high-demand job fields and, most importantly, as a policy goal is to get a commitment for them to live and work in Pennsylvania. And for a second straight year to have almost 12,000 Pennsylvania young students want to participate, we need to keep building on that success. And, finally, Mr. President, every single thing that we should be focused on today should be about affordability, because if you do not have an affordable place to live--and not just affordable for some, but affordable across the board--you will not have a competitive State. And in a State that needs to desperately grow and attract, we need to continue to implement policies that reflect that. And, in closing, Mr. President, as I ask for the approval of this body on this General Appropriation Act, there are two things I really want to state. First and foremost, I want to say a special thank you to all the members of our budget negotiation team. These efforts do not just begin in June. These efforts are a yearround thing: building strategy, analyzing for accountability, proposing ideas back and forth. And, this year, in particular, especially down the stretch of finishing up this budget, I know we have members of our budget appropriation team who are actually--their families were involved with the devastation that occurred in Lancaster County with the storms on the 4th of July. Some of our members who have not even had power for a week after that, yet were away from their families trying to finalize this and come to agreement and say we really appreciate the efforts that they put into this, the ideas that they put into this, and I cannot thank you enough for having them. And, finally, is this: when you have a divided government budget, as I mentioned before, you are going to be happy about things, you are not going to be happy about things. But here is the thing, our work is not done. I would say that this budget allows the Commonwealth to fight yet another day, as we see potentially some of these efforts we have done to draw investment and see more revenue growth occur that we keep going down the path that we started to see this year that would all be a positive for the Commonwealth. I know there are things that I want to work on that make this a better place or better programs. There are a lot of people here that have different ideas and will get a say in that as we all come back together after the voters of Pennsylvania have their say in November, as they do every 2 years. So, thank you, Mr. President, and I encourage an affirmative vote.

The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Jefferson, Senator Dush. Senator DUSH. Mr. President, I rise in support of House Bill budget once--once--and that is because, during this time, we have always managed to be spending more than we are bringing in. While that continues today, one of the things that is important is we are not drawing down on our Rainy Day Fund. We are not increasing taxes in order to pay for this spending. What we are doing is increasing transparency and accountability, and we are forcing the executive branch to actually dig back into the money that we have appropriated in prior years. You know, during the previous budget votes, we have heard over and over again about all that money being socked away in the Rainy Day Fund. Well, that money is being put away in order to preserve our bond rating and also to be here in the case that we have a severe financial downturn in the economy in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania that impacts our revenues. In the case of the money that is being squirreled away by our executive branch departments, that money is being put away and being used in ways that are unaccountable. They are used in ways that we have not necessarily, through the legislative process, approved. They are not the things that we wanted to see happen in our--that is because our constituents have not asked us to vote on it and make it happen. One of the best parts of this budget is that we are finally forcing transparency on our Medicaid and Medicare, as well as the pharmacy benefit managers. We have three organizations in the Commonwealth that are responsible for that. They get billions. Now, we have approved, in prior years, money for the disabled service providers to provide additional disabled service providers and reduce the waiting list in an attempt to eliminate the waiting list. The Members should talk to their companies that are providing those disabled service providers. They have not seen a dime of it. We are approaching almost $2 billion that we have given in increases. Our DSP companies have not seen any of it. July 28--Chris Freeman, who operates the Mill Hall Pharmacy up in Clinton County, has finally given up. He has been trying. And I know down in Delaware County and other counties around Philadelphia and Allegheny County--this is not just a rural thing; this is all over the Commonwealth--the money that we have appropriated to get to those pharmacies is not getting there. One of those managed care organizations, the CEO is living in Florida, as well as many of the senior executives, in Florida and Georgia. They fly up here on corporate jets. They do not get any money other than what the State provides or the Federal government. One of those companies is making Pennsylvania pay for all of the administrative costs for the other States that they manage. We are on the hook. We are paying for that because in those other States, they are not allowed, under their law, to actually use that money for administrative costs. Tennessee and Florida have clawed back the money during COVID that, when those States had fronted the money for the coming year for the Medicaid and Medicare for doctor's appointments, and because of COVID, those patients could not see their doctors, Tennessee and Florida clawed that money back. We have not. Those companies are sitting on massive reserves. One of them has moved from down in Essington out to one of the most expensive ZIP Codes in the Commonwealth, and the building sits almost empty. It is a brandnew building five floors high with a three-floor parking garage. The parking garage is almost empty every day. I am talking only a couple dozen cars in a three-floor parking garage. It is pretty massive. What we are doing through this budget is withholding money from those organizations in order to force them to take the money that is sitting in those reserves and apply them to our people. And I have got a resolution out there that we are going to try and get the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to start doing an investigation, but over the next 2 years, hopefully this will give us the opportunity to dig into those funds and dig into all three of those corporations, as well as the corporations that are setting our mandatory increases in what we have to pay, as a Commonwealth, to those three MCOs. Again, those are also operating as pharmacy benefit managers. This budget is not perfect, but this time, we are not taking money from the Rainy Day Fund, we are not increasing taxes on the people of this Commonwealth, and we are forcing accountability on the part of the executive branch, and, hopefully, this budget will force some transparency that gets us to the real numbers and eliminates fraud, waste, and abuse. Thank you, Mr. President.

The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Allegheny, Senator Costa. Senator COSTA. Mr. President, I rise to ask my colleagues to join me and many of our colleagues on this side of the aisle supporting this General Appropriation bill. It covers a number of items which I will talk about very briefly that I think are important to the people of Pennsylvania. Let us first start by, again, reflecting--this was mentioned that there are no tax increases here, but, also, more importantly, remind everyone that there continues to be tax reductions that this administration has trumpeted for a number of years with the CNI, beginning in January, were dropped down to 6.99. This budget also maintains programs that were implemented the last 2 years under the Shapiro Administration that talk about the Child Care Tax Credit Program [Child and Dependent Care Credit] for 2 years, and then last year, when we implemented the Earned Income Tax Credit, allowing individuals across this Commonwealth and last year even, just as related to the Earned Income Tax Credit, nearly one million families benefited from that to the tune of about $190 some-million. Those programs continue as we go forward, but there are a number of other investments I think that will benefit people in terms of creating jobs and creating industries and supporting industries. Innovate [in] PA 2.0 Program, quite frankly, that started with Senate Democrats here a number of years ago, that we want to continue to prosper and will do through this process, where we will be making investments to the tune of a $125 million tax credit program that will allow for investments in biotech and life sciences across this Commonwealth, important industries in certain segments and certain parts of our Commonwealth. But there are other investments; certainly, we will talk a little bit about the education space that we talked about earlier today on this floor. But the adequacy program at [$]565 [million], the third year to implement that program, additional resources for basic education: $58 million for all the other school districts, $50 million special ed money for early learning programs, important measures, but, again, ones that are important to our Caucus. There are two, and, most importantly, childcare workers across--those folks--the increase for retentions and recruitment along those lines, another increase there, and also the student teacher stipends. I think everyone in this Chamber knows how important that is for our student teachers and how successful that program has been and will continue to be going forward. Those are important programs. Certainly, as we know from last week--we talked about 2 weeks ago-we talked about the increase in the $12 million for the rape crisis centers, how important that is, but also recognizing that we have also made significant increases with regard to our historically disadvantaged communities, another increase there this year totaling about $83 million now over the last 4 years with the Shapiro Administration. These are important investments, investments that make sense to the people we represent and collectively how important they are for us to be able to maintain them. Nursing homes is another area where we have heard quite a bit. Just about everyone in this Chamber has heard from our nursing home community and how important it is that they be able to retain workers and pay workers appropriate wages to be able to make certain that they take care of our loved ones in our skilled facilities. There is an increase here along those lines that is very, very important and very timely as it relates to that industry as well. I wrap all these things up by saying this is a good budget. It may not be exactly everything that we wanted. Certainly, there are things that we need to continue to talk about in the coming months before we conclude this legislative Session. But, at the end of the day, this is clearly, clearly a budget that is a General Appropriation bill that is worth supporting, worth talking about, and letting the people of Pennsylvania know that we have their collective interests at heart and protecting them from tax increases and preserving resources that we have today and maintaining that going forward. Thank you, Mr. President.

The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Westmoreland, Senator Kim Ward.

The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Montgomery, Senator Muth. Senator MUTH. Mr. President, I rise today in opposition to House Bill No. 2400. I can agree with many of my colleagues here today that our work is not done and, certainly, that this budget proposal is not all bad, but it is certainly not as good as it could have been. This budget does include some good news for increased funding for our public schools and a much-needed increase for the rape crisis centers here in our Commonwealth. But as many have stated here in this building over and over again, we have a structural deficit, and the Commonwealth is in need of new revenue. Passing another budget that does not include a new revenue stream, for example, such as a digital ad tax--there is no repeal of the data center sales and use tax exemption, there is no effort to make Pennsylvania's tax system more fair so that revenue is more streamlined and paid by all, including corporations. None of these options were pursued. If we had pursued proposals in this Chamber, we would have more to work with, right? And we would not have to pass another mostly flat-funded and costof-carry budget. We could have also taxed and regulated skill games. I suppose that is to the fall. And, you know, again, as I mentioned, despite both Chambers passing the data center equipment sales and use tax exemption repeal, that remains still intact and still available for any data center developer who wants to build here in our Commonwealth. And I would be remiss if I did not bring up another important missing part of this budget, which is the $30 million increase that--second year in a row--that the Governor proposed that was not included in this budget for our fire and EMS companies. Of all the years for us to not put this funding into place, we have had record levels of heat. Our EMS have been working overtime dealing with heat illness at all of these historic America250 events, at sporting events, the NFL draft, the World Cup, the Major League Baseball All-Star festivities, and that was not funded. Another thing that was not taken care of during this budget process was the 911 surcharge increase that is desperately needed so that our 911 system is adequately funded. As all of our counties need this service of 911 and our emergency responders, I urge my colleagues to make this the fall priority, that we actually sit down and talk about and fund our emergency responders' training, equipment, all of it. As more industrial development gets developed here in our State, one would think that this would be a top priority. This budget falls short of meeting the needs of all Pennsylvanians, and I will be a "no" vote. Thank you, Mr. President.

The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Philadelphia, Senator Hughes. JULY 12, Senator HUGHES. Mr. President, first, if I could, Mr. President, take the liberty on behalf of our entire Caucus to thank our staff for the excellent work that has been done in this process and on so many other things. Folks do not see it, the late hours at night, the early hours in the morning, many times sleepless, losing time with family, losing time with the opportunity to take a break and have a vacation and just live their lives, is sacrificed for the work that we do here on this floor, the work we do in this building, the work we do all across communities, in various spaces all across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. So, I know Senator Costa, at a later date, will be acknowledging them as well, but I just wanted to take this moment to make sure that all of the staff is recognized and thanked for this excellent work. However, Mr. President, I do have one issue that I have with staff. After reviewing, in great detail, the budget, and I thought Senator Martin was going to take care of this, and I was confident Senator Pittman was going to take care of this--there remains no language on securing LeBron James for the Philadelphia 76ers. I do not see it. I do not understand what is the problem here, but I know we have a few more bills that we have to vote prior to we get done here. So, that is, Mr. President, on the humorous side. I am sure you would appreciate having Mr. James pay Pennsylvania taxes. How about that? All right? There you go. We could use it; we certainly could. Before I get into the details, Mr. President, a little bit sobered, one eye on our work here, and, in the last 24 hours, have had one eye on the devastation that has occurred by a significant weather event that has hit the city of Philadelphia and especially, not only, but especially in the Seventh Senatorial District, the winds that got up to 70 or 80 miles per hour. The trees, the homes, the cars, the infrastructure that has been devastated as a result by this quick, intense, and rapidly traveling weather event is significant, must be responded to. We have been in touch with the mayor's team, other local elected officials, the emergency management individuals, to make sure that everything is coming together to try to respond, in a rapid fashion, to the devastation that has occurred as a result of this weather event. We see you, we see you, and we want to make sure that everything is coming together to try to address those needs. There is a saying that Mother Nature will always win. She always has, she always will, and she has exhibited her force and fury in the last 24 hours. We need to make sure we respond to those individuals who are suffering dramatically from that devastation. To pick up on the line as it relates to this budget, Mr. President, in many respects, this budget sees the people of Pennsylvania and sees their needs and sees their issues and sees their concerns. That is what is happening in this budget. We see the folks who are dealing with the struggling issues around affordability and income that has kind of been locked in and not able to deal with the inflation that they are confronted with. There are no new taxes in this budget and, in fact, Mr. President, this budget continues to lower taxes beyond the seven times that we have done it so far under the Shapiro Administration, [Employer] Child Care [Contribution] Tax Credit, property tax relief, property tax rent rebate, Working Pennsylvanians Tax Credit, the Child and Dependent Care [Enhancement Tax Credit], the CNI--we see the people, this budget sees the crisis of affordability that the people of Pennsylvania are confronted with and it attempts to respond to that crisis and it, in fact, does so. It sees our older Pennsylvanians, those retired teachers, those retired secretaries, those retired trash collectors, those retired police officers and firefighters, our hometown heroes; this budget sees them and responds to them with a cost-of-living adjustment which they have not had, Mr. President, in over 25 years, a quarter of a century. These individuals, they are retired, they have not had the benefit of having an adjustment and while, in that same period, inflation has increased 86 percent. This budget finally steps up to respond to those individuals who have served this Commonwealth so greatly, this budget finally responds to them. Especially in the issue of education, this budget sees our children and sees those individuals responsible for teaching our children, educating our children. It cannot be lost in the conversation about education. It cannot be lost in the conversation about the Commonwealth Court 800page decision, 800-page decision which said that Pennsylvania funds basic education, K-12 education, unconstitutionally and inadequately for the third year in a row. This budget responds. Thank you, Governor Shapiro, for standing up and standing with our children and those responsible for educating them. This budget responds to that court mandate. It drives $565 million more into the education of our children, and we are beginning to see progress in those spaces. This budget adds $58 million to the Basic Education Funding line. This budget adds $55 million to the special education funding line. This budget adds $41 million to early intervention, $10 million to career and technical education, $3.7 million to Pre-K Counts, $1 million to Head Start. This budget, again, sees the crisis that exists in some of our school facilities and responds with another $125 million allotment to fix up our schools. This budget steps up, it sees the crisis of the teacher shortage that is all over the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and, in fact, all over the country, and steps in with the student teacher stipend, going beyond the Governor's budget request and moving that funding to $40 million. And my good friend and colleague, chairman Scott Martin, responds to the Grow PA Scholarship [Grant] Program and takes that to $42.5 million. This budget sees individuals and sees their reality and responds to their reality. It looks at the issue of innovation, especially in some of the great sectors that we have here in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, some of the finest in the world, and provides $125 million into Innovate [in] PA, $25 million more than what the Governor suggested. This Governor sees individuals who are suffering; their health is challenged; it sees individuals in their nursing homes and provides $81 million in additional support to folks who are in our nursing homes to try to buttress that system, to give them the support that they deserve to have. It sees individuals, Mr. President, with a dramatic increase, dramatic increase in our rape crisis program, taking from $12 million to $24 million. I could go on and on, but I will not, Mr. President, I will not. That information that I have just outlined so far, as I said before, Mr. President, this budget sees the people of Pennsylvania, sees the struggles that they are confronting and attempts, in a dramatic way, to respond to those struggles. I agree, our work is not done, but let us get this matter to the Governor so he can sign it. Let us get this matter moved to be the full force of the funding of the people in their time of struggle, but we respond to the people in their time of struggle as well, Mr. President. Thank you very much.

The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Indiana, Senator Pittman. Senator PITTMAN. Mr. President, I request a legislative leave for Senator Farry.

Senator Pittman requests a legislative leave for Senator Farry. Senator Costa requests a legislative leave for Senator Pisciottano. Without objection, the leaves will be granted. And the question recurring, The yeas and nays were taken agreeably to the provisions of the Constitution and were as follows, viz: YEA-44 Argall Baker Bartolotta Boscola Brooks Brown Cappelletti Collett Comitta Costa Culver Dush Farry Flynn Fontana Gebhard Haywood Hughes Kane Kearney Kim Langerholc Laughlin Malone Martin Miller Pennycuick Phillips-Hill Picozzi Pisciottano Pittman Robinson Rothman Santarsiero Schwank Stefano Street Tartaglione Vogel Ward, Judy Ward, Kim Williams, Anthony H. Williams, Lindsey Yaw NAY-6 Coleman Hutchinson Keefer Mastriano Muth Saval A constitutional majority of all the Senators having voted "aye," the question was determined in the affirmative. Ordered, That the Secretary of the Senate return said bill to the House of Representatives with information that the Senate has passed the same with amendments in which concurrence of the House is requested.

The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Indiana, Senator Pittman. Senator PITTMAN. Mr. President, I request a temporary Capitol leave for Senator Dush.

The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Lycoming, Senator Yaw. Senator YAW. Mr. President, I rise to ask for a ruling from the Chairman pursuant to Rule 20. Mr. President, this bill will appropriate funds for certain State-related entities within the Commonwealth, including the Pennsylvania College of Technology. I currently serve as chair of the board of directors for the college and, as such, this bill will provide funding to a business with which I am affiliated, although I will receive no direct, personal, or pecuniary benefit from this bill. Am I excused from voting under these circumstances, Mr. President?

The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Indiana, Senator Pittman. Senator PITTMAN. Mr. President, I request a temporary Capitol leave for Senator Culver.

Senator Culver has returned, and her temporary Capitol leave is cancelled. And the question recurring, The yeas and nays were taken agreeably to the provisions of the Constitution and were as follows, viz: YEA-28 Dush Farry Flynn Gebhard Hutchinson Keefer Langerholc Laughlin Martin Miller Pennycuick Phillips-Hill Picozzi Pittman Robinson Rothman Stefano Vogel Ward, Judy Ward, Kim Yaw NAY-22 Cappelletti Coleman Collett Comitta Costa Fontana Haywood Hughes Kane Kearney Kim Malone passed the same with amendments in which concurrence of the House is requested. SB 1061 -- Without objection, the bill was passed over in its order at the request of Senator PITTMAN.

The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Washington, Senator Bartolotta. Senator BARTOLOTTA. Mr. President, on a much lighter note, in this, America's 250th year, it is timely that we acknowledge our unique history, and few products capture the spirit, resilience, and history of Pennsylvania quite like rye whiskey. Today I rise to ask for an affirmative vote on Senate Bill No. 1248, designating Pennsylvania rye whiskey as the official State spirit of the Commonwealth. Now, before anybody gets excited, this bill does not come with a complimentary bottle, but I may have, or not, some samples in my office. See me later. This bill simply gives well-deserved recognition to a product that helped build Pennsylvania and, in many ways, helped shape America. The story begins in my district--the 46th Senatorial District--in Washington and Greene Counties, where generations of hardworking farmers discovered that rye was perfectly suited to our soil and climate. They transformed that grain into one of Pennsylvania's earliest and most successful industries. In fact, rye whiskey became so important that it sparked one of the defining moments in our nation's history: the Whiskey Rebellion, a dispute centered on a Federal whiskey tax. While I certainly do not recommend repeating that part, it did help establish an enduring principle: in America, we settle our differences under the rule of law, not by force. That chapter of history helped strengthen our young republic. Pennsylvania rye whiskey is more than a drink; it is craftsmanship, it is agriculture, it is manufacturing, it is tourism. It represents the ingenuity of Pennsylvanians who turned simple ingredients into a product recognized around the world for its exceptional quality. Today, our distilleries continue that proud tradition, supporting local farms, creating jobs, welcoming visitors, and preserving a heritage that is uniquely ours. Many States have official beverages or spirits. Kentucky proudly claims bourbon. Tennessee celebrates Tennessee whiskey, and I think it is about time Pennsylvania proudly claims what has always belonged to us: Pennsylvania rye whiskey. This bill is not about promoting alcohol; it is about honoring our history, recognizing our farmers and distillers, and celebrating a Pennsylvania tradition that is as rich and distinctive as our Commonwealth itself. So, today, I ask my colleagues to do something that is actually quite easy: let us make history without starting another rebellion. I respectfully ask for the affirmative vote, and I turn to my colleague who has some additional comments about rye whiskey. Thank you, Mr. President.

Senator Dush has returned, and his temporary Capitol leave is cancelled.

Senator Pittman requests a temporary Capitol leave for Senator Baker. Without objection, the leave will be granted.

The resolution is adopted. The Senate will briefly be at ease. [The Senate was at ease.]

The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Philadelphia, Senator Street. Senator STREET. Mr. President, 30 years ago, Senator Kitchen walked into this Chamber, and she took with her all of her lived experiences, as we would say in today's way. She brought to this Chamber a lifetime of having fought for people who were the least of those among us. She was a woman of faith and would often quote that passage of the Bible. She said to me, as I was an intern in the office, she said, it is our job to take problems that people believe are impossible and make them possible. Impossible problems for her were a person whose utilities have been shut off because they had a child who was sick and they could not work, and it was the summertime, and without air conditioning, that child would not live. And she understood it was our job to figure out how to solve that person's problems. I was not first meeting her; I had met Senator Kitchen when I was a child. She was a part of the village that included my father; my uncle, the late, great Senator Milton Street; Senator Hardy Williams; and so many others who were part of the village that raised me that laid the foundation for a civil rights movement that grew into a movement to effectuate change for people where they lived. When she got to this Chamber, she understood that she had JULY 12, an obligation to bring things back that were tangible and substantive for the people she represented, but, as she worked here, she realized that there were people across this great Commonwealth who also needed help. I remember her going out and talking to small farmers and finding out these were folks who needed help, too, and she became interested in making sure that we fought for those folks, too. She thought it was her job and her role to fight for anyone and everyone, not just the people who voted for her, but anyone who needed help and anyone who was wronged. She did not mind working with people who were different than her, whether they were from her party or another party, if it meant she could move things in the right direction for the Commonwealth and for, as she would always say, just plainly for people. Throughout her life, she championed the issues and the causes, whether it be fighting for the rights of ex-offenders to vote decades before it was a national issue both legislatively and in the courts, whether it was fighting for welfare rights or the rights of people to have affordable housing. These were issues that were a part of her, not just her job, but she believed it was a calling in life. And she was willing to sit down with people and talk about how we get it done, recognizing and respecting that people had different value points and ideals. She embraced me, having known me when I came in, told me I should come and intern at the office. And I remember one summer she personally saw 800 constituents face to face in the month of August alone, working 7 days a week, seeing people probably 12-13 hours a day, and she told me to keep track of how many we saw. Upon retirement, she did not stop caring for people, but she continued to be involved in her church. She was involved in her community, helping to found an RCO, and she continued to give advice to a whole lot of folks, including me. She cared and loved for children and thought that if we did nothing else, we needed to make sure that we were working to make sure that young people could see a better future for themselves. She understood intersectionality. While that is not really a word that she would have used, she talked about the fact-she said, I understand that I have faced challenges in life, and the only thing I might not know is whether I faced those challenges because I was born poor, Black, or a woman. But she recognized that you only needed one of those things to have faced challenges. She worked throughout life to make a difference for people. She lived a life where she was happy. She did not walk around upset and angry all the time, although she had no problems expressing her displeasure when things in this body were not working the way she thought. She understood that we could fight tirelessly for the things we believed in and still talk with people off the floor with whom we disagreed, and she had no problem standing and being herself with the richest and most powerful people in this Commonwealth or with people who were literally homeless in North Philly, who would sit in front of her house waiting for her to come home to explain to her what their problems were. She was, for many of us, a hero, and she stands as a giant in the community that I am privileged enough to represent in the Senate. She was a neighbor, she was a friend, she was family. Not just to me, but to almost everyone in our community, many of whom would just call her Aunt Shirley. She was everyone's aunt. She loved this body, and she loved the potential for what we could do for others. She saw value in our work, and she believed that it was a calling of faith to do the best we could with the time we had. I will miss her, as will many others. She is loved in our community. She is a hero, she is a giant, she will always be our Senator, and she will always be our loved one. Mr. President, I yield.

The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Montgomery, Senator Haywood. Senator HAYWOOD. Mr. President, when I joined the Pennsylvania State Senate in 2015, Senator Kitchen was a longstanding, well-known leader in the community. She was also the Minority Chair of the Committee on Health and Human Services, and she served with Senator Pat Vance, who was the Majority Chair. What I saw was collegiality and cooperation between Senator Pat Vance and Senator Kitchen. This was a very welcome sight to see for a new Member, and I thank Senator Kitchen for showing the way of how to cooperate and be collegial in this Chamber. Senator Kitchen was also crystal clear about the implications of any matter related to health and human services, whether it was food, whether it was healthcare, whether it was mental health, whether it was childcare. And, as Senator Tartaglione mentioned, she could often see what no one else could, and she raised issues to everyone's attention that we would otherwise not address. Thank you, Senator Kitchen, for showing us the way again. Senator Kitchen understood that everyone counted, everyone had dignity, no matter what had happened to them in their lives. She set a high standard for all of us, and particularly those of us on the Committee on Health and Human Services. Finally, I would like to recognize all who knew and worked with her, including Erma Lloyd, who was on my team after Senator Kitchen retired, and our good friend and capable Clarissa Freeman, who was the executive director of the Committee on Health and Human Services during the time that Senator Kitchen served. I share my condolences with her family, but also with all those who knew, loved, and worked with her. Thank you, Mr. President.

Senator Baker has returned, and her temporary Capitol leave is cancelled. And the question recurring, Will the Senate adopt the resolution?

The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Allegheny, Senator Costa. Senator COSTA. Mr. President, I, too, today rise and recognize and acknowledge the wonderful Senator that we had here from the Third Senatorial District in Philadelphia, but, more importantly, the great person that she was and how she worked tirelessly, tirelessly, as so many of my colleagues just mentioned, looking out for individuals who, in her mind, needed to know that government was there to support them and help them and that she was going to help facilitate that. And, throughout her career, she did work to facilitate that opportunity for folks, to allow government to be a support to those individuals and recognizing that their community needed that for many years. I have a series of JULY 12, formal remarks I will introduce for the record, but I want to talk just about a couple of things and build upon what was stated here. Our colleague, Senator Kitchen, as was mentioned, served, certainly, as the Chair of the Committee on Health and Human Services--before that was called the Committee on Public Welfare--but also served on the Committee on Urban Affairs and Housing for a number of years, as well as the chairperson of that committee. And I could tell you that the work that she did there, advancing many of the measures about housing before housing was a popular issue, quite frankly, she saw and had the vision to know that this is something important to people. And her work on the Committee on Health and Human Services as well, she saw the need, particularly as it related to healthcare and ensuring that we took steps to protect people's rights and benefits, but ensuring that people had good access to good-quality healthcare-she was a champion in that space. In fact, she stood on this Senate floor and in our Caucus room, along with Senator Hughes and I, when we would be on this floor every day of Session advocating back then for Pennsylvania to be a part of the Medicaid expansion program around 2014. While we were not successful at that point in time, we were successful in 2015. But she was one of the folks who stood shoulder to shoulder with us to ensuring that Pennsylvania had the opportunity and availed itself to the opportunity to provide healthcare benefits--today, some 800,000 folks who received that benefit and that opportunity for quality healthcare. But that was something that she worked strongly and hard on. She was also a strong voting rights advocate, working to ensure that voters and people had the opportunity to vote and made it easier for them to vote and certainly was advocating against any type of attempt to disenfranchise voters, particularly those poor voters and voters of color. And another area that folks are not aware of the role that Senator Kitchen played was June 19, Juneteenth. When Senator Kitchen first came to this Chamber in 1996, she stood on that floor every June and talked about how important Juneteenth was. Today we know it as a holiday, and I will say to you, all of our folks in this room, it would not be a holiday in this Commonwealth but for the work of Shirley Kitchen, who allowed us and consistently reminded us how important that date was and how it was important to recognize that important date, about what took place with the freeing of slaves across this country. She reminded us that we needed to acknowledge it and talk about it and not shy away from it. And, today, I think, as we see all the celebrations that take place all across this Commonwealth, how important it was and how important it is to the people who impacted in generations thereafter. That was something that she had worked extremely hard, to making sure that that was the case. Another area I remember vividly: Senator Kitchen's work. Today we call, I forget what we call it now, Clean Slate or whatever, but before Clean Slate there was second chance legislation, and some of you were here before we did that. It was Shirley Kitchen who championed Clean Slate legislation before it became an item that folks really wanted to take an interest in. She led the effort along those lines that ultimately culminated in some of the measures that came out of that conversation over the course of years. This is the type of person who we had in our Senate Chamber, who we had in our Caucus room, and I am reminded where Shirley sat in our Caucus room. If any of you have been in our Caucus room, she sat in the corner. She held that corner seat for 20 years, and she did so because she had a view of the front room leadership folks, but also folks around the room, and you would always see she is keeping an eye on what is being done. And Senator Hughes is right, occasionally--maybe more than occasionally--she would give Senator Hughes and I a hard time about some of the things that we are talking about, but only because she felt strongly about who she was, who she was representing, and she never lost sight of the people who she had to represent. And, so, it was certainly very sad to hear of her passing recently and knowing that she had played such an instrumental role in her community and helping people for many, many years and clearly is a loss to this Commonwealth. And I will say to you that our Commonwealth and the people we serve are better today because of the service of Shirley Kitchen. So, I stand with my colleagues in recognizing the value that she has brought to this Commonwealth and this Chamber and also share my sympathies with her family. Thank you, Mr. President. I would like to offer my remarks for the record.

The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Indiana, Senator Pittman. Senator PITTMAN. Mr. President, I rise to echo my condolences to Senator Kitchen's family. As some of you know, I spent a few years in this building, in a previous life, working for my predecessor, Senator White, and it was in that capacity I got to know Senator Kitchen a little bit--not a lot, but a little bit. And the way I got to know her was that, back in the day, my second home in this town was the Crowne Plaza hotel, and that is where Senator Kitchen always stayed. And there was only one word that I could ever use to describe Senator Kitchen, and that is "kind". I know she was kind to me when she did not have to be kind to me, and I observed her kindness in the lobby of the Crowne Plaza hotel almost every single evening where she would hold court. She would not hold court with lobbyists; she would not hold court with other Members; she often held court with the staff of the hotel. And I remember well the friendship and bond that she created with the manager of the Crowne Plaza at the time, Tony. Her and Tony became very good friends. They would sit together and talk for hours about their personal challenges, their wants, their hopes, their desires, and it was quite obvious to me that Senator Kitchen was as kind and sincere of a human being that you could ever come across. And she is a beautiful reflection of this institution. Her name is in many of our desks. As we all know, in each and every desk, there is a chart of those who sat in the seats that preceded us, which, for me, serves as a constant reminder that all of us are just stewards of this beautiful institution. Shirley Kitchen was a steward of this institution, and, as Senator Costa said, this institution is much better because of her stewardship. And I think we would all be well served to emulate Senator Kitchen, not just in the way she acted here on the floor or in the Caucus rooms, but the way she acted outside of this building with everyone she encountered. Her family has my deepest condolences, and to my friends on the other side of the aisle who have known her and worked with her, I offer my condolences as well. Thank you, Mr. President.

Before we vote on this condolence resolution, Senator Street has requested a moment of silence. Will the Members, as well as the staff and guests, please rise for a moment of silence. [Whereupon, the Senate en bloc stood in a moment of silence in solemn respect to the memory of Senator SHIRLEY M. KITCHEN.] And the question recurring, Will the Senate adopt the resolution? A voice vote having been taken, the question was determined in the affirmative.

Pursuant to Senate Rule 13(c)(2)(i), the bills will be referred to the Committee on Rules and Executive Nominations. The Clerk of the House of Representatives informed the Senate that the House has concurred in amendments made by the Senate to HB 482 and HB 1102. The Clerk of the House of Representatives returned to the Senate SB 45, SB 130, SB 331, SB 349, SB 511, SB 1058, SB 1181, SB 1294 and SB 1353 with the information the House has passed the same without amendments.

For the purpose of a meeting of the Committee on Rules and Executive Nominations, which will be held off the floor in the Rules room immediately, without objection, the Senate stands in recess. The PRESIDING OFFICER (Senator Greg Rothman) in the Chair. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The time of recess having expired, the Senate will come to order. The Clerk of the House of Representatives informed the Senate that the House has concurred in amendments made by the Senate to HB 1505. Senator PITTMAN, from the Committee on Rules and Executive Nominations, reported the following bills: SB 146 (Pr. No. 1888) (Rereported) (Concurrence) An Act amending the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.343, No.176), known as The Fiscal Code, in emergency COVID-19 response, providing for extension of use of certain funds; in Child Care Staff Recruitment and Retention Program, further providing for Child Care Staff Recruitment and Retention Program; in cigarette sales and licensing, further providing for definitions and providing for allowable mode of operations for licensed cigarette stamping agents; in joint underwriting association, further providing for fund transfers; providing for food processing residuals; in financially distressed municipalities, further providing for financial recovery; in oil and gas wells, further providing for Oil and Gas Lease Fund and providing for deep wells and Utica Shale permits and for well plugging; providing for manufacturing and investment tax credit, for Innovate in PA 2.0 Tax Credit and for design build best value; in human services, further providing for medical assistance payments for institutional care, for resident care and related costs and for LIFE Program and providing for transition to chip-enabled access cards, for Medical Assistance Reentry Program, for Children's Trust Fund and for medical assistance pharmacy services; in additional keystone opportunity expansion zones, providing for additional zone for shipbuilding and for additional zones; providing for residential revitalization keystone opportunity zones and for violent incident clearance and technological investigative methods; in special funds, further providing for funding and for Pennsylvania Convention Center; in additional special funds and restricted accounts, providing for Veterans' Trust Fund Board and further providing for establishment of special fund and account, for use of fund and for distributions from Pennsylvania Race Horse Development Fund; in additional special funds and restricted accounts, further providing for deposits and providing for Professional Licensure Augmentation Account; in general budget implementation, further providing for Executive Offices, for Department of Agriculture, for Department of Corrections, for Department of Labor and Industry and for Department of Transportation, providing for Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency and further providing for Commonwealth Financing Authority, for Federal and Commonwealth use of forest land, for Multimodal Transportation Fund, for School Safety and Security Fund, for State Gaming Fund, for State Employees' Retirement System Restricted Account and for Public School Employees' Retirement System Restricted Account; in retirement, providing for 2026 special ad hoc municipal police and firefighter postretirement adjustment, for supplemental annuities for public school employees commencing 2026, for supplemental annuities for State employees commencing 2026 and for payment of supplemental annuity and special ad hoc postretirement adjustment; in electricity load forecast accountability, providing for energy and water reporting and for advanced transmission technologies; in 2025-2026 budget implementation, further providing for Department of Agriculture, for Department of Human Services and for Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency; providing for 2026-2027 budget implementation and for 2026-2027 restrictions on appropriations for funds and accounts; in fiscal supplements to statutory programs, providing for amusement tax clarification, for situs for local sales tax for cities of the first class, for situs for local sales tax for counties of the second class, for net income and for housing; abrogating a regulation; making repeals; providing for suspension of pension actuarial notes; and making editorial changes. SB 779 (Pr. No. 1862) (Rereported) (Concurrence) An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in trade and commerce, providing for the offense of unlawful towing and towing storage facility practices; and imposing penalties. SB 992 (Pr. No. 1649) (Rereported) (Concurrence) An Act amending the act of December 4, 1996 (P.L.911, No.147), known as the Telemarketer Registration Act, further providing for definitions, for registration requirement, for unlawful acts and penalties, for blocking of caller identification and other telemarketing screening products or services prohibited, for unwanted telephone solicitation calls prohibited, for violations and for investigation. SUPPLEMENTAL CALENDAR No. 1 SB 146 (Pr. No. 1888) -- The Senate proceeded to consideration of the bill, entitled: An Act amending the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.343, No.176), known as The Fiscal Code, in emergency COVID-19 response, providing for extension of use of certain funds; in Child Care Staff Recruitment and Retention Program, further providing for Child Care Staff Recruitment and Retention Program; in cigarette sales and licensing, further providing for definitions and providing for allowable mode of operations for licensed cigarette stamping agents; in joint underwriting association, further providing for fund transfers; providing for food processing residuals; in financially distressed municipalities, further providing for financial recovery; in oil and gas wells, further providing for Oil and Gas Lease Fund and providing for deep wells and Utica Shale permits and for well plugging; providing for manufacturing and investment tax credit, for Innovate in PA 2.0 Tax Credit and for design build best value; in human services, further providing for medical assistance payments for institutional care, for resident care and related costs and for LIFE Program and providing for transition to chip-enabled access cards, for Medical Assistance Reentry Program, for Children's Trust Fund and for medical assistance pharmacy services; in additional keystone opportunity expansion zones, providing for additional zone for shipbuilding and for additional zones; providing for residential revitalization keystone opportunity zones and for violent incident clearance and technological investigative methods; in special funds, further providing for funding and for Pennsylvania Convention Center; in additional special funds and restricted accounts, providing for Veterans' Trust Fund Board and further providing for establishment of special fund and account, for use of fund and for distributions from Pennsylvania Race Horse Development Fund; in additional special funds and restricted accounts, further providing for deposits and providing for Professional Licensure Augmentation Account; in general budget implementation, further providing for Executive Offices, for Department of Agriculture, for Department of Corrections, for Department of Labor and Industry and for Department of Transportation, providing for Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency and further providing for Commonwealth Financing Authority, for Federal and Commonwealth use of forest land, for Multimodal Transportation Fund, for School Safety and Security Fund, for State Gaming Fund, for State Employees' Retirement System Restricted Account and for Public School Employees' Retirement System Restricted Account; in retirement, providing for 2026 special ad hoc municipal police and firefighter postretirement adjustment, for supplemental annuities for public school employees commencing 2026, for supplemental annuities for State employees commencing 2026 and for payment of supplemental annuity and special ad hoc postretirement adjustment; in electricity load forecast accountability, providing for energy and water reporting and for advanced transmission technologies; in 2025-2026 budget implementation, further providing for Department of Agriculture, for Department of Human Services and for Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency; providing for 2026-2027 budget implementation and for 2026-2027 restrictions on appropriations for funds and accounts; in fiscal supplements to statutory programs, providing for amusement tax clarification, for situs for local sales tax for cities of the first class, for situs for local sales tax for counties of the second class, for net income and for housing; abrogating a regulation; making repeals; providing for suspension of pension actuarial notes; and making editorial changes. Will the Senate concur in the amendments made by the House to Senate Bill No. 146? The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Indiana, Senator Pittman. Senator PITTMAN. Mr. President, I move that the Senate do concur in the amendments made by the House to Senate Bill No. 146. Will the Senate agree to the motion? The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from York, Senator Keefer. Senator KEEFER. Mr. President, I rise today in opposition of this bill. This bill represents what most people are most frustrated about in Harrisburg. This is all the backroom deals. This is all the side initiatives that are done. And it is done at the last minute, and most of it is done in the dark. We do not get the information until maybe a day before, no time to truly digest it. And I spend usually JULY 12, every year, a couple months after the budget, still discovering things that were in there or having constituents call and say, did you know you guys did whatever it may be? This is not the way to conduct business. It is not transparent, and this does not help all of our constituents. We created more winners and more losers in these programs. We let the Turnpike agency--gets to do Design [Build] Best Value, but not PennDOT, when it would save all taxpayers if both could do it. It does not make sense. It expands medical assistance to [Department of] Corrections, a system that is already overburdened. Every year, year over year, they are struggling, the prices go up for us, and yet we are expanding it. We create three new Keystone Opportunity Zones, but it is not an opportunity for all, just three select areas. We are going to let Pennsylvania [Commission on] Crime and Delinquency create yet another new program and funds to go with it for somebody, a select contract--I am sure we will figure out later who gets that contract. The Department of Corrections has closed four facilities over the past 5 years, and yet every year their costs have gone up, even though the population is down. There has never been any savings realized from any of those closures. How? How are we spending more, less people, and less facilities? It does not make any sense. There is no policy included to address that. We are going to give COLAs from our SERS and PSERS funds. The funds combined have a 79 billion--that is a "b"--billion-dollar unfunded liability. This will add an additional $1 billion. And, while it might be a worthy initiative, I am not saying, right, that people may or may not deserve this. The reality is it compromises the entire, both funds for all of our retirees. We have seen this in the past, right, when we got into the problem with our pension funds, when we did not fund them properly. Instead of allowing nurses to just practice to the full scope, right, we are going to double down and give them two different types of programs that would actually be able to recruit nurses-just nurses--not any of our other professions that we desperately need in this Commonwealth because they are fleeing. And, going back to our COLA, at least I will say I am happy that we are funding it with funds that we already have, right? Our Local Share Accounts that come from gaming funds, but those gaming funds were sold and promised for property tax relief. We are going to give $100 million to Penn State law for ag research, ag law research. I am not sure what that is. We are giving more for several workforce development programs in both DCED and Department of Ed[Education], but then we also have [Department of] Labor and Industry, and then there are other agencies doing it. Are we just doubling down? Are we looking when we challenge, hey, what are we doing with these workforce and development programs, when you have the U.S. Department of Labor saying we are failing miserably with our apprenticeships, to double down and spend more money without the accountability? Does it make any sense? And, so, for these reasons, among, you know, a plethora of others that I have not been able to get through, I cannot support this bill. I do not know how we can support this bill. It is not responsible, and it lacks a policy that is necessary to actually address many of the fiscal issues that are going to confront us next year when we are in the same position. So, thank you, Mr. President. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Montgomery, Senator Muth. Senator MUTH. Mr. President, this vote is a tricky vote for me. It is one I had to sleep on a little bit in terms of its content, and I am glad that I had that opportunity to at least have one night of sleep to review this and think about the provisions in this 191some-page bill. The tough vote comes really in that some of the policy highlights are things that many of us have been working hard for and fighting for quite a long time. Some of these policy initiatives that are included in this amended version also will impact people's lives negatively, and, so, the balance of that decision is tricky. I want to highlight, though, what I think is the most positive part of this legislation, which would be a critical, long-overdue update and cost-of-living increase to our public school and State workers' retirement fund. For many, many years, people-over 24 years, I believe it is--there has not been a cost-of-living adjustment for our retirees who worked for our State or in the public education system here in the Commonwealth. And, sadly, some of the people who were waiting for this much-needed increase are not here today to see it happen because they have already passed away. So, these are our oldest retirees, many of them living in poverty. So, this is a good moment, but a late moment. This should have been done quite some time ago, but for the sake of saying this is a high point, this is the high point of this legislation, that people will have more coming in in their monthly checks, and it also will give a cost-of-living increase to our municipal fire and police departments as well for those retirees. So, that is certainly a high point, and I want to thank Senator Kane, who has been a co-prime with me on several bills that companion in the House to advocate for this cost-of-living increase. Those 55,000-some individuals who worked in our public school system and the State government system all deserve to live and retire with dignity, and, unfortunately, because of this long-overdue increase, that has not been the case. But this certainly is the high point of this legislation. I also want to bring up that one of the provisions in the bill allows for our first responders to have an increase in amount of loans that they can take out. This EMS and fire loan services program [Fire and Emergency Medical Services Loan Program] needed an increase in terms of what these loan amounts could be borrowed for, and it costs a lot of money to build a firehouse or a garage for ambulances, and the amounts were well below the level that it could even come half the cost. So, having our first responders and having these massive shortfalls in funding for vital life-saving resources and the cost of readiness, this will help. It is not a complete fix, but this is certainly a step in the right direction, and I want to thank everyone who helped make that happen, because it was a staff effort and a bipartisan effort. I then need to highlight some things that I read late last night and early this morning that I did not catch in my first review of this legislation. There are some policy measures that our other Members of the General Assembly--legislation combined into this bill, and they are not necessarily identical or completely the same, but they are nonetheless in there and with little, you know, public input or any time to debate how these measures will be rolled out. But there is a provision in Senate Bill No. 146 that will directly affect communities across the Commonwealth specific to what is applied on land in terms of fertilizer. This legislation strips local governments of local control on how this food processing residual--it is called FPRs if you have never heard of it--may be not an issue everyone understands or has even read about, but it is a real issue. The FPRs are the byproducts and wastewater generated by commercial manufacturing, and because Pennsylvania also frequently accepts out-of-State waste, the risks of applying food processing residuals as fertilizer further increases the risk of hazardous contamination of the groundwater and the soil. So, I did see the policy piece, but the final sentence in the legislation really does--it is preemption on local governments from making their own standards for how and what is contained in fertilizer that is created from FPRs. So, they cannot be more stringent than what the Department of Agriculture determines as the standards for these various substances that are contained in FPRs. I think that that is an important point to mention because it is dumped in a bill with a bunch of things and not everyone may see it at the same time. These communities that have experienced the harmful impacts of FPRs--the threat to the groundwater specific, especially if you have private well water. And, at the same time, the enforcement provisions are woefully inadequate within this legislation. A penalty of only $500 for the first day of a violation and $100 for each additional day does not clean up somebody's contaminated well water. And, for a large company that processes these food processing residuals, is not a deterrent, it is a manageable operating expense. One of the other problematic measures in this bill is the increase for the PA SITES Program by $15 million. These are public dollars being used to grade land, extend utilities, and create shovel-ready industrial sites designed to attract massive private development. This budget deal, which invests in very little, somehow found an additional $15 million to sweeten that deal and prepare land and infrastructure for developers. I wish, I really do wish--I thought maybe there was a shot at it last night, but--we could find that same political will in this Chamber to protect our constituents and our communities from the proliferation of data centers happening as we speak. We could have used this Fiscal Code to establish real setbacks, enforceable health protections, water protections, noise limits, and a real moratorium while the impacts of hyperscale data centers are still being planned out and studied. We are spending public money to accelerate development while leaving local residents to absorb the consequences. We should not be subsidizing shovel-ready sites for billion-dollar industries, and we should not use this Fiscal Code to quietly and quickly enact policies that could not withstand an open and transparent legislative process. This is not responsible budgeting; it is a decision to prioritize speed for developers over the safety of residents, State control over local voices, and corporate recruitment over public protection. The elected leaders here, all of us here in the Capitol, people are counting on us to do the right thing, to make the decisions that not just provide economic sustainability for our Commonwealth, but also makes sure that families are not living sick day to day in pollutants next to industrial sites. I encourage--you know, again, we still have time to fix this problem. So, if people want to acknowledge the harms of data center development, it would be better to act on this now instead of waiting until we come back in the fall and having how many more proposals already being established without any kind of protections for our constituents and property owners. I urge a "no" vote. Thank you, Mr. President. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Montgomery, Senator Pennycuick. Senator PENNYCUICK. Mr. President, boy, budget time is always exciting, but this budget is something to really be proud of. No increase in taxes for Pennsylvanians. That is huge. No tapping into the Rainy Day Fund, so we are fiscally sound in case of an emergency, and we were even able to decrease our structural deficit. That is all great news, but you know what the best news is? After 20 years, we are giving a COLA to our police, our firemen, and our teachers. The people who create the fabric of every community, the people who go into the burning building, who run towards danger, who kiss their families goodbye every day not knowing if they are coming home. For those police officers, those firemen, and those teachers who give so much to this great Commonwealth, they have waited 20 years for a cost-of-living adjustment. Many of them do not collect Social Security, so they literally live on just their pension that we did not increase for 20 years. I am very proud to have carried that legislation for those retired firefighters and those retired police officers, because it is the right thing to do. So, this budget is going to be a very, very good day for them. And I would encourage every one of my colleagues to vote "yes" for this budget. Is it perfect? No, but there is nothing in this world that is perfect. Do we have a lot more work to do? Yes, we do. But you know what? We are making some great things happen here in Pennsylvania: $10 million additional for Grow PA to keep our Pennsylvania kids here in our great Commonwealth; $10 million more for teacher stipends, for those student-teachers who are going to go into our classrooms, these are all positive things. Seven hundred and seventy-five million dollars for roads and bridges to be pushed out by PennDOT immediately. That is huge. And I am sure that my constituents are marking those potholes as I speak, which is wonderful, because we have got some big potholes to fill. But, at the end of the day, we are moving Pennsylvania in the right direction, and I ask every one of my colleagues for an affirmative vote. Thank you, Mr. President. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Allegheny, Senator Costa. Senator COSTA. Mr. President, I, too, rise and ask for an affirmative vote on this Fiscal Code. As was outlined by some of my colleagues, there are a number of important items here that we need to be thinking about and taking pride in the work that is being done here as it relates to, particularly, our hometown heroes, our firefighters, our teachers and the like, with regard to the pension program along those lines. The significance of the SERS and PSERS things, waiting 20-plus years to be able to enjoy a cost-of-living increase, while everyone in this Chamber has been able to receive their cost-of-living increases. I think I am very proud of the work that was done to make sure that this happened this time, particularly when many of these folks are struggling with affordability issues, as we know, and on fixed incomes for the most part, and I am grateful that we will be able to do that. But, also, some of the things that we talked about--Innovate [in] PA, growing a program that is going to create jobs in biotech and biosciences and life sciences and the like, all the other things that are part of this measure. I am very excited that this is an important time that we need to talk about and be able to discuss how important it is for us to be able to get this across the finish line. I want to thank my colleagues for the work that was done here and ask for an affirmative vote. JULY 12, The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Indiana, Senator Pittman. Senator PITTMAN. Mr. President, in the words of Mark Twain, "Never let the truth get in the way of a good story." There have been a couple of good stories told in this debate that I have just listened to. But when we leave here, we better not let the good stories get in the way of the truth, and here is the truth. There is not one additional penny for [PA] SITES money in this Fiscal Code, that is the truth. The food residual provisions in this Fiscal Code have the full support of the Pennsylvania Township Supervisors Association [Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors]. That is the truth. And the COLA that is in this Fiscal Code will not, I repeat, will not, increase the net liability to either the PSERS or SERS pension funds. Indeed, we are paying for the liability, fully, for the pre-Act 9 COLAs that are contained in this Fiscal Code. School districts will not see any financial impact as a result of this pre-Act 9 COLA. State employee government pensions will not cost us a penny more as a result of pre-Act 9 COLA. Our General Fund is not negatively impacted one penny by the pre-Act 9 COLA because we are using grant funds, existing grant funds, to fully account for the liability assessed to this pre-Act 9 COLA. So, let us make sure we understand the truth about the provisions of this bill, compared to what has been said by some on this floor. The good story is not going to get in the way of the truth. I ask for an affirmative vote. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Indiana, Senator Pittman. Senator PITTMAN. Mr. President, I request a legislative leave for Senator Mastriano. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Allegheny, Senator Costa. Senator COSTA. Mr. President, I request temporary Capitol leaves for Senator Boscola and Senator Hughes. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Senator Pittman requests a legislative leave for Senator Mastriano. Senator Costa requests temporary Capitol leaves for Senator Boscola and Senator Hughes. Without objection, the leaves will be granted. And the question recurring, Will the Senate agree to the motion? The yeas and nays were taken agreeably to the provisions of the Constitution and were as follows, viz: YEA-46 Argall Baker Bartolotta Boscola Brooks Brown Cappelletti Collett Comitta Costa Culver Dush Farry Flynn Fontana Gebhard Haywood Hughes Kane Kearney Kim Langerholc Laughlin Malone Martin Mastriano Miller Pennycuick Phillips-Hill Picozzi Pisciottano Pittman Robinson Rothman Santarsiero Saval Schwank Stefano Street Tartaglione Vogel Ward, Judy Ward, Kim Williams, Anthony H. Williams, Lindsey Yaw NAY-4 Coleman Hutchinson Keefer Muth A constitutional majority of all the Senators having voted "aye," the question was determined in the affirmative. Ordered, That the Secretary of the Senate inform the House of Representatives accordingly. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Senator Hughes has returned, and his temporary Capitol leave is cancelled. SUPPLEMENTAL CALENDAR No. 2 SB 779 (Pr. No. 1862) -- The Senate proceeded to consideration of the bill, entitled: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in trade and commerce, providing for the offense of unlawful towing and towing storage facility practices; and imposing penalties. Will the Senate concur in the amendments made by the House to Senate Bill No. 779? The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Indiana, Senator Pittman. Senator PITTMAN. Mr. President, I move that the Senate do concur in the amendments made by the House to Senate Bill No. 779. Will the Senate agree to the motion? The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Philadelphia, Senator Picozzi. Senator PICOZZI. Mr. President, today I rise to speak on Senate Bill No. 779 for a vote, which addresses issues with unauthorized towing or wreck chasing. During a high-stress situation such as a car accident, unscrupulous towers often pull up to accident scenes without notice. They take the vehicle from the scene and solicit signatures for repair or storage that a car owner may not want but are too disoriented or overwhelmed to fully process. For consumers in these tense moments, they may not know their rights when dealing with a wreck chaser. I want to be clear that we are not penalizing legal and responsible towing companies; all this bill does is take standards towing companies are required to meet now under Act 110 of 2012 in the Consumer Protection Law and echoes those same exact standards so that local law enforcement can enforce them--no new standards, no new rules, simply changing the enforcement mechanism to allow local law enforcement to handle it. All honest towers are already following these standards, but the bad actors will now be stopped at the local level. This issue is important to those who have already been victims, as well as those who have not yet experienced this type of exploitation. Let us put an end to predatory towing schemes. I want to thank my colleague, Senator Street, as well as our colleagues over in the House who worked together to get this bill where it is right now at the finish line. Thank you so much, Mr. President. I urge my colleagues to vote "yes" on Senate Bill No. 779. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Philadelphia, Senator Street. Senator STREET. Mr. President, today we are taking an important step to protect Pennsylvanians at one of the most stressful moments anyone can experience. Just a few weeks ago, I was involved in a serious automobile accident. It underscored the reason and the importance of this legislation that we had already been working on. Another vehicle struck mine at a high rate of speed and both vehicles were totaled. Thankfully, no one was hurt, but before the police even arrived, several tow trucks had already arrived. They were swirling around us; they were asking us to sign paperwork. I was fortunate enough to know to decline those offers and to call a towing company that we trusted. But I kept thinking about someone who does not know what to do, someone who has just been in an accident and shaken and worried about their family. Trying to call the police, calling insurance companies, and trying to figure out what comes next, and, in those moments, people are telling you they want to tow away your vehicle and want you to sign paperwork. The overwhelming majority of towing companies are honest professionals who provide an important service. This bill is not about them. This legislation is about bad actors who take advantage of people during a crisis by ignoring the consumer protections that already exist in Pennsylvania law. Senate Bill No. 779 does not create a new consumer protection; those protections have existed since Act 110 of 2012. What the bill does is ensure those protections can be effectively enforced by incorporating key provisions into Title 18, giving law enforcement the ability to act when those protections are violated. For many Pennsylvanians, losing access to a vehicle is not just an inconvenience; it could mean missing work, missing a doctor's appointment, or not being able to pick up your children. That is why these protections matter. They help ensure that people facing an already difficult situation are not victimized a second time. I want to thank my Republican co-prime sponsor, Senator Picozzi, for his partnership on this legislation. I want to thank my colleagues in both Chambers for their thoughtful consideration and support. Consumer protection should never be a partisan issue, and this bill reflects what we can accomplish when we work together. I respectfully ask for an affirmative vote so we can protect the rights of Pennsylvanians. I yield. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Indiana, Senator Pittman. Senator PITTMAN. Mr. President, I request a temporary Capitol leave for Senator Coleman, and a legislative leave for Senator Baker. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Senator Pittman requests a temporary Capitol leave for Senator Coleman, and a legislative leave for Senator Baker. Without objection, the leaves will be granted. And the question recurring, Will the Senate agree to the motion? The yeas and nays were taken agreeably to the provisions of the Constitution and were as follows, viz: YEA-49 Baker Bartolotta Boscola Brooks Brown Cappelletti Coleman Collett Comitta Costa Culver Dush Farry Flynn Fontana Gebhard Haywood Hughes Hutchinson Kane Kearney Keefer Kim Langerholc Laughlin Malone Martin Mastriano Miller Muth Pennycuick Phillips-Hill Picozzi Pisciottano Pittman Robinson Rothman Santarsiero Saval Schwank Stefano Street Tartaglione Vogel Ward, Judy Ward, Kim Williams, Anthony H. Williams, Lindsey Yaw Argall A constitutional majority of all the Senators having voted "aye," the question was determined in the affirmative. Ordered, That the Secretary of the Senate inform the House of Representatives accordingly. SB 992 (Pr. No. 1649) -- The Senate proceeded to consideration of the bill, entitled: An Act amending the act of December 4, 1996 (P.L.911, No.147), known as the Telemarketer Registration Act, further providing for definitions, for registration requirement, for unlawful acts and penalties, for blocking of caller identification and other telemarketing screening products or services prohibited, for unwanted telephone solicitation calls prohibited, for violations and for investigation. Will the Senate concur in the amendments made by the House to Senate Bill No. 992? The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Indiana, Senator Pittman. Senator PITTMAN. Mr. President, I move that the Senate do concur in the amendments made by the House to Senate Bill No. 992. Will the Senate agree to the motion? The yeas and nays were taken agreeably to the provisions of the Constitution and were as follows, viz: YEA-50 Farry Flynn Fontana Gebhard Haywood Malone Martin Mastriano Miller Muth Hughes Hutchinson Kane Kearney Keefer Kim Langerholc Laughlin Pennycuick Phillips-Hill Picozzi Pisciottano Pittman Robinson Rothman Tartaglione Vogel Ward, Judy Ward, Kim Williams, Anthony H. Williams, Lindsey Yaw NAY-0 A constitutional majority of all the Senators having voted "aye," the question was determined in the affirmative. Ordered, That the Secretary of the Senate inform the House of Representatives accordingly. The PRESIDENT (Lieutenant Governor Austin A. Davis) in the Chair. REAL PROPERTY DISPOSITION PLAN No. 1 OF 2026, RESOLUTION A, ADOPTED NAY-1 Argall Baker Bartolotta Boscola Brooks Brown Cappelletti Coleman Collett Comitta Costa Culver Dush JULY 12, Santarsiero Saval Schwank Stefano Street Senator PITTMAN, without objection, called up from page 13 of the Calendar, Real Property Disposition Plan No. 1 of 2026, Resolution A, entitled: RESOLVED, That Real Property Disposition Plan No. 1 of 2026, transmitted by the Governor under The Administrative Code of 1929 to the General Assembly under date of July 11, 2026, which is incorporated herein by reference, be approved. Will the Senate adopt the resolution?

The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Jefferson, Senator Dush. Senator DUSH. Mr. President, this has been a long, arduous process to dispose of properties that have been on the books of the Commonwealth for, in some cases, over a decade. We are looking, right now, with what we are going to pass here, saving the Commonwealth millions of dollars a year with disposition of Polk and White Haven. I want to thank my colleague from Kensington for her work on the language, the deed restriction that would prevent injection sites from land transfer down there. And it has been working with all of the Members who have properties within their districts, it does not matter if it is in the city or out in the rural part of Pennsylvania, we have got a good, bipartisan bill here, and it will help our budget. Thank you. And the question recurring, Will the Senate agree to the motion? The yeas and nays were required by Senator PITTMAN and were as follows, viz: Farry Flynn Fontana Gebhard Haywood Hughes Hutchinson Kane Kearney Keefer Kim Langerholc Laughlin Malone Martin Mastriano Miller Pennycuick Phillips-Hill Picozzi Pisciottano Pittman Robinson Rothman is appointed and qualified, but not longer than six months beyond that period, vice John Keegan, Hazleton, whose term expired. Governor YEA-49 Argall Baker Bartolotta Boscola Brooks Brown Cappelletti Coleman Collett Comitta Costa Culver Dush Santarsiero Saval Schwank Stefano Street Tartaglione Vogel Ward, Judy Ward, Kim Williams, Anthony H. Williams, Lindsey Yaw NAY-1 Muth A constitutional majority of all the Senators having voted "aye," the question was determined in the affirmative. Ordered, that the Governor be informed accordingly. Senator BARTOLOTTA, from the Committee on Rules and Executive Nominations, reported the following nominations made by His Excellency, the Governor of the Commonwealth, which were read by the Clerk as follows: MEMBER OF THE CONSTABLES' May 12, 2026 June 16, 2026 To the Honorable, the Senate of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania: In conformity with law, I have the honor hereby to nominate for the advice and consent of the Senate, Carolyn Bohmueller, 923 Clubhouse Drive, Harleysville 19438, Montgomery County, Twenty-fourth Senatorial District, for appointment as a member of the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, to serve for a term of five years, and until the successor is appointed and qualified, vice Kathleen Dormer-Carusone, Mechanicsburg, resigned. Governor June 15, 2026 To the Honorable, the Senate of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania: In conformity with law, I have the honor hereby to nominate for the advice and consent of the Senate, Christopher Brooks, 175 Gabriel Drive, East Stroudsburg 18301, Monroe County, Fortieth Senatorial District, for appointment as a member of the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, to serve for a term of five years, and until the successor is appointed and qualified, vice M. Joel Bolstein, Doylestown, resigned. Governor To the Honorable, the Senate of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania: In conformity with law, I have the honor hereby to nominate for the advice and consent of the Senate, Wilden H. Davis, 803 East 24th Street, Chester 19013, Delaware County, Ninth Senatorial District, for reappointment as a member of the Constables' Education and Training Board, to serve for a term of three years, and until the successor is appointed and qualified. Governor May 13, 2026 To the Honorable, the Senate of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania: In conformity with law, I have the honor hereby to nominate for the advice and consent of the Senate, William D. Thompson III, 369 Canary Drive, Hollidaysburg 16648, Blair County, Thirtieth Senatorial District, for appointment as a member of the Pennsylvania Drug, Device and Cosmetic Board, to serve for a term of four years, and until the successor June 15, 2026 To the Honorable, the Senate of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania: In conformity with law, I have the honor hereby to nominate for the advice and consent of the Senate, Brooke Burchette Williams, 2335 Marbury Road, Pittsburgh 15221, Allegheny County, Forty-third Senatorial District, for appointment as a member of the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, to serve for a term of five years, and until the successor is appointed and qualified, vice Adrian Shanker, Easton, resigned. Governor June 15, 2026 To the Honorable, the Senate of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania: In conformity with law, I have the honor hereby to nominate for the advice and consent of the Senate, Seth Grove, 1854 Ashcombe Drive, Dover 17315, York County, Thirty-first Senatorial District, for appointment as a member of the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, to serve for a term of five years, and until the successor is appointed and qualified, vice George Dawson, Folsom, resigned. Governor June 17, 2026 June 15, 2026 To the Honorable, the Senate of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania: In conformity with law, I have the honor hereby to nominate for the advice and consent of the Senate, Laura Manion, 53 Brittany Lane, Glenmoore 19343, Chester County, Forty-fourth Senatorial District, for appointment as a member of the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, to serve for a term of five years, and until the successor is appointed and qualified, vice Raquel Yiengst, Sinking Spring, resigned. Governor To the Honorable, the Senate of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania: In conformity with law, I have the honor hereby to nominate for the advice and consent of the Senate, Michael Hardiman, 690 Hopewell Road, Downingtown 19335, Chester County, Forty-fourth Senatorial District, for reappointment as a member of the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, to serve for a term of five years, and until the successor is appointed and qualified. Governor June 15, 2026 June 15, 2026 To the Honorable, the Senate of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania: In conformity with law, I have the honor hereby to nominate for the advice and consent of the Senate, Andrea Martin, 374 Rich Valley Road, Carlisle 17015, Cumberland County, Thirty-fourth Senatorial District, for appointment as a member of the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, to serve for a term of five years, and until the successor is appointed and qualified, vice Gerald Robinson, Lancaster, resigned. Governor To the Honorable, the Senate of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania: In conformity with law, I have the honor hereby to nominate for the advice and consent of the Senate, Timothy Jackson, 109 Hilltop Court, Camp Hill 17011, Cumberland County, Thirty-fourth Senatorial District, for appointment as a member of the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, to serve for a term of five years, and until the successor is appointed and qualified, vice Mayur Patel, Harrisburg, resigned. Governor June 16, 2026 To the Honorable, the Senate of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania: In conformity with law, I have the honor hereby to nominate for the advice and consent of the Senate, Curtis Jones, Jr., 6027 Drexel Road, Philadelphia 19131, Philadelphia County, Seventh Senatorial District, for reappointment as a member of the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, to serve for a term of five years, and until the successor is appointed and qualified. Governor JULY 12, June 16, 2026 To the Honorable, the Senate of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania: In conformity with law, I have the honor hereby to nominate for the advice and consent of the Senate, Suzanne V. Estrella, Esquire, 1705 Green Street, Harrisburg 17102, Dauphin County, Fifteenth Senatorial District, for appointment as a member of the Pennsylvania Parole Board, to serve for a term of six years, and until the successor is appointed and qualified, but not longer than ninety days beyond that period, vice Khadija Diggs, Verona, whose term expired. Governor June 16, 2026 To the Honorable, the Senate of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania: In conformity with law, I have the honor hereby to nominate for the advice and consent of the Senate, Stephen R. Zawisky, Esquire, 302 Line Road, Mechanicsburg 17050, Cumberland County, Thirty-fourth Senatorial District, for appointment as a member of the Pennsylvania Parole Board, to serve for a term of six years, and until the successor is appointed and qualified, but not longer than ninety days beyond that period, vice C. James Fox, Mount Gretna, whose term expired. Governor May 13, 2026 May 12, 2026 To the Honorable, the Senate of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania: In conformity with law, I have the honor hereby to nominate for the advice and consent of the Senate, Erika Evans, 218 East Durham Street, Philadelphia 19119, Philadelphia County, Fourth Senatorial District, for reappointment as a member of the State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors, to serve for a term of four years, and until the successor is appointed and qualified, but not longer than six months beyond that period. In conformity with law, I have the honor hereby to nominate for the advice and consent of the Senate, William D. Thompson III, 369 Canary Drive, Hollidaysburg 16648, Blair County, Thirtieth Senatorial District, for appointment as a member of the Pennsylvania Drug, Device and Cosmetic Board, to serve for a term of four years, and until the successor is appointed and qualified, but not longer than six months beyond that period, vice John Keegan, Hazleton, whose term expired. Governor June 16, 2026 Governor To the Honorable, the Senate of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania: Senator BARTOLOTTA. Mr. President, I move that the nominations just read by the Clerk be laid on the table.

The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Philadelphia, Senator Tartaglione. Senator TARTAGLIONE. Mr. President, together with my colleagues, Senator Kane and Senator Robinson, I rise to recognize Construction Opioid Awareness Week in this Commonwealth. As someone in recovery for 23 years, I can attest to the challenge of overcoming an addiction. Each person's path to recovery is different, but, without exception, the journey is difficult, and I empathize deeply for those who do not currently see a way out of this cycle. It is no secret the construction industry is physically demanding, and it is no surprise it has been particularly susceptible to opioid misuse. Construction workers often suffer from injuries and chronic pain, leading them to seek relief through the medical interventions and, too often, opioid pain relief. Unfortunately, this can quickly spiral into dependency and addiction. The statistics are alarming. Construction workers are significantly more likely to develop opioid use disorders and other addictions compared to other professions, but through Construction Opioid Awareness Week and other initiatives, we can raise awareness, educate our friends, recognize the sign in our coworkers, help them seek treatment, and implement preventative measures to overcome the scourge of addiction. Thank you, Mr. President.

Pursuant to Senate Rule 10(e), the remarks will be submitted. (Pursuant to Senate Rule 10(e), the following prepared remarks were made part of the record at the request of the gentleman from Chester, Senator KANE:) Mr. President, I rise today with my friends and colleagues, Senator Tartaglione and Senator Robinson, to speak on an issue that threatens the health and safety of the people who throw on their hard hats day in and day out to build and repair our beautiful Commonwealth. The Pennsylvania construction industry generates billions of dollars in economic activity and family-sustaining wages. The summer months, specifically the month of July, is the biggest and busiest time for our construction industry. But it is tough work, difficult work. And that difficult work and the illnesses and injuries it causes can lead to opioid addiction. I have been on many projects where I have seen hardworking, dedicated, and good people overwhelmed with addiction. I have also seen these men and women battling addiction overcome it with the proper help and support. It is possible to come out of the other side healthier and happier than ever before, and I am living, breathing proof of that. I ask that we all support Senate Resolution No. 353 to dedicate the last full week in July (July 20-24, 2026) as "Construction Opioid Awareness Week." We can put our construction workers first by committing the last full week of July to ensuring they have the resources and support to fight opioid addiction. By taking this week and promoting awareness and sharing the dangers of opioids and prescription drug abuse in the construction industry, we can reinforce one of the pillars of our country's workforce. I would like to thank the over 15 groups, organizations, and associations who are recognizing this week and working to prevent opioid addictions. I especially want to shout out the Keystone Contractors Association and their Executive Director, Jon O'Brien, whom my office worked with on this resolution, as well as Rob Bair and the Pennsylvania Building and Construction Trades Council. Working with these groups, we can reach out and help save the lives of our construction workers, Pennsylvanians, and Americans. Thank you, Mr. President.

The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Jefferson, Senator Dush. Senator DUSH. Mr. President, early today I was blessed with the honor of providing the opening prayer, and I brought that prayer that was reported from The Massachusetts Centinel newspaper as it was printed on August 15, 1787. It reported the prayer that was given on the 4th of July of that same year. I am going to be offering to the record both the text, as well as a photocopy of the actual document, the newspaper document, but I want to give full credit to The Massachusetts Centinel, and something that I did not do as part of the prayer, obviously, was how they described it before providing the transcript: [Reading:] On the 4th [ult.] the anniversary of the American Independence was celebrated at Philadelphia, in the Reformed Calvinist Church, by the Pennsylvania Society of Cincinnati, in the presence of the Federal Convention, many distinguished characters, and a most brilliant assembly of ladies and gentlemen-when in Oration, commemorative of the great event, was pronounced by JAMES CAMPBELL, Esq. after the delivery of an Introductory Prayer by the Reverend WILLIAM ROGERS, A.M.A copy of each was obtained by [of] the Press, and with pleasure we take the earliest opportunity of presenting to our readers, through the medium of this Gazette, the Introductory Prayer, verbatim, not doubting but that the sentiments therein contained, will meet the approbation of all the FEDERAL and PIOUS inhabitants of the State of Rhode Island, as expressed by ONE OF HER SONS. And it goes on to the prayer that I offered this morning at the beginning of Session. I would like to submit them for the record.

The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Cambria, Senator Langerholc. Senator LANGERHOLC. Mr. President, we have recently passed a budget for this fiscal year, but I would be remiss if I did not mention something that is lurking underneath the scenes here, and that is the failure of the House to pick up and act on felony murder. This Chamber has provided two vehicles on two separate occasions for the House to pick up and act. In light of the Commonwealth v. Lee decision, there is the risk of over 1,100 convicted murderers potentially being released. The House has done nothing, failed to act, failed to come to the table to discuss this very real issue. This is of paramount concern. My colleague, Senator Lisa Baker, and myself have introduced two pathways: Senate Bill No. 1400 and, just recently, the amended House Bill that. They are over there. This is a bill that has the support of the Office of Attorney General, of the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association, and the Fraternal Order of Police. The House needs to act. Get to work. Stop making TikToks saying what you are doing or what you are not doing or what this body is not doing and take up this very real issue. This must be done. The deadline is looming. Do not risk over 1,100 convicted murderers being released. This body, this Senate has acted, the Senate has passed two different types of legislation. It needs to be picked up and acted upon. Thank you, Mr. President.

The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Cambria, Senator Langerholc. Senator LANGERHOLC. Mr. President, I move that the Senate do now recess until Monday, September 28, 2026, at 1 p.m., Eastern Daylight Saving Time, unless sooner recalled by the President pro tempore. The motion was agreed to by voice vote. The Senate recessed at 5:08 p.m., Eastern Daylight Saving Time. JULY 12,