By Rep. Abney

Hello, Northsiders! I’m eager to share with you some of the important work I’ve been doing in Harrisburg.

The biggest and most important success is that my affirmative vote helped pass the 2024-25 fiscal year budget, which Gov. Josh Shapiro recently signed into law. An essential part of the plan is a $1.3 billion investment in our public schools, which includes an $8.5 million increase in education funding for Pittsburgh Public Schools. These monies represent a 5% increase compared to the previous year’s budget allocation.

Higher education also becomes more affordable with this budget. One new program is the Grow Pennsylvania Scholarship Program, which awards $5,000 grants to Commonwealth students enrolled in an approved course of study, who maintain satisfactory academic progress, and have not yet earned a bachelor’s degree. In return, they must agree to work in Pennsylvania for 12 months for each academic year they receive the scholarship.

The new budget includes $161 million for public transportation and multimodal projects, $70 million for attainable housing initiatives through the Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement Fund, a $36 million increase to the Neighborhood Assistance Program, a $26 million increase for subsidized child care services, a $20 million increase for county-based mental health services, and $3 million for menstrual hygiene products in schools to address period poverty as well.

There’s no such thing as a perfect budget, but I believe this financial plan for the fiscal year has the right priorities and makes the kind of bold investments Pennsylvania needs!

While putting the finishing touches on the budget, my resolution to address the lack of access to the Commonwealth’s career and technical education programs was adopted by the House. Currently, Pennsylvania has more than 68,000 students attending approximately 80 career and technical centers and related high school-based programs. A growing number of students, however, are now being denied entry and deprived of the critical training they need for good jobs.

As a result of my resolution, the state will compile solutions to this pressing issue and help ensure students have fair and equal access to the opportunities necessary for a successful career upon graduation.

In addition, my legislation that would exclude one portion of a person’s potential revenue when determining their financial eligibility for senior prescription programs in Pennsylvania passed the House. House Bill 2378 would not count the total dollar amount, including face value and interest earned, of savings bonds as part of an older Pennsylvanian’s income when they apply for either the Pharmaceutical Assistance Contract for the Elderly or PACE Needs Enhancement Tier, otherwise known as PACE and PACENET.

Ever rising prescription drug costs have resulted in many seniors cashing in their savings bonds to afford the medications they need every day, but our older neighbors should not risk disqualification from PACE or PACENET coverage simply because such transactions take place. I now call on the Senate to help get my bill across the finish line and assist our seniors.

Enjoy the last full month of summer, and I’ll talk to all of you again in September!