Pennsylvania State Government News: June 25, 2025 Highlights

Discover the key legislative and executive actions shaping Pennsylvania's future, highlighted in the June 25, 2025 Capitol Recap.

Celebration of Solar for Schools Grants' First Round

Legislators from the Senate and House, along with school superintendents, celebrated the first round of Solar for School grants. Nearly $25 million in state funds were invested in public schools across 23 counties in Pennsylvania. Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler (D-Philadelphia) and Sen. Camera Bartolotta (R-Beaver) emphasized the financial benefits and long-term savings for schools.

Robert Bair, president of the Pennsylvania State Building and Construction Trades Council, praised the program and called for additional funding to meet the high demand. School superintendents like Dr. Mick Iskric, Jr., and David Marsiglio highlighted the practical benefits of solar installations for their districts, including significant energy cost savings and educational opportunities for students.

Philadelphia Democrats Advocate for Increased School Funding

Philadelphia Democratic representatives, leaders from the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers (PFT) and the Philadelphia School District gathered to urge for increased basic education funding for Philadelphia schools in the 2025-26 state budget. LeShawna Coleman, chief of staff at PFT, highlighted the challenges faced by the district due to potential federal funding cuts and emphasized the historic nature of this year's budget negotiations.

Dr. Tony Watlington, superintendent of the Philadelphia School District, shared the district’s progress and the impact of historic underfunding, while Reginald Streater, president of the Philadelphia School Board, emphasized the importance of safe, welcoming, and fully funded schools. Other speakers, including Arthur Steinberg, president of PFT, and Rep. Morgan Cephas (D-Philadelphia), reiterated the need for equitable funding to improve educational outcomes.

Legislators Push for Rent Control in Manufactured Home Communities

Several legislators and advocates urged the passage of legislation that would prevent excessive lot rent increases in manufactured home communities. Sen. Judy Schwank (D-Berks) highlighted the practice of dramatically raising lot rents while allowing services and upkeep to deteriorate, eroding one of the last ways of affordable housing.

Bob Besecker, founder of the Coalition of Manufactured Home Communities in Pennsylvania, emphasized the need for legislative protection against predatory practices by out-of-state corporations. Sen. Tracy Pennycuick (R-Berks) and Rep. Liz Hanbidge (D-Montgomery) also voiced their support for HB 1250, aiming to protect residents from exorbitant rent increases and ensure affordable housing for vulnerable communities.

Support for Interstate Compact and Therapeutic Services Access

Members of the Pennsylvania Speech-Language-Hearing Association (PSHA), along with Reps. Arvind Venkat (D-Allegheny) and Brandon Markosek (D-Allegheny), gathered to support HB 80 and HB 949. These bills aim to join the Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact (ASLP-IC) and provide insurance coverage for necessary speech therapy treatments for children diagnosed with Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS).

Dr. Nicole Billak, PSHA president-elect, emphasized the need to raise Medicaid reimbursement rates for therapy services in Pennsylvania, while Brie Glover, CEO of Village Care Family Services, Inc., highlighted the severe shortage of speech-language pathologists and its impact on early intervention for young children.

Veterans Treatment Courts and Alternative Sentencing Initiatives

A joint informational meeting was held to discuss veterans’ treatment courts (VTCs) and alternative sentencing for Pennsylvania veterans. Retired Major General Clyde “Butch” Tate and Retired Brigadier General David “Mac” MacEwen emphasized the effectiveness of VTCs in addressing substance use, mental health, and neurocognitive disorders among veterans.

Brock Hunter, a criminal defense lawyer and Army veteran, stressed the importance of VTCs for high-risk veterans and advocated for the adoption of a model policy framework to standardize sentencing options. Judge Steven O’Neill highlighted the success of treatment courts in changing outcomes for individuals with substance use disorders and emphasized the need for long-term treatment over short-term interventions.