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Legislative Update - Week Ending Nov. 8, 2024
In this issue: Few surprises in state House, Senate races; Pennsylvania lawmakers set for leadership elections; GOP sweeps Pa. row offices; and more.
by PICPA Government Relations
Nov 8, 2024, 10:01 AM
- Few Surprises in State House, Senate Races
- State Lawmakers Return for Leadership Elections
- GOP Sweeps State Row Offices
- Pennsylvania Voters Turn Red
- October State Revenue Collections
- Academic Standards and Assessment
- How School Districts Used COVID Funds
Few Surprises in State House, Senate Races
Heading into Tuesday’s General Election, Republicans held a 28-22 majority in the Pennsylvania Senate, while Democrats held a slim 102-101 majority in the state House. Twenty-five Senate seats were up for election – 15 Republican and 10 Democratic – while all 203 House seats were being contested.
Republicans won 15 of the 25 races to maintain the majority in the state Senate. Only incumbent Sen. Jimmy Dillon (D-Philadelphia) was ousted by Joe Picozzi, who defeated Dillon 51% to 49%.
CPA state Rep. Nick Pisciottano (D-Allegheny) and Rep. Patty Kim (D-Dauphin) move across the Capitol following their elections to the state Senate. Pisciottano defeated Republican Jen Dintini, 53% to 47%, winning the open 45th District in Allegheny County. Kim won the open 15th District seat over challenger Republican Nick DiFrancesco, 58% to 42%.
Two other highly watched races were those of incumbents Sen. Devlin Robinson (R-Allegheny) and Sen. Dan Laughlin (R-Erie). Senate Democrats had hopes of toppling one or both but fell short. Robinson defeated Democrat Nicole Ruscitto, 53% to 47%, while Laughlin toppled Jim Wertz, 54% to 46%.
For complete state senate election results click here.
Control of the 203-member Pennsylvania state House has come down to a seat in Cambria County. As of Nov. 8, incumbent Rep. Frank Burns (D-Cambria) claimed victory over his challenger, Republican Amy Bradley. The margin was at fewer than 1,000 votes. Democrats had high hopes of adding to their 102-member majority going into election night, but strong turnout among supporters of President-elect Trump thwarted those expectations. The remaining 202 seats all stayed in the same party’s control.
CPA legislators, Rep. Ben Sanchez (D-Montgomery) and Rep. Keith Greiner (R-Lancaster), were both reelected and will be returning to Harrisburg.
CPA-PAC, the political arm of the PICPA, supported all three CPA candidates Pisciottano, Sanchez, and Greiner.
For complete Pennsylvania House election results, click here.
Don’t forget to join Peter Calcara, PICPA vice president of government relations, on Nov. 20 for a Legislative Update webcast where he will provide a recap of the 2023-2024 legislative session and a preview of the 2025 General Assembly.
State Lawmakers Return for Leadership Elections
State lawmakers return to Harrisburg for House and Senate leadership elections Nov. 12-14. The PICPA is not anticipating any legislative activity during this period, although the Senate could consider several of Gov. Josh Shapiro’s pending executive nominations, including appointments to the Board of Finance and Revenue and the state Accountancy Board.
Leadership elections are held by each of the four caucuses within the General Assembly (House Republicans and Democrats; Senate Republicans and Democrats). House and Senate members select leaders for roles such as majority and minority leader, whip, and caucus chair. These elections are pivotal because the chosen leaders shape legislative direction and priorities.
Leaders coordinate the caucus’s legislative agenda, rally votes on key bills, and communicate the party’s policy positions to the public. For the PICPA, understanding who holds these leadership roles is essential for navigating the legislative landscape and identifying key decision-makers for advocacy efforts.
The PICPA will have complete leadership election results in next week’s Legislative Update.
GOP Sweeps State Row Offices
Republicans swept Pennsylvania's three row office elections on Nov. 5, with each GOP candidate securing over 50% of the vote despite the presence of multiple third-party contenders.
In the much-watched open race for attorney general, York County District Attorney Dave Sunday (R) bested former Auditor General Eugene DePasquale (D) by a 51% to 46% margin. Sunday becomes the first Republican to hold the office since 2012.
In the other two row office races, incumbents Auditor General Tim DeFoor (R) and Treasurer Stacy Garrity (R) were reelected. DeFoor won reelection with a 51% to 46% victory over State Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta (D). Garrity defeated Democrat Erin McClelland with a 52% to 44% margin. Garrity’s 3.485 million votes makes her the top vote-getter in Pennsylvania, topping Donald Trump’s 3.477 million votes.
Pennsylvania Voters Turn Red
With its history of narrowly deciding presidential outcomes, Pennsylvania’s electoral votes were hotly contested again this election cycle. Both parties knew that victory in this swing state could determine the next president.
Ultimately, former President Donald Trump, the Republican nominee, defeated Vice President Kamala Harris, securing Pennsylvania’s 19 Electoral College votes with 50.46% of the vote to Harris's 48.40%. Trump will return to the White House as the 47th President of the United States.
The Senate race was equally competitive. Democratic Senator Robert “Bob” Casey Jr., who had served Pennsylvania in the Senate since 2007, sought a fourth term but faced a formidable challenge from Republican businessman Dave McCormick. In the end, McCormick edged out Casey with 48.95% of the vote to Casey’s 48.48%. Casey’s loss marks a significant shift in Pennsylvania's political landscape, as he had previously won multiple statewide elections, including as Pennsylvania auditor general and state treasurer. McCormick’s win represents a gain for Republicans in the Senate, bolstering their presence in the upper chamber to 53 senators.
In Pennsylvania's 2024 Congressional elections, all 17 U.S. House seats were up for grabs. Previously, Pennsylvania’s delegation leaned slightly Democratic, with Democrats holding 9 seats to the Republicans’ 8. With strong Republican turnout fueled by Trump’s campaign at the top of the ticket, Republicans flipped two seats, shifting the balance to 10 Republicans and 7 Democrats.
Incumbent Democrats Rep. Susan Wild (PA-7) and Rep. Matt Cartwright (PA-8) lost their seats to Republican challengers. In the 7th District, covering Carbon, Lehigh, Northampton, and Monroe counties, state Rep. Ryan MacKenzie (R) unseated Wild. In the neighboring 8th District, which includes Wayne, Pike, Lackawanna, Luzerne, and part of Monroe counties, Republican Rob Bresnahan defeated Cartwright.
In the race for Pennsylvania’s 1st Congressional District that includes Bucks and part of Montgomery counties, four-term incumbent U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, CPA (R), defended his seat against Democrat Ashley Ehasz, winning with 57% of the vote.
Another closely watched race unfolded in south-central Pennsylvania’s 10th District, where six-term incumbent Republican Rep. Scott Perry (R) narrowly held off a determined challenge from Democrat Janelle Stelson. Perry’s victory underscored the district’s continued Republican lean despite strong Democratic efforts to flip the seat.
Republicans are currently expected to retain its majority status in Congress in the new session.
October State Revenue Collections
Pennsylvania collected $3.4 billion in General Fund revenue in October, which was $57.1 million, or 1.7%, more than anticipated, reported the state Department of Revenue. Fiscal year-to-date General Fund collections total $13.5 billion, which is $77.3 million, or 0.6%, above estimate.
The Independent Fiscal Office (IFO) Monthly Revenue Update shows actual collections were $71 million lower than IFO projections. October 2024 General Fund revenues of $3.38 billion reflect an increase of $137 million (+4.2%) compared to the same month in the prior year, notes the report.
Sales tax receipts for October reached $1.3 billion, exceeding estimates by $22.2 million. Year-to-date, sales tax collections stand at $4.9 billion, which is $11.9 million (0.2%) above projections.
Personal income tax (PIT) revenue for October was $1.5 billion, surpassing expectations by $33.2 million. However, year-to-date PIT collections total $5.4 billion, coming in $21.8 million (0.4%) below estimates.
October corporation tax revenue totaled $169.6 million, falling short of projections by $33.7 million. Year-to-date corporate tax collections amount to $1.5 billion, which is $13.6 million (0.9%) below forecast.
Other General Fund tax revenue – including cigarette, malt beverage, liquor, and gaming taxes – totaled $143.4 million for the month, $1.9 million below estimate. This brings the year-to-date total to $523.9 million, which is $1.0 million, or 0.2%, above estimate.
Academic Standards and Assessment
The Pennsylvania Board of Education’s proposed Academic Standards and Assessment regulation details updated standards for student learning and assessment methods across various subjects. The regulation was published in the Oct. 24, 2024, Pennsylvania Bulletin.
The standards seek to ensure that Pennsylvania students meet specific academic benchmarks, aligning education goals with workforce and post-secondary expectations. The updates cover core areas such as math, English, and science, emphasizing critical thinking, problem-solving, and real-world applications. It also incorporates evolving competencies such as digital literacy and STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics).
The proposal also recommends changes to assessment methods to better evaluate student progress and readiness. These changes aim to provide a more holistic measure of student achievement beyond traditional testing, with a focus on formative assessments and performance-based evaluations.
Additionally, the regulation aligns K-12 education with college and career readiness standards, aiming to bridge gaps between secondary education and future workforce demands.
The overall goal of the proposed regulation is to improve the quality of education across Pennsylvania, equipping students with the skills they need to succeed in a competitive global economy, notes the Board.
The Independent Regulatory Review Commission will consider the regulation at its Dec. 5, 2024, meeting.
How School Districts Used COVID Funds
The Pennsylvania Independent Fiscal Office (IFO) recently released a report providing a detailed analysis of how school districts across the state used COVID-19 relief funds. The report sheds light on the spending patterns, priorities, and challenges faced by school districts in deploying these funds, which were allocated through multiple federal stimulus packages, including the CARES Act, the CRRSA Act, and the American Rescue Plan (ARP).
According to the report, between 2020 and 2022 Pennsylvania school districts received billions in federal funds to help manage the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. A significant portion of funds was used to combat learning loss that occurred as students experienced remote and hybrid learning disruptions. Districts invested in tutoring programs, summer school, extended school hours, and interventions targeting students who fell behind during the pandemic. According to the IFO, this spending category represented a core priority across the board as schools aimed to close learning gaps.
The IFO report noted that spending patterns varied significantly between urban, suburban, and rural districts. Urban districts, for example, often dedicated a larger percentage of their funds to technology and digital infrastructure, given their larger student populations and the challenges of providing internet access in densely populated areas. In contrast, rural districts allocated more toward health and safety improvements, reflecting the older age of their facilities and the lack of existing resources for structural upgrades.
While most districts have used a large portion of their COVID-19 relief funds, some districts reported challenges in spending these funds due to constraints in staffing, supply chain delays, and long-term budget considerations. Some districts saved portions of their funds for future costs, including anticipated learning recovery efforts that extend beyond the funding period.
The IFO’s analysis provides a comprehensive look at how school districts prioritized their federal relief funds to meet the immediate needs imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic while laying foundations for long-term educational improvements. With an emphasis on learning recovery, digital access, and health and safety, the funds helped stabilize schools and support students and staff during an unprecedented period. As these funds diminish, Pennsylvania's school districts will need to find new ways to sustain their ongoing initiatives.
Legislative Update - Week Ending Nov. 8, 2024
In this issue: Few surprises in state House, Senate races; Pennsylvania lawmakers set for leadership elections; GOP sweeps Pa. row offices; and more.
by PICPA Government Relations
Nov 8, 2024, 10:01 AM
- Few Surprises in State House, Senate Races
- State Lawmakers Return for Leadership Elections
- GOP Sweeps State Row Offices
- Pennsylvania Voters Turn Red
- October State Revenue Collections
- Academic Standards and Assessment
- How School Districts Used COVID Funds
Few Surprises in State House, Senate Races
Heading into Tuesday’s General Election, Republicans held a 28-22 majority in the Pennsylvania Senate, while Democrats held a slim 102-101 majority in the state House. Twenty-five Senate seats were up for election – 15 Republican and 10 Democratic – while all 203 House seats were being contested.
Republicans won 15 of the 25 races to maintain the majority in the state Senate. Only incumbent Sen. Jimmy Dillon (D-Philadelphia) was ousted by Joe Picozzi, who defeated Dillon 51% to 49%.
CPA state Rep. Nick Pisciottano (D-Allegheny) and Rep. Patty Kim (D-Dauphin) move across the Capitol following their elections to the state Senate. Pisciottano defeated Republican Jen Dintini, 53% to 47%, winning the open 45th District in Allegheny County. Kim won the open 15th District seat over challenger Republican Nick DiFrancesco, 58% to 42%.
Two other highly watched races were those of incumbents Sen. Devlin Robinson (R-Allegheny) and Sen. Dan Laughlin (R-Erie). Senate Democrats had hopes of toppling one or both but fell short. Robinson defeated Democrat Nicole Ruscitto, 53% to 47%, while Laughlin toppled Jim Wertz, 54% to 46%.
For complete state senate election results click here.
Control of the 203-member Pennsylvania state House has come down to a seat in Cambria County. As of Nov. 8, incumbent Rep. Frank Burns (D-Cambria) claimed victory over his challenger, Republican Amy Bradley. The margin was at fewer than 1,000 votes. Democrats had high hopes of adding to their 102-member majority going into election night, but strong turnout among supporters of President-elect Trump thwarted those expectations. The remaining 202 seats all stayed in the same party’s control.
CPA legislators, Rep. Ben Sanchez (D-Montgomery) and Rep. Keith Greiner (R-Lancaster), were both reelected and will be returning to Harrisburg.
CPA-PAC, the political arm of the PICPA, supported all three CPA candidates Pisciottano, Sanchez, and Greiner.
For complete Pennsylvania House election results, click here.
Don’t forget to join Peter Calcara, PICPA vice president of government relations, on Nov. 20 for a Legislative Update webcast where he will provide a recap of the 2023-2024 legislative session and a preview of the 2025 General Assembly.
State Lawmakers Return for Leadership Elections
State lawmakers return to Harrisburg for House and Senate leadership elections Nov. 12-14. The PICPA is not anticipating any legislative activity during this period, although the Senate could consider several of Gov. Josh Shapiro’s pending executive nominations, including appointments to the Board of Finance and Revenue and the state Accountancy Board.
Leadership elections are held by each of the four caucuses within the General Assembly (House Republicans and Democrats; Senate Republicans and Democrats). House and Senate members select leaders for roles such as majority and minority leader, whip, and caucus chair. These elections are pivotal because the chosen leaders shape legislative direction and priorities.
Leaders coordinate the caucus’s legislative agenda, rally votes on key bills, and communicate the party’s policy positions to the public. For the PICPA, understanding who holds these leadership roles is essential for navigating the legislative landscape and identifying key decision-makers for advocacy efforts.
The PICPA will have complete leadership election results in next week’s Legislative Update.
GOP Sweeps State Row Offices
Republicans swept Pennsylvania's three row office elections on Nov. 5, with each GOP candidate securing over 50% of the vote despite the presence of multiple third-party contenders.
In the much-watched open race for attorney general, York County District Attorney Dave Sunday (R) bested former Auditor General Eugene DePasquale (D) by a 51% to 46% margin. Sunday becomes the first Republican to hold the office since 2012.
In the other two row office races, incumbents Auditor General Tim DeFoor (R) and Treasurer Stacy Garrity (R) were reelected. DeFoor won reelection with a 51% to 46% victory over State Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta (D). Garrity defeated Democrat Erin McClelland with a 52% to 44% margin. Garrity’s 3.485 million votes makes her the top vote-getter in Pennsylvania, topping Donald Trump’s 3.477 million votes.
Pennsylvania Voters Turn Red
With its history of narrowly deciding presidential outcomes, Pennsylvania’s electoral votes were hotly contested again this election cycle. Both parties knew that victory in this swing state could determine the next president.
Ultimately, former President Donald Trump, the Republican nominee, defeated Vice President Kamala Harris, securing Pennsylvania’s 19 Electoral College votes with 50.46% of the vote to Harris's 48.40%. Trump will return to the White House as the 47th President of the United States.
The Senate race was equally competitive. Democratic Senator Robert “Bob” Casey Jr., who had served Pennsylvania in the Senate since 2007, sought a fourth term but faced a formidable challenge from Republican businessman Dave McCormick. In the end, McCormick edged out Casey with 48.95% of the vote to Casey’s 48.48%. Casey’s loss marks a significant shift in Pennsylvania's political landscape, as he had previously won multiple statewide elections, including as Pennsylvania auditor general and state treasurer. McCormick’s win represents a gain for Republicans in the Senate, bolstering their presence in the upper chamber to 53 senators.
In Pennsylvania's 2024 Congressional elections, all 17 U.S. House seats were up for grabs. Previously, Pennsylvania’s delegation leaned slightly Democratic, with Democrats holding 9 seats to the Republicans’ 8. With strong Republican turnout fueled by Trump’s campaign at the top of the ticket, Republicans flipped two seats, shifting the balance to 10 Republicans and 7 Democrats.
Incumbent Democrats Rep. Susan Wild (PA-7) and Rep. Matt Cartwright (PA-8) lost their seats to Republican challengers. In the 7th District, covering Carbon, Lehigh, Northampton, and Monroe counties, state Rep. Ryan MacKenzie (R) unseated Wild. In the neighboring 8th District, which includes Wayne, Pike, Lackawanna, Luzerne, and part of Monroe counties, Republican Rob Bresnahan defeated Cartwright.
In the race for Pennsylvania’s 1st Congressional District that includes Bucks and part of Montgomery counties, four-term incumbent U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, CPA (R), defended his seat against Democrat Ashley Ehasz, winning with 57% of the vote.
Another closely watched race unfolded in south-central Pennsylvania’s 10th District, where six-term incumbent Republican Rep. Scott Perry (R) narrowly held off a determined challenge from Democrat Janelle Stelson. Perry’s victory underscored the district’s continued Republican lean despite strong Democratic efforts to flip the seat.
Republicans are currently expected to retain its majority status in Congress in the new session.
October State Revenue Collections
Pennsylvania collected $3.4 billion in General Fund revenue in October, which was $57.1 million, or 1.7%, more than anticipated, reported the state Department of Revenue. Fiscal year-to-date General Fund collections total $13.5 billion, which is $77.3 million, or 0.6%, above estimate.
The Independent Fiscal Office (IFO) Monthly Revenue Update shows actual collections were $71 million lower than IFO projections. October 2024 General Fund revenues of $3.38 billion reflect an increase of $137 million (+4.2%) compared to the same month in the prior year, notes the report.
Sales tax receipts for October reached $1.3 billion, exceeding estimates by $22.2 million. Year-to-date, sales tax collections stand at $4.9 billion, which is $11.9 million (0.2%) above projections.
Personal income tax (PIT) revenue for October was $1.5 billion, surpassing expectations by $33.2 million. However, year-to-date PIT collections total $5.4 billion, coming in $21.8 million (0.4%) below estimates.
October corporation tax revenue totaled $169.6 million, falling short of projections by $33.7 million. Year-to-date corporate tax collections amount to $1.5 billion, which is $13.6 million (0.9%) below forecast.
Other General Fund tax revenue – including cigarette, malt beverage, liquor, and gaming taxes – totaled $143.4 million for the month, $1.9 million below estimate. This brings the year-to-date total to $523.9 million, which is $1.0 million, or 0.2%, above estimate.
Academic Standards and Assessment
The Pennsylvania Board of Education’s proposed Academic Standards and Assessment regulation details updated standards for student learning and assessment methods across various subjects. The regulation was published in the Oct. 24, 2024, Pennsylvania Bulletin.
The standards seek to ensure that Pennsylvania students meet specific academic benchmarks, aligning education goals with workforce and post-secondary expectations. The updates cover core areas such as math, English, and science, emphasizing critical thinking, problem-solving, and real-world applications. It also incorporates evolving competencies such as digital literacy and STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics).
The proposal also recommends changes to assessment methods to better evaluate student progress and readiness. These changes aim to provide a more holistic measure of student achievement beyond traditional testing, with a focus on formative assessments and performance-based evaluations.
Additionally, the regulation aligns K-12 education with college and career readiness standards, aiming to bridge gaps between secondary education and future workforce demands.
The overall goal of the proposed regulation is to improve the quality of education across Pennsylvania, equipping students with the skills they need to succeed in a competitive global economy, notes the Board.
The Independent Regulatory Review Commission will consider the regulation at its Dec. 5, 2024, meeting.
How School Districts Used COVID Funds
The Pennsylvania Independent Fiscal Office (IFO) recently released a report providing a detailed analysis of how school districts across the state used COVID-19 relief funds. The report sheds light on the spending patterns, priorities, and challenges faced by school districts in deploying these funds, which were allocated through multiple federal stimulus packages, including the CARES Act, the CRRSA Act, and the American Rescue Plan (ARP).
According to the report, between 2020 and 2022 Pennsylvania school districts received billions in federal funds to help manage the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. A significant portion of funds was used to combat learning loss that occurred as students experienced remote and hybrid learning disruptions. Districts invested in tutoring programs, summer school, extended school hours, and interventions targeting students who fell behind during the pandemic. According to the IFO, this spending category represented a core priority across the board as schools aimed to close learning gaps.
The IFO report noted that spending patterns varied significantly between urban, suburban, and rural districts. Urban districts, for example, often dedicated a larger percentage of their funds to technology and digital infrastructure, given their larger student populations and the challenges of providing internet access in densely populated areas. In contrast, rural districts allocated more toward health and safety improvements, reflecting the older age of their facilities and the lack of existing resources for structural upgrades.
While most districts have used a large portion of their COVID-19 relief funds, some districts reported challenges in spending these funds due to constraints in staffing, supply chain delays, and long-term budget considerations. Some districts saved portions of their funds for future costs, including anticipated learning recovery efforts that extend beyond the funding period.
The IFO’s analysis provides a comprehensive look at how school districts prioritized their federal relief funds to meet the immediate needs imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic while laying foundations for long-term educational improvements. With an emphasis on learning recovery, digital access, and health and safety, the funds helped stabilize schools and support students and staff during an unprecedented period. As these funds diminish, Pennsylvania's school districts will need to find new ways to sustain their ongoing initiatives.
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