We are grateful to everyone who contributed, and our heartfelt thanks go to the Chester County Food Bank for the vital work they do each day to fight food insecurity and strengthen our community! 💚

We need a solution that ensures new data centers connecting to the grid pay their fair share. Tell PJM we need to require data centers to bring their own new power supply and not allow them to cut to the front of the line of clean energy projects waiting to connect to the grid.

PJM, the power grid operator for the Mid-Atlantic and parts of the Midwest, will soon make a consequential decision about how data centers draw power from the electricity grid. Alarmingly, PJM’s current proposal could force residents to pay around $70 more each month for their electricity.

Without the right rules in place, this new demand will raise power bills, increase the risk of blackouts, and create more air pollution.

📊 Modeled after the federal Earned Income Tax Credit, this program ensures that more money goes directly into the pockets of those who need it most.

By investing in working families, this budget helps ease financial pressures, supports household stability, and strengthens communities across PA.

Together, these investments reduce food insecurity, cut down on waste, support our farmers, and ensure that more Pennsylvanians have access to healthy, nutritious meals.

🥕 The State Food Purchase Program receives a 15 % increase, strengthening food banks and community partners across the Commonwealth. This includes support for the core program as well as the Pennsylvania Agricultural Surplus System (PASS), which connects surplus farm products with families in need.

🍎 Farmers Market Coupons increase by $7 million, a 271 % boost that expands access to fresh, local produce for seniors and families while supporting Pennsylvania farmers.

These investments reflect a commitment to care, dignity, and support for Pennsylvanians at every stage of life.

👶 The budget invests $25 million for Child Care Worker Retention and Recruitment, providing raises to recruit and retain workers in the childcare sector and helping stabilize a workforce that is essential to families across the Commonwealth.

🧩 The Intellectual Disabilities – Community Waiver Program receives a 6.1% increase, maintaining the rate adjustments and waiver spots added in last year’s budget so individuals and families continue to receive the services they require.

These changes strengthen accountability for publicly funded cyber charters and ensure public dollars go directly into classrooms and educational programs, not bonuses, unexplained payments to for profit management companies, or perks unrelated to student learning.

📋 Clear attendance policies are now required, with unexcused absences reported and safeguards to prevent habitually truant students from falling through the cracks.

💵 Cyber charter tuition rates have been updated to reflect actual costs, saving taxpayers $178 million statewide.

The new reforms ensure stronger protections and accountability:

🎒 Cyber charter students must be seen at least once a week, either on camera or in person, to protect their safety and wellbeing.

These investments are about fairness, opportunity, and ensuring every child in Pennsylvania has the tools to thrive.

Locally, that means:
📚 Coatesville Area School District – Net increase of $6.3 million, a 12.6% boost over 2024‑2025
📚 Downingtown Area School District – Net increase of $1.8 million, a 6.5% boost over 2024-2025

It fully funds the second installment of adequacy and tax equity payments, representing a $565 million increase statewide.