By Sen. Dan Laughlin
Happy New Year!
With the new year comes a new two-year legislative session and new possibilities for the Pennsylvania Senate, as well as the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.
For the new 2025-26 session, I’ve moved on from chairing the Senate Majority Policy Committee, with Sen. Dave Argall (R-29) taking a turn to helm the committee. I’m proud of what the committee accomplished last session and I look forward to its continued work of vetting ideas and reviewing issues to better inform the legislation advanced and consider by the Senate, ensuring that it helps Pennsylvanians and promotes the prosperity of our commonwealth.
Many of the Senate Republican leadership team returns, though there was a change.
Sen. Kim Ward (R-39) returns as Senate President Pro Tempore, the third-highest post in Pennsylvania government, responsible for appointing the chairpersons and members of the 22 standing committees of the Senate and serving as an ex-officio member of all committees. The position presides over the Senate floor when the Lieutenant Governor is unavailable and fills the position of Lieutenant Governor if that office becomes vacant. The office also refers bills and resolutions to the appropriate Senate committees for consideration.
Sen. Joe Pittman (R-41) will reprise his role as Senate Majority Leader, overseeing the legislative agenda, developing policies and strategies for the Senate Republican Caucus, and playing a key role in floor debates. The leader also has a major role in negotiating issues with the governor’s administration and House of Representatives and in coordinating action on the Senate floor.
Sen. Wayne Langerholc, Jr. (R-35) is the newly elected Majority Whip, with responsibilities that include acting as assistant floor leader, working to gain support for legislation and ensuring that Republican policies and strategies are maintained through the cooperative efforts of the majority caucus. Former state Sen. Ryan Aument (R-36) held that post last session, but he has resigned from the Senate to take a job with Pennsylvania U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick.
Sen. Scott Martin (R-13) reprises his role as chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, which reviews all legislation for its fiscal impact and plays a crucial role in negotiating and developing the state budget.
Sen. Kristin Phillips-Hill (R-28) will again serve as Majority Caucus Chair, presiding over Republican caucus meetings to discuss bills and amendments and to develop caucus strategy.
Sen. Camera Bartolotta (R-46) was re-elected Senate Majority Caucus Secretary to oversee all executive nominations submitted to the Senate for confirmation. She will coordinate the review of the background and experience of nominees and ensure that proper documentation is submitted.
Sen. Lisa Baker remains in the position of Senate Majority Caucus Administrator, which is focused on scheduling for the caucus.
I’ve also started the process of introducing several bills that I’ve championed during prior legislative sessions, including repealing Pennsylvania’s Sunday hunting prohibition, allowing medical marijuana patients to grow marijuana at home, reducing the statute of repose of construction projects, improving safe harbor laws for sexually exploited children, ensuring competition in the enforcement of the Uniform Construction Code and reducing the unfair fees imposed on groins that are used to preserve the shoreline of Lake Erie.
I’m also excited for the future of Erie now that the city’s application for Pennsylvania’s City Revitalization and Improvement Zone (CRIZ) program has been approved, something I have sought for roughly eight years.
For those who don’t remember, a CRIZ is an area of up to 130 acres, comprised of parcels designated by a contracting authority, which provides economic development and job creation opportunities within a political subdivision. State and local taxes collected within the CRIZ are used to repay debt service to stimulate economic development projects within the CRIZ.
During the next year, we can start the work of revitalizing our downtown, improving infrastructure and breathing new life into areas that have long been in need of investment.
I look forward to serving you in the General Assembly in 2025.
Sen. Dan Laughlin represents the 49th Senatorial District, covering nearly all of Erie County.