Latest News from State Capitol and 55th District

July 16, 2026

Budget Passed, Includes Proposal to Help Schools Wanting to Delay Start Times

Between safety, economic growth, a thriving education, and dignified care for seniors and special needs populations, government is entrusted with immense responsibility. Fulfilling these obligations requires real resources.

And those resources come from you — the people who work hard, pay taxes and keep our communities running.

That is exactly why I take the state budget so seriously. Every dollar sent to Harrisburg through taxes represents your time, your effort and your sacrifices. Therefore, your dollars must be handled with discipline, transparency and care.

You deserve more than promises. You deserve confidence that your money is being protected, prioritized wisely and used to deliver real results for your families and your communities.

It was with this sentiment in mind that I voted in support of the 2026-27 budget. While far from perfect, the $50.8 billion budget is a better outcome than Gov. Josh Shapiro’s original $53.26 billion proposal, which would have raised taxes, drained our Rainy Day Fund and threatened our long-term financial health.

No budget plan is without flaws but this agreement is a meaningful step forward. The plan protects the state’s Rainy Day Fund, avoids widespread tax hikes, and does not include marijuana legalization. It also maintains key education programs such as the Educational Improvement Tax Credit and the Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit.

Furthermore, the 2026-27 budget invests substantially in rural Pennsylvania, including $775 million for rural roads and bridges. These dollars will be used for projects that have already been designed and approved but have not yet been funded.

Prioritizing education and making certain our young people are prepared to enter the workforce, the budget also increases career and technical education funding by $10 million, eliminating the trade school waiting list. 

Looking ahead, I believe the focus should remain on careful budgeting, protecting taxpayers and ensuring long-term financial stability for the state.

Also in the world of education, I am excited that  House Bill 2152, which I drafted to help school districts choosing to change their start times, was included in the budget negotiations and will now become law. 

The new law allows school districts that choose to start their school day later to use education grants to offset costs related to planning, implementing or operating adjusted schedules. The proposal was unanimously approved by the House Education Committee earlier this year. During budget discussions, it was included in House Bill 1505, which contains fiscal information related to education and was passed with bipartisan support.

My goal was to give school districts the flexibility to make that change if they choose, without imposing an unfunded mandate. Strong ideas tend to earn bipartisan support, and I’m pleased this student-focused proposal was included in the final budget package.

In 2018, the Pennsylvania Senate passed Senate Resolution 417, directing the Joint State Government Commission to examine the topic. The resulting report, Sleep Deprivation in Adolescents: The Case for Delaying Secondary School Start Times, found that insufficient sleep among high school students negatively affects cognitive function, academic performance, graduation rates, attendance and punctuality.

Here are some additional news topics I would like to share.

Community Fair Event Later This Month - I want to remind you of my Community Health, Wellness and Career Fair scheduled for Friday, July 24, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at The Lamplighter, 6566 Route 22 in Delmont. This is a free event to make it easy for residents throughout the 55th District to meet the organizations that serve our neighborhoods! At the event, seniors can apply for a PRT Connect Card to use public transportation for free. Delmont Police will be present to assist motorists whose license plates are difficult to read. Be certain to bring your current vehicle registration and driver’s license. Call 724-472-4102 with any questions.

PennDOT Seeking Workers for Winter Maintenance Program - While we are still feeling the summer heat, PennDOT is preparing for cooler temperatures by gearing up for its winter maintenance program. Positions available may include CDL equipment operators, mechanics, dispatchers, tradesman helpers and semi-skilled laborers. The positions pay between $17.73 per hour to $28.94 per hour. The winter maintenance program runs from September through April. Anyone wishing to apply should visit www.employment.pa.gov and go to the PennDOT Winter Maintenance Program posting.

Enjoying the Great Outdoors! - July is Outdoors for All Month in Pennsylvania, and no matter where you live in the Commonwealth, there are plenty of opportunities to get out and enjoy it! Pennsylvania is home to 125 state parks and millions of acres of forestland, as well as county and local parks that provide everything from active adventures to peaceful walking trails and picnic areas. Find your favorite activities or a nearby park or forest by visiting the outdoor recreation section of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources section at pa.gov.



Representative Jill Cooper
55th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Jordan Frei
724.875.8450
jfrei@pahousegop.com