Latest news with #JesseTopper
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Pennsylvania House passes recreational marijuana legalization
HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) – Pennsylvania House lawmakers have passed a bill to legalize recreational marijuana. The vote on Wednesday afternoon passed on party lines, 102 Democrats voting yea and 101 Republicans voting nay. Earlier this week, the bill passed through a House committee, also on a party-line vote. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now This Week in Pennsylvania The bill, known as the Cannabis Health & Safety Act, goes to the Republican-controlled State Senate, where its future is uncertain. A similar bill passed in the Democrat-controlled State House last year but did not advance through the Senate. House Democrats say the bill would give adults 21 and older 'the power of choice,' as well as create a public retail system 'with accountability.' Democrats say the bill also protects both residents' health and Pennsylvania minors, and will 'bring home billions of dollars.' Pennsylvania Governor proposes legalizing marijuana Pennsylvania House Republican Leader Jesse Topper (R-Bedford/Fulton) said following the vote that this was a 'flawed process' that created a 'flawed' bill. 'The bill to legalize marijuana in Pennsylvania was introduced at the end of the day Sunday and then rushed through a committee vote on Monday afternoon, a move that stifled debate and potential amendments,' Topper said. 'That flawed process led to a seriously flawed piece of legislation that creates an unnecessary government monopoly over the sale of marijuana, contains significant constitutional concerns, and fails to deliver on promised state revenue by cannibalizing the sales of legalized marijuana into new programs and state giveaways.' Governor Josh Shapiro has called for the legalization of marijuana as part of his state budget. This is a developing story. Stay with abc27 News as more information becomes available Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Republican Minority Leader Topper slams Governor Shapiro's ‘unsustainable' spending plan; budget deadline looms
(WHTM) — The state budget is due two months from Wednesday, on June 30, and according to Republican House Minority Leader Jesse Topper, that deadline might be harder to hit. Governor Josh Shapiro is proposing a $51.5 billion spending plan that Republicans say spends way too much. They argue the state is spending more than it takes in right now, causing a structural deficit. The state's reserves will be exhausted, and the Governor wants to dip into the rainy day fund, which may be the GOP's line in the sand. Rep. Topper addressed that today. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now 'The current way we're doing things is unsustainable,' said Topper. 'The idea we're gonna continue to spend at the rate that we are without any public policy changes that will initiate economic growth is saddling future legislators with unenviable options.' The Governor proposed taxing and regulating both skill games and recreational marijuana to generate revenue. Topper said both 'have a long way to go.' He said Republicans want to remove any threat of a carbon tax on energy producers as a way to spur more economic development. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Idea to privatize SEPTA floats around the State House amid funding crisis
The Brief As SEPTA faces a funding crisis, a Republican leader in the state house has an idea to make things cheaper. Here's what we know about the idea of privatizing SEPTA. PHILADELPHIA - Facing a budget crunch and a money battle in Harrisburg, SEPTA has gotten what a leading Republican member of the state house believes is a cost-savings idea. Place its bus service in private hands. What we know SEPTA says its bus services are the biggest part of its operation, providing 400-thousand trips per day on 125 bus routes in the region. Bus ridership has come busting back after the slowdown from the pandemic. All good news. What they're saying Now, a Republican leader in the state house thinks he has a way to make it cheaper. "Privatizing the bus lines, trying to join into a public/private partnership with an organization so we can continue into the future without having a crisis when it comes to financing," said Pa. Representative Jesse Topper, a Republican from Bedford and Fulton Counties. Topper is looking for co-sponsors on a bill he may offer in a few weeks mandating SEPTA pair with a private operator to run its sprawling bus lines. He cites Denver as a city which has successfully done it. SEPTA isn't so sure. "We think that SEPTA is the best option for providing bus service in the city and the region. To provide the service on the scale and intensity we do it would require a great deal for somebody else to come in and be to operate that," Andrew Busch, SEPTA spokesperson. The idea of privatizing emerges as SEPTA faces a funding crisis. It argues without the $165 million Governor Shapiro has targeted for the authority in his budget it will be forced to impose a punishing 45 percent service cutback including dropping 50 bus and five Regional Rail lines. Topper says 165 million won't fly. He said, "that kind of money devoted to simply one aspect of transportation. I don't believe that is achievable. Particularly with our budgets coming down the pike over the next couple of years." SEPTA says its slashed costs--clawing back 30 million in savings--and its 165 million in state dollars is worth every last cent. Andrew Busch said, "we think those funds are an investment that more than pays for itself in the money this region sends to Harrisburg." The Source The information in this story is from SEPTA officials, and Pa. Representative Jesse Topper.
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
PA House Rep. proposes privatizing SEPTA busing to ease budget crisis, cites need for new approach
HARRISBURG, Pa. (WTAJ) — A Pennsylvania lawmaker is proposing a solution to SEPTA's ongoing budget woes, handing over part of its operations to the private sector. House Republican Leader Jesse Topper on Wednesday filed a co-sponsorship memo signaling his intent to introduce legislation requiring the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) to privatize its bus operations through a public-private partnership. The proposal comes amid mounting financial challenges for the agency. Topper said SEPTA has made efforts to address its budget problems through fare increases and operational efficiencies but warned those steps alone aren't enough to avoid asking taxpayers for more money. His plan would require SEPTA to partner with a private company to operate at least its bus network. The partnership would be reviewed by the state's Public-Private Partnership Board and subject to legislative oversight. Topper pointed to privatization successes in cities like Denver and in Maryland's commuter bus services, adding that many Americans now rely on private ride-share services for daily transportation. While SEPTA has yet to formally respond to the proposal, the legislation is expected to spark debate among transit advocates, labor groups, and urban planners concerned about the implications for service quality and job security. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Grants in over 400 fields of study available for Pennsylvania students
(WTAJ) — Pennsylvania students are being encouraged to apply for a GROW PA grant which can give up to $5,000 to students who are entering in-demand occupations. There are over 460 eligible programs that students can enter to be eligible for a grant and you can find a full list on the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) website. The program is administered by the PHEAA and encourages students to enter education programs that will help boost Pennsylvania's economy. Eligible programs include environmental studies, computer programming, teaching and criminal justice. Set of bills look to change food quality, how Pennsylvanians eat 'The GROW PA Grant Program can be a game changer for the future of Pennsylvania students and the Commonwealth's economy,' Pennsylvania House Republican Leader Jesse Topper (R-Bedford/Fulton) said. 'This program is designed to incentivize Pennsylvania students to receive an education in areas where there is high demand for skilled employees in the Commonwealth. The more we can encourage Pennsylvania students to be educated in Pennsylvania, stay in Pennsylvania and work in Pennsylvania, the better the future of our Commonwealth looks.' Here are the criteria that a student must meet: File the 2025-26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Must be a current resident of Pennsylvania. Meet satisfactory academic progress for Title IV financial aid. Have not yet earned a bachelor's degree. Must be enrolled at least half-time in an eligible associate or bachelor's degree program that leads to a job in an in-demand occupation as determined by PHEAA. Sign a Master Promissory Note agreeing to repay all funds received if the work requirement is not met, including any potential interest accrued. More information on the GROW PA Grant Program can be found here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
