Latest news with #Pittman
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Cyber charter reform that could save public schools $616M advances with unclear future in Pennsylvania Senate
Spotlight PA is an independent, nonpartisan, and nonprofit newsroom producing investigative and public-service journalism that holds power to account and drives positive change in Pennsylvania. Sign up for our free newsletters. HARRISBURG — Public school districts in Pennsylvania could save more than $600 million annually under a bill that the state House passed Wednesday to cap the tuition they pay to cyber charters. The bill is part of a several-year effort to boost oversight and cut spending on cyber charter schools. At least some of its concepts have support in both chambers, but the issue has always been complicated by the commonwealth's tricky education politics. Democrats, who control the state House, have championed increased spending for poor public schools, while Republicans, who control the state Senate, favor funding alternatives including charter schools, though the issue doesn't break neatly down party lines. Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman (R, Indiana) reflected that dynamic in a statement Wednesday, saying 'certain aspects' of the bill advanced by the state House 'could be beneficial.' That includes the measure's requirements that cyber schools do wellness checks on students and that public districts get proof of residency for students for whom they pay tuition. But, Pittman added, there needs to be recognition that the proposal would save school districts money, which he believes should count as the legislature giving public schools increased support as required by a 2022 court ruling. Democrats, meanwhile, are casting this issue as an administrative necessity. 'This bill is the result of repeated and urgent calls to update our commonwealth's outdated charter school law,' state Rep. Mary Isaacson (D., Philadelphia), the bill sponsor, said on the House floor Wednesday. 'This proposal is about fiscal responsibilities and aligning tuition to the actual cost.' The measure made it through the lower chamber 104-98, with two moderate Republicans voting in favor. It now goes to the state Senate Education Committee. Its chair, Sen. Lynda Schlegel Culver (R., Columbia), said in a statement, 'We will thoroughly review the legislation as we do for all bills given to the committee.' Pennsylvania school districts must pay tuition for any students who live within their borders and opt to attend a charter school. These tuition rates are calculated based on the district's per-student spending using a formula that has changed little over the past several decades. Currently, the state uses nearly the same formula to fund online-only cyber charter schools as it does for brick-and-mortar charters, despite the former's relatively lower overhead costs. That would change under this bill. It would instead set a base tuition rate of $8,000 per student. That rate would be increased for students who have extra needs, such as disabilities. This mirrors a proposal that Gov. Josh Shapiro has made in his last two budgets, and of which Democrats have long been supportive. The measure would also make several other changes. A number focus on transparency, such as the wellness checks and residency requirements Pittman cited. Other provisions include requirements that cyber charters post annual performance assessments online and inform students if they are found to be low-performing, as well as an enrollment cap on cyber charters found to be low-performing. Cyber charters would also be required to disclose any 'entities' helping to finance their capital projects. Along with the flat tuition rate, there are also other financial components. By the end of this year, cyber charters would have to pay back a significant portion of their unspent surplus dollars from the 2024-25 fiscal year to the state. That money would go into a state fund for public schools' facility improvement projects, and would newly make charter schools eligible for those funds. The bill would additionally bar cyber charters from accumulating large surpluses in the future. Starting at the end of the next fiscal year — June 2026 — any surplus dollars in excess of 12% of the school's total expenditures that aren't earmarked would have to be sent back to public districts. Plus, it would require that any revenue cyber charters generate via property be paid back to the school districts they receive money from. According to the bill's fiscal note, lower cyber charter tuition payments would save districts an aggregate of $616 million, half of what they currently spend. Each district's specific savings would vary based on how many students they have enrolled in cyber charters. The shaky bipartisan agreement that Pennsylvania's cyber charter law needs to be updated didn't come out of nowhere. Cyber charter enrollment has risen significantly in recent years — by nearly 57% across the state since 2020, when the pandemic began pushing more families to explore the option. Nearly 60,000 Pennsylvania students now attend cyber charters, which means a growing number of school districts and lawmakers are affected. A review earlier this year from Republican Auditor General Tim DeFoor solidified members' opinion that something had to change. DeFoor audited five of the commonwealth's 14 cyber charters and found that the revenue they were taking in nearly doubled from 2020 to 2023, from $473 million to $898 million, and also that the schools' financial reserves had increased by nearly 150% in that period. In addition, he found cyber charters had been spending funds on 'unusual' things like gift cards and vehicle payments. Still, division remains. During the floor debate Wednesday, several Republicans slammed the bill as unfair to cyber charter schools. 'We still have some more work to do for our school districts complaining about equal funding. All they ask is to be treated the same, and I'm here to advocate for them,' said state Rep. Craig Williams (R., Chester). 'House Bill 1500 doesn't do that. House Bill 1500 puts us on a path to end cyber charters.' Cyber charter administrators and advocates are also uniformly against the measure. Marcus Hite, who heads the Pennsylvania Association of Public Cyber Charter Schools, called the $8,000 tuition cap 'arbitrary and unrealistic,' saying in a news release it 'doesn't reflect the real cost of educating students, especially those with disabilities or unique learning needs.' 'Cyber charters are already subject to some of the highest levels of oversight in the education system — audits, performance reviews, and public transparency,' he added. 'HB 1500 piles on duplicative and punitive rules.' In a joint statement, a group of administrators from five cyber charter schools said the bill would lead to closures. Jon Marsh of Philadelphia's Esperanza Cyber Charter School called it 'an attack on some of the most chronically disenfranchised and disadvantaged students in our Commonwealth.' Public education advocates support the measure. Susan Spicka of Education Voters of PA said it 'will save hundreds of millions of tax dollars annually and bring long-overdue accountability and transparency to Pennsylvania's billion dollar cyber charter industry.' The issue is heavily lobbied. Last year alone, Commonwealth Charter Academy, the state's biggest cyber charter, spent $202,500 on education-related lobbying. Other cyber charters typically spend at least tens of thousands of dollars annually. That doesn't touch the significant dollars that traditional brick-and-mortar charters and their advocates spend on lobbying. Public schools have their own lobbying presence, too. The Pennsylvania State Education Association, the union that represents teachers, spent nearly $178,000 on lobbying last year. If you learned something from this article, pay it forward and contribute to Spotlight PA at Spotlight PA is funded by foundations and readers like you who are committed to accountability journalism that gets results. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Daily Record
6 days ago
- Business
- Daily Record
Broxburn Athletic star hands in transfer request but boss says striker 'won't go on the cheap'
Gary Brass is eyeing a move away from Albyn Park this summer Broxburn Athletic boss Stevie Pittman has revealed striker Gary Brass handed in a transfer request to try and force a move away from Albyn Park. The 32-year-old, who joined Brox from Whitburn in 2020, who was a key player in the club's promotion from the East of Scotland League in 2023/24, helped the side to a seventh-place finish in their first Lowland League campaign last term, but did not feature as often as he would have liked. He still has a year remaining on his contract but has told boss Pittman he wants away this summer. However, Pittman insists they won't be letting their centre-forward leave for buttons if he does depart. Pittman said: 'Gary Brass has put himself on the transfer list. He is wanting more game time, which I can't guarantee. 'Gary might be moving on but if we don't get what we are looking for, then he'll be staying because he's got another year left on his contract. 'I am not fussed either way. I would like to keep him here but I can't guarantee him game time, so we'll need to see how that plays out. It will be down to Gary himself but he won't be going on the cheap, that's for sure.' Pittman is pushing on with the club's summer rebuild and has the likes of SPFL League One side Kelty Hearts and West of Scotland First Division outfit Gartcairn lined up for pre-season friendlies. While Brass is eyeing an exit, a number of others have already left and Pittman says he has seven fresh faces ready to come in. He added: 'Our pre-season is just about sorted. 'We have got four or five games organised and I've got seven new signings, which we are hoping to announce in the next week when players' contracts expire. 'There has been a lot happening. A lot of players have moved on as well. Darren Downie, Jonathan Page, Jordan Pettigrew, Marky Munro are among those going, so we will just need to build again for the new season. 'Hopefully we get the right boys in and we will be stronger than we were last season. I am away on holiday for three weeks then I'll be back to get stuck into it.'
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Shapiro, Senate Republicans clash over mass transit spending as budget deadline looms
(WHTM) — June may be the busiest month at the State Capitol, with the budget deadline approaching and a lot of lobbying going on. Governor Josh Shapiro is also pushing hard for his priorities, along with a spending number that Republicans insist is not possible. 'It is critically important that we invest in mass transit,' said Shapiro, touting his spending wish list, all worthy causes. But June is as much about finding funds as making fixes. 'Great politics is to be all things to all people, and that's what the Governor's budget proposal was,' said Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman (R). 'It was all things to all people.' Senate Republicans are skeptical of the Governor's demands and are growing wary of the proposed budget's burden on the Pennsylvania taxpayer. 'At the end of the day, the taxpayer cannot bear the expenses that he has proposed in his budget,' said Pittman. 'We can't afford it all.' Democrats counter that Pennsylvania can't afford not to. 'We must continue to make those investments that we know pay us dividends, and that's the budget that we're looking forward to getting to the Governor's desk on June 30,' said Appropriations Chairman Jordan Harris (D). Will they make it? Shapiro is generally optimistic. 'We've had some good conversations that have been ongoing,' said Shapiro. Pittman disagrees. 'We have miles to go, I think, in terms of getting a budget in place,' said Pittman. 'There's a wide gulf, frankly, in our revenues and our expenditures.' Shapiro has mastered press conferences. How about budget negotiating? 'I would like to see him a little more engaged,' Pittman said. 'My response is that the Governor's Office is on the second floor of this building,' said Harris. 'I see him all the time.' There's also some concern in the building that Senate Republicans don't want to give Governor Shapiro a win in the budget because he's running for re-election in 2026, and maybe higher office in future years. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Federal uncertainty complicates Pa. budget haggling over transit, education
Spotlight PA is an independent, nonpartisan, and nonprofit newsroom producing investigative and public-service journalism that holds power to account and drives positive change in Pennsylvania. Sign up for our free newsletters. HARRISBURG — Competing priorities and possible federal cuts to Medicaid are complicating negotiations as top Pennsylvania lawmakers attempt to hammer out a budget deal by the June 30 deadline. The Republicans who control the state Senate say their biggest concern is overspending. With the state facing a structural deficit, they see a need to pick priorities. 'Whether it's education, whether it's transit, whether it's Medicaid, whether it's transportation infrastructure, there's going to be a need for a ranking of those priorities,' Majority Leader Joe Pittman (R., Indiana) told Spotlight PA, 'because we're not going to be able to reach them all.' Democrats who control the state House say their counterparts haven't offered many solutions that could lead to a compromise on those issues in a divided Harrisburg. 'Whether it's our health system, the minimum wage, cannabis legislation — at some point, whether it's the public or the press, someone needs to say, 'When will the Senate be heard on these issues and what are they for?'' Majority Leader Matt Bradford (D., Montgomery) told Spotlight PA. Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro's opening budget pitch in February called for spending $51 billion next fiscal year, and would require the state to use $4 billion from its cash reserves to balance the books. The state has about $11 billion in reserves it built up over the pandemic; at current spending rates, those dollars will run out sometime in 2026. Pennsylvania runs a structural deficit, spending more than it takes in year over year. Previous budgets approved by members of both parties have routinely increased spending and used accounting tricks to balance the books instead of making sustainable changes, like spending cuts or new taxes. But Pittman said his top priority this year is putting the books in order. 'If we don't make some changes soon, in a few years, we're going to have some very unpleasant conversations in this building,' Pittman said. He pitched cuts to Medical Assistance, the state's health insurance program for low-income individuals, noting that the cost has rapidly ballooned. He specifically wanted to reduce eligibility and expand cost sharing for weight-loss drugs like Ozempic. While members have proposed new sources of revenue, the biggest ones — the legalization of recreational marijuana and the regulation and taxation of skill games — are politically complicated, and getting just one into a budget deal this year would be a major achievement. Instead, most of Harrisburg's biggest debates involve various factions of lawmakers competing for a slice of the budgetary pie. Public transit agencies are facing budget deficits due to a rise in remote work and an end to pandemic-era federal aid. These agencies range from rural services that bring aging customers to grocery stores, to sprawling, intercounty bus and rail systems. SEPTA, the transit agency that serves Philadelphia and its suburbs, faces the worst fiscal headwinds. That has made its financial plight a big political issue for Democrats, who overwhelmingly represent SEPTA's service area. If it doesn't get more state funding, SEPTA says it will cut its current service levels in half starting in late August. Such cuts would lead to longer commutes, could hurt property values, and would end game-night subway service to Philadelphia's sports stadiums. Shapiro wants to send an additional $292 million in sales tax revenue to these agencies. State Senate Republicans have so far rejected the call, saying they'll only agree to a funding boost if it comes with a new, dedicated source of state revenue and more money for roads and bridges. Pittman told Spotlight PA that SEPTA and transit allies' public warnings of the potential impact of cuts for the city and region appear to be 'a way to try to manufacture a crisis.' 'I think the state taxpayer has been quite generous so far,' Pittman said, adding that he was 'very open to giving the counties that use the service more flexibility to manage this issue on their own.' While it is a major issue for many of their constituents, Democrats have so far refrained from making transit the centerpiece of their comments about the budget. State Rep. Ben Waxman (D., Philadelphia) described that as a political tactic, saying Democrats 'cannot forget that there's a lot of other things that will be talked about … Would I vote for a budget that included SEPTA, but defunded Philadelphia public schools? No.' 'Senate Republicans want to back us into a corner and give themselves more power, and I don't want to give them that,' he said. In 2023, a state court ruled the commonwealth's public education funding system was so inequitable that it violated some students' constitutional rights. Lawmakers agreed on a fix the following year. They adopted a formula that routes extra money to 348 schools with 'adequacy gaps' — defined as the difference between the amount a district spends per student and the amount that district would need to spend to serve each child at an acceptable level. Last year's budget put $500 million toward these poor schools, and estimated that nine years of these payments would be necessary to close the gap. If lawmakers don't continue making this kind of investment, the plaintiffs who brought the original school funding case say they'll go back to court. This year, Shapiro again called for about $500 million in adequacy payments, though he asked for significantly smaller increases for K-12 and special education than last year's budget included. State House Democrats are on board with that approach, though many public education advocates have said more funding is necessary. State Senate Republicans say they have reservations, though their precise vision for how the education funding scheme should change remains unclear. Pittman told Spotlight PA that he thinks the state is spending too much money on public education, period. 'We have invested historic levels of funding in public education,' he said. 'We continue to spend more money to educate fewer students. We cannot sustain, in my opinion, the level of growth that has occurred over the last three or four years now, and we have to take a hard look at figuring out how we can contain those costs overall.' State Rep. Pete Schweyer (D., Lehigh), who chairs his chamber's Education Committee, said his caucus just introduced a bill that would make a slate of changes to Pennsylvania's much-scrutinized cyber charter schools, including a flat tuition rate, which would reduce the amount public schools must pay to cybers for students who opt to attend them. That, he noted, would bring 'significant savings for our school districts.' Schweyer said he is 'smart enough to know that budget season is budget season, anything can happen.' But he said he doesn't plan to compromise on adequacy funding. 'I'll just point to how we got here in the first place — 30 years of chronically underfunding the poorest school districts,' he said. 'If we change the formula, we're going right back into court, and we all know it.' So-called sin taxes are the only major sources of new revenue lawmakers have pitched for this budget, but the path to a compromise requires crossing political minefields. The question of how to tax skill games, for instance, is one of Harrisburg's longest-running special interest wars. It remains heated. These slot-like terminals have sprung up, unregulated, in bars and convenience stores across the state. Through years of court fights that have ultimately allowed them to keep operating, supporters have argued the devices help small businesses stay afloat, while opponents say skill games cut into the state's regulated gaming revenue and open a door to problem gambling. Brick-and-mortar casino owners are among skill games' staunchest opponents. Both they, and skill games operators, have spent hundreds of thousands on lobbyists and campaign donations to protect their share of the multibillion-dollar industry. Riven by internal differences over the debate, state Senate Republicans were relatively slow to stake out a position on regulation. Leadership released a proposal in May that pitches a 35% tax on the machines alongside an unspecified assessment — to be set by the state Department of Revenue — to cover the cost of regulating them. In a letter to lawmakers last week, representatives for Pennsylvania's 17 casinos said they welcomed the measure as a starting point for negotiations. But a spokesperson for Pace-O-Matic, a Georgia-based firm that makes skill games machines, said in a statement soon after the bill's release that it 'intentionally imposes an unreasonably high, anti-business tax rate that could devastate small businesses and organizations that count on the supplemental revenue the games provide.' The industry's favored bill proposes a levy of 16%. The casino representatives, who pay a 54% rate on their slot machines, called Pace-O-Matic's ideal rate 'miserly.' State House Democratic leaders haven't united behind a skill games proposal, deferring to Senate Republicans to start talks on the issue. Still, members of the lower chamber's majority caucus also have a wide range of opinions on the best approach — from high taxes on the machines to stricter crackdowns aimed at limiting their use. Legalizing recreational marijuana would require navigating a similarly treacherous political path. State House Democrats launched an opening salvo in that negotiation, passing a bill to legalize adult-use cannabis and sell it through state-run stores, similar to Pennsylvania's liquor model. The bill was summarily rejected in the state Senate, failing to pass its first committee vote. Bradford, the state House majority leader, said any further action will need to originate in the Senate. Bradford specifically urged state Sen. Dan Laughlin (R., Erie) — a longtime legalization advocate and chair of the committee that would handle the bill — to advance his own proposal. 'He has the opportunity now to immediately and expeditiously move a marijuana legalization bill,' Bradford told reporters after a state Senate panel rejected the House's preferred approach. 'I look forward to him getting those votes … and sending something over.' Laughlin has been noncommittal about when he and state Sen. Sharif Street (D., Philadelphia) will introduce their bill, saying the two have been 'making tweaks and going back and forth with the Legislative Reference Bureau' on language. State Sen. Marty Flynn (D., Lackawanna) said he plans to introduce a bill designed to be more appealing to existing medical marijuana companies than the doomed state store bill was. Flynn said he wanted to give the state Senate a concrete option and 'have a vehicle in place' in case the legislature decides to act before the June 30 budget deadline. 'They can't say that no one introduced anything,' Flynn told Spotlight PA. Pittman has not signaled that cannabis legalization is a priority in upcoming budget negotiations. He declined to say whether the issue is on the table, instead dismissing the state House bill as a 'completely unserious proposal.' Pennsylvania's budget is undergirded by a lot of federal money. By June 30, the commonwealth is projected to receive $50 billion in federal funding for the current fiscal year, accounting for 40% of the state's operating expenses. These dollars flow to things like education and transportation. But human services line items, which include programs like SNAP and Medicaid, are by far the biggest recipient category, accounting for 70 cents of every federal dollar received by the state government. This money could be at risk. While the details are in flux, President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans have indicated that they plan to cut Medicaid, a low-income health insurance program administered by the states and funded partially with federal dollars. If they move forward with such a plan, Pennsylvania would need to make corresponding cuts or fill the hole with state revenue. And the price tag may be hefty. According to a rough analysis that the progressive Pennsylvania Policy Center conducted before federal Republicans formally passed their sweeping tax plan, the state would be on the hook for at least $133 million more in costs in 2026 if the federal cuts were enacted. That total, the center noted, would only grow in the coming years. The GOP tax plan hasn't passed the U.S. Senate, and could change significantly before becoming law. But financial uncertainty remains in Pennsylvania, and one option for dealing with it would be passing a short-term budget to keep the state government's lights on until Trump signs a spending bill. The legislature made a similar move in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. State Senate Appropriations Chair Scott Martin (R., Lancaster) told Spotlight PA that a partial budget might make sense. 'I will never shut the door on that,' Martin added. However, such a move would only delay big decisions on the state's finances, not eliminate them. Bradford told reporters in May that any talk of temporary budgets is 'premature.' 'I think we have an obligation to pass a budget,' Bradford said, adding: 'I think we should do that by June 30 or shortly thereafter.' If you learned something from this article, pay it forward and contribute to Spotlight PA at Spotlight PA is funded by foundations and readers like you who are committed to accountability journalism that gets results. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Low-cost, less stress and nobody asking, 'Are we there yet?': Why a staycation might be your summer travel solution
Sometimes the best vacation is just staying home (or at least pretty darn nearby). Take it from me, a travel journalist who has been all over the world but found that there's nothing quite as relaxing as leaving my dishes and laundry (and children) behind and posting up at my favorite neighborhood pool or spending the night in a chic hotel just a few miles from my house. The term 'staycation' was first used in 1944, and it may have originated as a wartime effort to save gas. And while it may lack the glamour or wanderlust of today's overachieving travel culture, in which travel influencers are ticking off visited countries by the dozen, staycationing is a great opportunity to take advantage of what your surroundings have to offer. What's more, planning a staycation somewhere within the cozy confines of your own hometown can reduce travel stress and cut costs. Bonus: It also comes with stealth health benefits. And it couldn't be easier to pull off: ResortPass conducted a survey last year that found 85% of employed Americans said they felt recharged after taking only one day off work, no matter where they went or how they spent it. The survey also found that 'staycations' or 'daycations' are seeing rapid growth — about 50% each year. Airbnb's recent summer travel trends report backs this up, finding that U.S. travelers are prioritizing spontaneous staycations this summer. The vacation rental booking platform is seeing a significant increase in searches for trips within 300 miles of guests' homes. Still not convinced on why — and how — a staycation is worth pulling off? Ahead, experts break down the benefits, while a few professional globetrotters share their tips on making the most of your time off. Perhaps the most compelling reason to plan a staycation is just how much less planning it requires than travel. 'Staying closer to home can help reduce the stress of planning a trip, including deciding on a destination, figuring out transportation and managing expenses,' says Lisa Pittman, who has unique expertise in this area: She is both a licensed psychologist and a certified travel coach. Pittman knows that while traveling can be enjoyable, it comes with its own set of challenges. 'Even positive stress is still stress,' she says. In fact, there's a commonly used stress rating scale (the Holmes-Rahe Life Stress Inventory) that includes both positive and negative life stressors, 'and vacation is one of them,' says psychologist Hannah Holmes. 'Typical vacations usually require extensive planning and significant cost, not to mention disruption to your day-to-day routine,' Holmes tells Yahoo Life. Staying close by, meanwhile, allows you to recharge with all the comforts of home while cutting down on costs and travel time. It also 'provides a sense of control over one's environment, which is a key factor in managing anxiety,' Pittman adds. And staycationing can remove the pressures of a jam-packed itinerary typical of travel: If you were jetting off somewhere far-flung (and paying a premium for it), you may feel obligated to load your schedule with activities in order to get your money's worth. 'Without the urgency to explore everything at once, a staycation allows for a more relaxed and flexible approach to leisure — free from the expectation of maximizing every moment,' says Pittman. A staycation can also give you the same type of mental health benefits that a vacation would. 'You give your brain some time off,' explains Dr. Jessica Reddy, a psychiatrist. 'The excitement from the change in routine can also release those feel-good chemicals in the brain, called dopamine. A staycation essentially gives your brain the opportunity and space to fully relax and reset.' Opting for a staycation doesn't mean you're skipping out on the unique experiences aspect of a vacation. With a little imagination, a staycation can help you appreciate what's on offer close to home — and can even be awe-inspiring. 'Awe is about breaking routine and seeing the world with fresh eyes, so even a sunrise hike or stargazing night can light up your brain in the same way as international travel,' says Reddy. 'Prioritize novelty, nature and a little bit of wonder,' she advises. To spark awe without leaving town, try doing something you've never done in your own city — like visiting a new garden, museum or rooftop view. Or 'consider taking a day trip to a nearby destination,' recommends Pittman. 'If you have a list of places you've been meaning to visit, now is the perfect time to check one off.' Do a search for the top attractions in your state, or ask friends and neighbors for their favorite spots nearby. Here's a hack from Reddy that can make your staycation really special, inspired by a question she asks her patients: What was an activity you loved as a child? Tap into that past joy by seeking out outings with a similar spirit, whether it's grabbing tickets for a local sandlot baseball game, signing up for a painting class you wouldn't normally make time for or visiting a picturesque park on the other side of town. Don't overplan. Since most people take a week or less off from work, 'it's important not to overwhelm yourself with too many options,' says Pittman. Instead, 'focus on experiences that genuinely bring joy and relaxation, ensuring your staycation remains fulfilling rather than exhausting." Stay active. When you travel, chances are you hit some serious steps — through airports, exploring a new city, or even hitting up hiking trails. Don't let your staycation, on the other hand, turn you into a couch potato. 'Connect with friends or family at an outdoor location — perhaps a scenic spot where you can hike or take a leisurely walk,' says Pittman. Reddy agrees. 'Plan an itinerary with movement built in, such as biking to a farmer's market, hiking a local trail or taking a walking food tour of your city," she suggests. "Physical activity boosts mood and energy, and pairing it with something new can rewire your brain for joy.' Get off screens. And that doesn't just mean your work computer! 'Staycations offer a chance to be unplugged, as screen time/social media/news can detrimentally impact mental health and sleep,' says Reddy. 'This is a time for intentionality, to have the freedom to play outside of the bounds of regular life.' So shut that laptop, turn off text notifications and please, no doomscrolling. Do something creative. Staycations are an opportunity to dig into what inspires you, outside of the daily grind. Reddy advises staycationers to 'make progress on any personal projects or ideas,' like doing some creative writing, reading for pleasure or other hobbies. This, she says, can reinvigorate your creative spark. Check in with your sense of purpose. When you're stuck in the routine of work-kids-cooking-cleaning and the like, it's 'easy to get caught up in the 'doing' and the 'what' in our lives,' says Reddy. In this cycle, 'eventually the 'why' becomes less clear. Having some time to reflect on one's life purpose ... can be beneficial in evaluating and resetting priorities.' Who knew your staycation would turn out to be so life-affirming? Remember: It doesn't have to be epic. Alas, even the humble staycation can become a victim of social media-fueled lifestyle creep. But you do not need to shell out serious cash or spend all your PTO to curate the perfect peaceful staycation. If you don't have time or money for some souped-up, week-long staycation that involves a stint at the fanciest boutique hotel in town, 'even setting aside a few hours to relax at home — listening to music, reading a book or soaking up the sun — can offer meaningful mental health benefits,' says Holmes. But make sure you're 'prioritizing rest and relaxation,' she adds, 'rather than filling your free time with chores. Recreate the same calm and joy you'd find on a traditional vacation.' Is this the nudge you needed to put up a hammock in the backyard?
