CAPITOL ROUNDUP: Sen. Yaw measure to establish Independent Energy Office approved by Senate
"Pennsylvania has one of the most diverse energy portfolios in the United States," Yaw said. "I believe an Independent Energy Office can streamline our approach to responsible energy policy and ensure a more cohesive strategy for managing our vast natural resources."
Senate Bill 187, Yaw said, would model the IEO after Pennsylvania's Independent Fiscal Office (IFO), which was created by Act 120 of 2010 and Act 100 of 2016. Yaw said the IFO does not support or oppose any policy it analyzes and discloses the methodologies, data sources and assumptions used in published reports and estimates.
Numerous industry representatives expressed support for the bill, including the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry.
"Sen. Yaw's leadership on this legislation is a win for Pennsylvania's economy and our energy future," said Amy Brinton, the Chamber's director of government affairs. "Establishing an Independent Energy Office will help us collect and analyze the data and insights needed to make smart energy decisions, strengthen grid reliability and keep Pennsylvania competitive. Energy drives our economy, and this bill helps secure our position as a global energy leader."
The bill now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration.
Rep. Meuser votes to permanently schedule fentanyl analogues
U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser, R-Dallas, this week supported H.R. 27 — the HALT Fentanyl Act — bipartisan legislation that would permanently classify fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA).
Without congressional action, the current temporary scheduling expires on March 31, 2025.
Fentanyl overdoses continue to devastate communities nationwide, including those in Pennsylvania. In 2023, fentanyl was linked to 76% of Pennsylvania's 4,721 overdose deaths.
Rep. Meuser said keeping these lethal substances under Schedule I gives law enforcement the tools to go after traffickers while allowing researchers to understand fentanyl analogs better.
In 2018, Meuser said the DEA, under President Trump, issued an emergency order placing all fentanyl-related substances under strict federal control. Congress has since extended this order multiple times, but the HALT Fentanyl Act would make it permanent, reinforcing efforts to combat the growing opioid crisis.
In 2024, Rep. Meuser said U.S. Customs and Border Protection seized more than 21,000 pounds of fentanyl at U.S. borders — enough to kill more than 4 billion people. This lethal drug is 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine, fueling a skyrocketing rise in overdoses across the country.
"In 2023, a Pennsylvanian lost their life to a drug overdose every two hours," said Rep. Meuser. "The HALT Fentanyl Act is a commonsense, bipartisan measure that gives law enforcement the authority to target traffickers, while allowing researchers to study these dangerous substances contributing to the opioid crisis."
Rep. Meuser said the HALT Fentanyl Act passed the House with overwhelming bipartisan support, 312 — 108, and now awaits Senate consideration.
Sen. Fetterman advocates reform in mental health support for servicemembers
U.S. Sen. John Fetterman, D-Braddock, this week sent a letter to Lieutenant General Telita Crosland, Director of the Defense Health Agency, urging the Department of Defense (DoD) to consider allocating funds for new mental health care application programming and reform existing efforts.
In the letter, Sen. Fetterman writes:
"As DoD considers how to spend its greater than $60 billion annual budget for military health care funding in Fiscal Year 2026, I urge the Department to consider allocating funds for new mental health care application programming. We know this funding will pay for itself long term — the estimated return on investment is about $4 for every $1 spent. Prioritizing creative, preventative care measures like mobile applications will equip our service members with the tools and resources they need to navigate personal adversity and avoid mental health emergencies."
In his letter, Sen. Fetterman highlighted how mental health mobile applications have proven to be effective in managing depression and reducing related symptoms among users. These types of apps are typically free or low-cost to users, discreet for use at a moment's notice, and can be used without cellular service or WiFi, which is crucial if a service member is deployed.
However, despite their potential, Sen. Fetterman said DoD's existing apps are underutilized — of the mobile apps currently available to service members, only two were used by more than 1,500 individuals over a three-month period studied by DoD.
Sen. McCormick announces commissions to identify U.S. Marshal, U.S. Attorney candidates
U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick, R-Pittsburgh, this week announced that his office will establish independent commissions to identify U.S. Attorney and U.S. Marshal candidates to fill vacancies in the Eastern, Middle, and Western Districts of Pennsylvania.
The three commissions — one in each of the three districts — will be comprised of 8 to 10 members led by a chair and will be tasked with vetting candidates and making recommendations.
"I want to ensure that the people of Pennsylvania have strong U.S. Attorneys and U.S. Marshals working for them to prosecute criminals and keep our communities safe," Sen. McCormick said. "I'm establishing these commissions to ensure that the process for filling these vacancies is rigorous, fair, and produces exceptional candidates who are prepared to serve and protect all Pennsylvanians."
Sen. McCormick's office will soon name the members and chairs of each commission. His office will also provide information for how to apply to be considered for the U.S. Attorney and U.S. Marshal positions.
For questions, contact pacommission@mccormick.senate.gov.
Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.
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