July 1, 2026 – Senator Art Haywood (D-4) statements on votes regarding the Gross Receipts Tax on electric and water utilities, and impose excessive sentencing.
Senator Haywood Statement on Voting No on the Gross Receipts Tax Bill:
The State Senate recently approved the elimination of the Gross Receipts Tax on electric and water utilities at a cost of approximately $1.6B in lost money to cover essential state services. At a time when the Trump Administration’s war in Iran is making the cost-of-living skyrocket, Pennsylvania cannot afford to cut essential government services. Robbing the state of over a billion dollars for education, healthcare, and safety will hurt us all. While everyone needs relief, Pennsylvania already has the highest student loan debt and fails to fund SEPTA. Pennsylvania cannot solve a cost-of-living crisis created in Washington by cutting what we rely upon here.
Senator Haywood Statement on Voting No to Excessive Sentencing:
The Pennsylvania State Senate passed legislation last week that would impose excessive mandatory sentences. Under the bill, someone who is present with a person who commits murder, despite not knowing what is occurring and having zero responsibility, could face a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison. Zero responsibility should not result in 10 years behind bars. That’s wrong, which is why I voted no.