Affordability
Senator Judy Ward has prioritized affordability as a core legislative pillar, specifically targeting healthcare costs, tax relief, and energy costs for families, businesses and seniors. Her approach combines fiscally conservative budget management with targeted support programs designed to lower the financial burden on residents.
Affordability
Senator Judy Ward has prioritized affordability as a core legislative pillar, specifically targeting healthcare costs, tax relief, and energy costs for families, businesses and seniors. Her approach combines fiscally conservative budget management with targeted support programs designed to lower the financial burden on residents.
Energy
Senator Judy Ward has consistently voted to protect Pennsylvania residents from rising utility costs by opposing new energy taxes, reducing regulatory red tape, and expanding energy production. She supported a bipartisan plan that prevented a proposed $1 billion tax on electricity that would have increased utility bills for households and businesses. She has also been an advocate for repealing Pennsylvania’s participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) to avoid additional energy costs for consumers resulting from massive new carbon taxes. Senator Ward continues to prioritize grid reliability and permitting reforms intended to increase natural gas production which will reduce energy costs and make energy and electricity more affordable.
Energy
Senator Judy Ward has consistently voted to protect Pennsylvania residents from rising utility costs by opposing new energy taxes, reducing regulatory red tape, and expanding energy production. She supported a bipartisan plan that prevented a proposed $1 billion tax on electricity that would have increased utility bills for households and businesses. She has also been an advocate for repealing Pennsylvania’s participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) to avoid additional energy costs for consumers resulting from massive new carbon taxes. Senator Ward continues to prioritize grid reliability and permitting reforms intended to increase natural gas production which will reduce energy costs and make energy and electricity more affordable.
Healthcare
As a registered nurse, State Senator Judy Ward has focused on making healthcare more accessible and affordable. She has introduced legislation to establish a single pharmacy benefit administrator for state-funded programs, eliminating “spread pricing”, where middlemen charge the state more than they pay pharmacies, and preventing predatory practices that drive up drug costs. In 2023, Senator Ward authored a bill that protected Senior drug coverage by preventing seniors from losing eligibility for prescription assistance programs due to Social Security cost-of-living adjustments. She also eliminated out-of-pocket costs for high-risk breast cancer screenings such as MRIs and Ultrasounds. Senator Ward has also prioritized stabilizing Pennsylvania’s healthcare workforce by creating the “certified medication aide” to help alleviate nursing home staffing shortages. She has also advocated for significant fiscal investments including over $125 million annually for emergency medical services and support for rural hospitals.
Healthcare
As a registered nurse, State Senator Judy Ward has focused on making healthcare more accessible and affordable. She has introduced legislation to establish a single pharmacy benefit administrator for state-funded programs, eliminating “spread pricing”, where middlemen charge the state more than they pay pharmacies, and preventing predatory practices that drive up drug costs. In 2023, Senator Ward authored a bill that protected Senior drug coverage by preventing seniors from losing eligibility for prescription assistance programs due to Social Security cost-of-living adjustments. She also eliminated out-of-pocket costs for high-risk breast cancer screenings such as MRIs and Ultrasounds. Senator Ward has also prioritized stabilizing Pennsylvania’s healthcare workforce by creating the “certified medication aide” to help alleviate nursing home staffing shortages. She has also advocated for significant fiscal investments including over $125 million annually for emergency medical services and support for rural hospitals.
Agriculture
Agriculture is the number one industry in Pennsylvania, contributing approximately $132.5 billion to the state’s economy. Judy Ward has been an advocate for the agricultural community in Harrisburg. She has worked to reduce regulatory burdens placed on farmers and to secure future farmers by providing flexibility to family farms to keep their operations profitable and preserve their farms for future generations. She has sponsored legislation, to enhance opportunities for farmers looking to supplement their income by offering agritainment or agritourism, that sets safety standards for barns and other agricultural buildings that are used for weddings and other social events.
Agriculture
Agriculture is the number one industry in Pennsylvania, contributing approximately $132.5 billion to the state’s economy. Judy Ward has been an advocate for the agricultural community in Harrisburg. She has worked to reduce regulatory burdens placed on farmers and to secure future farmers by providing flexibility to family farms to keep their operations profitable and preserve their farms for future generations. She has sponsored legislation, to enhance opportunities for farmers looking to supplement their income by offering agritainment or agritourism, that sets safety standards for barns and other agricultural buildings that are used for weddings and other social events.
Education
Senator Judy Ward believes that every child deserves the opportunity to obtain a quality education. She has introduced legislation that provides scholarships for children in failing schools, which allows parents to choose an alternative academic setting that meets their children’s educational needs.
Education
Senator Judy Ward believes that every child deserves the opportunity to obtain a quality education. She has introduced legislation that provides scholarships for children in failing schools, which allows parents to choose an alternative academic setting that meets their children’s educational needs.
Individual Freedoms
Senator Judy Ward has consistently fought to protect individual freedoms and rights. During former Governor Tom Wolf’s Covid-19 shutdowns, Judy Ward led the effort to end the government’s intrusion into our lives by voting to allow businesses to remain open and to end the misuse of “disaster declarations” by the governor. She has staked her legislative career as a defender of constitutional rights and check against government overreach.
Individual Freedoms
Senator Judy Ward has consistently fought to protect individual freedoms and rights. During former Governor Tom Wolf’s Covid-19 shutdowns, Judy Ward led the effort to end the government’s intrusion into our lives by voting to allow businesses to remain open and to end the misuse of “disaster declarations” by the governor. She has staked her legislative career as a defender of constitutional rights and check against government overreach.
Women and Girls’ Rights
Senator Judy Ward has prioritized the physical safety and equal opportunity of women by fighting against sexual violence and for fairness in athletics. She was a primary sponsor of the Save Women’s Sports Act which protects the integrity of women’s sports by ensuring that collegiate and K-12 athletic teams remain reserved for biological females. Senator Ward supported establishing a statewide rape kit tracking system to provide survivors with transparency and enabling them to monitor evidence testing throughout the legal process. She also closed a legal loophole by requiring sexual offenders who target victims in youth sports or nonprofits to register under Megan’s Law.
Women and Girls’ Rights
Senator Judy Ward has prioritized the physical safety and equal opportunity of women by fighting against sexual violence and for fairness in athletics. She was a primary sponsor of the Save Women’s Sports Act which protects the integrity of women’s sports by ensuring that collegiate and K-12 athletic teams remain reserved for biological females. Senator Ward supported establishing a statewide rape kit tracking system to provide survivors with transparency and enabling them to monitor evidence testing throughout the legal process. She also closed a legal loophole by requiring sexual offenders who target victims in youth sports or nonprofits to register under Megan’s Law.
Public Safety
Public safety is the number one responsibility of government. Judy Ward has always been a supporter of victims of crime and law enforcement. She has authored laws that protect victims of domestic violence and expanded access to Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners to ensure survivors receive critical specialized care. Senator Ward championed “Tyler’s Law” which imposes severe penalties for those fueling the opioid crisis. She has also supported removing bail for individuals trafficking fentanyl or assaulting a law enforcement officer. In addition to her efforts supporting our police and cracking down on criminals, Judy Ward has also supported legislation that provides $30 million annually for fire companies and emergency medical services for equipment, training and facility renovations.
Public Safety
Public safety is the number one responsibility of government. Judy Ward has always been a supporter of victims of crime and law enforcement. She has authored laws that protect victims of domestic violence and expanded access to Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners to ensure survivors receive critical specialized care. Senator Ward championed “Tyler’s Law” which imposes severe penalties for those fueling the opioid crisis. She has also supported removing bail for individuals trafficking fentanyl or assaulting a law enforcement officer. In addition to her efforts supporting our police and cracking down on criminals, Judy Ward has also supported legislation that provides $30 million annually for fire companies and emergency medical services for equipment, training and facility renovations.
Transportation
As Chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, Senator Judy Ward has spearheaded legislative efforts to modernize Pennsylvania’s infrastructure while ensuring safety and accountability for taxpayers. She recently introduced a proposal to crack down on serious turnpike toll evasion, targeting chronic offenders who have cost the state over $200 million in uncollected revenue. Senator Ward has secured millions in state funding for much needed transportation upgrades throughout the 30th District, including over $2.3 million to strengthen the state’s freight network and $460,000 for traffic safety upgrades. Following reports of CDLs and REAL IDs being issued to illegal immigrants, including an individual on a terrorism watchlist, Senator Ward is leading the effort to require English only testing, ending “CDL Mills” by shutting down unqualified training centers, and establishing new penalties for “out-of-service” violations, intended to remove unqualified and unsafe drivers from the roadways. She has also championed rural road revitalization through a program designed to repair aging bridges and high-priority secondary routes often overlooked in major interstate projects.
Transportation
As Chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, Senator Judy Ward has spearheaded legislative efforts to modernize Pennsylvania’s infrastructure while ensuring safety and accountability for taxpayers. She recently introduced a proposal to crack down on serious turnpike toll evasion, targeting chronic offenders who have cost the state over $200 million in uncollected revenue. Senator Ward has secured millions in state funding for much needed transportation upgrades throughout the 30th District, including over $2.3 million to strengthen the state’s freight network and $460,000 for traffic safety upgrades. Following reports of CDLs and REAL IDs being issued to illegal immigrants, including an individual on a terrorism watchlist, Senator Ward is leading the effort to require English only testing, ending “CDL Mills” by shutting down unqualified training centers, and establishing new penalties for “out-of-service” violations, intended to remove unqualified and unsafe drivers from the roadways. She has also championed rural road revitalization through a program designed to repair aging bridges and high-priority secondary routes often overlooked in major interstate projects.
Election Integrity
Pennsylvanians have a right to free and fair elections. Senator Judy Ward has been a leader for greater election transparency, ballot security and Voter ID. She has introduced legislation that allows voters to decide if the Pennsylvania Constitution should be amended to require identification (Voter ID) to vote.
Election Integrity
Pennsylvanians have a right to free and fair elections. Senator Judy Ward has been a leader for greater election transparency, ballot security and Voter ID. She has introduced legislation that allows voters to decide if the Pennsylvania Constitution should be amended to require identification (Voter ID) to vote.
Second Amendment
Senator Judy Ward is a strong supporter of the 2nd Amendment. She has defended our 2nd Amendment rights by supporting legislation that protects Pennsylvanians’ constitutional right to bear arms, prevents municipalities from placing unconstitutional restrictions and allows law abiding Pennsylvanians to carry without a permit.
Second Amendment
Senator Judy Ward is a strong supporter of the 2nd Amendment. She has defended our 2nd Amendment rights by supporting legislation that protects Pennsylvanians’ constitutional right to bear arms, prevents municipalities from placing unconstitutional restrictions and allows law abiding Pennsylvanians to carry without a permit.
Life
Senator Judy Ward is pro-life. She has protected the rights of the unborn by introducing legislation prohibiting the abortion of a child solely due to a possible diagnosis of Down Syndrome and has opposed taxpayer funding of abortions. She started and serves as Chair of the Senate Maternal and Infant Health Caucus which has worked on promoting centers who offer alternatives to abortion and give women and families options. She has visited many pregnancy resource centers across the Commonwealth.
Life
Senator Judy Ward is pro-life. She has protected the rights of the unborn by introducing legislation prohibiting the abortion of a child solely due to a possible diagnosis of Down Syndrome and has opposed taxpayer funding of abortions. She started and serves as Chair of the Senate Maternal and Infant Health Caucus which has worked on promoting centers who offer alternatives to abortion and give women and families options. She has visited many pregnancy resource centers across the Commonwealth.
