In December, the word of the month at the state capitol was definitely 'budget'. But the topic that hovered in the spaces between was the war between Israel and Hamas.

December 7th, a menorah lighting ceremony was held in the capitol, an annual tradition since the 1990s.

Three days later, near a thousand people gathered for a pro-Palestine protest, speaking on the capitol steps and marching to the Governor's mansion and back.

That same Sunday afternoon, Governor Josh Shapiro spoke at an antisemitism rally in Philadelphia.

As citizens have voiced their opinions on the Israel/Hamas war, legislators have turned their focus towards the response to the war in education.

The nation watched University of Pennsylvania President Liz Magill testify before U.S. congress on December 5th. She resigned from her position on December 10th  after receiving criticism from multiple Pennsylvania government officials, including Shapiro.

Last week, around $32 million in funding for Penn's veterinary program was down voted in the Pennsylvania house amidst final budget laws. Several GOP lawmakers saying they want to see campus culture changes before discussing future funding.

In addition, several GOP lawmakers have drafted 2 bills on the topic.

 One requires college to have and follow codes of conduct about antisemitism to receive state funding.

The other, sponsored by Representative Kristin Marcell (R), of the 178th district, requires K-12 schools to publish curriculum they use in teaching about the Holocaust, genocide, and human rights violations.

“Given what has been happening and the lack of awareness that some youth have about the holocaust," said Marcell, "it’s really important for us to try to educate and make sure the public knows what is being taught or what isn’t being taught.”

There is current Pennsylvania law that says at minimum, 90% of Pennsylvania schools must teach about the Holocaust, genocide, and human right's violations.