Lewis Announces Final Term in House

Mar. 16, 2022 /

HARRISBURG – Rep. Andrew Lewis today announced the 2021-22 Legislative Session will be his last representing the 105th District in the House of Representatives.

PennDOT Needs to Listen to I-80 Tolling Objections

Mar. 16, 2022 /

Having Interstate 80 in our area is one of our greatest assets. This critical interstate attracts business and industry, not to mention thousands of travelers visiting our wonderful communities. Our proximity to I-80 is listed on traveler brochures, college admissions materials and economic development proposals. I-80 is our lifeline.

Gaydos Introduces Legislation Allowing Direct Shipment of Spirits

Mar. 15, 2022 /

HARRISBURG – Rep. Valerie Gaydos (R-Allegheny) has introduced legislation that would allow a manufacturer who has a direct spirits shipper license to send spirits to a resident who is 21 years of age or older for the resident’s personal use and not for resale.

Committee to Provide Input on Charter School Regulations, Hold Hearing on Teacher Shortage

Mar. 14, 2022 /

WHAT: The House Education Committee, chaired by Rep. Curt Sonney (R-Erie), will hold a voting meeting to consider whether to issue a letter disapproving of the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s final form regulation related to charter and cyber charter schools. Afterward, at 10 a.m., it will hold a public hearing on the teacher shortage within the Commonwealth.

House Appropriations Hearings Conclude

Mar. 10, 2022 /

HARRISBURG – Today the House Appropriations Committee held its final day of budget hearings. The committee heard from the governor’s Budget Secretary Greg Thall. House Appropriations Chairman Stan Saylor (R-York) issued the following statement:

Lawmakers Join Flood in Advocating for PIAA Sanctioning of Girls Wrestling Programs

Mar. 10, 2022 /

HARRISBURG – In her continuing effort to advocate for girls wrestling programs in Pennsylvania’s schools, Rep. Ann Flood (R-Northampton) this week sent a letter to Robert Lombardi, executive director of the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA), in support of the PIAA’s official sanctioning of the sport.

Schemel Introduces Bill on Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment

Mar. 10, 2022 /

HARRISBURG – Rep. Paul Schemel (R-Franklin) this week introduced legislation designed to help patients and providers wishing to utilize a Pennsylvania Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment (POLST) form to direct their preferred medical treatment.

Free Market is Raising Wages, Not the Government

Mar. 09, 2022 /

It’s highly likely everyone has seen an ad or a massive billboard touting impressive starting salaries. One billboard I recently saw while driving on Route 30 was for work at a local York County manufacturing plant with pay of $35 an hour. It wasn’t the stroke of the governor’s pen that drove up these wages. Rather, it was the free market.

Key Takeaways from House Appropriations Hearings

Mar. 08, 2022 /

HARRISBURG – Today the House Appropriations Committee held its ninth day of budget hearings. The committee heard from Penn State University, Temple University, the University of Pittsburgh, Lincoln University and the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA).

Owlett Aims to Ensure Fairness in Disaster Assistance Eligibility

Mar. 07, 2022 /

HARRISBURG – Rep. Clint Owlett (R-Tioga/Bradford/Potter) is calling on the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to update its per capita impact indicator and thresholds to ensure all citizens and communities impacted by natural disasters are treated fairly.

Ecker Quizzes State Education Officials on Student Performance Metrics

Mar. 07, 2022 /

HARRISBURG – A recent Independent Fiscal Office (IFO) report found there is a lack of correlation between education spending and student proficiency. During the House Appropriations Committee’s budget hearing this morning, Rep. Torren Ecker (R-Adams/Cumberland) asked Department of Education officials about the findings in the report.