Acting PA Health Secretary Refuses to Say Deadly Nursing Home Order Was a Mistake, Cannot Provide Explanation on Vaccination Phase 1A Expansion

Feb. 25, 2021 /

HARRISBURG – During Thursday’s House Appropriations Committee Budget Hearing with the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Acting Health Secretary Alison Beam refused to say whether or not the administration’s order putting COVID-19-positive patients back in nursing homes from hospitals was a mistake and could not provide an explanation as to why the department expanded Phase 1A vaccination eligibility when it knew it did not have the supply to accommodate the expansion.

Grove Issues Updated Election Hearing Schedule

Feb. 25, 2021 /

HARRISBURG – House State Government Committee Chairman Seth Grove (R-York) announced the updated schedule of hearings to review Pennsylvania’s election process the committee is conducting.

Key Takeaways from House Appropriations Hearings

Feb. 24, 2021 /

HARRISBURG – Today the House Appropriations Committee heard from the Department of Agriculture (PDA), Penn State University, the University of Pittsburgh, Temple University, Lincoln University and the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP). Here are the key takeaways from the day:

Key Takeaways from House Appropriations Hearings

Feb. 23, 2021 /

HARRISBURG – Today the House Appropriations Committee heard from the Department of Transportation (PennDOT), the Department of General Services (DGS) and the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB). The PLCB was accompanied by the Bureau of Liquor Enforcement of the Pennsylvania State Police. Here are the key takeaways from the day: Bridge tolling proposal sparked significant debate.....

O’Neal Questions PennDOT Secretary on Bridge Tolling

Feb. 23, 2021 /

HARRISBURG – During House Appropriations Committee budget hearings this morning, Rep. Tim O’Neal (R-Washington) asked PennDOT Secretary Yassmin Gramian about the department’s plans to toll nine bridges in the Commonwealth, including the I-79 bridge at the Bridgeville exit.

Toohil Troubled by Department of Aging’s Actions to Block Release of COVID-19 Deaths at Pennsylvania Nursing Home

Feb. 23, 2021 /

HARRISBURG – Rep. Tarah Toohil (R-Luzerne) was troubled to learn the Pennsylvania Department of Aging took action to block the release of documents to a federally empaneled grand jury looking into an unusually high rate of COVID-19 related deaths at a nursing home in western Pennsylvania. The revelation from Secretary of Aging Robert Torres came to light during state budget hearings conducted by the House Appropriations Committee currently underway in Harrisburg.

Metcalfe, ERE Committee to Receive Progress Updates on PA’s Energy-Enabled Economy -- RESCHEDULED FROM FEB. 1

Feb. 23, 2021 /

WHAT: PA House Environmental Resources and Energy (ERE) Committee Majority Chairman Daryl Metcalfe (R-Butler) will convene an informational meeting focusing on the state of the Commonwealth’s oil and natural gas energy-enabled economy and what future policies are needed to protect family-sustaining energy jobs, ensure affordable energy costs and generate increased energy independence.

Tomlinson Introduces Legislation to Create Patient Safety Act

Feb. 23, 2021 /

HARRISBURG—Rep. K.C. Tomlinson (R-Bucks) will introduce legislation with Rep. Tom Mehaffie (R-Dauphin) to establish safe patient limits under the care of an individual nurse in Pennsylvania hospitals. The legislation will be known as the Patient Safety Act.

Gov. Wolf’s Income Tax Hike Impacts Us All

Feb. 23, 2021 /

When Gov. Tom Wolf gave his second to last budget address earlier this month, it reminded me of his first budget address when he proposed a complete overhaul of the Commonwealth’s tax structure to take more of your money to drastically increase government expenditures.

Key Takeaways from House Appropriations Hearings

Feb. 22, 2021 /

HARRISBURG – Today the House Appropriations Committee heard from the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED). Here are the key takeaways from the day: Now is certainly not the time to raise taxes on Pennsylvanians who are already struggling.....

White Criticizes Delaying the Reopening of Schools

Feb. 22, 2021 /

HARRISBURG - Rep. Martina White (R-Philadelphia) today rejected the decision to delay opening Philadelphia’s public schools as another sign there is no effective plan to return children to class following the shutdowns caused by COVID-19.