Metzgar Bill to Protect Corrections Employees Becomes Law

Jul. 23, 2020 /

HARRISBURG – Rep. Carl Walker Metzgar (R-Somerset/Bedford) today announced that the governor has signed his House Bill 256, which lowers the threshold that must be met to charge an inmate with a felony for committing assault on a corrections facility employee.

Lancaster Delegation Urges Governor to Sign Bipartisan Transparency Bill

Jul. 22, 2020 /

HARRISBURG - The Lancaster County Republican Delegation – House Speaker Bryan Cutler (R-Peach Bottom), Mindy Fee (R-Manheim), Keith J. Greiner (R-Upper Leacock), Dave Hickernell (R-West Donegal), Brett Miller (R-East Hempfield), Steve Mentzer (R-Lititz) and Dave Zimmerman (R-East Earl) – issued the following statement after the announcement from Gov. Tom Wolf at yesterday’s press conference that he plans to veto House Bill 2463. The bill would ensure Right-to-Know (RTK) requests are answered during state of emergency declarations and it was passed unanimously by the General Assembly.

Ryan Lauds County Action to Secure Funding Denied by Wolf

Jul. 22, 2020 /

HARRISBURG –Rep. Frank Ryan (R-Lebanon)offered his support for Lebanon County officials after they filed suit against the Wolf administration today to recover nearly $13 million in federal CARES Act funding the administration is withholding from the county. Ryan released the following statement:

Kauffman Calls on Wolf to Support Government Transparency Bill

Jul. 22, 2020 /

HARRISBURG – In spite of unanimous bipartisan support in both the House and Senate on legislation to require the governor and Commonwealth agencies to adhere to the state’s Right-to-Know (RTK) law even during an emergency declaration, Gov. Tom Wolf is threatening to veto the bill. Rep. Rob Kauffman (R-Franklin) released the following statement on the governor’s decision:

Everett, Wheeland, Rowe Urge Governor to Sign Bipartisan Transparency Bill

Jul. 22, 2020 /

HARRISBURG - Reps. Garth Everett (R-Lycoming/Union), Jeff Wheeland (R-Lycoming) and David Rowe (R-Snyder/Union) today issued the following statement after the announcement from Gov. Tom Wolf at yesterday’s press conference that he plans to veto House Bill 2463. The bill would ensure Right-to-Know (RTK) requests are answered during state of emergency declarations and it was passed unanimously by the General Assembly.

Fayette County Lawmakers Call on Wolf to ‘Walk the Walk’ on Government Transparency

Jul. 22, 2020 /

HARRISBURG – With Gov. Tom Wolf threatening to veto a bill designed to strengthen the state’s Right-to-Know law, Fayette County Republican lawmakers are urging him to instead sign the measure. Reps. Ryan Warner (R-Fayette/Westmoreland), Matt Dowling (R-Fayette/Somerset) and Bud Cook (R-Washington/Fayette) issued the following statement:

Mustello: Governor Wolf Must Sign Transparency Bill Now

Jul. 22, 2020 /

HARRISBURG – Rep. Marci Mustello (R-Butler) today urged Gov. Tom Wolf to sign House Bill 2463, legislation that passed the General Assembly unanimously to require state agencies to respond to Right-to-Know requests during a disaster declaration. Despite the House and Senate passing the bill by a combined total vote of 252-0, the governor has said he will veto the bill.

Allegheny, Washington County Legislators Urge Governor to Sign Bill to Address Access to Public Records during Disaster Emergency

Jul. 22, 2020 /

HARRISBURG – House Republican members from Allegheny and Washington counties today expressed outrage at Gov. Tom Wolf’s statements that he plans to veto a government transparency bill (House Bill 2463) that addresses access to public records during a disaster declaration and received unanimous support from the Legislature. In response, Reps. Jason Ortitay (R-Allegheny/Washington), Bob Brooks (R-Allegheny/Westmoreland), Bud Cook (R-Washington/Fayette), Valerie Gaydos (R-Allegheny), Josh Kail (R-Beaver/Washington), Natalie Mihalek (R-Allegheny/Washington), Lori Mizgorski (R-Allegheny), Tim O’Neal (R-Washington) and Mike Puskaric (R-Allegheny/Washington) issued the following statement:

Governor Continues Assault on Transparency, Say York and Adams Lawmakers

Jul. 22, 2020 /

HARRISBURG – Gov. Tom Wolf plans to veto a transparency bill that received unanimous support in the Legislature, continuing his attempts to quash the right of the public and press to question state government officials. In response, local House Republicans from York and Adams counties, which include Reps. Seth Grove (R-Dover), who authored House Bill 2463; Kate Klunk (R-Hanover); Dawn Keefer (R-Dillsburg); Dan Moul (R-Gettysburg); Torren Ecker (R-Abbottstown); Mike Jones (R-York Township) and House Appropriations Chairman Rep. Stan Saylor (R-Red Lion) issued the following statement:

Metzgar Voices Opposition to RGGI, Support for House Bill 2025

Jul. 21, 2020 /

HARRISBURG – At today’s House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee hearing, Rep. Carl Walker Metzgar (R-Somerset/Bedford) voiced his opposition to the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) and his support for Pennsylvania’s energy industry, along with the jobs it supports in western Pennsylvania.

Toohil Co-Sponsors Bill to Protect Student Borrowers

Jul. 20, 2020 /

HARRISBURG – Legislation co-sponsored by Rep. Tarah Toohil (R-Luzerne) would establish a Student Borrowers’ Bill of Rights in Pennsylvania to help protect young people from being overburdened financially, especially during the current COVID-19 public health crisis.

Benninghoff Urges Wolf to Sign Grove Transparency Bill

Jul. 20, 2020 /

HARRISBURG – Pennsylvania House Majority Leader Kerry Benninghoff (R-Centre/Mifflin) Monday urged Gov. Tom Wolf to sign House Bill 2463, legislation that passed the General Assembly unanimously to require state agencies to respond to Right-to-Know Law requests during a disaster declaration.