Aug. 04, 2020 /
![Reese, Warner Introduce Legislation to Permit Small Games of Chance to Conduct Games Online During COVID-19]()
HARRISBURG – Reps. Mike Reese (R-Westmoreland/Somerset) and Ryan Warner (R-Fayette/Westmoreland) announced today that they have introduced legislation to permit Small Games of Chance (SGOC) licensees to conduct games online during the COVID-19 pandemic. Events to raffle popular items such as golf equipment and other items have become important community fundraisers throughout Pennsylvania. COVID-19 restrictions have greatly inhibited the fire departments, veterans associations and other nonprofit organizations that rely on revenue from these events.
Aug. 04, 2020 /
![PA Continues to Miss Out on Settlement Money Because it Lacks Anti-Fraud Law, Grove Says]()
HARRISBURG – A recent ruling in federal district court highlights the need for Pennsylvania to enact its own False Claims Act, said Rep. Seth Grove (R-Dover), who spearheaded an initiative to ensure taxpayer dollars are not being used fraudulently or misspent.
Aug. 04, 2020 /
![Stephens Urges State to Improve Speed of COVID Test Results]()
HARRISBURG—Rep. Todd Stephens (R-Montgomery) has asked the PA Department of Health to reduce the wait times for COVID test results.
Aug. 04, 2020 /
![Toohil Takes Part in Committee Hearing that Explored Effect of COVID-19 on Mental Health in Pennsylvania]()
HARRISBURG – In her position as a member of the House Human Services Committee, Rep. Tarah Toohil (R-Luzerne) recently participated in an informational meeting conducted by the committee that examined the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health and well-being of Pennsylvania residents and how the mental health community is addressing those needs – particularly in rural areas.
Aug. 03, 2020 /
![Toohil Issues Statement on PIAA Fall Sports Guidelines]()
HARRISBURG – Rep. Tarah Toohil (R-Luzerne) issued the following statement regarding the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association’s (PIAA) decision to ban spectators from high school sporting events this fall over COVID-19 concerns.
Aug. 03, 2020 /
![House Majority Leader Benninghoff, 62 Other House Republicans Demand Gov. Wolf, PIAA Allow Parents in Stands]()
HARRISBURG – House Majority Leader Kerry Benninghoff (R-Centre/Mifflin) joined 62 other Pennsylvania House Republicans in writing to Gov. Tom Wolf and the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) to request a change in recent policy prohibiting spectators at PIAA events, including parents of athletes.
Aug. 03, 2020 /
![Sonney to Host Two-Day House Education Committee Public Hearing on Reopening Schools]()
WHAT: Rep. Curt Sonney (R-Erie), chairman of the House Education Committee, and members of the committee will hold a two-day public hearing on safely reopening schools this fall.
Jul. 31, 2020 /
![Rowe Introduces Bill to Protect the Rights of PA Public Workers]()
HARRISBURG -- For too long, the rights of Pennsylvania’s public servants have been suppressed by special interests and political favoritism, costing them their voice and hard-earned money. To ensure the rights of Pennsylvania’s public sector employees are protected, Rep. David Rowe (R-Snyder/Union) today introduced legislation to put public workers back in charge of their representation.
Jul. 31, 2020 /
![House Education Committee to Host Two-Day Public Hearing on Reopening Schools in Fall]()
HARRISBURG – The House Education Committee, chaired by Rep. Curt Sonney (R-Erie), will host a two-day public hearing next week to discuss safely reopening schools this fall.
Jul. 31, 2020 /
![Gaydos Highlights Need for Medicaid Payment Reform]()
HARRISBURG – Legislation to curb improper payments by Pennsylvania’s Medicaid system recently passed the House of Representatives as House Bill 2353. The bill’s prime sponsor, Rep. Valerie Gaydos (R-Allegheny), made the following statement in light of its passage:
Jul. 31, 2020 /
![Mehaffie’s Bill Provides for Frontline Workers]()
HARRISBURG – Rep. Tom Mehaffie (R-Dauphin) introduced a bill this week to expand paid sick leave to essential workers excluded by the federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act.
Jul. 30, 2020 /
![Struzzi Resolution Leads to Study on Behavioral Health Efficiency]()
HARRISBURG – The Joint State Government Commission (JSGC) today published a report entitled Behavioral Health Care System Capacity in Pennsylvania and its Impact on Hospital Emergency Departments and Patient Health. The report was commissioned upon the passage of House Resolution 268, authored by Rep. Jim Struzzi (R-Indiana).
Jul. 30, 2020 /
![Mihalek, Kail and O’Neal to Introduce Resolution Designating September 2020 as ‘Pennsylvania Business Month’]()
HARRISBURG – Recognizing that Pennsylvania has a deep and rich history steeped in business and industry, and acknowledging the significant hardships that local businesses have faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, Reps. Natalie Mihalek (R-Allegheny/Washington), Josh Kail (R-Beaver/Washington) and Tim O’Neal (R-Washington) announced they plan to introduce a resolution designating September 2020 as “Pennsylvania Business Month.”
Jul. 29, 2020 /
![Struzzi Introduces Legislation to Help Businesses, Promote Environmental Compliance]()
HARRISBURG – Rep. Jim Struzzi (R-Indiana) today introduced legislation to establish the Office of Compliance Assistance and Pollution Prevention within the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The office would assist small and medium-sized businesses in complying with environmental statutes, regulations and policies by working with them to determine applicable environmental requirements, as well as conduct training events across the Commonwealth.
Jul. 29, 2020 /
![Stand Your Ground Against Socialism: Metcalfe Sets New Date for 2020 Right to Keep and Bear Arms Rally]()
HARRISBURG —Answering the people’s demands that Gov. Tom Wolf’s tyrannical abuse of emergency powers must be stopped and never imposed again, State Representative Daryl Metcalfe (R-Butler) officially confirmed today that this year’s Rally to Protect Your Right to Keep and Bear Arms will take place on Tuesday, Sept. 29, beginning at 11 a.m., on the front steps of the Capitol, in Harrisburg.
Jul. 29, 2020 /
HARRISBURG – Rep. Tom Murt (R-Montgomery/Philadelphia), majority chairman of the House Human Services Committee, held an informational meeting to examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health and well-being of Pennsylvania residents and how the mental health community is addressing those needs – particularly in rural areas.
Jul. 28, 2020 /
![Reps. Dowling and Ecker to Host Virtual Meeting About Restaurant Restrictions]()
WHAT: Reps. Matt Dowling (R-Fayette/Somerset) and Torren Ecker (R-Adams/Cumberland) will host a conversation about the struggles faced by the restaurant industry because of the limitations imposed on it by Gov. Tom Wolf. Owners will share their challenges and discuss solutions to benefit the community as a whole.
Jul. 28, 2020 /
![Mihalek Introduces Legislation to Establish Grant Program to Support Pennsylvania Nonprofit Organizations]()
HARRISBURG – Today, Rep. Natalie Mihalek (R-Allegheny/Washington) announced that she has introduced legislation to establish a grant program to support the Commonwealth's human services system. Referred to as the Nonprofit Economic Emergency Delivery System (NEEDS) Grants Program, the initiative will focus on the more than 8,500 nonprofit organizations that provide critical services for Pennsylvania’s most vulnerable population, while employing a significant percentage of the Commonwealth’s workforce.
Jul. 27, 2020 /
![A Victory for Government Transparency]()
One of the biggest frustrations we have faced during this pandemic is a lack of effective communication from the Wolf administration. The orders issued by the governor and the secretary of Health have been life-changing for families, employees and business owners, and they have left many citizens struggling to keep their businesses afloat or to put food on their tables – or both.
Jul. 27, 2020 /
![Wolf Reluctantly Allows Transparency Bill to Become Law]()
HARRISBURG – Rep. Stephen Barrar (R-Chester/Delaware) said Gov. Tom Wolf can no longer keep Pennsylvania citizens in the dark during the COVID-19 pandemic – a time when information and answers are sorely needed. Last evening, Wolf permitted a key government transparency bill to become law without his signature.