Wolf Reluctantly Allows Transparency Bill to Become Law

Jul. 27, 2020 /

HARRISBURG – Rep. Frank Ryan (R-Lebanon) expressed relief that the Wolf administration will no longer be able to keep Pennsylvania citizens in the dark during the COVID-19 pandemic – a time when information and answers are sorely needed. Last evening, Gov. Tom Wolf permitted a key government transparency bill to become law without his signature.

Bonner Implores Wolf to Act Transparently and Sign House Bill 2463

Jul. 24, 2020 /

HARRISBURG – For the benefit of all Pennsylvanians, Rep. Tim Bonner (R-Mercer/Butler) implored Gov. Tom Wolf to sign House Bill 2463. Under his unilateral emergency rule, Gov. Wolf has suspended the law that state agencies must respond to requests for public information. This legislation (House Bill 2463) would not only provide necessary government information to the public that has been withheld by the governor during the COVID-19 pandemic, it would also ensure transparency during future emergencies.

Support for Grove’s transparency bill grows

Jul. 24, 2020 /

HARRISBURG – The number of media outlets and organizations that support Rep. Seth Grove’s (R-Dover) House Bill 2463, which received unanimous support in the Pennsylvania Legislature, to ensure Right-to-Know (RTK) requests are answered has grown exponentially.

Lawrence Bill Regarding Coronavirus Testing Signed into Law

Jul. 24, 2020 /

HARRISBURG – Legislation authored by Rep. John Lawrence (R-West Grove) to ensure transparency and accountability with the Commonwealth’s COVID-19 response on broad based coronavirus testing was signed into law earlier this week by Gov. Tom Wolf.

Gaydos’ Prescription Drug Pricing Bill Signed into Law

Jul. 23, 2020 /

HARRISBURG — Rep. Valerie Gaydos (R-Allegheny) today announced that her legislation to increase transparency and consumer choice in the prescription drug marketplace has been signed into law as Act 67 of 2020.

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: