House Passes Sonney’s Legislation to Update and Reform PASSHE

Jun. 09, 2020 /

HARRISBURG – House Education Committee Chairman Curt Sonney (R-Erie) announced today that his legislation to update and reform the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) passed the Pennsylvania House of Representatives with overwhelming bipartisan support.

Grove Statement on House Action to Further Combat Wasteful and Fraudulent Spending

Jun. 09, 2020 /

HARRISBURG – The House today moved a package of bills to ensure taxpayer dollars are used to fund the priorities of Pennsylvanians are not being used fraudulently or misspent. The House Human Services Committee approved House Bills 2350, 2351, 2352 and 2355, while the House State Government Committee approved House Bills 2353 and 2354.

Owlett Medicaid Reform Bill Earns Committee Approval

Jun. 09, 2020 /

HARRISBURG – Legislation introduced by Rep. Clint Owlett (R-Tioga/Bradford/Potter) to help prevent improper payments in the state’s Medicaid program was approved Tuesday by the House State Government Committee.

House Committee Passes Struzzi Bill to Prevent RGGI

Jun. 09, 2020 /

HARRISBURG – The House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee today took action to advance Rep. Jim Struzzi’s (R-Indiana) House Bill 2025, which would require legislative authorization before Pennsylvania could impose a carbon tax on employers engaged in electric generation, manufacturing or other industries operating in the Commonwealth, or enter into any multi-state program, such as the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), that would impose such a tax.

Turzai Asks Governor to Call Special Session on Policing and Our Communities

Jun. 09, 2020 /

"I've asked Governor Wolf to call a Special Session on policing and our communities. As Speaker of the House, I stand in solidarity with those confronting racism and racial injustice. We do have an opportunity to show the nation, that in Pennsylvania, all men, women, and children are created equal and are deserving of all the dignity of being human.

Knowles Legislation to Assist Veterans, Firefighters Now Law

Jun. 08, 2020 /

HARRISBURG – Rep. Jerry Knowles (R-Berks/Carbon/Schuylkill) today announced that his legislation to eliminate a liquor licensee surcharge to national veterans’ organizations and volunteer fire companies was signed by Gov. Tom Wolf and is now law.

Barrar Dissents on Renewing Emergency Order

Jun. 08, 2020 /

HARRISBURG - Rep. Stephen Barrar (R-Chester/Delaware), who has served on the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency Council for 10 years, voted against renewing Gov. Tom Wolf’s 90-day COVID-19 disaster declaration at a council meeting on Friday. The disaster declaration was to expire on June 4.

Marsy’s Law Advocates Speak in Advance of Court Hearing

Jun. 08, 2020 /

WHAT: Proponents of Marsy’s Law will outline benefits of the legislation and share their thoughts on the ongoing lawsuit a day before the Commonwealth Court holds a hearing. Marsy’s Law is a victims’ bill of rights that would be added to the Pennsylvania Constitution.

Metcalfe, ERECommittee Set to Move Legislation Clarifying Wolf’s Lack of Authority to Initiate RGGI Without Legislative Approval

Jun. 08, 2020 /

WHAT: PA House Environmental Resources and Energy(ERE) Committee Majority Chairman Daryl Metcalfe (R-Butler) will convene a voting meeting to advance House Bill 2025,which would reinforce that legislative authorization is required before Pennsylvania could join any cap-and-trade, carbon tax-imposing emissions program such as the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI).

York Area Legislators Turn Red as County Prepares to Go Green

Jun. 05, 2020 /

HARRISBURG – State Reps. Seth Grove (R-Dover), Dawn Keefer (R-Dillsburg), Kate Klunk (R-Hanover), Mike Jones (R-York Township) and House Appropriations Chairman Stan Saylor (R-Red Lion) issued the following statement in response to today’s announcement by Gov. Tom Wolf and Department of Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine that York County will progress to the “green phase” of reopening at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, June 12:

Metcalfe Announces Postponement of Right to Keep and Bear Arms Rally

Jun. 03, 2020 /

HARRISBURG — State Representative Daryl Metcalfe (R-Butler) issued the following statement today announcing the postponement of this year’s Rally to Protect Your Right to Keep and Bear Arms, which was originally scheduled for Monday, June 8, at the Capitol.

Kail Authors Vulnerable Workers Protection Act

Jun. 03, 2020 /

CENTER – As Pennsylvanians across the state begin to return to work in accordance with the governor’s phased reopening plan, Rep. Josh Kail (R-Beaver/Washington) drafted legislation that would protect vulnerable workers and workers with vulnerable family members living in their homes.

House Majority Leader Responds to Election Day Changes

Jun. 02, 2020 /

“We will continue protecting the rights of all voters and will reject and fight back against any effort to disenfranchise Pennsylvania voters. The right of the people of Pennsylvania, working through the General Assembly, to pass laws remains equally important to maintaining a representative democracy, and we will continue to fight for this right.”

Local Officials Advocate for Transition of Northumberland County to Green Phase

Jun. 01, 2020 /

HARRISBURG – Several Northumberland County elected officials today sent a letter to the governor advocating the transitioning of Northumberland County to the green phase of the governor’s three-phase reopening plan. State Reps. Lynda Schlegel Culver (R-Northumberland/Snyder) and Kurt Masser (R-Northumberland/Columbia/Montour); Sen. John Gordner (R-Columbia/Luzerne/Montour/Northumberland/Snyder) and Northumberland County Commissioners Samuel Schiccatano, Joseph Klebon and Kymberly Best are signatories on the letter.

Barrar Votes to Declare Emergency in Counties Under Siege by Violent Protesters

Jun. 01, 2020 /

HARRISBURG—Rep. Steve Barrar (R-Delaware) today announced that the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) Council has voted to issue a disaster emergency declaration to allow Gov. Tom Wolf to use his authority to provide all necessary assistance to municipalities responding to violent protests in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Harrisburg.