May. 26, 2020 /
![O’Neal Introduces Bill to Privatize Government-Controlled Liquor Stores]()
HARRISBURG – In response to the governor’s shutdown of state liquor stores and recent failures by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) to adapt to a 21st century business model during the coronavirus pandemic, Rep. Tim O’Neal (R-Washington) recently introduced legislation to end government control of wine and spirit sales.
May. 26, 2020 /
![Ag Committee to Discuss Food Supply, Other Ag-Related Concerns Stemming from COVID-19 Pandemic]()
WHAT: The House Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee, chaired by Rep. Martin Causer (R-Cameron/McKean/Potter), will hold an informational meeting to discuss agricultural issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
May. 26, 2020 /
![Culver Issues Statement on Pennsylvania’s Short-Term Budget]()
HARRISBURG – The House of Representatives today approved a responsible, short-term $25 billion budget that runs through November. State Rep. Lynda Schlegel Culver (R-Northumberland/Snyder) issued the following statement in response:
May. 22, 2020 /
![Violating Law/Safety Standards, Allegheny County’s Primary Election Day Plan Must Be Rescinded, House Members Say]()
HARRISBURG – Presenting how Allegheny County’s Primary Election Day polling place consolidation plan violates both the letter and spirit of the law, members of the Allegheny County Republican House delegation called on Pennsylvania Secretary of State Kathryn Boockvar to reverse her approval. The state legislators who signed the letter are Speaker of the House Mike Turzai and Reps. Natalie Mihalek, Jason Ortitay, Bob Brooks, Lori Mizgorski and Mike Puskaric.
May. 22, 2020 /
![Toohil’s Bill Would Continue Access to Pediatric Services During COVID-19 Crisis]()
HARRISBURG – In an effort to provide for the continued safeguarding of the health and welfare of Pennsylvania’s young people during the COVID-19 crisis, Rep. Tarah Toohil (R-Luzerne) has introduced legislation that would allow for an extension of waiver provisions for pediatric services in the Commonwealth.
May. 21, 2020 /
![Nursing Home Inspections - Pennsylvania House Informational Meeting Aging and Older Adult Services Committee]()
WHAT: With many of Pennsylvania’s COVID-19 cases occurring in long-term-care facilities, the House Aging and Older Adult Services Committee will conduct a virtual informational meeting to determine who is surveying conditions at the facilities and the protocols they are using to inspect them.
May. 20, 2020 /
![Bipartisan Effort to Put Pennsylvanians Back to Work Falls Short]()
Tonight Gov. Tom Wolf’s veto, which ensures millions of Pennsylvanians forced into a dysfunctional unemployment system by no actions of their own have to stay there indefinitely, will remain in place after a veto override vote fell short of the two-thirds majority required by Pennsylvania’s Constitution.
May. 20, 2020 /
![Quinn Forwards Amendment to Open Arboreta and Botanical Gardens]()
HARRISBURG – On Wednesday, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives approved an amendment introduced by Rep. Chris Quinn (R-Delaware) to reopen arboreta and botanical gardens under the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state guidelines.
May. 20, 2020 /
![Committee to Consider Ending PA Disaster Declaration, Says Barrar]()
WHAT: Rep. Stephen Barrar (R-Chester/Delaware), chairman of the House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee, will hold a voting meeting tomorrow to consider several measures including House resolutions honoring veterans, EMS providers, the American Red Cross and the 75th anniversary of VJ Day. The committee will also take up a concurrent resolution terminating Pennsylvania’s disaster emergency in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
May. 20, 2020 /
![Schroeder Legislation to Revitalize PASSHE Heads to Senate]()
HARRISBURG –Rep. Meghan Schroeder (R-Bucks) today announced the House of Representatives has approved legislation she authored to update the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE).
May. 20, 2020 /
![House Passes Struzzi Bill to Protect Victims with Disabilities, Sent to Senate]()
HARRISBURG – The House of Representatives today took steps to strengthen protections for people with physical and intellectual disabilities by passing House Bill 2056, authored by Rep. Jim Struzzi (R-Indiana).This bill would charge any individual who intentionally causes bodily injury to a person with a physical or intellectual disability with aggravated assault, a felony of the second degree. Currently, the law dictates that “serious bodily injury” is necessary for charges to be elevated beyond misdemeanor simple assault.
May. 20, 2020 /
![Bucks County House Republicans Introduce Legislation to Give Counties Power to Safely Reopen]()
HARRISBURG—Rep. Frank Farry (R-Langhorne) has introduced House Bill 2541 to allow local county commissioners, in consultation with local health officials, to reopen businesses in counties during a health emergency if certain criteria are met.
May. 20, 2020 /
![House Approves Shawn’s Law, Keefer Says]()
HARRISBURG – The House today advanced legislation by Rep. Dawn Keefer (R-Dillsburg) to increase criminal penalties for people convicted of aiding or encouraging another person to commit suicide.
May. 20, 2020 /
![House Approves Schmitt Bill to Protect Police Officers]()
HARRISBURG – Police officers would be afforded further protection from assault under legislation approved by the House today. The bill, authored by Rep. Lou Schmitt (R-Blair), would make it a criminal offense for an officer to be assaulted with bodily fluids, such as spit. It would also provide a stricter penalty for people who have an infectious disease and are convicted of assaulting an officer with bodily fluids.
May. 20, 2020 /
![The House Acts to Safeguard Over 125,000 At-Risk Seniors by Passing the ‘Senior Protection Act,’ Turzai Says]()
HARRISBURG – Acting on published reports and finally released data regarding COVID-19 deaths occurring among Pennsylvanians living in the state’s nursing home facilities, personal care homes and assisted living residences, the House of Representatives today passed the Senior Protection Act, House Bill 2510, authored by Speaker of the House Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny) and Reps. Harry Readshaw (D-Allegheny) and Bill Kortz (D-Allegheny), to help these facilities keep loved ones safe.
May. 20, 2020 /
![Gaydos Demands Greater Transparency from Secretary Levine, Department of Health]()
HARRISBURG – Rep. Valerie Gaydos (R-Allegheny) has asked House Health Committee Chairman Kathy Rapp (R-Warren/Crawford/Forest) to schedule a public hearing to demand greater transparency from the Department of Health with respect to the inputs and criteria used by the governor and the department in making decisions regarding COVID-19. Chairman Rapp has confirmed a hearing will be scheduled in the near future.
May. 20, 2020 /
![PA Unemployment Compensation System’s Performance During Pandemic to be Subject of House Committee Hearing on Thursday]()
WHAT: With approximately one-third of Pennsylvania’s workforce applying for unemployment compensation benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic, the House Labor and Industry Committee will host a virtual informational hearing to learn from members of the administration about why the system failed so many residents during the early stages of the pandemic and what steps have been taken to improve the system.
May. 20, 2020 /
![Yaw, Everett Applaud House Passage of Bills to Allow Restaurants Freedom to Creatively Reopen in ‘Yellow Phase’]()
HARRISBURG - Rep. Garth Everett (R-Lycoming/Union) and Sen. Gene Yaw (R-Bradford/Lycoming/Sullivan/Susquehanna/Union) applauded the passage of House Bill 2506 and House Bill 2513 in the House this week. Both bills were authored by Everett and would help restaurants that are in counties deemed by the Wolf administration to be in the “yellow phase” of reopening to safely allow more customers to patronize their businesses.
May. 20, 2020 /
![South Central Members Disappointed With Wolf’s Actions]()
HARRISBURG – Gov. Tom Wolf yesterday vetoed legislation approved by both chambers of the General Assembly, only to turn around 120 minutes later to enact the same measure by executive fiat.
May. 20, 2020 /
![Southeast House Republican Delegation Members Call on Wolf to Allow Curbside Pickup for All Retailers]()
HARRISBURG – After weeks of working to safely and responsibly reopen businesses across the southeast and allow employees to once again start earning a paycheck, members of the Southeast House Republican Delegation are asking the governor to allow retail operators to offer curbside pickup for their customers.