To Safeguard Over 123,000 At-Risk Seniors, Speaker Turzai and Reps. Readshaw, Kortz Introduce the Bipartisan ‘Senior Protection Act’

May. 12, 2020 /

HARRISBURG – Responding to 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, Speaker of the House Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny) and Reps. Harry Readshaw (D-Allegheny) and Bill Kortz (D-Allegheny) introduced legislation (House Bill 2510) today to help these facilities keep loved ones safe.

Heffley to Introduce Legislation to Help Protect Pennsylvania Seniors from COVID-19

May. 11, 2020 /

HARRISBURG – In an effort to safeguard one of the Commonwealth’s most vulnerable populations during the COVID-19 crisis, Rep. Doyle Heffley (R-Carbon) today announced he plans to introduce legislation that would prohibit the Pennsylvania Department of Health from requiring nursing homes and other long-term care facilities to admit COVID-19 patients.

The Voices of Pennsylvanians are Not Cowardly

May. 11, 2020 /

“Millions of Pennsylvanians are unemployed, millions more have children who are not being adequately educated, and many others are watching their livelihoods fall apart while they have waited weeks for a failed unemployment compensation system to help. Our residents have been trying desperately to get the governor’s attention; however, he has not been listening.

Bill to End Childhood Marriage Now Law, Topper Says

May. 11, 2020 /

HARRISBURG – Pennsylvania minors have protection from predatory marriages after the governor signed into law House Bill 360 to prohibit marriages before the age of 18, Reps. Jesse Topper (R-Bedford/Franklin/Fulton) and Perry Warren (D-Bucks) announced.

Tensions Rise as Governor Extends Stay-at-Home Order to June 4, Say Fritz, Pickett, Baker and Yaw

May. 08, 2020 /

Reps. Jonathan Fritz (R-Susquehanna/Wayne), Tina Pickett (R-Bradford/Sullivan/Susquehanna) and Sens. Lisa Baker (R-20) and Gene Yaw (R-23) voiced their serious concern and extreme disappointment after learning Susquehanna County was not among the next group of counties that would move into the “yellow phase” of Gov. Tom Wolf’s reopening plan on May 15. The 13 counties listed in the governor’s announcement this afternoon are all located in southwestern Pennsylvania.

Governor’s June 4 Extension Continues to Fuel Residents’ Uncertainty for the Future, Say Fritz, Peifer and Baker

May. 08, 2020 /

WAYNE COUNTY – Sen. Lisa Baker (R-Luzerne/Susquehanna/Wayne/Wyoming) and Reps. Jonathan Fritz (R-Susquehanna/Wayne) and Mike Peifer (R-Pike/Wayne) voiced their displeasure after hearing Wayne County was not included in the next group of counties moving into the “yellow phase” of the governor’s reopening plan on May 15 and the negative impact it will continue to have on area residents and small businesses. The 13 counties listed in the governor’s announcement this afternoon are all located in southwestern Pennsylvania.

Bonner Joins Southwestern Legislators in Suing Governor Wolf

May. 08, 2020 /

GROVE CITY – Rep. Tim Bonner (R-Mercer/Butler) announced today that he joined Congressman Mike Kelly, state Reps. Marci Mustello (R-Butler) and Daryl Metcalfe (R-Butler), county officials from Butler, Washington, Fayette and Greene counties, as well as southwestern PA business owners in filing a lawsuit against Gov. Tom Wolf at the United States District Court in Pittsburgh on Thursday, May 7. The lawsuit alleges that Gov. Tom Wolf has acted in an unconstitutional manner in exercising emergency powers requiring non-essential businesses to close and citizens to remain in their homes due to the COVID-19 virus.

Day Hosts Committee Meeting to Look Into COVID-19 Situation in PA Nursing Homes

May. 08, 2020 /

HARRISBURG – Pennsylvania House Aging and Older Services Committee Chairman Gary Day (R-Lehigh/Berks) Thursday in Harrisburg hosted an informational meeting so legislators could hear from industry experts about the unique challenges COVID-19 is placing on nursing homes and long-term care facilities in the Commonwealth.

Perry County Lawmakers Implore Governor to Support Reopening Businesses, Services

May. 07, 2020 /

HARRISBURG – With its low caseload and rural setting, Perry County should have been among the first Pennsylvania counties to have stay-at-home orders lifted as the COVID-19 crisis eases, according to Sen. John DiSanto, Rep. Mark Keller, and Perry County Commissioners Brian Allen, Gary Eby, and Brenda Watson.

Reese Responds to Governor’s New Government Program

May. 06, 2020 /

HARRISBURG - Today, Rep. Mike Reese (R-Westmoreland/Somerset) issued the following statement in response to Gov. Tom Wolf’s recent announcement of a new Commonwealth Civilian Coronavirus Corps program:

Grove Reacts to Wolf’s Coronavirus Corps

May. 06, 2020 /

DOVER – Earlier today, Gov. Tom Wolf announced his intentions to create the Commonwealth Civilian Coronavirus Corps to expand testing and contact tracing capabilities and provide new job opportunities in the public health sector. In response, Rep. Seth Grove (R-Dover) issued the following statement: