Schmitt Bill to Protect Police Officers Sent to House for a Vote

May. 04, 2020 /

HARRISBURG – The House Judiciary Committee today approved legislation by Rep. Lou Schmitt (R-Blair) to protect police officers from being assaulted with bodily fluids, such as spit. The bill also carries a heavier penalty for people who have an infectious disease and are convicted of assaulting an officer with bodily fluids.

Struzzi Bill to Protect Victims with Disabilities Passes Judiciary Committee

May. 04, 2020 /

HARRISBURG – The House Judiciary Committee 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.

Ryan Introduces Bill to Freeze Pay for Public Officials

May. 04, 2020 /

HARRISBURG - Rep. Frank Ryan (R-Lebanon) has introduced legislation to freeze Cost of Living Adjustments (COLAs) for Pennsylvania public officials through 2021 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the financial turmoil it is causing at all levels of government and in the lives of Pennsylvania residents.

Turzai to Rivera: What’s the Plan to Bring Kids Back to the Classroom?

May. 04, 2020 /

HARRISBURG – Responding to the state education secretary’s assertion that schools may be closed in the fall, in a letter Speaker of the House Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny) demanded the Wolf Administration share its plan to ensure Pennsylvania’s students return to school in the fall and continue, uninterrupted, their education.

Wolf: Call Off the Dogs, Focus on Pennsylvanians in Need

May. 01, 2020 / Newspaper Columns

Our office is a “catch all” for state government information, which we then disseminate to our constituents. Right now, three out of four calls are from unemployed people trying to figure out where they are in the process of applying for compensation. They don’t contact us to hear “Did you try…” or “I don’t know…” But until Harrisburg starts focusing on these people who are hurting, the level of anger and frustration is only going to escalate.

Kail Responds to Wolf’s Plan to Reopen Part of PA

May. 01, 2020 /

CENTER – Rep. Josh Kail (R-Beaver/Washington) issued the following statement regarding Gov. Tom Wolf’s plan to move to the next phase of reopening in the northwest and north central regions of the state:

Why Not the Southwest, Turzai Asks

May. 01, 2020 /

McCANDLESS, Allegheny County – Following the governor’s announcement of moving 23 Pennsylvania counties from the very restricted red phase to the beginning-to-open yellow phase, Speaker of the House Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny) today questioned why southwest counties were not included?

Rowe, Phillips-Hill Letter to U.S. Attorney General Applauds Federal Review of State Shutdown Policies

May. 01, 2020 /

HARRISBURG - Leading the effort in the House, Rep. David Rowe (Snyder/Union) together with his Republican Caucus colleagues in the House and Senate led by Sen. Kristin Phillips-Hill (R-York) wrote to U.S. Attorney General Bill Barr in support of the Department of Justice’s directive to monitor state and local COVID-19 shutdown policies to ensure the protection of the constitutional rights of American citizens.

Heffley Blasts Wolf for Vetoing Telemedicine Bill

May. 01, 2020 /

HARRISBURG – Rep. Doyle Heffley (R-Carbon) issued the following statement regarding Gov. Tom Wolf’s veto of Senate Bill 857, legislation that would have enhanced the availability of telemedicine services in Pennsylvania.

House Republicans Move to Expand COVID-19 Testing

Apr. 30, 2020 /

HARRISBURG – As daily announcements from Gov. Wolf and Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine say, expanded testing is the most crucial step in saving lives and helping Pennsylvania get back to normal. However, House Democrats disagreed, blocking the two-thirds vote required to pass an emergency bill to expand testing to Pennsylvanians on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic on Wednesday.

House Republicans Advance Expanded Testing Plan

Apr. 30, 2020 /

HARRISBURG –The best way to help millions of Pennsylvanians resume their daily lives is to expand COVID-19 testing capabilities across the Commonwealth. To accomplish that, House Republicans are again leading the way in protecting and empowering Pennsylvanians during this crisis, by passing an amendment that would require Gov. Tom Wolf to produce a plan for procuring and deploying COVID-19 testing in Pennsylvania.

Warner Applauds Passage of Bill to Aid Fire/EMS Companies

Apr. 30, 2020 /

HARRISBURG – Rep. Ryan Warner (R-Fayette/Westmoreland) is urging the Senate to follow the lead of the House and quickly pass a bill he co-sponsored that would provide much-needed funding to fire and ambulance companies across the state.

House Republicans Lead Efforts to Expand Testing

Apr. 29, 2020 /

HARRISBURG – As daily announcements from Gov. Tom Wolf and Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine say, expanded testing is the most crucial step in saving lives and helping Pennsylvania get back to normal. However, House Democrats disagreed today, blocking the two-thirds vote required to pass an emergency bill to expand testing to Pennsylvanians on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Governor Backing Off Regional Reopening Plan, Metzgar Says

Apr. 29, 2020 /

HARRISBURG – State Rep. Carl Walker Metzgar (R-Somerset/Bedford) today announced that the governor is backing off his plan to reopen Pennsylvania by region. Metzgar recently wrote a letter to the governor urging him to restructure his plan to open by county, as was done when he closed them. He specifically cited issues with his district, Somerset and Bedford counties, being placed in the same region as more urban areas like Pittsburgh and York.