May. 30, 2019 /
![Hearing Highlights Need for Planned Public Safety Response to Pipelines, Barrar Says]()
MEDIA – At a public hearing held today by Rep. Steve Barrar, chairman of the House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness (VAEP) Committee, testifiers highlighted both the regulations designed to make pipelines a safe way to transport product and the need to have an emergency response plan in the event of a leak.
May. 30, 2019 /
![Gillespie Reacts to DePasquale Game Commission Audit]()
HARRISBURG – Auditor General Eugene DePasquale today announced the findings of an audit of the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) that calls for stronger oversight and tighter control of the commission’s finances. The report comes at a time when the PGC is asking for the ability to set its own license fees, as opposed to having them determined by the General Assembly.
May. 30, 2019 /
![Be Prepared: Causer Bill Ensures State is Ready to Handle Threats to PA Agriculture]()
HARRISBURG – Working to protect the state’s food supply and the agriculture industry, Rep. Martin Causer (R-Cameron/McKean/Potter), chairman of the House Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee, has introduced legislation creating the Pennsylvania Rapid Response Disaster Readiness Account.
May. 30, 2019 /
![Grove Issues Statement on Democrat Senate Plan to Spend Surplus]()
HARRISBURG – In light of Sen. Vincent Hughes’ (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery) plan to spend surplus revenue from the 2018-19 state budget, or tap special fund reserve accounts for $125 million, Rep. Seth Grove (R-Dover) issued the following statement:
May. 29, 2019 /
![State Delegation Backs Joyce's Call For Pennsylvania National Guard Troops To Provide Assistance At Southern Border]()
HARRISBURG, PA – State lawmakers from Pennsylvania’s 13th Congressional District today joined together to support their Congressman in his effort to make Pennsylvania’s National Guard available to address the crisis on the southern border. Congressman John Joyce (PA-13) last week led a group of four other Pennsylvania Congressmen in a letter to Governor Wolf making the request. Rep. Guy Reschenthaler (PA-14) , Rep. Lloyd Smucker (PA-11), Rep. Scott Perry (PA-10), and Rep. Mike Kelly (PA-16) joined Joyce on the letter.
May. 29, 2019 /
![Barrar and House Committee to Host Hearing About Pipeline Safety]()
WHAT: Rep. Steve Barrar (R-Chester/Delaware), chairman of the House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee, will conduct a hearing on the public safety aspects of gas pipeline systems.
May. 28, 2019 /
![Ecker Bill to Reduce Barriers for Junior Firefighters]()
ABBOTTSTOWN – As part of efforts to address staffing issues in the volunteer fire service and to spur the next generation of firefighters, Rep. Torren Ecker (R-Adams/Cumberland) introduced House Bill 1522 to modernize requirements for junior firefighters.
May. 28, 2019 /
![Speaker Announces Special Election for 85th Legislative District]()
HARRISBURG – Speaker of the House of Representatives Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny) today ordered a special election for Tuesday, Aug. 20, to fill the vacant seat in the 85th Legislative District, located in parts of Union and Snyder counties. The special election will fill the seat vacated by Rep. Fred Keller, who recently won election to The United States Congress.
May. 24, 2019 /
![Turzai Announces Rep. Fred Keller Resignation from State House in Wake of Congressional Election]()
HARRISBURG – Speaker of the House Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny) today announced that Rep. Fred Keller (R-Snyder/Union) has officially resigned his House seat this week after winning election to Congress.
May. 22, 2019 /
HARRISBURG – Reps. Sheryl Delozier (R-Cumberland) and Jordan Harris (D-Philadelphia), who have partnered to spearhead sweeping criminal justice reform in Pennsylvania, are now teaming up to modernize the methods by which boards license and certify professionals with criminal records.
May. 20, 2019 /
![On the Eve of Primary Election Day, Dowling Highlights the Importance of Voting as He Introduces His Absentee Ballot Legislation]()
HARRISBURG – Recognizing the importance of voting and the right citizens have to cast their vote, Rep. Matt Dowling (R-Fayette/Somerset) has introduced legislation that would extend the deadline for accepting absentee ballots in the Commonwealth.
May. 20, 2019 /
![State Legislators to Announce Next Step to Helping Ex-Offenders Find Success in Workforce]()
Rep. Sheryl Delozier (R-Cumberland) and Rep. Jordan Harris (D-Philadelphia) will join reform advocates in calling for passage of House Bill 1477, their occupational licensure reform legislation which would require consistency by boards that license or certify Pennsylvanians for occupations.
May. 17, 2019 /
![Oberlander, House Speaker Welcome U.S. Energy Official to Western PA]()
BEAVER – The vast potential of energy and economic opportunity was highlighted at a roundtable discussion with U.S. Department of Energy Under Secretary Mark W. Menezes held by the House Majority Policy Committee at the Beaver County Courthouse in Beaver on Thursday, according to Policy Chairman Donna Oberlander (R-Clarion/Armstrong/Forest).
May. 16, 2019 /
![Stephens Introduces Legislation to Eliminate Water Surcharges for PFAS Removal]()
HARRISBURG—Rep. Todd Stephens (R-Montgomery) has introduced legislation to eliminate local surcharges that ratepayers are paying to remove PFAS from local drinking water supplies.
May. 15, 2019 /
![House Republican Leaders’ Statement on Rep. Sims]()
HARRISBURG – House Republican leaders are issuing the following statement:
“Rep. Brian Sims’ actions reflect the worst in how people should behave and treat one another in a civil society. No one should ever be subjected to any form of harassment or intimidation because they choose to exercise their constitutional rights to pray or peacefully advocate.
May. 15, 2019 /
![Ryan Legislation Setting 10-Year Limit on State Tax Collections Passes Finance Committee]()
HARRISBURG – The House Finance Committee today voted unanimously to approve legislation authored by Rep. Frank Ryan (R-Lebanon) to establish a 10-year time period for the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue (DoR) to collect assessed Personal Income Tax and Corporate Net Income Tax. Under current law, there is no time period for the DoR to collect assessed Personal Income Taxes.
May. 15, 2019 /
![Murt Bill to Increase Lottery Profits for Seniors Passes House]()
HARRISBURG—The House Aging and Older Adult Services Committee has unanimously passed legislation sponsored by Rep. Thomas Murt (R-Montgomery/Philadelphia), chairman of the committee, to increase lottery profits by lowering the rate of return of lottery games. The increased profits would go to programs for seniors that are funded by the Pennsylvania Lottery.
May. 15, 2019 /
![Boback Bill Provides Veterans Benefit to Traveling Hunters and Anglers]()
HARRISBURG – Pennsylvania hunting and fishing licenses would become portable for the men and women who serve and who have served our country under legislation authored by state Rep. Karen Boback (R-Luzerne/Lackawanna/Wyoming).
May. 15, 2019 /
![Ag Committee to Visit Elk County for Update on Forest Products Industry]()
WHAT: Members of the House Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee, chaired by Rep. Martin Causer (R-Cameron/McKean/Potter), will hold an informational meeting to receive an update on the state’s forest products industry. The meeting is being hosted by Rep. Matt Gabler (R-Elk/Clearfield).
May. 14, 2019 /
![Bipartisan Vote Sends Down Syndrome Protection Bill to Senate, Turzai Says]()
HARRISBURG –Speaker of the House of Representatives Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny) today announced House passage of legislation to protect the lives of unborn children who have been diagnosed with Down syndrome.