House Approves Bloom Bill to Protect Sexual Abuse Victims

Jun. 13, 2018 /

HARRISBURG – The House of Representatives today approved legislation, authored by Rep. Stephen Bloom (R-Cumberland), which would enable the out-of-court testimony of more young sexual abuse victims to be used in court to ensure their perpetrators are brought to justice.

Warner Blasts Philadelphia Sanctuary City Ruling

Jun. 12, 2018 /

HARRISBURG – Rep. Ryan Warner (R-Fayette/Westmoreland) today expressed extreme disappointment in a federal judge’s court ruling that favored the city of Philadelphia over whether the Trump administration could withhold law enforcement grants over city officials’ sanctuary city policies.

Benninghoff, Conklin Recognize Penn State Champions

Jun. 12, 2018 /

HARRISBURG –The House of Representatives today unanimously approved two resolutions introduced by Reps. Kerry Benninghoff (R-Centre Mifflin) and Scott Conklin (D-Centre) recognizing the Penn State University men’s basketball and wrestling teams for championship-winning seasons.

House Advances Bill to Allow Opt-Out for Keystone Exams

Jun. 12, 2018 /

HARRISBURG – This week, the House voted overwhelmingly to approve legislation sponsored by Rep. John Lawrence (R-Chester/Lancaster) that would permit public schools to adopt a policy that would allow parents or guardians to opt-out of the Keystone Exams on behalf of their children.

House Committee to Discuss Progress in Containing Chronic Wasting Disease

Jun. 12, 2018 /

WHAT: The House Game and Fisheries Committee, chaired by state Rep. Keith Gillespie (R-York), will hold a public hearing to discuss Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) and its threat to Pennsylvania’s cervid population. CWD attacks the brain of infected deer, elk and moose, producing small lesions that eventually result in death.

Owlett Named to Three Standing House Committees

Jun. 12, 2018 /

HARRISBURG – Rep. Clint Owlett (R-Tioga/Bradford/Potter) was named to three standing committees within the Pennsylvania House of Representatives this week. They are the Insurance, Human Services and Liquor Control committees.

Dowling to Introduce Bill to Protect Consumers, Funeral Escrow Funds

Jun. 11, 2018 /

UNIONTOWN – Rep. Matt Dowling (R-Fayette/Somerset) is developing legislation that he will introduce in the House of Representatives to address the management of escrow accounts controlled by funeral directors and hold them accountable for any actions that they take with that money. This legislation would help prevent or punish cases like those seen in the ongoing trial in Dowling’s district in which a funeral director allegedly misused funds given to him by clients paying for his services.

Human Services Committee to Consider Opioid Reform Legislation

Jun. 11, 2018 /

WHAT: The House Human Services Committee, chaired by Rep. Gene DiGirolamo (R-Bucks), will hold a voting meeting to consider comprehensive legislation, House Bill 2200, sponsored by Rep. Jason Ortitay (R-Washington/Allegheny) to help address the ongoing opioid epidemic. The bill would compile a complete report on how the state is implementing existing state laws related to this issue. This would then allow lawmakers to see if additional laws are needed or if existing laws just need to be enforced. Furthermore, the measure would centralize litigation against the opioid manufacturers so that the judiciary can effectively weigh what, if any, responsibility the industry has to Pennsylvania taxpayers.

O’Neal Assigned to Three Committees

Jun. 11, 2018 /

HARRISBURG – Rep. Tim O’Neal (R-Washington) this week was named to three House standing committees for the remainder of the 2017-18 legislative session.

House Ag Committee to Consider PENNVEST Audit Resolution

Jun. 08, 2018 /

WHAT: The House Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee, chaired by Rep. Martin Causer (R-Cameron/McKean/Potter), will hold a meeting to consider House Resolution 948, sponsored by Causer, calling on Auditor General Eugene DePasquale to conduct a thorough audit of more than 100 nonpoint source management transactions approved by the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST). The resolution comes in response to concerns raised about PENNVEST approval of two low-interest loans totaling nearly $51 million for New Hampshire-based Lyme Timber Company to purchase more than 60,000 acres of private forest land in Cameron, Clinton, Elk, Jefferson, McKean and Potter counties.

Turzai Celebrates Wine Sales at Weis Markets’ Enola Store

Jun. 07, 2018 /

HARRISBURG – House Speaker Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny) today celebrated the two-year anniversary of Act 39 of 2016, which opened the sale of wine in select grocery and convenience stores, and called on Gov. Tom Wolf to continue to support legislation to expand wine sales statewide.