Bloom Appointed to House Judiciary Committee

Mar. 12, 2018 /

HARRISBURG – Rep. Stephen Bloom (R-Cumberland) today announced he has been appointed to serve on the House Judiciary Committee for the remainder of the 2017-18 legislative session.

Hahn Bill Would Diminish Role of Schools In Election Process

Mar. 12, 2018 /

HARRISBURG – State Rep. Marcia Hahn (R-Bushkill Township) has introduced legislation that would minimize the role school buildings play in the election process. The bill is currently being circulated for co-sponsors in the House.

Quinn Student Loan Debt Tracking Bill Advances

Mar. 12, 2018 /

HARRISBURG – Legislation sponsored by Rep. Chris Quinn (R-Delaware) to help college students keep their student loan debt under control was voted out of the House Commerce Committee today.

Knowles Vows to Continue to See that Pennsylvanians Get to Vote on Size of State House

Mar. 09, 2018 /

HARRISBURG – The House approved an amended version of House Bill 153, sponsored by Rep. Jerry Knowles (R-Berks/Carbon/Schuylkill), on second consideration in early February. This bill would allow the people of Pennsylvania to decide if the House should consist of 203 representatives, or 151 representatives. If the people decide to downsize, the state Constitution would be amended.

Watson, Pashinski to Unveil Proposals to Help Grandparents Raising Grandchildren

Mar. 08, 2018 /

WHAT: Rep. Kathy Watson (R-Bucks/144th), chairman of the House Children and Youth Committee, together with Rep. Eddie Pashinski (D-Luzerne) and other members of the Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Caucus, will unveil a two-bill legislative package designed to help non-parental family members who are raising children and ensure access to state and private resources. In Pennsylvania, nearly 82,000 grandparents are the sole caregivers for more than 89,000 children, saving over $2 billion per year in keeping children out of foster care.

House Education Committee Sets School Safety Hearing

Mar. 08, 2018 /

HARRISBURG - The status of school safety in the State of Pennsylvania will be the focus of the House Education Committee hearing being held on Thursday, March 15, according to the committee chairman, Rep. Dave Hickernell (R-Lancaster/Dauphin).

Barrar’s Committee Hears from First Responder Community About Deadly Problem

Mar. 07, 2018 /

HARRISBURG – To consider a problem responsible for more deaths in the first responder community than are suffered in the line of duty, Rep. Steve Barrar (R-Chester/Delaware), chairman of the House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness (VAEP) Committee, held an informational hearing about post-traumatic stress injury (PTSI).

Benninghoff Bill Would Require Counseling in Drug Treatment

Mar. 06, 2018 /

HARRISBURG – State Rep. Kerry Benninghoff (R-Centre/Mifflin) today introduced legislation requiring counseling for every patient receiving Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) for addiction, such as Vivitrol, Suboxone and Methadone.

Diamond Withdraws Support for Independent Districting Commission Bill

Mar. 05, 2018 /

LEBANON -- Rep. Russ Diamond (R/Lebanon) announced today he has removed himself as a co-sponsor of House Bill 722, which seeks to amend the Pennsylvania Constitution to establish an independent redistricting commission in Pennsylvania. Diamond offered the following statement regarding his withdrawal of support for the bill:

Barrar Queries PEMA Director on School Safety

Mar. 01, 2018 /

HARRISBURG – Following the tragedy in Parkland, Rep. Steve Barrar (R-Chester/Delaware) discussed school safety with Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) Director Richard Flinn at a hearing held by the House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness (VAEP) Committee.