Jan. 09, 2018 /
![Phillips-Hill Among Panelists at Rural Broadband Access Discussion]()
WHAT: Access to high-speed broadband internet for all Pennsylvanians is a critical infrastructure issue. It impacts many aspects of society, from educating students to supporting the agriculture community and developing our economy.
Jan. 09, 2018 /
![Protecting Your Personal Information from Tax Identity Thieves]()
In an effort to bring greater awareness to the crime of tax identity theft, I have authored a House resolution recognizing Jan. 29 through Feb. 2 as Tax Identity Theft Awareness Week in Pennsylvania.
Jan. 08, 2018 /
![Speaker Announces May 15 Special Elections for the 48th and 178th Legislative Districts in Washington and Bucks Counties]()
HARRISBURG – Speaker of the House Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny County) today ordered two special elections be held on Tuesday, May 15, to fill the vacant seats in the 48th Legislative District in Allegheny County and the 178th Legislative District in Bucks County. May 15 is also the scheduled primary election in Pennsylvania.
Jan. 05, 2018 /
![House Ag Committee to Hear from Secretary Redding at PA Farm Show]()
WHAT: The House Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee, chaired by Rep. Martin Causer (R-Cameron/McKean/Potter), is hosting an informational meeting with Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding during the Pennsylvania Farm Show. The meeting will feature a discussion about a variety of issues facing the industry.
Jan. 05, 2018 /
![Ortitay Proposes Bill to Lower the Personal Income Tax Rate]()
HARRISBURG —Rep. Jason Ortitay (R-Washington/Allegheny) today introduced legislation to lower the state’s personal income tax (PIT) rate.
Jan. 03, 2018 /
![Common Sense Caucus Supports Path to Prosperity]()
HARRISBURG – Members of the newly formed Common Sense Caucus (CSC) participated in a state Capitol news conference Tuesday to discuss and support a package of legislation designed to reform Pennsylvania’s welfare system. The package, which consists of more than one dozen bills, addresses a variety of issues ranging from employment incentives and child support protection to residency and work requirements.
Jan. 03, 2018 /
![Quinn Applauds Halt to Construction of Mariner East 2]()
MEDIA – Rep. Chris Quinn (R-Delaware) applauded the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) administrative order today immediately suspending all work on Sunoco’s Mariner East 2 pipeline following findings of unauthorized pipeline installation activities, the absence of permits and other irregularities at several sites in central Pennsylvania.
Jan. 03, 2018 /
![Metcalfe Calls on Wolf to Release Stack’s Unbecoming Conduct Report]()
HARRISBURG — House State Government Committee Majority Chairman Daryl Metcalfe (R-Butler) sent the following letter to Gov. Tom Wolf today calling on his administration to release the Office of Inspector General’s conduct report on Lieutenant Governor Mike Stack:
Jan. 03, 2018 /
![Bernstine Bill Would Stop Life Insurance Payouts to Terrorists]()
HARRISBURG – A recent terror attack on police at the Pennsylvania State Capitol Complex prompted state Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence) today to unveil new legislation, which would limit life insurance payouts of individuals who die committing acts of terrorism.
Jan. 03, 2018 /
![Legislation to End Sale of Tax Credits Introduced by Ortitay]()
HARRISBURG —Rep. Jason Ortitay (R-Washington/Allegheny) recently introduced legislation that would end the practice of selling state tax credits.
Jan. 02, 2018 /
![Kaufer, Tobash Unveil Plan to Reform PA’s Welfare System]()
HARRISBURG – To help contain costs and bring about real reform to Pennsylvania’s welfare system, Reps. Aaron Kaufer (R-Luzerne) and Mike Tobash (R-Schuylkill/Dauphin) announced a package of bills to give more Pennsylvania families an opportunity to improve their quality of life, while tackling waste, fraud and abuse from within the current system.
Dec. 28, 2017 /
![Rep. Klunk’s Bingo Bill Becomes Law]()
HARRISBURG – Legislation by Rep. Kate Klunk (R-Hanover) to bring about sweeping changes to Pennsylvania’s outdated bingo rules has been signed into law.
Dec. 27, 2017 /
![Wentling Bill to Honor Crawford County Soldier Signed in Law]()
HARRISBURG – Legislation by Rep. Parke Wentling (R-Crawford/Erie/Lawrence/Mercer) to honor U.S. Army Staff Sgt. James Douglas Mowris, who was killed during combat operations in Afghanistan in 2004, was signed into law.
Dec. 27, 2017 /
![Effort to Honor Fallen Local Soldier Is Successful, Says Tallman]()
HARRISBURG – A bridge in South Middleton Township, Cumberland County will soon bear the name of a member of the military from the 193rd Legislative District who lost his life, according to state Rep. Will Tallman (R-Adams/Cumberland).
Dec. 27, 2017 /
![Bill to Honor Spring Grove Soldier Signed into Law]()
HARRISBURG –Rep. Seth Grove (R-Dover) announced today legislation to honor a Spring Grove soldier killed in action during the Vietnam War was signed into law.
Dec. 27, 2017 /
![Causer Bill to Authorize Sale of Kane Armory Now Law]()
HARRISBURG – Legislation authorizing the sale of the Kane Armory building and property has been signed into law, according to Rep. Martin Causer (R-Turtlepoint).
Dec. 22, 2017 /
![Gillen Bill Guaranteeing Local Families Access to Loved Ones’ Gravesites Signed Into Law]()
HARRISBURG – The countdown is on. Sixty days from Thursday, a new provision introduced by state Rep. Mark Gillen (R-Berks/Lancaster) and signed into law Thursday by the governor will ensure the families of a 3-year-old boy, a war hero and others buried in a local cemetery will have access to their loved ones’ gravesites.
Dec. 21, 2017 /
![Turzai, Readshaw Legislation Providing Oversight of the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority Signed into Law]()
HARRISBURG – Legislation to place the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority (PWSA) under the oversight of the Public Utility Commission (PUC) became law today, said House Speaker Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny) and Rep. Harry Readshaw (D-Allegheny).
Dec. 21, 2017 /
![James’ New Committee Assignment Gives Local Residents Stronger Say in State Budget]()
HARRISBURG – State Rep. Lee James (R-Venango/Butler) recently was appointed to serve on the powerful House Appropriations Committee, which plays a significant role in the annual process used to approve a state budget.
Dec. 21, 2017 /
![Internet Access For Every Pennsylvanian]()
Last December, my column “Closing Pennsylvania’s Digital Divide” reviewed promises made and promises broken by companies who years ago pledged to make high speed internet available to everyone in the Commonwealth. For some of you, it may have been a revelation that residents of Delta, Fawn Grove and Hopewell Townships must drive to the South Eastern School District parking lot so their children can access the district’s Wi-Fi in order to get their homework done (some residents of Springfield and York townships in the Dallastown Area School District are forced to do the same thing).