Nov. 03, 2017 /
![Adoptees Can Now Apply for Original Birth Certificates]()
HARRISBURG – After eight years of negotiations, Rep. Kerry Benninghoff’s (R-Centre/Mifflin) legislation to reinstate the rights of Pennsylvania adult adoptees to apply for and receive a copy of their original birth certificate finally became law on Nov. 3, 2016. One year later, the state Department of Health (DOH) has begun processing those requests for the first time since 1984.
Nov. 02, 2017 /
![Turzai Comments on Passing of Fredrick W. Anton III]()
PITTSBURGH –Speaker of the Pennsylvania House Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny) issued the following statement upon the death of Frederick (Fred) Anton III of Philadelphia:
Nov. 02, 2017 /
![Understanding the November Property Tax Ballot Question]()
When we go to our polling place next month on Election Day (Nov. 7), the ballot in front of us will contain the following question:
Nov. 02, 2017 /
![Ortitay Introduces Resolution Involving Competition in Global Oil Market]()
HARRISBURG – Rep. Jason Ortitay (R-Washington/Allegheny) today introduced a House resolution supporting a U.S. House of Representatives bill to create the U.S. Commission on the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries.
Nov. 01, 2017 /
![Simmons, Bloom Call for Constitutional Convention to Fix Broken Government]()
ALLENTOWN – Answering rising calls to fix broken state government, Rep. Justin Simmons (R-Lehigh/Montgomery/Northampton) today detailed his support of a new proposal to host a limited constitutional convention in Pennsylvania, similar to the one that occurred in 1967.
Nov. 01, 2017 /
![Ryan’s Audit Enforcement Legislation Signed into Law]()
HARRISBURG – State Rep. Frank Ryan (R-Lebanon) today announced that his legislation to strengthen audits conducted by the state auditor general was signed into law by Gov. Tom Wolf on Monday.
Nov. 01, 2017 /
![Kaufer, Bloom Call for Constitutional Convention to Fix Broken Government PA citizens would take direct role in constitutional changes]()
HARRISBURG – State Rep. Aaron Kaufer today detailed his support of a new proposal to host a limited constitutional convention in Pennsylvania, similar to the one that was hosted in 1967. Kaufer joined Rep. Stephen Bloom (R-Cumberland), author of the proposal, to explain what a convention could look like.
Oct. 31, 2017 /
![Warner Announces Performance-Based Budgeting Bill Becomes Law]()
HARRISBURG – On Monday, the governor signed into law Senate Bill 181, which would change the state budgeting process by requiring performance-based budgeting. The House version, House Bill 410, was authored by Rep. Ryan Warner (R-Fayette/Westmoreland).
Oct. 31, 2017 /
![News Advisory: Simmons, Bloom to Detail Constitutional Convention for Government Reform]()
Oct. 31, 2017 /
![Kaufer, Bloom Call for Constitutional Convention to Fix Broken Government]()
WHAT: State Rep. Aaron Kaufer (R-Luzerne) will host a press conference to detail legislation to reform state government via limited constitutional convention
Oct. 31, 2017 /
![Kaufer’s Bill to Help Opioid Crisis, Signed by Governor as Act 40 of 2017]()
HARRISBURG – Rep. Aaron Kaufer’s (R-Luzerne) House Bill 118, which establishes the Emergency Drug and Alcohol Detoxification Program, was recently signed into law as Act 40 of 2017.
Oct. 30, 2017 /
![Mackenzie’s Bill to Reduce Fraud Signed into Law]()
HARRISBURG – Today, the governor signed into law House Bill 16, Rep. Ryan Mackenzie’s (R-Lehigh/Berks) legislation designed to reform the local tax collection system to reduce instances of fraud.
Oct. 30, 2017 /
![Tallman Questions Commonwealth Spending As Governor Considers Final Budget]()
HARRISBURG – As Gov. Tom Wolf considers the final pieces of the 2017-18 state budget package, state Rep. Will Tallman (R-Adams/Cumberland) is expressing his disappointment with the spending plan finalized by the General Assembly last week.
Oct. 30, 2017 /
![Legislators to Accept Testimony on the Impact of Drilling Ban]()
WHAT: State lawmakers will accept testimony on the potential impact of a permanent drilling ban being proposed by the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) at a legislative hearing in Waymart.
Oct. 27, 2017 /
![Saccone Introduces Legislation to End License Suspensions for Individuals with Drug and Non-Driving Convictions]()
PITTSBURGH - At a press conference today, Rep. Rick Saccone (R-Allegheny/Washington) announced legislation to end driver’s license suspensions for people convicted of a non-vehicle related crime.
Oct. 27, 2017 /
![Baker Joins President for Declaration of National Opioid Abuse Crisis]()
HARRISBURG – State Rep. Matt Baker (R-Tioga/Bradford/Potter) today joined President Donald Trump at the White House in Washington, D.C., as he declared the opioid epidemic a national health emergency. Since 2000, more than 500,000 people have died as the result of opioid abuse, or about 144 people per day.
Oct. 26, 2017 /
![Everett Says Budget Bills Sent to Governor This Week]()
HARRISBURG – Rep. Garth Everett (R-Lycoming/Union), a member of the House Appropriations Committee, said today the bills to fund the 2017-18 state budget have been passed and sent to Gov. Tom Wolf.
Oct. 26, 2017 /
![Understanding The Ballot Referendum]()
In 1997, the Pennsylvania Constitution was amended to allow local taxing authorities - counties, school districts and municipalities - to reduce any homeowner’s property taxes by no more than 50 percent of the median assessed value of all primary residences (the Homestead Exclusion). On Election Day, we will have a chance to potentially raise that figure to 100 percent.
Oct. 26, 2017 /
![Stephens Backs Bill Funding Programs for Seniors, Abused Children and Domestic Violence Victims]()
HARRISBURG—Rep. Todd Stephens (R-Montgomery) joined a bipartisan majority of his colleagues to pass a budget-related gaming bill that provides additional funding for lottery programs for Pennsylvania seniors and for programs serving domestic violence victims and abused children in Montgomery County.
Oct. 26, 2017 /
![House Sends Ortitay’s Gaming Bill to Governor]()
HARRISBURG – The House today sent Rep. Jason Ortitay’s (R-Washington/Allegheny) gaming legislation to the governor to finish funding the Fiscal Year 2017-18 state budget process.