Budget Hearing Wrap with Dept. of Environmental Protection and Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources

Feb. 28, 2024 /

House Republicans questioned the DEP on improvements of their permitting process, dam safety, and regulatory updates, including the status of the Regional Green House Gas Initiative (RGGI) and the Climate Action Plan. Additionally, Republicans asked about the increased spending within DCNR and their ability to keep up with their current core functions before taking on new initiatives.

Budget Hearing Wrap with PA Community College Leaders

Feb. 28, 2024 /

House Republicans focused their questions on trying to understand the potential impacts of the Governor’s “Blueprint for Higher Education” on our valuable community colleges. Once again, Republicans were shocked to learn how little work has been done on this massive, proposed idea to upend and merge the funding of two higher education systems in Pennsylvania that often serve different populations.

Budget Hearing Wrap with PA Dept. of Health with Dept of Drug and Alcohol Programs

Feb. 27, 2024 /

House Republicans inquired about the fiscal health of each agency and asked pointed questions on the amount of funding for current programs and proposed new initiatives. Additionally, Republicans asked about long-term care facility regulations, hospital sustainability, adult-use cannabis, and substance abuse disorder treatment.

Budget Hearing Wrap with PA Department of State

Feb. 27, 2024 /

House Republicans focused their line of questions on how prepared the Department of State (DOS) is for the upcoming 2024 elections, as well as the lack of uniformity in the Commonwealth’s election process. Additionally, Republicans asked how the DOS plans to spend proposed increases in “Voter Registration and Education” equitably, the Governor’s unilateral decision to begin automatic voter registration, and the department’s continued plans to improve the professional licensure process.

Budget Hearing Wrap with PA Department of Labor and Industry

Feb. 26, 2024 /

House Republicans focused their questions on the various workforce development programs within the department – both new and existing. Additionally, Republicans questioned the impacts of the proposed minimum wage increase on job growth, the amount of unemployment compensation fraud and whether the dollars were recouped, and labor law enforcement practices.

Removing Obstacles to Opportunity: Building Pennsylvania

Feb. 26, 2024 /

WHAT: House Republican Policy Committee Chairman Joshua D. Kail (R-Beaver/Washington), Rep. Jamie Barton (R-Berks/Schuylkill), and other lawmakers will host a hearing titled “Removing Obstacles to Opportunity: Building Pennsylvania” to address building ordinances and the cost-prohibitive issues developers face when trying to build or renovate in Pennsylvania.

Budget Hearing Wrap with PA Dept. of Insurance

Feb. 26, 2024 /

House Republicans focused their questions on the financial health of the Pennsylvania Insurance industry and how the Pennsylvania Insurance Department (PID) is allocating its funding. Concerns were raised about the Governor’s proposal to transfer $50 million from the Workers’ Compensation Security Fund for the benefit of subsidizing low- and middle-income families’ health insurance premiums.

Hogan Introduces Bill to Protect Seniors from Financial Exploitation

Feb. 26, 2024 /

HARRISBURG – Rep. Joe Hogan (Bucks) recently introduced House Bill 2064, which would protect seniors from financial exploitation by equipping financial institutions with the necessary tools for identifying, reporting, and preventing the financial exploitation of older adults and care-dependent individuals.

Removing Obstacles to Opportunity: Growing Pennsylvania’s Agriculture

Feb. 26, 2024 /

House Republican Policy Committee Chairman Joshua D. Kail (R-Beaver/Washington), Rep. Mike Stender (R-Northumberland/Montour), and other lawmakers will host a hearing titled “Removing Obstacles to Opportunity: Growing Pennsylvania’s Agriculture” to address permitting and regulations in the agriculture industry that unnecessarily cause delays and stymie Pennsylvania’s growth.

Budget Hearing Wrap with Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency

Feb. 23, 2024 /

Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) Executive Director and CFO Robin Wiessmann and Deputy Executive Director and Chief Counsel Leonidas Pandeladis testified today before the House Appropriations Committee. House Republicans focused their questions on how the PHFA is improving their services after their high-profile failure with distributions from the Federal CARES Act for rent and mortgage relief programs. Additionally, Republicans asked for details on the Governor’s plan to spend more money through the PHFA in the PA Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement Fund, commonly referred to the “PHARE” program.

Budget Hearing Wrap with PA Dept. of Corrections and Probation and Parole Board

Feb. 23, 2024 /

House Republicans focused their line of questioning on cost increases for the department, even though the prison population in Pennsylvania has been declining. Republicans also asked what the DOC can do to help counties deal with the recent increase in high-profile prison escapes and increases violent incidents.

Scialabba Appointed to School Safety and Security Committee

Feb. 23, 2024 /

HARRISBURG – Rep. Stephenie Scialabba (R-Butler) announced that House Republican Leader Bryan Cutler (R-Lancaster) appointed her to serve on the School Safety and Security Committee under the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency.

Budget Hearing Wrap with PA Department of Agriculture

Feb. 22, 2024 /

Department of Agriculture (Ag) Secretary Russell Redding, and Executive Deputy Secretary Greg Hosttetter testified today before the House Appropriations Committee. House Republicans focused their questions on proposed spending increases for the Department and how these new dollars will directly help Pennsylvania farmers. Additionally, Republicans asked, and were again dismayed, at the lack of planning for another of the Governor’s key budget initiatives – adult-use cannabis regulated by the Department of Agriculture.

Budget Hearing Wrap with PA Department of Aging

Feb. 22, 2024 /

House Republicans focused their questions on how the Department of Aging is meeting the needs of Pennsylvania’s growing elderly population. Additionally, Republicans asked why the department’s budget material provided no details on the $11.7 million request for the “Aging Our Way, PA” plan, and how this investment will reduce the need for more costly levels of care for the growing senior population. Republicans also asked pointed questions on the Department’s handling of reports of elder abuse and neglect, leading to frustrating replies from Sec. Kavulich.