Reinventing Government Starts With State Budget, Reed Says

Apr. 04, 2017 /

HARRISBURG – Taking up the challenge to deal with a potential $3 billion shortfall, House Republicans passed a “smart budget” to begin the process of reinventing Pennsylvania government without raising or creating new taxes and also providing additional funding for key education and public safety programs.

Benninghoff Bill to Prohibit ARD for Sex Offenders Gains Unanimous Support in the House

Apr. 03, 2017 /

HARRISBURG – Rep. Kerry Benninghoff (R-Centre/Mifflin) announced today that his legislation to prohibit those charged with sex offenses against children from being placed into the state’s Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition program, or ARD as it is more commonly known, once again passed the House of Representatives with unanimous, bipartisan support.

Past-Due Tax Amnesty Program to Begin Soon, Ortitay Says

Apr. 03, 2017 /

HARRISBURG — Rep. Jason Ortitay (R-Washington/Allegheny) today announced Pennsylvania is offering a limited opportunity for individuals and businesses with past-due taxes as of the end of 2015 to pay with a reduced penalty.

State Legislators Challenge Authority of Susquehanna River Basin Commission

Mar. 29, 2017 /

HARRISBURG – Members of the General Assembly met today with representatives of the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), including Acting Secretary Patrick McDonnell, to discuss what they feel are abuses of power, redundancy of services and overall wasting of taxpayer dollars by the Susquehanna River Basin Commission (SRBC).

Ortitay Proposes Legislation to Streamline DEP Permits

Mar. 27, 2017 /

HARRISBURG — Rep. Jason Ortitay (R-Washington/Allegheny) today introduced legislation to create a single location where all Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) permitting information can be found.

State Budget Update

Mar. 23, 2017 /

It is an honor to have been asked to serve on the House Appropriations Committee. This bipartisan group of members is primarily responsible for passing legislation dealing with expenditures of money by state government. Our first significant task involved the three weeks of budget hearings that took place in Harrisburg in late February and early March. The vantage point I had as a first-time committee member gave me a new perspective on the budget process.

Klunk Introduces Bill to Improve PA Bingo Law

Mar. 23, 2017 /

HARRISBURG – Legislation introduced by Rep. Kate Klunk (R-Hanover) would bring Pennsylvania’s outdated Bingo Law into the 21st century while helping nonprofit organizations attract more players by allowing for increased prize limits.

Expanding Educational Opportunities in Pennsylvania

Mar. 23, 2017 /

Pennsylvanians should be proud of the great and varied educational options available to our Commonwealth’s students. Public, nonpublic, charter and parochial schools all provide unique and valuable opportunities to empower our children to pursue their dreams and reach their potential. Last week, I was pleased to support our most recent effort to extend our successful track record of educational choice and excellence in our state.

Farry Votes in Favor of Precious Metals Reform Bill

Mar. 22, 2017 /

HARRISBURG – After amending language into this bill last session, Rep. Frank Farry (R-Bucks) supports a bill that would require pawn shops and kiosks in the mall that purchase precious metals to keep records of the seller’s proof of identity and photograph each item.

Baker Bills Aim to Help Improve, Safeguard Public Health

Mar. 22, 2017 /

HARRISBURG – Rep. Matt Baker (R-Tioga/Bradford/Potter), chairman of the House Health Committee, has authored three bills passed by the House of Representative this week to ensure individuals across the Commonwealth have access to health care and safeguards are in place to ensure optimal care.

House Committee Approves Watson’s Task Force on Opioid Impact on Children

Mar. 22, 2017 /

HARRISBURG – To help bring greater attention and more protections to the silent, forgotten victims of the state’s ongoing opioid epidemic, legislation to establish a task force to study the impact of the crisis on infants and young children today was unanimously reported out of the House Children and Youth Committee, said Rep. Kathy Watson (R-Bucks/144th), sponsor of the proposal and chairman of the committee.