May. 10, 2017 /
![What It Will Take To Replace Property Taxes]()
My March column on property tax references made during the House Appropriations Committee budget hearings drew a great deal of feedback. The responses were interesting and varied. This is a good time to explain the four-bill package I have introduced.
May. 10, 2017 /
![Causer Applauds Study Highlighting Value of Conventional Oil and Gas Industry]()
May. 10, 2017 /
![House Approves Toepel’s Bill to Create Council to Study Rare Diseases]()
HARRISBURG – Today the House approved legislation with unanimous support sponsored by Rep. Marcy Toepel (R-Montgomery) to create a council charged with studying rare diseases in the Commonwealth.
May. 10, 2017 /
![Delozier Brings Attention to Stigmas Surrounding People with Disabilities]()
HARRISBURG – Rep. Sheryl Delozier (R-Cumberland) today hosted a Capitol press conference to help unveil a documentary film bringing attention to stigmas associated with people with disabilities.
May. 10, 2017 /
![Knowles’ Bill to Withhold State Funding from Sanctuary Campuses Approved by State Government Committee]()
HARRISBURG – On Tuesday, the House State Government Committee approved Rep. Jerry Knowles’ (R-Berks/Carbon/Schuylkill) House Bill 14, which would prohibit any institution of higher education in Pennsylvania which deems itself a “sanctuary campus” from receiving state funding. Funding would be restored once the institution demonstrates compliance with the requirement of the law and provides proof the rule, order or policy has been rescinded.
May. 10, 2017 /
![Southcentral PA Legislators See Pension Reform Bills Advance in State House]()
HARRISBURG – Legislation that would remove questionable participants from Pennsylvania’s taxpayer-funded state pension systems is on the move in the General Assembly, according to state Reps. Kristin Phillips-Hill (R-York) and Will Tallman (R-Adams/Cumberland).
May. 10, 2017 /
![Cutler Bill to Increase Public Confidence with the Courts Passes Committee]()
HARRISBURG – Legislative language drafted by Reps. Bryan Cutler (R-Peach Bottom) and Madeleine Dean (D-Montgomery) to ensure a fair, impartial and qualified judiciary by establishing a merit-based system for appointing statewide appellate judges passed the House Judiciary Committee.
May. 10, 2017 /
![Ward Spearheading Legislation to Reprioritize Distribution of Women’s Health Care Funding]()
HARRISBURG – At a press conference today at the state Capitol, Rep. Judy Ward (R-Blair) unveiled legislation she is authoring to reprioritize the allocation of public funds for family planning purposes and women’s health. Her bill would be the companion legislation to Sen. John Eichelberger’s (R-Blair) Senate Bill 300.
May. 09, 2017 /
![Cutler, Neuman Bill to Make Lobbying Information Public Passes Committee]()
HARRISBURG – To share information that affects the legislative process with the public, Reps. Bryan Cutler (R-Peach Bottom) and Brandon Neuman (D-Washington) drafted legislation to better address lobbying violations. The bill passed committee with unanimous support today.
May. 09, 2017 /
![Baker Works to Curb Drug Addiction by Regulating Pill Mills]()
HARRISBURG – In his continuing fight against the growing drug problem in our state, chairman of the House Health Committee, Rep. Matt Baker (R-Tioga/Bradford/Potter) this week had his legislation to combat “pill mills” approved in the House of Representatives.
May. 09, 2017 /
![House Approves Kaufer’s Community Hospital Emergency Drug and Alcohol Detoxification Bill]()
HARRISBURG – Rep. Aaron Kaufer’s (R-Luzerne) House Bill 118, which would expedite the creation of an Emergency Drug and Alcohol Detoxification Program, was unanimously approved by the House on Tuesday. The bill has been sent to the Senate for its consideration.
May. 09, 2017 /
![Klunk’s Bill to Improve PA Bingo Law Passes House]()
HARRISBURG – The House of Representatives today overwhelmingly approved Rep. Kate Klunk’s (R-Hanover) legislation to bring Pennsylvania’s antiquated Bingo Law up to date.
May. 09, 2017 /
![House OKs Nesbit Bill to Encourage Small Businesses to Do Business with Casinos]()
HARRISBURG – In an effort that would encourage small businesses to do business with casinos in Pennsylvania, the House has approved legislation authored by Rep. Tedd Nesbit (R-Mercer/Butler) to remove unnecessary obstacles that hinder such partnerships.
May. 09, 2017 /
![Simmons’ Student Health and Safety Bill Heads to Governor’s Desk]()
May. 09, 2017 /
![Gabler, Sankey Support Freedom of Choice in REAL ID Compliance Debate]()
HARRISBURG- Legislation that would bring Pennsylvania into compliance with the REAL ID Act of 2005 while offering citizens a choice of forms of identification was passed unanimously Monday by the House State Government Committee, which includes state Reps. Matt Gabler (R-Clearfield/Elk) and Tommy Sankey (R-Clearfield/Cambria). The bill may now be taken up by the full House.
May. 08, 2017 /
![Petri Pension Forfeiture Bill Passes House, Headed Back to Senate]()
HARRISBURG – Today, the House overwhelmingly approved legislation, sponsored by Rep. Scott Petri (R-Bucks) that would strengthen Pennsylvania laws governing public corruption.
May. 08, 2017 /
![House Approves Cox Bill to Help Pennsylvanians Avoid Telemarketers]()
HARRISBURG – Pennsylvanians who view telemarketing and robo-calls as an unwanted annoyance could soon have some relief thanks to a bill introduced by state Rep. Jim Cox (R-Berks/Lancaster) that today was approved by the state House.
May. 08, 2017 /
![House Human Services Committee Approves Two of Kaufer’s Bills to Fight PA’s Opioid Epidemic]()
HARRISBURG – On Monday, the House Human Services Committee unanimously approved House Bills 119 and 122, both sponsored by Rep. Aaron Kaufer (R-Luzerne), which are part of a 10-bill-package he has introduced this session to combat Pennsylvania’s ongoing opioid crisis.
May. 08, 2017 /
![Measure to Enhance Statewide 2-1-1 System Passes Committee]()
HARRISBURG – On Monday, the House Human Services Committee unanimously approved House Bill 211, which seeks to establish a statewide 2-1-1 System Partnership Grant Program within the Department of Human Services to facilitate dissemination of health and human service information. The bill is being sponsored by Committee Chairman Gene DiGirolamo (R-Bucks) and Rep. Stephen Bloom (R-Cumberland).
May. 08, 2017 /
![Barrar, House Committee to Consider Bill to Update First Responder Payments]()
WHAT: Rep. Steve Barrar (R-Chester/Delaware), chairman of the House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee, will hold a committee meeting to vote on two bills: