Tobash Focused on Creating a Brighter Future for Pennsylvania

Feb. 07, 2017 /

HARRISBURG – Following the governor’s budget address on Tuesday, where he presented his proposal for the 2017-18 state budget, Rep. Mike Tobash (R-Schuylkill/Dauphin) issued the following statement, outlining his priorities for this budget cycle:

Ellis: Restarting Our Budget Process Starts Now

Feb. 07, 2017 /

HARRISBURG – Rep. Brian Ellis (R-Butler) joined his House colleagues in a joint session of the General Assembly on Tuesday to listen to the governor’s budget address for the 2017-18 fiscal year. Following the address, Ellis detailed what he hopes to see throughout this budget process:

James Reacts to Governor’s Budget Proposal

Feb. 07, 2017 /

HARRISBURG – State Rep. Lee James (R-Venango/Butler) today issued the following statement after Gov. Tom Wolf delivered his annual budget address in Harrisburg to a joint session of the state House and Senate

Corr Outlines Budget Priorities Following Governor’s Address

Feb. 07, 2017 /

HARRISBURG – State Rep. Michael Corr (R-Montgomery) today issued the following statement after listening to Gov. Tom Wolf’s annual budget address, where the governor proposed his spending plan for the upcoming fiscal year beginning July 1.

Staats Bill to Increase School Security, Preparedness Advances

Feb. 07, 2017 /

HARRISBURG – By a unanimous vote this morning, the House Education Committee passed a bill, sponsored by committee member Rep. Craig Staats (R-Bucks), which would require Pennsylvania public schools to conduct annual security drills in each of its school buildings.

Watson Advances Eight Adoption Reform Bills to Full House

Feb. 06, 2017 /

HARRISBURG – Committed to opening up more loving homes for children, the House Children and Youth Committee, led by Rep. Kathy Watson (R-Bucks/144th), today reported out a series of bills designed to reform the adoption process in Pennsylvania.

Simmons’ Student Health and Safety Bill Approved by Committee

Feb. 06, 2017 /

HARRISBURG – The House Education Committee today unanimously approved legislation sponsored by Rep. Justin Simmons (R-Lehigh/Montgomery/Northampton) that would help to ensure the health and safety of Pennsylvania students who suffer from severe allergic reactions. House Bill 224 will next be considered by the full House of Representatives.

Barrar and House, Senate Committees to Learn About Veterans’ Issues

Feb. 06, 2017 /

WHAT: Rep. Steve Barrar (R-Chester/Delaware), chairman of the House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee, will conduct a joint informational hearing to hear a presentation about programs and issues that concern the veteran and military community.

Harris, House Committee to Vote on Bill Impacting Beer Distributors

Feb. 03, 2017 /

WHAT: Rep. Adam Harris (R-Franklin/Juniata/Mifflin), chairman of the House Liquor Control Committee, will hold a committee meeting to vote on a bill to delay the prohibition of beer distributors from selling or delivering outside of the franchise territory from which they purchased the beer originally to April 30. It would also modify the penalty for those licensees that accept any product improperly sold or delivered outside of their franchise territory from the current 30-day suspension to a fine not to exceed $1,000.

Nesbit to Unveil Bill to Help Keep Opioids off the Streets

Feb. 03, 2017 /

WHAT: Rep. Tedd Nesbit (R-Mercer/Butler) will announce legislation he is sponsoring that would help prevent opioid drugs from being misused. Much of the opioid and heroin abuse crisis stems from doctor and pharmacy shopping and pills being sold on the streets. This legislation is designed to tightly control how opioids are prescribed.

House Children and Youth Committee to Consider Adoption Reform Bills

Feb. 03, 2017 /

WHAT: The House Children and Youth Committee will consider six bills to designed to reform the adoption process in Pennsylvania. House Bills 57 and 58, sponsored by Rep. Scott Petri (R-Bucks), would streamline and expedite the procedures for terminating parental rights, and shorten the period in which a birth parent can revoke his/her consent; House Bill 59, sponsored by Rep. Dan Moul (R-Adams), would allow adoptive families to appeal the amount of an adoption subsidy provided by local authorities; House Bill 61, sponsored by Rep. Harry Lewis (R-Chester), would make it easier for parents who are incarcerated to relinquish their parental rights by allowing correctional staff to witness the individual’s consent to adoption; and House Bills 62 and 63, sponsored by Rep. Dan Miller (D-Allegheny), would eliminate the hearing currently required to confirm parental consent, and refine the definition of “intermediary” to include a licensed attorney or social worker.