Chairman Adolph Asks Treasurer to Examine Gov. Wolf’s Actions

Apr. 12, 2016 /

HARRISBURG – Rep. William F. Adolph, chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, sent a letter to Treasurer Timothy Reese in regard to Governor Tom Wolf’s decision to send out Basic Education Funding despite the governor vetoing the Fiscal Code.

Heffley Applauds Passage of ABLE Savings Account Legislation

Apr. 12, 2016 /

HARRISBURG – To help families better afford long-term expenses related to disabilities, Rep. Doyle Heffley (R-Carbon) joined his colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support Senate Bill 879, which would create Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Tax Free Savings Account for Disabled Individuals. The bill passed unanimously out of the House on Monday.

Human Services Committee to Welcome Patrick Kennedy for Discussion on Mental Illness, Substance Abuse

Apr. 12, 2016 /

WHAT: The House Human Services Committee, chaired by Rep. Gene DiGirolamo (R-Bucks), will hold a public hearing to learn more about mental illness and the tie to substance abuse and addiction. Former Congressman Patrick Kennedy (D-Rhode Island), son of the late Edward Kennedy, will discuss his struggles with substance abuse and the tie to mental illness. Kennedy recently co-authored a book, “A Common Struggle: A Personal Journey Through the Past and Future of Mental Illness and Addiction.”

Klunk Amends Bill to Strengthen Local Domestic Violence Enforcement Efforts

Apr. 12, 2016 /

HARRISBURG – To help enhance public safety, the state House Monday approved legislation (House Bill 176) that would allow local police departments to apply for grants to defray certain operational costs. Rep. Kate Klunk (R-York) successfully amended the bill prior to its passage, adding training and resources to combat domestic violence to the list of eligible uses for grant funding.

Joint Policy Committee Hearing to Focus on PA 2-1-1 Coverage and Funding

Apr. 12, 2016 /

WHAT: The House Majority Policy Committee and House Minority Policy Committee will host a joint, bipartisan hearing regarding the use of PA 2-1-1, a free service operated by the United Way to connect Pennsylvania residents with state and federal health and human service information and referrals. Through the use of public-private partnerships, the service now covers 85 percent of Pennsylvania. Testifiers will go into detail on current how the service has aided Pennsylvanians and how PA 2-1-1 can be improved.

Nurses Rally at Capitol in Support of Gingrich Bill to Ensure Safe Staffing Levels in Health Care Facilities

Apr. 12, 2016 /

HARRISBURG – “Code Blue” is a term used in hospitals to indicate cardiac or respiratory emergencies requiring immediate attention. Today, the Pennsylvania State Nurses Association (PSNA) held a “Code Blue” rally at the state Capitol to call attention to House Bill 476, sponsored by Rep. Mauree Gingrich (R-Lebanon), which would require hospitals to establish, implement and monitor professional nurse staffing standards within their facilities.

House Unanimously Supports Warner Bill Authorizing Fire and EMS Tax Credits

Apr. 11, 2016 /

HARRISBURG – Rep. Ryan Warner’s (R-Fayette/Westmoreland) legislation authorizing local governments to enact earned income and property tax liability tax credits for active volunteers of a fire company or emergency medical service (EMS) company passed the House today with unanimous, bipartisan support.

Hennessey Local Tax Reduction Volunteer Exchange Program Legislation Passes House

Apr. 11, 2016 /

HARRISBURG – For the third consecutive session, the House approved legislation authorizing public school districts to implement a Senior Local Tax Reduction Incentive Volunteer Exchange Program, authored by Rep. Tim Hennessey (R-Chester/Montgomery), chairman of the House Aging and Older Adult Services Committee.

Grove Law Enforcement Grants Legislation Clears House

Apr. 11, 2016 /

HARRISBURG – Legislation sponsored by Rep. Seth Grove (R-York) to help enhance public safety was approved by the House of Representatives today. House Bill 176 would create two programs to provide grants to eligible police departments across the Commonwealth to defray costs for: vehicle purchases, camera purchases, speed timing devices, domestic violence threat assessment training, personnel costs and community law enforcement efforts. The legislation would also make money available for grants to all law enforcement agencies to assist in providing training and equipment to officers to respond to drug overdoses.

Ortitay Resolution Would Require Study of Aging Voting Technology

Apr. 11, 2016 /

HARRISBURG – Rep. Jason Ortitay (R-Washington/Allegheny) today introduced legislation that would require a task force be established for the purpose of studying the Commonwealth’s aging voting technology. The task force would also make recommendations on future voting machine and election technology.

Northampton Community College Students Participate in Financial Literacy Reality Fair, Lawmakers Report

Apr. 08, 2016 /

EAST STROUDSBURG – Northampton Community College (NCC) students participated in the Financial Literacy Reality Fair, which was co-hosted by state Representatives Rosemary M. Brown (R-Monroe/Pike), Marcia Hahn (R-Northampton) and Jack Rader (R-Monroe) and NCC, on Thursday, April 7, on the NCC campus. The event was sponsored by the Pennsylvania State Employees Credit Union (PSECU).

Gaming Committee to Hear Input on Permitting 50-50 Raffles in Pittsburgh Airport

Apr. 08, 2016 /

WHAT: The House Gaming Oversight Committee, chaired by Rep. John Payne (R-Dauphin), will hold a public hearing on House Bill 469, which would permit 50-50 raffles at the Pittsburgh International Airport. Under the bill, the Allegheny County Airport Authority Charitable Foundation would receive revenues generated from the non-winner share of the proceeds for community causes and airport improvements.

House Committees to Examine Liability Coverage for Vehicles

Apr. 08, 2016 /

WHAT: The House Insurance Committee, led by Rep. Tina Pickett (R-Bradford/Sullivan/Susquehanna), together with the House Transportation Committee, will hold a public hearing on legislation to increase the level of insurance liability coverage for vehicle owners. At focus will be House Bill 1258, sponsored by Rep. Brian Ellis (R-Butler), and Senate Bill 928, sponsored by Sen. Don White (R-Indiana).

‘Fair Funding’ Loses Under Governor’s Inequitable School Funding Formula

Apr. 08, 2016 /

HARRISBURG – While education advocates, school boards and members of the General Assembly urged implementation of the bipartisan and fair Basic Education Funding Commission (BEFC) formula, Gov. Tom Wolf instead hijacked the school funding distribution to use a formula of his own, causing further distress and uncertainty among the state’s school districts, House Majority Leader Dave Reed (R-Indiana County) said today.

Barrar’s Committee Holds First Hearing on Community Paramedicine Act

Apr. 08, 2016 /

HARRISBURG – Rep. Steve Barrar (R-Chester/Delaware), majority chairman of the House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee, this week hosted a public hearing on legislation that would allow people of the Commonwealth to receive health care services in their homes.

York House Republicans Question Wolf Commitment to Statewide Education Improvement

Apr. 07, 2016 /

HARRISBURG – Members of the York County House Republican delegation are expressing disappointment over the method by which education funding is being distributed throughout Pennsylvania. While allowing the general appropriations portion of the state budget to become law two weeks ago, Gov. Tom Wolf chose to veto the Fiscal Code bill – the legislation that facilitates distribution of budgeted money.

Diamond Industrial Hemp Bill Unanimously Passes House

Apr. 07, 2016 /

HARRISBURG – Legislation introduced by Rep. Russ Diamond (R-Lebanon) that would create an agricultural pilot program in Pennsylvania for industrial hemp research today unanimously passed the Pennsylvania House. The bill now heads to the Senate for further consideration.