House Committee to Examine Blight in Chester County, Say Petri, Lewis

May. 09, 2016 /

WHAT: Rep. Scott Petri (R-Bucks), chairman of the House Urban Affairs Committee, will hold a public hearing in Chester County that will focus on issues involving blight, including code enforcement and the redevelopment of blighted properties in the Commonwealth. Recent laws, enacted to address blight and its impact on public safety, property values and local tax revenue, have given municipalities additional tools to put blighted properties back into re-use and on the tax rolls. The committee is being hosted by Rep. Harry Lewis (R-Chester).

Judiciary Committee to Hold Hearing on Home Invasion Burglary

May. 09, 2016 /

WHAT: Rep. Ron Marsico (R-Dauphin), chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, will hold a hearing on legislation that would amend the burglary statute to provide for the crime of home invasion burglary and a mandatory sentence of five years for anyone who burglarizes a place designed for overnight accommodation while someone is present and is armed with a deadly weapon or commits a crime such as assault, terroristic threat, rape or other form of violence. The bill would enhance the sentence to a 10-year mandatory minimum if the victim is 62 or older or for a second offense.

Speaker Applauds Senate Vote to Keep Good Teachers

May. 05, 2016 /

HARRISBURG – Speaker of the House Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny) issued the following statement today in response to the Pennsylvania Senate sending House Bill 805 to the governor’s desk for signature. The law ends the practice of seniority-based layoffs that are dismissals caused by a reduction in force and, by law, must be conducted in order of inverse seniority. The last teacher hired had been the first person fired, regardless of his or her impact on students.

Causer, Committee Vote to Halt Oil, Gas Regulations

May. 03, 2016 /

HARRISBURG – The House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee has approved a concurrent resolution to stop the implementation of regulations impacting the oil and gas industry because they were developed and adopted illegally, said Rep. Martin Causer (R-Turtlepoint).

Gaming Committee Approves Klunk Bill to Update PA Bingo Law

May. 03, 2016 /

HARRISBURG – The House Gaming Oversight Committee today unanimously approved legislation, authored by Rep. Kate Klunk (R-York), which would update Pennsylvania’s Bingo Law to help sustain the game as a viable fundraising tool for licensed community nonprofits.

Boback, Kortz Emphasize Importance of Civics Education

May. 02, 2016 /

HARRISBURG – Rep. Karen Boback (R-Lackawanna/Luzerne/Wyoming) and Rep. Bill Kortz (D-Allegheny) called for increased civics education in schools and were joined by state and national leaders in civics education to encourage the Legislature to support House Bill 1858, which would require Pennsylvania high school students to demonstrate a basic understanding of American history and civics as a condition of graduation.

Boback, Kortz to Hold Civics Education Event

Apr. 29, 2016 /

WHAT: Reps. Karen Boback (R-Lackawanna/Luzerne/Wyoming) and Bill Kortz (D-Allegheny), will host a news conference in support of House Bill 1858, which would require Pennsylvania high school students to demonstrate proficiency in civics as a graduation requirement.

Brown Hosts House Urban Affairs Committee Hearing

Apr. 19, 2016 /

WHAT: Representative Rosemary M. Brown (R-Monroe/Pike) will host the House Urban Affairs Committee for a public hearing in East Stroudsburg to focus on a bill she is sponsoring to address the way in which planned communities are handled by the Bureau of Consumer Protection. Brown plans to testify on behalf of her House Bill 1774, which would grant the power of investigation and mediation of complaints from planned communities, cooperatives and condominiums to the Office of Attorney General’s Bureau of Consumer Protection.

Christiana Introduces New PennWATCH Legislation

Apr. 18, 2016 /

HARRISBURG – PennWATCH Champion Rep. Jim Christiana (R-Beaver/Washington) today announced plans to introduce legislation that would improve the state government database launched in 2012.