Pickett Votes to Restore Education Funding to Local Schools

Apr. 13, 2016 /

HARRISBURG – To help local schools receive the state funding they are due in the 2015-16 state budget, Rep. Tina Pickett (R-Bradford/Sullivan/Susquehanna) today voted in favor of new legislation that addresses the governor’s veto of the state’s Fiscal Code.

Medical Marijuana Bill Headed to Governor’s Desk after House Approval, Says Reed

Apr. 13, 2016 /

HARRISBURG – House Majority Leader Dave Reed (R-Indiana) today joined an overwhelming majority of his colleagues in supporting legislation to permit the controlled use of medical marijuana/cannabis in Pennsylvania. The House of Representatives approved an amended version of Senate Bill 3 by a vote of 149-46. The legislation now heads to Gov. Tom Wolf, who has said he will sign it into law.

Cox Votes for Medical Cannabis Bill Approved by House

Apr. 13, 2016 /

HARRISBURG – State Rep. Jim Cox (R-Berks/Lancaster) today in Harrisburg voted for a bill that would legalize in Pennsylvania the use of medical cannabis to help children suffering from seizures, patients who have cancer and individuals with other specified health conditions. Following the vote, Cox made the following statement:

State House Sends Gillespie Tourism Promotion Bill to Governor’s Desk

Apr. 13, 2016 /

HARRISBURG – With significant bipartisan support, the state House on Tuesday sent to Gov. Tom Wolf’s desk legislation authored by state Rep. Keith Gillespie (R-Hellam) that would give York County commissioners a key tool they and county tourism officials have requested in the effort to further promote local destinations and attractions.

Grove, Bloom: Wolf Administration Admits Defeat, Abruptly Reverses Unconstitutional PERC Power Grab

Apr. 12, 2016 /

HARRISBURG – State Reps. Seth Grove (R-York) and Stephen Bloom (R-Cumberland) today respond today respond to the Wolf Administration’s abandonment of its misguided attempt to close the Pennsylvania Employee Retirement Commission (PERC). Yesterday, Wolf administration officials announced that it has rescinded its unconstitutional and illegal attempt to abolish the statutorily created PERC. PERC will now continue to perform its statutory functions, operating as an independent fiscal watchdog, providing independent actuarial analysis for pension legislation and monitoring the health of municipal pension plans pursuant to Act 205 of 1984.

English Family Caregiver Legislation Heads to Governor

Apr. 12, 2016 /

HARRISBURG – Legislation designed to support senior citizens and their family caregivers by keeping ailing residents in their own home longer has been approved by the House, after changes by the Senate, said the bill’s author, Rep. Hal English (R-Allegheny). The bill is known as the Caregiver Advise, Record and Enable Act and was passed this week by the state Senate.

Watson Urges Greater Awareness of Equal Pay Day

Apr. 12, 2016 /

HARRISBURG – In honor of Equal Pay Day in Pennsylvania, Rep. Kathy Watson (R-Bucks/144th) reminded her colleagues in the state House today about the long-term effects of pay inequity.

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.