Greiner County Pension Reform Legislation Signed into Law

Nov. 30, 2015 /

HARRISBURG- Legislation sponsored by state Rep. Keith J. Greiner (R-Lancaster) was signed into law by Gov. Tom Wolf last week. House Bill 239, now Act 63 of 2015, amends Pennsylvania’s county pension law to provide for new financial controls as well as requiring counties to adopt best management practices.

Taylor Demands Governor Release EITC Funding

Nov. 25, 2015 /

HARRISBURG-- Rep. John Taylor (R-Philadelphia) sent a letter to Gov. Tom Wolf asking him to direct the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) to release letters that would allow businesses across the state to contribute money to student scholarships and prevent the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) and the Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit (OSTC) programs from being yet another casualty of the budget impasse.

Gabler Calls On Governor to Release EITC Program Funding

Nov. 25, 2015 /

HARRISBURG – State Rep. Matt Gabler (R-Clearfield/Elk) today joined a statewide call by legislators to Gov. Tom Wolf, urging him to fulfill his statutory obligation to administer the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) Program without delay. Immediate action is required to prevent the loss of up to $150 million in scholarships in the coming year that benefit Pre-K through high school students across Pennsylvania.

White Demands Governor Release EITC Funding

Nov. 24, 2015 /

HARRISBURG-- Rep. Martina White (R-Philadelphia) has called on Gov. Tom Wolf to direct the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) to release letters that would enable Commonwealth businesses to contribute money to students across the state and prevent the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) Program from being yet another casualty of the budget impasse.

Tobash: House Votes to Delay Keystone Exam as a Graduation Requirement

Nov. 24, 2015 /

HARRISBURG – On Monday, Rep. Mike Tobash (R-Schuylkill/Dauphin) joined his House colleagues in unanimously voting in favor of Senate Bill 880, legislation which would delay the implementation of the Keystone Exam as a graduation requirement until the 2018-19 school year.

Quigley Joins Colleagues to Urge Gov. Wolf to Resume EITC Program

Nov. 24, 2015 /

HARRISBURG – Rep. Tom Quigley (R-Montgomery) today attended a press conference with more than 20 of his colleagues to plead with Gov. Tom Wolf to resume the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) Program. The program funds education for Commonwealth youth.

Klunk, Phillips-Hill Demand Release of Education Dollars

Nov. 24, 2015 /

HARRISBURG – State Reps. Kate Klunk (R-Hanover) and Kristin Phillips-Hill (R-York Township) today joined colleagues from around the Commonwealth in demanding that Gov. Tom Wolf release education dollars to students and schools that benefit from the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program.

York County Delegation Supports Senior Access to Affordable Prescription Drugs

Nov. 24, 2015 /

HARRISBURG – Today, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives approved House Bill 777 sponsored by Rep. Seth Grove (R-Dover). The legislation would extend protections to seniors enrolled in PACE and PACENET who would lose eligibility for these programs due to increases in income from Social Security cost-of-living adjustments (COLA). The PACE and PACENET programs provide low-cost prescription drug coverage for seniors.

Santora Implores Gov. Tom Wolf to Allow Businesses to Contribute Funding to Schools

Nov. 24, 2015 /

HARRISBURG – Rep. James R. Santora (R-Delaware), joined by more than 20 of his colleagues, held a press conference to implore Gov. Tom Wolf to direct the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) to release letters that would enable Commonwealth businesses to contribute money to students across the state and prevent the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) Program from being yet another casualty of the budget impasse.

House Endorses Watson’s Online Impersonation Bill

Nov. 24, 2015 /

HARRISBURG – An individual who seeks to hide behind a fake online profile to harass another would be committing a crime known as online impersonation, under legislation passed by the state House on Monday, said Rep. Kathy Watson (R-Bucks/144th), author of the measure.

Santora Holds Press Conference Urging Gov. Wolf to Resume the EITC Program

Nov. 23, 2015 /

WHAT: In an effort to urge Gov. Tom Wolf to release Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) Program letters to businesses that have planned to participate in the program to help Pennsylvania schools, Rep. James R. Santora (R-Delaware) is holding a press conference to explain the importance of the $150 million the schools are missing. The program allows students to have an alternative to public schools and to attend schools that better meet their needs. If the schools do not receive funding by Dec. 31, businesses will be ineligible to dedicate money to the 2015 program and the $150 million will be lost.

Sonney Legislation Part of Three-Bill Package to Benefit Pennsylvania Senior Citizens

Nov. 19, 2015 /

HARRISBURG – Legislation authored by state Rep. Curt Sonney (R-Harborcreek) that addresses Pennsylvanians’ eligibility in PACE and PACENET, Pennsylvania's prescription assistance programs, was passed Tuesday by the House Aging and Older Adult Services Committee. House Bill 190 is part of a three-bill package dealing with PACE and PACENET eligibility that passed unanimously and may now be taken up by the full House.

Education Dollars Held ‘Hostage’

Nov. 19, 2015 /

Accountability in government is a phrase you often hear. As a state representative, it is my job to promote accountability in all I do. When fiscal resources are under such great pressure as they are in this budget impasse, it is essential that we, as elected officials, be held accountable to the taxpayer. But, in the quest for accountability, we have far too often created obstacles that place undue burdens on local government entities and prevent them from doing their job in an efficient, effective manner.